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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

The action never stops in Tallahassee, and this edition of The Chief Brief is loaded with must-know updates across FSU athletics.

🏆 Kennedy Harp dominated the diamond, earning ACC Player of the Week honors after a monster showing at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
🏀 Ta’Niya Latson continues to prove why she’s one of the nation’s best, landing on the John R. Wooden Award Top 20 Watch List.
⚾ FSU Baseball has set its weekend rotation, with ace Jamie Arnold leading a talented trio of left-handers.
🏈 Recruiting Stock Watch – FSU is surging with top targets like Brandon Anderson & Cam Brooks but has work to do with others.
🔍 5⭐ WR Calvin Russell and 4⭐ CB Preston Ashley are weighing their options—can FSU secure key visits?

🚨 All this and more inside—let’s dive in! ⬇️

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🔥 Kennedy Harp Named ACC Player of the Week After Dominant Performance!

Florida State softball sophomore outfielder Kennedy Harp is making waves early in the season, earning ACC Player of the Week and Softball America Star of the Week honors after a scorching-hot performance at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

🚀 Harp’s Monster Week:
✅ .667 batting average (10-for-15)
✅ 10 RBI, 3 triples, 2 doubles, 1 home run
✅ 3 straight games with a triple
✅ Bases-clearing triple vs. No. 4 Oklahoma State in clutch moment
✅ Tied for most triples in the country

Harp is already nearing her 2024 season totals (21 hits, 19 RBI) in just five games this season!

⏭️ What’s Next?
The No. 12 Seminoles are headed to the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational for another tough slate:
📌 Thursday: vs. No. 16 Missouri
📌 Friday: vs. Ohio State
📌 Saturday: vs. Wichita State
📌 Sunday: vs. UCF

🔗 More on Harp’s breakout week here.

🔥 Ta’Niya Latson Named to John R. Wooden Award Top 20 Watch List!

Florida State junior guard Ta’Niya Latson has been recognized among the nation’s elite, earning a spot on the 2024-25 John R. Wooden Award Top 20 Late Midseason Watch List—the most prestigious honor in college basketball.

🏆 Latson’s Dominant Season:
✅ Leads the nation in scoring (26.0 PPG)
✅ Seven 30+ point games, including a career-high 40 vs. Virginia Tech
✅ FSU ranks No. 1 nationally in scoring (92.1 PPG)
✅ Leading the No. 23/21 Seminoles to a 19-5 (9-3 ACC) record

The Wooden Award recognizes the top player in college basketball, with winners and All-Americans announced during the NCAA Elite Eight and honored in Los Angeles on April 11, 2025.

⏭️ What’s Next?
🏀 FSU vs. Louisville – Thursday, 6 PM (ACC Network Extra)

🔗 More on Latson’s Wooden Award nomination here.

🔥 FSU Baseball Announces Weekend Rotation for 2025 Season!

Florida State has locked in its weekend rotation for the upcoming season, and it’s all lefties. Head coach Link Jarrett confirmed on Sunday Golds: A Florida State Baseball Podcast that USF transfer Joey Volini and Ole Miss transfer Wes Mendes will round out the staff behind ace Jamie Arnold.

🔴 FSU’s Weekend Rotation:
✅ Friday: Jamie Arnold (Unanimous Preseason All-American, projected MLB Top-5 pick)
✅ Saturday: Joey Volini (USF Transfer, 4.40 ERA in 2024, known for his command & four-pitch mix)
✅ Sunday: Wes Mendes (Ole Miss Transfer, electric 93-95 mph fastball & elite secondary pitches)

💬 Coach Jarrett on His Rotation:
"Those are three good lefties... they’re all drastically different, and they’ve earned those spots."

🛠️ Next in Line:
🔹 Jacksonville transfer Evan Chrest & sophomore Hudson Rowan could start midweek games.
🔹 No set midweek starter yet, but both will get opportunities.

⏭️ What’s Next?
⚾ Opening Day: February 14 vs. James Madison (5 PM, Dick Howser Stadium)

🔗 More on FSU’s pitching staff here.

🏀 Florida State Heads to Wake Forest for ACC Showdown

Florida State men’s basketball (14-9, 5-7 ACC) is back in action Wednesday at 7 PM, hitting the road to take on Wake Forest (18-6, 10-3 ACC) at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC.

🔥 Game Preview:
🔹 FSU is coming off a 74-63 win over Notre Dame but has struggled on the road this season (1-6 in true road games).
🔹 Wake Forest has won three straight and is 11-1 at home this season.
🔹 Series History: FSU leads 30-28 but has lost the last two in Winston-Salem.

🚨 FSU Injury Updates:
✅ Taylor Bol Bowen (concussion) & Jerry Deng (ankle) are expected to return after missing the Notre Dame game.

🏀 FSU’s Projected Starters:
🔹 Jamir Watkins (18.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG) – Dropped 19 points & 9 assists vs. Wake on Jan. 9.
🔹 Malique Ewin (14.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG) – Key presence in the paint.
🔹 Chandler Jackson (7.4 PPG, 2.1 APG) – Floor general for the ‘Noles.

⏭️ What’s Next?
🏠 FSU returns home Saturday at noon to face Clemson.

