Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Salutations Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve got under the tree for you today:

⚽ Soccer’s Star Signing ⚽
FSU welcomes Yuna McCormack, a U.S. Youth National Team standout, to its soccer roster. With international experience and ACC accolades, she’s poised to elevate the team.

🛡️ Pettus Joins the Trenches 🛡️
The Seminoles secure Ole Miss offensive tackle Micah Pettus. His massive frame and SEC experience make him a key addition to FSU’s offensive rebuild.

📡 Targeting Top Talent 📡
FSU is eyeing All-CUSA wide receiver Tru Edwards, a proven playmaker with size and consistency to bolster the Seminoles’ offensive depth.

🏀 ‘Noles in the NBA 🏀
From Scottie Barnes’ triple-doubles to Malik Beasley’s hot shooting, FSU alums are making waves across the league this season.

🛡️ Building Momentum with Gunnar Hansen 🛡️
FSU’s offensive line overhaul began with Vanderbilt tackle Gunnar Hansen, a proven SEC talent bringing experience and leadership to the program.

🎙️ Herbstreit Criticism Grows 🎙️
FSU fans and national voices unite in calling out ESPN’s SEC bias, vindicating Tallahassee’s long-standing frustrations with playoff narratives.

⚽ FSU Soccer Adds U.S. Youth Star Yuna McCormack ⚽

Florida State’s soccer team has made a significant addition to its roster, signing standout junior midfielder Yuna McCormack from the transfer portal. McCormack brings international pedigree, collegiate experience, and proven versatility to a Seminoles program aiming to stay at the pinnacle of women’s college soccer.

🌟 McCormack’s Soccer Journey:

• U.S. Youth National Team: Represented the U.S. at U-15, U-16, and U-20 levels, scoring two goals during the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to secure a bronze medal.

• Virginia Stint: Played and started in 28 games for the Cavaliers, earning 2023 ACC All-Freshman Team honors and contributing key goals and assists in high-pressure moments.

• Club Career: Ranked as the No. 2 midfielder and No. 6 overall player in the 2023 IMG Top 150 list, McCormack honed her skills at the ECNL powerhouse Bay Area Surf Soccer Club.

🔑 What She Brings to FSU:

• Elite Skill Set: A midfield maestro with international experience, McCormack’s technical ability, vision, and scoring instincts make her a dual-threat in attack and playmaking.

• Winning Pedigree: A CONCACAF Girls' U-15 Championship title and NCAA Tournament experience highlight her winning mentality and ability to shine on big stages.

• Academic Excellence: A scholar-athlete who earned ACC All-Academic Team honors, McCormack embodies FSU’s commitment to excellence on and off the field.

👉 Read more about McCormack’s journey and impact here.

🛡️ Massive Addition: OT Micah Pettus Commits to FSU 🛡️

Florida State’s Transfer Portal efforts just hit a home run with the commitment of Micah Pettus, a towering 6-foot-7, 360-pound offensive tackle from Ole Miss. Pettus, a veteran with over 2,100 offensive snaps in his career, adds both size and experience to the Seminoles' offensive line rebuild.

🔑 Why Pettus Chose FSU:

• Unwavering Recruitment: Pettus highlighted the persistence of head coach Mike Norvell and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn:
  “They stayed on me and were very adamant about how much I was wanted and needed in Tallahassee. I truly believe they can help me reach my full potential.”

• Shared Vision: Pettus believes in FSU’s direction and has confidence in the staff’s ability to develop him further.

📜 Pettus’ Career Highlights:

• Consistent Contributor: Played in 11 games for Ole Miss in 2024, logging 765 snaps at right tackle and contributing on special teams.

• Experience Under Pressure: Started every game in 2023 before a season-ending injury and was a key part of the Rebels’ offensive line rotation in 2022.

• Homegrown Ties: Originally from Madison, Ala., Pettus has a long-standing relationship with FSU, dating back to his high school recruitment and early visits to Tallahassee.

🔧 Impact on FSU’s Offensive Line:

Pettus is the third offensive lineman in FSU’s portal class, joining Vanderbilt’s Gunnar Hansen and UCF’s Adrian Medley. His size, strength, and SEC experience make him a prime candidate to anchor the right tackle spot in 2025.

