In partnership with
Forwarded this email from a friend? Subscribe at the button below
Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
How closely do you follow non-football FSU sports?
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
A weekend that delivered hard lessons, early clarity, and a few important signals worth clocking now — not later.
🥎📉 FSU Softball vs. Tennessee
A final test in Clearwater showed exactly how sharp the edge still is between Florida State and the nation’s true title contenders.
⚾🌧️ FSU Baseball Finale Canceled
Opening Weekend didn’t end on the field, but the work was already done — and the message was clear.
🥍📉 FSU Lacrosse at UC Davis
A promising first half gave way to a tough lesson about sustaining pace and execution on the road.
⚾🗒️ Baseball Opening Weekend Takeaways
Two wins were expected, but the real story was the depth, flexibility, and early lineup pressure emerging fast.
🏈👕 QB Competition & Tour of Duty
Before spring practice even begins, one quarterback has already separated himself through accountability and consistency.
Let’s get into it 👇
Smart starts here.
You don't have to read everything — just the right thing. 1440's daily newsletter distills the day's biggest stories from 100+ sources into one quick, 5-minute read. It's the fastest way to stay sharp, sound informed, and actually understand what's happening in the world. Join 4.5 million readers who start their day the smart way.
🥎📉 FSU Softball Stumbles vs. No. 3 Tennessee to Close Clearwater 📉🥎
A tough finale against an elite opponent ends the Clearwater run.
The No. 6 Florida State Seminoles softball dropped a 9–1 decision to the No. 3 Tennessee Volunteers softball on Sunday afternoon, finishing the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational with a 2–2 split.
⏱️ How It Unfolded
Tennessee jumped ahead immediately with a three-run homer in the first inning
FSU’s lone run came in the second when Isa Torres was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded
The Vols broke it open with four runs in the third, chasing the starter
Two more runs in the seventh sealed it
⚾ At the Plate
Just four hits for FSU — all singles
Two walks, seven strikeouts
Limited traffic all afternoon against a dominant Tennessee staff
🧤 In the Circle
Makenna Reid: 2.1 IP, 4 ER, took the loss
Marlee Gaskell: 4.0 IP, 5 ER in relief
Ashtyn Danley: efficient final outs (0.2 IP, 3 pitches)
📊 Big Picture
This one was a reminder of the gap that still exists against the very top of the sport. Florida State flashed its ceiling earlier in Clearwater, but Tennessee showed what championship-level execution looks like from the first pitch on.
📍 What’s Next
Tuesday: Home vs. Louisiana (6:00 p.m.)
Friday: Dugout Club Classic opener vs. Dartmouth (3:00 p.m.)
⚾🌧️ Weather Washes Out FSU Baseball Series Finale 🌧️⚾
Mother Nature had the final say on Opening Weekend.
Sunday’s series finale between Florida State Seminoles baseball and James Madison Dukes baseball at Dick Howser Stadium was canceled due to inclement weather.
🧾 What It Means
The game will not be made up
FSU takes the series after wins on Friday and Saturday
Seminoles open the season 2–0, extending their unbeaten mark vs. JMU
🧠 Big Picture
Two dominant performances were more than enough to validate Opening Weekend. Florida State got strong pitching, relentless offense, and exactly the kind of start you want before turning the page.
Cash Flow Tight? We've Got You.
Get the funding you need- fast approvals, fixed terms, and no unexpected costs.
🥍📉 FSU Lacrosse Drops Road Finale at UC Davis 📉🥍
A competitive first half gave way to a tough finish out west.
Florida State Seminoles women's lacrosse fell to UC Davis Aggies women's lacrosse 13–6 on Sunday afternoon, closing the California trip at 2–2 overall.
⏱️ How It Played Out
Fast start from Brooke Long
First career start as a Seminole
Scored her first two goals at FSU to help stake an early lead
Back-and-forth first half
Goals from Amelia Brite and Lola Mancuso kept FSU level
Teams went to halftime tied 4–4
Second-half separation
UC Davis opened the third with momentum
Seminoles answered briefly, but a 3-goal Aggie run created distance
UC Davis closed the game with five fourth-quarter goals
⭐ Seminole Notes
Brooke Long: 2 goals in her first start
Amelia Brite: 2 goals
Lola Mancuso: 9th goal of the season
Alyssa Deacy: third-quarter goal to halt a run
🧠 Big Picture
Florida State showed offensive balance early, but struggled to match UC Davis’ tempo and finishing after halftime. The result underscores how slim the margins remain in nonconference matchups as the schedule stiffens.
