🏹 December 9th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Welcome to The Chief Brief!

It’s a December Saturday morning so all of our team’s sports are winding down (except basketball) and you can start cozying up by the fire that is our collective Seminole scorned rage.

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

🏀 Seminoles Ready to Take on Bulls in Orange Bowl Classic Showdown: FSU Men's Basketball gears up for a strategic clash against USF, aiming to rebound from their ACC opener loss.

🏈 FSU Locks in Kent State for 2025 Schedule: FSU's 2025 football schedule gets a new addition with Kent State, a first-ever encounter for the Seminoles.

💪 The Battle’s End Collective Surges with Seminole Spirit: FSU's top NIL collective, The Battle’s End, sees a surge in support and donations following the CFP decision.

🏈 FSU Football's Busy Recruiting Weekend: Key Visitors and Storylines: Key recruiting weekend ahead for FSU, with a focus on flipping Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith and hosting other potential recruits.

🔄 FSU's Active Engagement in the Transfer Portal: Key Targets and Interests: FSU actively explores transfer portal options, with a keen focus on quarterbacks D.J. Uiagalelei and Cam Ward, among others.

🏀 Seminoles Ready to Take on Bulls in Orange Bowl Classic Showdown

This Saturday, our Florida State Seminoles men's basketball team is gearing up for a high-energy clash against the USF Bulls. The game, a highlight of the 2023 Orange Bowl Classic, is set to tip-off at 1:30 p.m. at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Fans can tune in to the ACC Network to catch the live action, with Richard Cross and Joe Kleine calling the plays, or listen to the Learfield IMG College Radio Network for the live commentary.

The Seminoles, currently standing at 4-3, are eager to rebound from their recent ACC opener loss to North Carolina. The Bulls, with a record of 2-4, are yet to make their mark in the American Athletic Conference play. It's a matchup that promises to showcase our team's resilience and skill.

Our possible starting lineup is looking solid with Jamir Watkins, who has been exceptional this season, leading the charge. He’s joined by De'Ante Green, Baba Miller, Jalen Warley, and Darin Green Jr., who’s known for his explosive 30-point performance in last year's Orange Bowl Classic.

We've got some ace players up our sleeve with reserves like Cam Corhen and Chandler Jackson, ready to make an impact. Keep an eye out for Josh Nickelberry and Taylor Bol Bowen, who are set for their debut in the Classic.

While we'll miss the presence of guard Cam'Ron Fletcher due to his injury, the team is ready to show their depth and versatility.

USF’s lineup features potential starters like Corey Walker and Chris Youngblood, along with a trio of guards, all stepping into the Orange Bowl Classic for the first time.

We have a proud history in the Orange Bowl Classic, with a strong 9-3 record from previous appearances. Coach Leonard Hamilton has consistently led our team to success in this event. Our team will be donning their lucky turquoise uniforms, symbolizing our heritage and spirit.

With a commanding 22-12 lead in our all-time series against the Bulls, we’re looking to extend our winning streak. The Seminoles first faced off against USF in 1973, marking the start of a long-standing rivalry.

New USF head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, with ties to Kennesaw State and Georgia Tech, will be facing FSU for the first time.

After the game against USF, we'll be taking a short break before hosting SMU on December 16 at our home turf, the Donald L. Tucker Center. Let’s cheer on our Seminoles as they continue to make us proud!

🏈 FSU Locks in Kent State for 2025 Schedule

Florida State is setting the stage for an exciting 2025 season, and the latest addition is a game against Kent State. This matchup, first reported by FBSSchedules.com, will mark the first-ever meeting between the Seminoles and the Golden Flashes.

The game is slated for September 20, and FSU is going all out, offering Kent State a $1.2 million guarantee for this historic clash. We're anticipating an action-packed game, given the stakes and the novelty of this pairing.

The 2025 schedule for the Seminoles is shaping up to be quite the spectacle. We'll kick off the season with a bang on August 30 against Alabama, setting the tone for what's to come.

Following the Kent State game, we'll take on a series of challenging opponents, including our traditional rivalry game against Florida on November 29.

Our Seminoles will also face off against some formidable ACC rivals, including Clemson, NC State, and Miami.

A trip to Stanford adds an interesting non-conference dimension to our schedule, alongside games against Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Wake Forest.

As we wait for the release of the full contract details, the excitement for the 2025 season is already building.

It's going to be a thrilling year for Seminole football, and this game against Kent State is just one of the many highlights to look forward to.

Let's get ready to support our team as they prepare to make some serious waves in 2025!

💪 The Battle’s End Collective Surges with Seminole Spirit

Florida State's premier NIL collective, The Battle’s End, is riding a remarkable wave of growth, fueled by the passionate response of FSU fans to the College Football Playoff committee's recent decision. In a defiant stand, the collective has witnessed its largest single pledge since inception, coupled with a dramatic surge in membership.

Ingram Smith, CEO of The Battle’s End, shared in an interview with Warchant's Jeff Cameron an exciting update: a $500,000 match program running until Wednesday, Dec. 20. “Any kind of one-time gift or membership will be matched up to half a million dollars,” Smith announced, aiming to propel the collective towards a target of 5,500 members.

