Welcome to The Chief Brief!

It’s Thursday, it’s a lead year, and uniquely we don’t have a ton on the docket for you today.

Enjoy this extra day in February and we will see this date in four years.

🏀 Seminoles on Fire: FSU Women's Basketball is set to face No. 22 Louisville in a crucial ACC showdown, riding a wave of six wins in their last seven games.

🥎 Schedule Update: The FSU Softball team adds three exciting matchups to their season, including a community-friendly game against Jacksonville this Sunday.

🎾 Tennis Team on the Road: The No. 17 FSU Men's Tennis team is ready to face Louisville and Notre Dame, continuing their impressive season with high hopes for ACC victories.

🏈 Young and Hayward Eye FSU: Top safety prospects Jordan Young and Lagonza “Shaedy” Hayward share their recruitment journeys, with FSU emerging as a key contender for their commitments.

🏈 Verse Reflects on FSU Journey: As Jared Verse prepares for the NFL Scouting Combine, he looks back on how FSU transformed him into a potential first-round draft pick, reflecting on his growth and the technical skills honed in Tallahassee.

🏀 Seminoles on Fire: FSU Women's Basketball Eyes Victory at Louisville 🏀

Riding the wave of an impressive streak with six wins in their last seven games, Florida State Women's Basketball is gearing up for a pivotal showdown against No. 22 Louisville this Thursday at 8 p.m. The Seminoles, flaunting one of the ACC's best recent records, are set to showcase their skills on the ACC Network in a clash that could further heat up the already intense conference standings.

Star Watch: Ta'Niya Latson's Stellar Season

• Sophomore guard Ta'Niya Latson continues to dazzle, ranking 4th in scoring (21.67 PPG), 7th in assists (4.33 APG), and 2nd in free throw percentage (85.7%) in the ACC.

• Latson's scoring prowess is highlighted by her 17 games with 20+ points this season, tying for the third-highest in the conference.

Quest for Ranked Wins:

• FSU aims for its fourth AP Top 25 victory of the season, having already secured wins against No. 11 Tennessee, No. 20 UNC, and No. 11 Virginia Tech.

• A triumph over Louisville would mark FSU's highest number of ranked wins in a season since the 2019-20 campaign.

ACC Standings & Upcoming Challenges:

• The Seminoles find themselves in a four-way tie for third place in the ACC, setting the stage for a thrilling end to the conference play.

• Following the Louisville game, FSU will celebrate Senior Day against Clemson, honoring Alexis Tucker and Sara Bejedi.

Record Watch:

• Junior forward Makayla Timpson is on the verge of breaking two FSU single-season records: double-doubles and blocks, showcasing her dominance on both ends of the floor.

• Timpson's remarkable efficiency was on full display with a 10-of-10 shooting performance at Clemson earlier this season.

FSU's Winning Tradition:

• The Seminoles boast 10 or more wins against the current NET Top 100 this season, highlighting their competitive edge.

• With 10 consecutive winning seasons in ACC play, FSU continues to solidify its status as a powerhouse in women's college basketball.

🥎 FSU Softball Adds Exciting Matchups to Schedule 🥎

The Florida State softball team is thrilled to announce the addition of three games to their bustling schedule, offering fans more opportunities to catch the Seminoles in action. Here's what's on deck for the team:

• Sunday Showdown: FSU will face Jacksonville this Sunday at noon, hosted at Rattler Field on the Florida A&M campus in Tallahassee. This game promises competitive play in a community-friendly atmosphere, with free admission for all attendees. While the game won't be streamed, fans can stay updated with live stats at statbroadcast.com.

• Spring Break Classic: Mark your calendars for March 10, when FSU takes on Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Florida, as part of the FGCU Spring Break Classic. This addition promises to be a highlight of the spring season, showcasing FSU's talent against formidable opponents.

• Doubleheader Delight: The April 17 matchup against Alabama State at home is now set to be a doubleheader, starting at 4 p.m. This change doubles the excitement, offering fans twice the softball action in one day.

🎾 No. 17 FSU Men's Tennis Set for ACC Road Challenges 🎾

The No. 17 ranked Florida State men's tennis team is gearing up for a pivotal weekend in conference play, facing off against Louisville and Notre Dame. With an impressive start to the season, the Seminoles are looking to extend their winning ways on the road.