🔗 More on FSU vs. Wake Forest here.

📈📉 FSU Recruiting Stock Watch: Who’s Rising & Who’s Slipping?

With January’s crucial recruiting period now in the books, Florida State is gaining ground with some top targets—but also losing steam with others. While it’s still early, momentum matters in recruiting, and FSU’s coaching staff will need to capitalize on key visits this spring to keep the class trending in the right direction.

📈 Stock Rising: FSU Gaining Momentum

🔥 4⭐ OL Brandon Anderson
FSU is surging for Anderson, thanks to offensive line coach Herb Hand’s strong development pitch. He’s set to return for a major recruiting weekend on June 6, and while Florida and several SEC schools remain in play, FSU is in a great position to land his commitment.

🔥 4⭐ DE Cam Brooks
After nearly committing last year, Brooks’ interest in FSU dipped during the team’s struggles. But a personal meeting with Mike Norvell and DC Tony White has reignited momentum. He’s set to take an official visit on June 6, and FSU’s offer to his teammate Jaydon Dunbar could help solidify their standing.

🔥 4⭐ DB Kaiden Hall
FSU has made a big move in Hall’s recruitment, overcoming Florida’s early lead. The ‘Noles will get an official visit during their crucial June 6 weekend, and new safeties coach Evan Cooper is making a strong impression. With Alabama and Florida still involved, FSU has work to do, but they’re trending up.

📉 Stock Falling: FSU Needs to Rebound

⚠️ 4⭐ WR Darryon Williams (FSU Commit)
Williams’ commitment isn’t as firm as it once was. Florida is making a serious push, and Williams hasn’t met FSU’s new WR coach yet. He’s expected to visit in March, which will be a critical moment for FSU to re-secure his pledge.

⚠️ 4⭐ RB Jae Lamar
Georgia and Auburn have jumped ahead in the race for Lamar, who was once heavily considering FSU. His upcoming visit with Gus Malzahn this spring will be key if the ‘Noles want to regain momentum.

⚠️ 4⭐ WR Kaiden Prothro
FSU’s struggles last season may have hurt their standing with Prothro. He left FSU out of his top five and hasn’t scheduled an official visit yet. If his expected spring visit doesn’t impress, the Seminoles could be out of the race.

⏳ What’s Next?
FSU’s June 6 recruiting weekend is shaping up to be pivotal. Can the ‘Noles close strong on their top targets?

🔗 More on FSU’s recruiting momentum here.

🏈 5⭐ WR Calvin Russell Sorting Out Visits—FSU in the Mix?

Miami Northwestern’s Calvin Russell—one of the top receivers in the nation—is still in the early stages of his recruitment, with Miami, FSU, Florida, Georgia, Auburn, Oregon, and Syracuse all in pursuit.

🏆 Russell’s Profile:
✅ Ranking: No. 14 overall | No. 4 WR (2025 Class)
✅ Size: 6’5, 190 lbs
✅ Multi-Sport Star: Also excelling in basketball & track, limiting his visit schedule.

🔍 Where FSU Stands

🔺 Miami is the current favorite due to family ties (his mom played basketball there) & proximity.
🔺 Russell hasn’t visited FSU yet, but the Seminoles are a realistic option for a spring visit.
🔺 He’s prioritizing a visit to Oregon once basketball season ends, but Florida and FSU are easier trips.

🚨 What’s Next?

Russell expects to start visits in late March after basketball season. Right now, Miami is the team to beat—but if FSU gets him on campus, things could get interesting.

🔗 More on Russell’s recruitment & FSU’s chances here.

🏈 4⭐ CB Preston Ashley Locks in FSU Visit, Talks Seminoles Connection

Mississippi four-star cornerback Preston Ashley has deep ties to Ole Miss, but Florida State remains a serious contender in his recruitment.

🏆 Ashley’s Profile:
✅ Ranking: No. 154 overall (On3 Industry)
✅ Size: 6’0, 175 lbs
✅ Legacy Connection: Uncle Rock Preston played at FSU.

📅 Spring Visits Set

🔹 March 29 – Auburn
🔹 April 5 – Florida State

Ashley hasn’t been to Tallahassee since last summer, but he’s eager to return:
💬 “I love everything about Florida State. Coach Norvell, Coach Pat (Surtain) – they really stand out.”

🚨 Official Visits Coming Soon

Ashley has confirmed that FSU, Auburn, and Mississippi State will receive official visits, with more schools still in the mix.

🔍 What’s Next?

He plans to commit before the season starts in late July or August. FSU is in a strong position—but Auburn, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State will be tough competition.

🔗 More on Ashley’s recruitment & FSU’s push here.

And that’s a wrap!

As always, FSU athletics is full of big-time performances, major recruiting moves, and championship-level expectations.

📣 What are you most excited about this week? Hit reply and let us know!

📅 Next Up:
🏀 FSU vs. Louisville – Can the ‘Noles honor Sue Semrau with a win?
⚾ Opening Day is almost here—who’s ready for some baseball?
🏈 Recruiting never stops! More big visits coming soon.

Stay locked in, Seminole Nation. Big things ahead! 🍢

— The Chief Brief Team