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Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
What would signal real momentum in January?
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Happy Hump Day and New Years Eve, Seminole!
Between NFL departures, portal visits lining up, and an early board that’s already crowded, this edition captures the first real snapshot of FSU’s January reset.
Here’s what’s inside today:
🏀 ACC Reality Check in Chapel Hill 🏀
Florida State showed early fight at UNC, but a decisive second-half run flipped the ACC opener. Encouraging individual trends are emerging — even if the results still lag.
🏈 Safety Room Fully Reset 🏈
Earl Little Jr. heads to the NFL, completing a clean sweep of FSU’s 2025 starting safeties. The portal need here is no longer theoretical — it’s immediate.
🧱 Portal Visits Begin, Targets Emerge 🧱
UCF DL John Walker headlines early visit buzz, while Tucker Holloway brings special teams upside. Meanwhile, FSU continues monitoring QB options, DB fits, and trench help.
🧭 Early Portal Board: Smoke vs. Fire 🧭
From quarterbacks to corners, we break down the names actually tied to FSU right now — and what each would solve (or complicate) roster construction.
This isn’t the finished roster.
It’s the opening move.
Let’s get into it.
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🏀📉 FSU Drops ACC Opener at UNC, 79–66 📉🏀
A competitive first half gave way to a decisive Tar Heel run as Florida State opened league play on the road.
🔥 Bright Spots in Chapel Hill
Chauncey Wiggins led FSU with 16 points and 10 rebounds, recording his first career ACC double-double
Robert McCray V finished with 8 assists, pushing him past 100 assists on the season (for the second time in his career)
Kobe MaGee (12), LaJae Jones (10), and McCray V (11) all reached double figures
📊 Why the Game Turned
FSU cut UNC’s lead to 44–43 early in the second half
North Carolina responded with an 18–3 run that stretched the margin to 16
The Seminoles never fully recovered despite multiple mini-runs
🧠 Encouraging Trends
Wiggins has now led FSU in scoring four times this season
McCray V has led the team in assists 12 times in 14 games
FSU showed it can compete early against elite ACC competition — but sustaining it remains the challenge
⏭️ What’s Next
Florida State falls to 7–7 (0–1 ACC)
The Seminoles return home to face Duke on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. at the Tucker Center
🏈🚀 FSU Safety Earl Little Jr. Declares for 2026 NFL Draft 🚀🏈
Florida State is officially losing the last piece of its 2025 starting safety trio.
🔥 The Decision
Earl Little Jr. announced he will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2026 NFL Draft
Joins Edwin Joseph and Ashlynd Barker in moving on — meaning all three primary FSU safeties from 2025 are gone
📊 A Breakout 2025 Season
Little Jr. was the backbone of FSU’s secondary:
Team-leading 76 tackles
4 interceptions (83 return yards, long of 48)
2 forced fumbles
Started 11 of 12 games
Season-high 13 tackles vs. Virginia
🧠 Why This Matters
FSU’s three-safety scheme places heavy value on experience and communication
Losing Little Jr. — the defense’s top tackler and ballhawk — forces at least one immediate portal starter at safety
His departure compounds the urgency already created by Barker’s portal exit
📍 His Path
Transferred to FSU from Alabama
Former Top-100 national recruit out of American Heritage (FL)
Son of former NFL defensive back Earl Little Sr.
Finished his FSU career as a clear evaluation win after settling into the rover role
🔍 Big Picture
This isn’t just another departure — it completes a full reset at safety. Florida State now enters portal season needing experience, leadership, and instant reliability on the back end of the defense.
🏈🧱 FSU Emerging as Early Player for UCF DL John Walker 🧱🏈
With the transfer portal officially open, Florida State is already circling one of the top defensive linemen available.
🔥 Who to Know
John Walker, a former UCF standout, is expected to visit Tallahassee this weekend
Kissimmee native; 6’4”, 325 pounds
Ranked the No. 12 defensive lineman in On3’s portal rankings and the top DL from Florida
📊 Production Snapshot
2025 (RS Soph.): Started all 12 games
40 tackles | 3 TFL | 1 sack | 1 FF | 1 FR
2023 (True Fr.): Played all 13 games under Gus Malzahn
24 tackles | 5 TFL | 0.5 sack
Named On3 Defensive True Freshman All-American
🧠 Why This Matters
Walker checks multiple boxes FSU needs right now: size, durability, and starting experience
Prior familiarity with Gus Malzahn and FSU’s staff helps accelerate the evaluation
He fits the profile of a plug-and-play interior piece as FSU rebuilds its defensive front
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🏈🔁 FSU Hosting Virginia Tech WR/Punt Returner Tucker Holloway 🔁🏈
Florida State is addressing a very specific need as the portal opens — and special teams are front and center.
🔥 Who’s Visiting
Tucker Holloway is set to visit FSU on Friday, January 2, the first day the transfer portal opens
6’2”, 185 lbs, four-year Hokie
Ranked No. 300 overall and No. 67 WR in the portal by 247Sports
🎯 Why FSU Is Interested
Holloway is being evaluated primarily as a punt returner
He confirmed he’d compete at WR, but would fill the punt return role immediately
Special teams production is the clear separator here
📊 Punt Return Resume
36 punt returns, 476 yards, 1 TD over three seasons
2023 All-ACC Third Team (PR)
2023 season:
20 returns
258 yards
12.9 yards per return (Top 10 nationally)
🧠 As a Receiver
Career totals: 13 catches, 149 yards
Missed the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury suffered in spring camp
🏈👀 FSU Monitoring Rising Portal QB Mason McKenzie 👀🏈
A fast-rising quarterback from the lower levels is starting to draw Power Four attention — and Florida State is among the programs keeping tabs.