👉 Read more about Pettus’ decision and FSU’s portal class here.

📡 FSU Offers All-CUSA WR Transfer Tru Edwards 📡

Florida State continues to target playmakers in the Transfer Portal, offering Tru Edwards, a 6-foot-4, 201-pound wide receiver from Louisiana Tech. Edwards, a redshirt senior with one year of eligibility remaining, is fresh off a standout 2024 season and now finds himself among FSU’s potential offensive upgrades.

🔑 Key Highlights of Edwards’ Career:

• 2024 Breakout Season:

  • 77 receptions for 897 yards and 6 touchdowns—leading Louisiana Tech in all major receiving categories.

  • Named All-CUSA First Team, the only player in Conference USA with 70+ receptions.

  • Consistent Contributor: Multiple catches in 11 of 12 games, 100+ receiving yards in four games, and two multi-touchdown performances.

• Steady Progression: Edwards had a strong 2023 season with 23 receptions for 284 yards and two touchdowns.

• Junior College Roots: Began his collegiate career at Navarro College, where he totaled 54 receptions for 791 yards and six touchdowns over two seasons.

🏈 Why Edwards Stands Out:

• Size and Skill: At 6-foot-4, Edwards offers size, hands, and the ability to win contested catches, making him an ideal target in the red zone and downfield.

• Proven Production: His 2024 season places him among the most consistent receivers in the Transfer Portal, with a track record of leading his team in key metrics.

• Pedigree: Edwards’ father, Troy Edwards, won the 1998 Biletnikoff Award and had a seven-year NFL career.

🔍 FSU’s Position:

The Seminoles join a competitive list of suitors for Edwards, including Mississippi State, Washington, and Texas A&M. Edwards’ size and production fit FSU’s need for more wide receiver depth and a reliable playmaker to pair with recent portal addition Duce Robinson.

👉 Read more about Edwards and FSU’s Transfer Portal efforts here.

🏀 'Noles in the NBA: 2024-25 Midseason Highlights 🏀

Florida State basketball alumni are making their presence felt in the NBA this season. Here’s a Christmas snapshot of how former Seminoles are performing in the pros:

Scottie Barnes – Toronto Raptors

• Season Stats: 19.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG

• Notable Performances:

  • Triple-double: 24-10-10 in November vs. Miami Heat.

  • Season-high 35 points in a win over Indiana Pacers in December.

• Additional Notes: Limited to 17 games due to injuries but remains a pivotal player for the Raptors, with six double-doubles on the season.

Malik Beasley – Detroit Pistons

• Season Stats: 16.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.8 SPG

• Shooting: 43.3% FG, 41.6% 3P

• Highlights:

  • 28 points in an OT win against the Miami Heat.

  • Hit 7+ three-pointers in four games this season, showcasing his elite shooting.

Jonathan Isaac – Orlando Magic

• Season Stats: 6.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 0.9 SPG

• Minutes: 16.7 MPG

• Standout Moments:

  • Four double-digit scoring games.

  • Two games with double-digit rebounds.

• Role: Valuable defensive presence off the bench for the Magic.

Terance Mann – Los Angeles Clippers

• Season Stats (Pre-Injury): 6.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG

• Injury Update: Sidelined since early December after finger surgery; re-evaluation pending.

• Highlight: 15 points in a win against Denver Nuggets before the injury.

Devin Vassell – San Antonio Spurs

• Season Stats: 16.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG

• Shooting: 47.4% FG, 39.5% 3P

• Key Games:

  • Season-high 25 points vs. Phoenix.

  • 23 points, six rebounds, five assists in a win over Portland.

• Comeback: Missed the start of the season but returned strong in mid-November.

Patrick Williams – Chicago Bulls

• Season Stats: 10.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.9 SPG

• Shooting: 38.2% FG, 38.1% 3P

• Notable Games:

  • Season-high 18 points vs. New York Knicks.

  • Double-double (13-10) in a loss to Cleveland.

• Role: A consistent starter in 19 of 20 games, contributing on both ends of the floor.