📍 Up Next
FSU heads to the Atlanta Lacrosse Invitational to face No. 17 Army on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET at B.T. Harvey Stadium (ESPN+).
⚾🗒 Early Takeaways: What We Learned From FSU Baseball’s Opening Weekend ⚾🗒
Two games, two wins — and plenty to digest.
Florida State Seminoles baseball opened the 2026 season by going 2–0 against James Madison, winning 5–1 and 16–5 before Sunday’s finale was wiped out by weather. While the sweep was expected, the weekend still offered some meaningful early clues about how this roster is shaping up.
🔥 What Looked Legit
Brayden Dowd looks made for the leadoff role
Veteran presence, elite approach, speed + pop
3-for-3 with a HR, double, single, and two walks Saturday
Simplifies the lineup by letting him be a true table-setter
Myles Bailey picked up right where he left off
Opening Day homer on his first swing set the tone
Protection matters — and Cal Fisher might be the answer
Fisher went 4-for-5 with 5 RBI and looks poised for a junior-year jump
The middle of the order feels real
Bailey, Fisher, Hunter Carns, and Dowd look like lineup locks
Brody DeLamielleure’s opposite-field power continues to stand out
🧩 The Big Question Marks
DH spot is wide open
Noah Sheffield has the early edge after a huge pinch-hit Friday and a perfect day Saturday
True freshman John Stuetzer struggled early
Several bats (Kelvyn Paulino Jr., Eli Putnam) still waiting for real opportunity
Outfield defense remains fluid
Chase Williams brings elite speed but still looks uncomfortable at times in center
Athletic plays mixed with risky reads and routes
Likely improves with reps, but not locked in yet
🧢 On the Mound
Wes Mendes looked solid and composed Friday
Bryson Moore struggled in his FSU debut after being pushed up due to Trey Beard’s illness
Stuff flashed, command didn’t
Bullpen depth showed promise:
Cooper Whited impressed in relief
Cade O’Leary flashed despite some runs
Cole Stokes brought power stuff
Brodie Purcell stood out as a calm, veteran presence with 2.1 scoreless innings
🧠 Big Picture
It’s only two games — and against JMU — but Florida State’s biggest strength might already be clear: depth. There are lineup locks, but there’s also real pressure coming from the bench. Same story on the mound. That’s a good problem to have, even if it puts tough decisions on Link Jarrett.
The picture will sharpen quickly with a midweek road trip to Jacksonville and a loaded weekend ahead in Arlington against Michigan, Auburn, and Nebraska.
|
|
🏈👕 QB Competition Takes Shape as Tour of Duty Sets the Early Standard 👕🏈
Florida State’s quarterback battle is officially underway — and the early pecking order is beginning to show.
With Florida State Seminoles football deep into Tour of Duty workouts, the program enters its first true QB competition in five years. While no starter will be named before spring practice, one quarterback is already separating himself in the winter grind.
🔥 Early Edge: Ashton Daniels
Ashton Daniels has already earned a white “game jersey” during Tour of Duty
Jerseys are awarded based on graded effort and performance, evaluated the same way coaches grade games and practices
Earning one early signals leadership, consistency, and trust from the staff
🧩 The Rest of the QB Room
Kevin Sperry (RS freshman) remains in the mix but has not yet earned a game jersey
JUCO transfer Malachi Marshall arrives this summer and is unlikely to factor early
Freshman Jaden O’Neal is sidelined this spring after January knee surgery, though his recovery is reportedly ahead of schedule
🗣️ Norvell’s Comments Hint at the Direction
Head coach Mike Norvell stopped short of naming a starter, but his words on ACC Network were telling:
Daniels’ experience and late-season growth stood out
Norvell noted “high expectations” for Daniels’ role at FSU
Sperry was praised for talent and competitiveness, but Daniels was clearly framed as the bar
🧠 Big Picture
Tour of Duty doesn’t crown a starter — but it often reveals who the staff trusts when accountability and leadership matter most. Daniels earning a game jersey first suggests he’s entering spring practice with real momentum.
👉 Read more for full sourcing, Tour of Duty context, and what this early signal could mean once spring ball opens on March 9.
And that’s a wrap!
The first weekends of a season rarely tell the full story, but they always tell something.
This one showed where Florida State is solid, where the margins still live, and which competitions are already real.
The answers won’t come all at once — but they’re starting to show.
More soon.
— The Chief
