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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

⚽ FSU Crowned National Champions — Soccer Claims Title No. 5 ⚽
The Seminoles delivered another championship moment, beating Stanford 1–0 behind late heroics from Wrianna Hudson and a legendary performance in goal from freshman Kate Ockene. Celebration events kick off today in Tallahassee.

🏈 FSU Adds True Freshman All-American on Defense 🏈
DL Mandrell Desir capped an elite first season with national honors after posting 6.5 sacks which was the most by any ACC freshman and the best FSU debut since Brian Burns.

🔥 Major Recruiting Win: FSU Hiring Elite Recruiter Nick Williams 🔥
The Seminoles are finalizing the addition of one of the nation’s top young recruiters to coach the EDGE position: a move insiders say could immediately elevate FSU’s talent acquisition up front.

💨 RB Coach David Johnson Departs for Arkansas 💨
After six seasons with Norvell, Johnson becomes the first offensive coach to leave during FSU’s ongoing staff restructuring.

🔍 FSU Cornerbacks Coach Search: Nine Real Options Emerge 🔍
From rising recruiters to proven NFL developers, FSU’s search features a wide range of candidates with connections to Tony White and recruiting ties likely to shape the final decision.

🧩 Inside FSU’s Toughest 2026 Roster Decisions 🧩
The staff is now making program-driven calls on several key players, including Kevin Sperry, Sam Singleton, Ousmane Kromah, Lucas Simmons, Landen Thomas, and former blue-chip corners Charles Lester and Cai Bates.

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🏆 FSU WINS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP — AGAIN 🏆

Florida State women’s soccer is back on top of the sport, claiming its fifth national title with a thrilling 1–0 victory over Stanford — the program’s third championship in five years and 20th NCAA title in FSU Athletics history.

🔥 Hudson Delivers the Title … Again

• Sophomore Wrianna Hudson scored the winner in the 87th minute — her fourth goal of the postseason and second straight College Cup game-winner.

• She earned Offensive Most Outstanding Player honors.

💨 Ockene’s Legendary Night

• Freshman GK Kate Ockene was sensational: career-best nine saves, just one shy of the FSU NCAA Tournament record.

• Named Defensive Most Outstanding Player.

• Finished the season 9-0-3 with five shutouts.

🧱 Total Team Performance

• FSU was outshot 18–8 (9–3 on goal) but delivered in the decisive moments.

• All-Tournament Team selections: Hudson, Ockene, Hether Gilchrist, Peyton McGovern, and Taylor Suarez.

• Suarez recorded her fifth assist of the NCAA Tournament on the game-winner.

🎉 Celebration Details for Fans (Dec. 9 in Tallahassee)

• ~2 p.m. — Team arrival at Million Air (fans welcomed starting at 1:30).

• 5 p.m. — Spear lighting at the Unconquered Statue.

• 5:30 p.m. — Celebration event at the Dunlap Champions Club with trophy photos, player/coach remarks, and light refreshments.

📈 Dynasty Numbers

• FSU is now 89-19-6 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.

• This is Pensky’s second national title in four seasons.

👉 Read the full championship recap here

🏆 Mandrell Desir Named True Freshman All-American 🏆

Florida State’s breakout defensive lineman Mandrell Desir has earned True Freshman All-American honors from On3, capping one of the strongest debut seasons by an FSU defender in nearly a decade.

🔥 Instant Impact as a Freshman

• Played in all 12 games with two starts

• 30 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 PBU

• 6.5 sacks → 9th in ACC, most among all ACC freshmen, 3rd nationally among freshmen

• Third-most sacks by a true freshman in FSU history — highest since Brian Burns (9.5 in 2016)

💨 Late-Season Dominance

• Logged at least 0.5 sack in 6 of FSU’s final 7 games

• Four straight games with a full sack

• 55 sack yards → 3rd in ACC, 2nd among freshmen nationally

🔒 Why It Matters
FSU badly needed young defensive-line playmakers in 2025 and Desir emerged as the most disruptive freshman edge presence in the ACC.

👉 Read more from the source here

🏈 FSU Set to Hire Elite Recruiter Nick Williams as New Edges Coach 🏈

FSU is making a major recruiting swing with its latest staff move, landing one of the most respected young recruiters in college football.

🔥 Williams Joins FSU’s Defensive Staff

• FSU is expected to hire Nick Williams from Syracuse as its new Edges Coach, per Football Scoop and Noles247.

• He will work alongside Terrance Knighton (interior DL), giving FSU a two-coach front geared toward player development and recruiting punch.

• FSU is still searching for a new cornerbacks coach following Patrick Surtain Sr.’s exit.

