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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Merry Christmas, Seminole!

Here’s what’s on deck as Florida State’s offseason engine starts revving:

🏀 Seminoles in the Pros 🏀
FSU’s NBA and NFL pipeline is alive and well — from Scottie Barnes’ All-Star push to Pro Bowlers scattered across the Week 17 slate.

🏈 Holiday NFL Watch Guide 🏈
Christmas Day games, prime-time matchups, and playoff races — plus where Seminoles factor into the postseason picture.

🔁 Portal Season Is Here 🔁
Tight end, offensive line, quarterback — Florida State’s transfer priorities are coming into sharp focus as January 2 approaches.

💰 QB Market Reality Check 💰
FSU is prepared to spend more at quarterback, but not recklessly — and a clear plan is emerging for both 2026 and beyond.

📊 What Worked (and Didn’t) in the Portal 📊
A full report card on FSU’s most recent transfer class reveals massive wins, costly misses, and lessons that matter this cycle.

🧠 Big Picture Reset 🧠
This isn’t just roster churn — it’s a calculated recalibration of spending, development, and fit as Florida State looks to stabilize and move forward.

Let’s get into it.

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🏀 Seminoles in the NBA: Barnes Shines, Vassell Surges, Youth Develops 🏀 

Florida State’s presence across the NBA remains strong, with former Seminoles impacting games at every level — from All-Star form to early-career development.

⭐ Scottie Barnes — Toronto Raptors

• Averaging 19.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 5.0 APG while shooting 50.4% from the field.

• Logged 14 double-doubles and earned Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month (November).

• Raptors sit 4th in the East (18–13) as Barnes pushes toward another All-Star nod.

🔥 Devin Vassell — San Antonio Spurs

• Posting 15.8 PPG with career-high efficiency from three (39.7%) and the line (88.9%).

• Dropped 35 points vs. Denver and has scored double figures in all but four games.

• Spurs are 22–7, second in the West, with one of the NBA’s best records.

🧠 Terance Mann — Brooklyn Nets

• Starting regularly and contributing 8.3 PPG, 3.7 APG in a stabilizing role.

• Nets are struggling in the standings, but Mann remains a dependable two-way presence.

🛡️ Jonathan Isaac — Orlando Magic

• Limited minutes off the bench but continues to provide defensive utility.

• Recently matched his season-high with 9 points in a win over Portland.

🌱 Jamir Watkins — Washington Wizards

• Rookie season showing growth, including a 15-point, 8-rebound breakout vs. Cleveland.

• Usage ticking up despite Washington’s rebuild.

📉 Patrick Williams — Chicago Bulls

• Experiencing the lowest usage of his NBA career in a reduced role.

• Still flashes impact nights as Chicago hovers near the play-in line.

👉 Why It Matters: From Barnes’ All-Star push to Vassell’s rise on a contender and young Seminoles carving out roles, FSU’s NBA footprint remains wide — and increasingly influential.

🏈 Week 17 NFL Watch: Seminoles Across the League + Playoff Picture 🏈 

Florida State alumni will be scattered all over the NFL slate this week as playoff races tighten and Pro Bowlers take center stage.

⭐ Pro Bowl Roll Call

• Jalen Ramsey (Steelers) — AFC

• Derwin James (Chargers) — AFC

• Brian Burns (Giants) — NFC

• Jared Verse (Rams) — NFC

🎄 Christmas Day

• Cowboys at Commanders (1 p.m., Netflix)
  Seminoles: Eddie Goldman, DeMarcus Walker (WSH – PS)

• Lions at Vikings (4:30 p.m., Netflix)
  Seminoles: None

📺 Thursday Night

• Broncos at Chiefs (8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
  Seminoles: Derrick Nnadi, Kevin Knowles II (KC)

🗓️ Saturday

• Texans at Chargers (4:30 p.m., NFL Network)
  Seminoles: Derwin James, Bobby Hart (LAC)

• Ravens at Packers (8 p.m., Peacock)
  Seminoles: None

🏟️ Sunday Early

• Seahawks at Panthers — Cam Akers (SEA – PS), Ryan Fitzgerald (CAR)