👉 Read more updates here!

🛡️ Gunnar Hansen: The Anchor of FSU's Transfer Portal OL Additions 🛡️

Florida State’s aggressive efforts to rebuild its offensive line began with a major acquisition: Vanderbilt tackle Gunnar Hansen. The multi-year starter was the first offensive lineman to commit to the Seminoles this offseason, setting the tone for subsequent additions like Adrian Medley (UCF) and Micah Pettus (Ole Miss).

Why Hansen Chose FSU

Hansen cited several factors influencing his decision, including the vision and energy of head coach Mike Norvell, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, and offensive line coach Herb Hand.

🗣️ Hansen on FSU’s Pitch:

• Development: “The draft picks and the greatness of the school…there is a blueprint for one-year guys like myself.”

• Winning Culture: Despite the team’s 2-10 season, the message was clear: FSU is poised to return to national prominence.

• Norvell’s Energy: “Coach Norvell has high energy…he knows how to win at a high level.”

A Proven SEC Talent

• Experience: Hansen brings three years of starting experience at Vanderbilt, where he consistently improved and earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors.

• Impact: At 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, Hansen excels in using his strength to create space, fitting seamlessly into FSU’s offensive line scheme.

• On3 Ranking: The 26th-ranked offensive tackle in the portal.

Building Momentum

Hansen’s commitment reflects the optimism surrounding FSU’s future.

🗣️ Hansen on FSU’s Direction:
“We are here to win at a program that has been really successful in the past. Florida State is always going to be a top program in the country.”

Hansen is already working to recruit additional talent, showcasing the Seminoles’ ambition and their commitment to transforming the roster.

👉 Read more about Hansen and FSU’s portal success here!

🎙️ Herbstreit Criticism Intensifies as FSU Fans Say “Told You So” 🎙️

Florida State fans have long called out ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit for his SEC-centric biases, and it seems the rest of the college football world is finally catching up. From Indiana’s 2024 playoff dismissal to ongoing frustrations with ESPN’s College Football Playoff coverage, FSU faithful find themselves vindicated in their critiques.

A Year in the Making

Last year, FSU fans voiced their frustrations with Herbstreit’s narratives during the Seminoles’ playoff snub. This year, the same rhetoric emerged—this time directed at Indiana and SMU—further fueling perceptions of an SEC bias.

🗣️ Herbstreit on Indiana’s Playoff Spot:
“They didn’t belong on that field. It’s no knock on Indiana… but we need to find the best teams, not just the most deserving.”

🛡️ FSU’s Response:
Why play games if winning doesn’t matter? FSU fans know the sting of being deemed “undeserving,” despite proven success against top-tier opponents.

ESPN’s SEC Obsession

Herbstreit’s critiques are emblematic of a larger trend at ESPN, where the SEC’s dominance drives narratives, often to the detriment of other conferences.

• Selective Memory: Indiana’s losses were magnified, while Alabama and Ole Miss’s missteps were conveniently overlooked.

• National Criticism: Media outlets like Awful Announcing have slammed ESPN for its “miserable, negative” playoff coverage, echoing sentiments long voiced by FSU fans.

The Bigger Picture

College football thrives on diversity, unpredictability, and underdog stories. By relentlessly pushing SEC narratives, ESPN risks alienating fans and undermining the sport’s broader appeal.

🗣️ Awful Announcing:
“Celebrate the beauty of it all and why we love sports in the first place. Maybe ESPN’s College Football Playoff coverage should take the hint.”

FSU Fans: A Vindicated Voice

Florida State fans were early critics of ESPN’s playoff narratives and Herbstreit’s biases. As the national conversation shifts, the Seminoles’ passionate fanbase can finally say, “We told you so.”

And that’s a wrap!

🎁 Wrapping Up This Christmas Edition 🎁
As the holiday season fills the air, so does excitement for the future of Florida State athletics.

From impactful transfers to standout performances and heated debates, the Seminoles are making their presence felt across every field and court. Here's to a holiday season filled with Garnet and Gold cheer! 🎅🎄

Stay safe, stay warm, and as always, Go ‘Noles!