💨 Coaching Stops & Background

• South Georgia native (Bainbridge), ~45 minutes from Tallahassee.

• Played at Georgia → transferred to North Alabama.

• Began coaching at UGA after CFL injury; served as student assistant & GA (2017–2020).

• Analyst at Texas A&M (2021–22).

• Outside linebackers coach at Colorado under Deion Sanders.

• Outside linebackers/edges coach at Syracuse (2023–24).

🧲 Recruiting Monster
Across every stop in his career, Williams has earned a reputation as one of the sport’s best relationship-builders:

At Georgia:

• Played key roles in signing Kelee Ringo, Lewis Cine, Smoke Bouie, Bear Alexander.

At Texas A&M:

• Part of the staff that signed the No. 1 class of all time (2022).

• Assisted in landing five-star DLs Walter Nolen & DJ Hicks.

• Multiple industry insiders have described him as one of the best recruiters they’ve ever worked with.

At Colorado:

• Primary recruiter for 4★ ATH Kam Mikell (beat UGA, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas A&M).

• Landed 4★ DL Brandon Davis-Swain and 4★ WR Adam Hopkins.

At Syracuse:

• Signed 4★ CB Marcellus Barnes Jr., 4★ EDGE KingJoseph Edwards, and 4★ EDGE Jarius Rodgers.

• Helped land transfer DE Fadil Diggs (NFL Draft pick in 2025).

• Built early ties with major future targets — including 2028 FSU-target DL Asher Ghioto, who called Williams’ hiring a “huge move.”

🔒 What It Means for FSU

• Williams is unproven as a developer (only three seasons as an on-field coach), but he is elite as a recruiter — arguably the most accomplished one Norvell has added during his tenure.

• His relationships in South Georgia, the Southeast, and with top national DL/EDGE recruits immediately raise FSU’s ceiling in the trenches.

• Combined with Knighton, FSU now has a high-upside, high-energy defensive line staff built for the modern NIL-driven recruiting world.

👉 Read more about the hire and Williams' recruiting profile here, here, and here.

🏈 RB Coach David Johnson Leaving FSU for Arkansas 🏈

Florida State’s staff shakeup continues, as longtime RB coach and recruiting coordinator David Johnson is departing for the same role at Arkansas.

🔥 Johnson Heads to the SEC

Johnson, who has been with Mike Norvell for six seasons (Memphis ➜ FSU), is joining the Razorbacks after mutual interest emerged earlier this week.

He previously took a pay cut to follow Norvell to Tallahassee and has been one of the program’s longest-tenured assistants.

💨 Mixed Results in Tallahassee

During Johnson’s tenure:

• Produced NFL RBs Trey Benson, Jashaun Corbin, and Lawrance Toafili

• Oversaw punt returners a position that saw both strong seasons and notably poor ones particularly the scarring image from the NC State game.

• Helped stabilize RB recruiting early in Norvell’s rebuild

However, FSU’s run game consistency dipped in recent seasons as the offense regressed overall.

🔧 What This Means for FSU

Johnson becomes the first offensive assistant to officially exit in this offseason’s staff overhaul.
FSU will now look to fill a key spot on the offensive side as Norvell restructures roles following back-to-back losing seasons.

👉 Read more on Johnson’s move here

🏈 FSU’s Cornerbacks Coach Search: Top Candidates & Insider Read 🏈

Florida State is moving quickly to replace Patrick Surtain Sr., and several names from rising recruiters to veteran DB developers have emerged as serious options.

🔥 Brandon Harris (UCF CBs Coach)

• Former FSU analyst (2020) with deep South Florida ties.

• Brother of current FSU WR coach Tim Harris Jr.

• Viewed as an ascending young coach, strong relationships but limited recruiting résumé.
  Why he fits: Familiarity with Norvell, elite regional ties.

💨 Nick Monroe (Minnesota Co-DC / CBs Coach)

• Worked with Tony White at Syracuse (2020–22).

• Developed multiple NFL DBs (Cisco, Melifonwu, Williams).

• Strong South Florida recruiting presence.
  Why he fits: Proven developer + White connection.

⚡ Aazaar Abdul-Rahim (Maryland Co-DC / DBs Coach)

• Former Saban personnel director at Alabama.

• Strong DMV recruiter; primary recruiter for several five-stars.

• Development track record less established.
  Why he fits: Immediate recruiting boost.

🧱 Chip West (Wake Forest CBs Coach)

• Longtime DB coach with stops at Syracuse (with White), UVA, ODU.

• Multiple All-ACC DBs; history of landing elite recruits at UVA.
  Why he fits: Deep experience + White familiarity.