• Cardinals at Bengals — Josh Sweat (ARI)

• Steelers at Browns — Asante Samuel Jr., Jalen Ramsey (PIT)

• Jaguars at Colts — Jarrian Jones (JAX)

• Patriots at Jets — Jermaine Johnson II (NYJ), Joshua Farmer (NE)

• Saints at Titans — Cam Riley (TEN – PS)

🌇 Sunday Late

• Giants at Raiders — Jameis Winston, Brian Burns (NYG)

• Eagles at Bills — Keon Coleman (BUF)

🌙 Sunday Night

• Bears at 49ers — Tatum Bethune, Renardo Green (SF)

🎤 Monday Night

• Rams at Falcons — Jared Verse, Braden Fiske (LAR), Jammie Robinson (ATL)

📊 Playoff Picture Snapshot

AFC (Top 7)

• Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Steelers

• Chargers, Bills, Texans

• Bubble: Colts, Ravens

NFC (Top 7)

• Seahawks, Bears, Eagles, Panthers

• 49ers, Rams, Packers

• Bubble: Lions, Buccaneers

👉 Why It Matters: From Christmas Day kickoffs to Monday night lights, Seminoles are everywhere and many are playing meaningful snaps as playoff positioning comes into focus heading into the final weeks.

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🏈 Portal Intel: FSU Zeroes In on Tight End Targets 🏈 

With the transfer portal opening January 2, Florida State’s tight end search is officially in high gear.

📉 Why the Urgency

• Portal exits by Randy Pittman Jr. and Landen Thomas have left FSU with no proven returning production at the position.

• Even before those departures, the staff planned to add a blocking specialist to replace Markeston Douglas.

🎯 What FSU Is Looking For

• Expect at least one, and more likely two, portal tight ends.

• Ideal mix:

  • One experienced in-line blocker

  • One H-back / vertical threat who can stress defenses in the passing game

👀 Name to Know

• Kylan Fox (UCF) is a familiar target.

  • Nearly committed to FSU in the 2024 class.

  • Strong relationships with Mike Norvell, Chris Thomsen, and new OC Gus Malzahn.

  • Mutual interest exists, though FSU is evaluating multiple options.

🌱 Internal Options

• The staff remains optimistic about Chase Loftin returning to tight end after his WR stint.

• Incoming freshmen Xavier Tiller and Corbyn Fordham are viewed as players who could compete for early snaps.

Read more here

🏈 Portal Watch: New Offensive Targets Emerging for FSU 🏈 

With the transfer portal set to open on January 2, Florida State’s offseason board is coming into focus and several offensive positions are already drawing heavy attention.

🧱 Offensive Line Reload

• Antonio Tripp (FIU): Interior lineman who started every game in 2025; graded solidly by PFF and brings three years of eligibility.

• Asher Hale (South Alabama): Versatile blocker with strong run grades and no sacks allowed in two seasons.

🏃 Running Back Options

• Jovantae Barnes (Oklahoma): Former FSU target with 1,400+ career yards, explosive skill set, and familiarity with the staff.

• FSU likes its young backs but could add experience if the value is right.

🧩 Tight End Candidates

• Alex Honig (UConn): 6’7”, 270 lbs, six TDs on 19 catches over two seasons.

• Rocky Beers (Colorado State): Proven red-zone producer with 388 yards and seven TDs.

🎯 Quarterback Market

• Byrum Brown (USF): Dual-threat QB with 3,158 passing yards, 28 TDs, plus 1,008 rushing yards and 14 scores.

• Brown may lean Auburn, but FSU interest is real.

• Colton Joseph (Old Dominion) is viewed internally as the most realistic target, with Jackson Arnold and Rocco Becht also monitored.

👉 Why It Matters: Offensive line, tight end, and quarterback are driving the portal strategy, and how FSU executes in these spots will define the early shape of the 2026 offense.

🏈 Portal Intel: Money, Priorities, and the Plan at QB 🏈 

As Florida State prepares for portal season, a clearer picture is emerging of how aggressive, where, and why the Seminoles plan to spend.