Since the controversial CFP decision on Sunday, over 2,200 new members have joined The Battle’s End.

By Friday morning, the collective's membership had soared to around 3,500. This remarkable growth underscores the FSU fanbase's deep commitment and their unyielding support for the team.

Smith captured the sentiment of the FSU community, acknowledging the lingering frustration and sense of injustice.

“People are angry. It’s Friday, and it still hurts and it still sucks,” he said. “And in the pit of your stomach, you still feel like you were cheated as a fan, as a coach, as a player. But all you can do is respond.”

The response of the FSU fanbase has been nothing short of incredible, rallying in the face of adversity to support their team.

The Battle’s End’s latest initiative is a testament to the unwavering spirit of the Seminole community, turning disappointment into a powerful drive for action and support.

As we look forward to the future, this collective spirit and support will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the continued success of Florida State athletics.

🏈 FSU Football's Busy Recruiting Weekend: Key Visitors and Storylines

Florida State's football staff is gearing up for a crucial recruiting weekend, with several high-profile visitors from the transfer portal and high school ranks set to arrive in Tallahassee. Here are three top storylines to watch:

Jeremiah Smith's Pivotal Visit: All eyes are on five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who's currently committed to Ohio State. This visit is FSU's last chance to sway Smith's decision. The Seminoles have been gaining momentum with Smith, who previously indicated FSU as a front-runner. However, recent comments suggest he might still lean towards Ohio State. FSU needs to present a compelling vision of the program's future, particularly its offensive strategy post-Jordan Travis. Building on relationships with coaches like Ron Dugans and Mike Norvell, and showcasing the full FSU experience, could be key in flipping Smith's commitment.

Commitment Watch and Portal Visits: FSU is on the lookout for potential commitments. Three-star DT D’Nas White seems to be leaning towards FSU, while defensive ends Samuel Okunlola from Pittsburgh and Kyle Kennard from Georgia Tech are also on visit.

Okunlola's bond with FSU and Kennard's interest suggest FSU is a strong contender for these players. This weekend could be crucial in addressing the team's needs, especially at the edge position.

Surge for 5-star DL LJ McCray?: Another significant prospect, five-star DL LJ McCray, may visit FSU this weekend. Currently committed to the Florida Gators and planning a visit to Auburn, McCray's interest in FSU remains strong.

His recruitment is closely contested, and while he may be leaning towards the Gators, FSU's persistence could make an impact. Additionally, FSU four-star DB commit Jamari Howard might visit post his state title game.

This weekend represents a pivotal moment for FSU's 2024 roster, with potential for major commitments and strengthened relationships with key recruits.

The Seminoles' ability to showcase their program's strengths and vision will be crucial in securing these top talents.

🔄 FSU's Active Engagement in the Transfer Portal: Key Targets and Interests

Florida State University is actively navigating the transfer portal, exploring various prospects to bolster its roster. Here's a breakdown of FSU's current interests and the stages of their recruitment:

Quarterback Prospects: Former Oregon State QB D.J. Uiagalelei is reportedly considering FSU, which appears to be an early favorite, and Washington State's Cam Ward, with both showing mutual interest. Uiagalelei's decision may come soon, especially if FSU intensifies its pursuit.

1. Edge Rusher Targets: FSU has shown significant interest in several edge rushers:

   • Kyle Kennard (Georgia Tech): In-home visit completed, official visit scheduled.

   • Samuel Okunlola (Pitt): Mutual interest, official visit planned.

   • RJ Oben (Duke) and Nate Clifton (Vanderbilt): Both have mutual interest, with in-home visits and upcoming visits.

   • Ohio State's Omari Abor is also on FSU's radar.

   Defensive Linemen: Chris McClellan (Florida) and Aeneas Peebles (Duke) are both targets with mutual interest. FSU has offered McClellan, and Peebles is also under consideration.

   Linebackers and Other Defensive Players: Arkansas linebacker Chris Paul Jr. has been offered, showing mutual interest. Micaiah Overton, a defensive lineman from Texas A&M/Liberty, is another player showing interest in FSU.

   Offensive Line Prospects: Several offensive linemen are in FSU's sights, including Indiana's Carter Smith, Notre Dame's Zeke Correll, Oklahoma's Nate Anderson, and NC State's Lyndon Cooper, with varying levels of interest and potential visits.

   Wide Receiver and Safety Interests: FSU is interested in Notre Dame wide receiver Braylon James and Oregon State safety Akili Arnold.

FSU's strategic approach in the transfer portal reflects their intent to strengthen key positions, particularly in the quarterback, edge rusher, and offensive line areas. The coming weeks are crucial as FSU looks to finalize its roster through these potential additions.

And that’s a wrap!

I strongly encourage you to look into joining The Battle’s End, troll a CFB Playoff Committee Member, and/or write out your Christmas list this weekend, Seminole.

And remember - you’re a champion.