🔍 John Butler (Former Nebraska DC)

• NFL pedigree: Bills DB coach for six seasons.

• Coached All-Pros Poyer, Hyde, Tre’Davious White.

• Limited recruiting background.
  Why he fits: Pure development upgrade if recruiting can be supported elsewhere.

🚨 Tim Banks (Former Tennessee DC)

• Helped build Tennessee’s elite 2024 defense.

• Secondary background with multiple NFL players developed.
  Why he fits: Proven high-level defensive mind seeking a rebound role.

🔥 TJ Rushing (Former Auburn Safeties Coach)

• Was set to join Norvell’s first FSU staff in 2019 before TAMU poached him.

• Strong recruiter (Bussey, Denver Harris).

• Deep connection to Norvell.
  Why he fits: Proven recruiter with direct staff history.

🧨 DeMarcus Van Dyke (Auburn CBs Coach)

• South Florida native, former Miami standout.

• Known as an elite relationship-builder on the trail.
  Why he fits: Big-time recruiter: raw but rising quickly.

🔒 Torrian Gray (South Carolina DBs Coach) — Top but hardest get

• One of the best DB developers in college football.

• 30+ blue-chip recruits landed; long list of NFL products.
  Why he fits: Home-run hire… but difficult to pry away.

🔁 Marcus Woodson (Former FSU DBs Coach)

• Familiar with Norvell from Memphis + FSU.

• Helped develop Asante Samuel Jr. & Jammie Robinson.

• Mixed insider signals on his viability.
  Why he fits: Proven recruiter/developer with system familiarity.

👉 Read more about the CB coaching search here.

🧩 FSU Weighing Tough Personnel Decisions Across 2026 Roster 🧩

FSU’s staff is now shifting from player-choice decisions to program-driven decisions determining who to retain, who to promote, and where investments still make sense in a roster entering another major overhaul.

🔥 Quarterback: The First Big Decision

Kevin Sperry

• Coaches rave about him (“doesn’t play like a freshman”).

• Now the question: Does he play like a starter?

• FSU must decide whether to hand him the 2026 offense or go to the portal for a proven veteran (which is far more likely).

💨 Running Back Room: RB1 Questions Everywhere

Sam Singleton

• Flashed late (91 yards vs. Wake) and fits FSU’s IZ scheme.

• Staff must decide whether he’s RB1 material or part of a rotation.

Ousmane Kromah

• Paid starter money last year but used as RB3 (72 carries).

• FSU must answer big questions:
  – Is he your RB1?
  – If not, can you justify premium salary for a non-starter?
  – Will he stay if FSU adds a transfer?

🎯 Wide Receiver

Elijah Moore

• Enormous upside, but two seasons with little production.

• With six WRs signed + pursuit of Duce Robinson, 2026 becomes now-or-never.

🧱 Offensive Line: Payoffs or Part Ways?

Lucas Simmons

• Once a long-term project; health issues delayed development.

• Did not crack the rotation in 2025.

• Must determine if he’s ready to be a 2026 starting tackle or if it’s time to move on.

Andre Otto

• The 7th OL last season and a candidate to start.

• Staff must decide whether he’s truly starter-ready or a high-end backup like Jake Rizy was.

🔒 Tight End

Landen Thomas

• Regressed in Year 2; injuries contributed.

• Former elite flip from Georgia came at a cost.

• Staff must decide whether he’s a 2026 starter or a depth piece not worth premium compensation.

⚡ Edge / Defensive Line

Amaree Williams

• Tremendous tools, but development stalled due to moving between positions.

• Still young, still high upside and not cheap.

• FSU likely wants to keep him at DE, but cost vs. opportunity must be weighed.

James Williams

• Struggled as an every-down player; pass-rush ability hasn’t translated consistently.

• Staff must decide if he’s:
  – A situational pass rusher (most realistic), or
  – Worth continued investment to become a full-time DE.

🔒 Cornerbacks

Charles Lester & Cai Bates

• Highly touted 2024 signees who did not contribute despite opportunity:
  – Lester: 61.6 PFF on ~90 snaps
  – Bates: 58.5 PFF on 26 snaps

• With injuries and depth issues, neither became a viable option — a troubling sign.

• Staff now must decide whether development is still possible or whether it’s time to cut ties.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

From national titles to staff shakeups to the roster decisions that will shape 2026, it’s one of the most consequential stretches in recent FSU memory. As always, we’ll bring you the clearest insights, quickest updates, and the stories that matter most to Nole Nation.

Enjoy the celebrations today — the dynasty on the pitch rolls on.
The work in the Moore Center is just getting started.

Until tomorrow — Go Noles. 🔱