💰 QB Budget Is Going Up

• With the top of the QB market projected near $5M, FSU is expected to more than double its prior investment — potentially spending $2M–$2.5M at the position.

• That won’t buy the very top names, but it puts FSU in position to land a proven starter who fits the offense under Gus Malzahn.

🎯 QB Targeting

• Colton Joseph remains the primary name tied to FSU, with regional coaches viewing the pairing as more likely than not.

• The fit isn’t just short-term — Joseph profiles as a bridge to Kevin Sperry, both stylistically and schematically.

🧱 Trenches Take Center Stage

• Expect FSU to go heavy on offensive line and EDGE in the portal.

• The working target: ~4 OL and at least 2 edge defenders, with interior DL also in play if a true starter emerges.

🏃 RB Market Open — If the Right Guy Appears

• FSU likes its young backs but is open to adding a true RB1 if value and fit align.

• The staff also remains open to a rotational back at the right price point.

👀 Retention Watch

• There’s growing optimism internally that Duce Robinson returns — barring an unexpectedly strong NFL grade.

• Micahi Danzy is also expected back, with Lawayne McCoy more uncertain.

🧠 Front Office Reality

• The GM role has proven harder to fill than expected.

• Some candidates backed off due to role ambiguity, timing, and limited impact on the 2026 roster.

• FSU can still land a qualified hire but the pool has narrowed.

👉 Why It Matters: FSU is signaling a measured escalation — spend more at QB, stabilize the trenches, retain core talent, and align the roster with a clear offensive plan. Execution now determines whether this reset sticks.

🏈 Portal Report Card: Grading FSU’s Most Recent Transfer Class 🏈 

With portal season about to reopen, it’s worth taking stock of what Florida State actually got from its last wave of transfers; measured by on-field production and value, not NIL price tags.

🔥 Home Runs

• Duce Robinson — One of the best portal additions in program history.

  • 56 catches, 1,081 yards, 6 TDs, First-Team All-ACC, Biletnikoff semifinalist.

• Luke Petitbon — Exceeded expectations as the anchor of the OL.

  • Started every game, led all linemen in snaps, First-Team All-ACC.

💪 Clear Wins / High Value

• Tommy Castellanos — Inconsistent, but still FSU’s most productive offensive player.

• Jerry Wilson — Day-one starter who delivered steady CB play.

• Micah Pettus — Stabilized RT and helped flip the OL’s trajectory.

• Gavin Sawchuk — Led FSU RBs in rushing and TDs after a late arrival.

• Gunnar Hansen — Reliable LT with career-best PFF grades.

• Adrian Medley — Every-game starter who brought system familiarity.

⚖️ Mixed Results

• Randy Pittman Jr. — Productive when healthy, but now back in the portal.

• Stefon Thompson — Valuable late-season contributor and system bridge.

• Elijah Herring — Played a role, but coverage struggles capped impact.

• Markeston Douglas — Limited offense, important blocking presence.

📉 Underwhelming / Misses

• Squirrel White — Never found rhythm in the offense.

• James Williams — Flashes late, but overall production lagged.

• Jayson Jenkins — Injuries derailed expectations.

• Jaylen King — Development plan never materialized.

🕰️ Incomplete Grades (TBD)

• Caleb LaVallee, Jarvis Boatwright, Josh Raymond, Ja’Elyne Matthews — Too little data due to injuries, youth, or limited snaps.

👉 Why It Matters:
This class shows the ceiling and the risk of portal-heavy roster building. When FSU hit, it hit big; Robinson and Petitbon alone justified the strategy. But misses and short-term rentals also created churn. As the next window opens, the lesson is clear: fewer projects, more plug-and-play certainty.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

On Christmas Day, as Seminoles take the field across the NBA and NFL and Florida State turns its attention toward the portal, the message is clear: the work doesn’t stop — it evolves.

Championships are built in December just as much as they are in September. This season is about recalibration, clarity, and doing the hard parts right — from roster construction to development to belief.

Enjoy the games, the family, and the quiet moments before the next wave hits.

Merry Christmas, Chief Nation — and as always,
Stay sharp. Stay patient. Stay Garnet & Gold. 🎄🔥