🔥 Who He Is
Mason McKenzie, QB transfer from Saginaw Valley State
Michigan native (Caledonia)
Ranked No. 25 quarterback in the transfer portal by 247Sports
📈 Why He’s Generating Buzz
2024 GLIAC Freshman of the Year
2025 GLIAC Player of the Year
Career production at SVSU:
4,301 passing yards
31 TDs, 17 INTs
1,773 rushing yards + 10 rushing TDs
A true dual-threat with proven durability and volume production.
🗓️ Visit Timeline
Boston College Eagles will host McKenzie for an official visit on January 2
Other programs showing interest:
Florida State
Oklahoma State
Nebraska
Northwestern
Cincinnati
Also considering officials to Colorado State and Temple
🔒👀 Two Defensive Backs to Watch as Portal Opens 👀🔒
With the transfer portal opening January 2, Florida State is already laying groundwork on the defensive side — and two DBs have emerged as early names tied to the Seminoles.
🔥 Cornerback: Bo Mascoe (Rutgers)
Two-year starter at corner for Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2025 production: 48 tackles, 2 FFs, 1 INT, 4 PBUs
2024: 49 tackles, 1 INT
Kissimmee native and former four-star recruit
Portal rank: No. 41 overall, No. 4 CB (247Sports)
FSU Status: Preliminary conversations have taken place with Mascoe’s representation, but no visit is scheduled yet. He’d project as a plug-and-play starter candidate.
🧠 Safety: Justin Denson Jr. (Michigan State)
6’2”, 194-pound safety from Michigan State Spartans
Logged ~200 snaps over two seasons
2024: 159 snaps, 64.1 PFF grade
2025: Limited to 45 snaps, rotational role
Portal rank: No. 407 overall, No. 35 S (247Sports)
Why He’s Connected: New FSU corners coach Blue Adams coached Denson at Michigan State. While not as proven, he fits as a developmental or rotational safety with upside — and FSU needs bodies fast at the position.
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🏈🧭 Portal Board Update: Early Names Generating FSU Buzz 🧭🏈
With the transfer portal opening January 2 and a new GM expected to be in place, Florida State’s early board is coming into focus. This isn’t a full list — just the names that have surfaced so far as real points of interest. Expect movement fast.
🔥 Quarterback
Colton Joseph (Old Dominion Monarchs)
Early favorite, but momentum has shifted toward Georgia Tech. Still in play.Anthony Colandrea (UNLV Rebels)
Three-year starter (Virginia/UNLV); dual-threat fit for Gus Malzahn.
🏃 Running Back
CJ Baxter (Texas Longhorns)
Former FSU commit; injuries cloud recent tape, but mutual interest exists.Peyton Lewis (Tennessee Volunteers)
Speed back (10.5 100m); Syracuse/Virginia visits likely.Cam Cook (Jacksonville State Gamecocks)
National rushing leader (1,659 yards); heavy competition expected.
🎯 Wide Receiver
Corey Scott (West Florida Argonauts)
Productive D2 target; Power Four interest, talks ongoing.Iverson Hooks (UAB Blazers)
72–927–7 in 2025; FSU among many suitors.
🧩 Tight End
Kylan Fox (UCF Knights)
Strong Malzahn/Norvell ties; high mutual interest.Brayden Loftin (Kansas State Wildcats)
Reliable blocker; brother Chase is at FSU.
🧱 Offensive Line
Shadre Hurst (Tulane Green Wave)
One of the top guards in the portal; costly but coveted.
🛡️ Defensive Line
Michai Boireau (Florida Gators)
SEC nose tackle; seven-figure price tag likely.John Walker (UCF Knights)
Mutual interest; FSU visit expected Jan. 3.Emmanuel Oyebadejo (Jacksonville State Gamecocks)
41 tackles, 4.5 sacks; FSU nearly signed him previously.
⚡ Edge
Chaz Coleman (Penn State Nittany Lions)
Elite freshman flashes; Ohio State looms large.
🧠 Linebacker
Chris Jones (Southern Miss Golden Eagles)
133 tackles; Ole Miss visit set for Jan. 3.Tristan Exline (UT Permian Basin Falcons)
D2 producer; possible FSU visit Jan. 2.Tavion Wallace (Arkansas Razorbacks)
Prior FSU ties; Florida/Kentucky also involved.Mekhi Mason (Louisiana Tech Bulldogs)
Tony White connection; visit being worked.Keaton Thomas (Baylor Bears)
All-Big 12 vet; Jacksonville native, visit possible.
🔒 Defensive Back
Jaquez White (Troy Trojans)
Top G5 corner; FSU/Georgia Tech early favorites.Nehemiah Chandler (South Alabama Jaguars)
77.4 PFF; plans to visit FSU on Jan. 2.Bo Mascoe (Rutgers Scarlet Knights)
Two-year starter; early interest, no visit yet.
🔍 Why It Matters
This board mirrors FSU’s real needs: QB, OL, EDGE, secondary, and LB. Visits will separate smoke from fire quickly once the window opens.
And that’s a wrap!
And that closes the book on 2025.
The portal is open.
The safety room is gone.
And January will tell us very quickly whether this reset has teeth.
We’ll see you on the other side of midnight.
Happy New Year, Seminoles.
— The Chief Brief