Weekend Matchup Details:

• Against Louisville: The action kicks off on Friday at 5 p.m. at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center in Louisville, where FSU boasts a strong record, having lost only once in four meetings.

• Facing Notre Dame: The competition continues on Sunday at 12 p.m., with FSU riding a seven-match winning streak over Notre Dame, showcasing the team's dominance in recent matchups.

Season Highlights:

• FSU's season record stands at an impressive 9-2, including a 1-0 mark in ACC play, highlighted by a 7-0 sweep at Boston College.

• The team has shown resilience on the road, securing wins against formidable opponents like Alabama and No. 12 Mississippi State.

• Last weekend, FSU demonstrated its depth with 6-1 victories at home against Georgia State and South Alabama.

Player Spotlights:

• Youcef Rihane shone brightly on Court 3, showcasing his skill with a near-perfect performance against Georgia State and a straight-sets victory over South Alabama.

• The dynamic doubles duo of Antoine Cornut-Chauvinc and Joshua Dous-Karpenschif, ranked 14th nationally, continued their winning streak, including a dominant 6-0 set sweep against South Alabama.

Rankings and Recognition:

• The latest ITA team rankings place Florida State at No. 17, marking the team's 25th consecutive week in the top-25, a testament to the program's consistency and excellence.

🏈 Top Safety Prospect Jordan Young Eyes FSU Among Top Contenders 🏈

Monroe, NC's standout safety, Jordan Young, ranks as the No. 29 overall player and the No. 3 safety in the nation, according to 247Sports. As he narrows down his college choices, Florida State emerges as a key player in his recruitment journey.

Recruitment Highlights:

• Young, a top talent in the class of 2025, recently showcased his skills at Nike’s “The Next Ones” event in Las Vegas, emphasizing camaraderie among elite recruits.

• Clemson, Florida State, and Tennessee are leading the charge in Young's recruitment, with each school making a strong impression.

• Official visits are on the horizon, with Clemson on May 31 and FSU on June 14 marked on Young's calendar.

In Young's Words:

• On FSU's appeal: “I spent time with coach Surtain and coach Norvell. The visit went really good...how they would use me in the defense suits my playing style.”

• Future plans include spring visits to Penn State, Tennessee, and NC State, with a commitment decision expected before his senior season kickoff.

• Young is keen on enhancing his coverage skills, particularly against double-moves, while already excelling at intercepting and contesting passes.

What Sets Clemson Apart:

• Clemson has made a significant impact, with consistent communication and engagement from the coaching staff, setting a high benchmark in Young's recruitment process.

🏈 Rising Star Lagonza “Shaedy” Hayward Eyes FSU as Dream School 🏈

In a dramatic climb within the On300 rankings, Lagonza “Shaedy” Hayward, a standout safety from Lyons, Georgia, has vaulted to No. 83 nationally, marking him as a key target for Florida State. His recent visit to FSU for Junior Day has solidified the Seminoles as a top contender for his commitment.

From Under the Radar to Top Prospect: Hayward's ascent to the ninth-best safety in the country and the 14th-best player in Georgia showcases his burgeoning reputation. Despite being relatively unknown just a few weeks before his FSU visit, Hayward's admiration for the Seminoles is longstanding. “Always been my dream school,” Hayward remarked, reflecting on his visit as “felt like a homecoming.”

FSU's Coaching Staff Makes an Impression: The familial atmosphere and the close-knit nature of FSU's coaching staff have made a significant impact on Hayward. He praises defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain Sr. as an uncle figure and lauds head coach Mike Norvell and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller as a “dynamic duo.” “FSU staff is like a family,” Hayward said, “And they only want to see you get better.”

A Future at FSU? Hayward's impressive athleticism has attracted attention from several Power 5 programs, but it's FSU's holistic approach that stands out. The Seminoles have challenged Hayward to match his physical tools with the hard work necessary to excel. “They stood out,” he acknowledged, signaling FSU's meaningful impact on his recruitment journey.

With plans to return to Tallahassee and other visits lined up, including official trips to Alabama, Southern Cal, and Tennessee in June, Hayward's recruitment is heating up. FSU remains a strong contender, buoyed by the Seminoles' familial approach and Hayward's dream of playing in garnet and gold.

🏈 Jared Verse Reflects on Transformation and FSU Legacy Ahead of NFL Draft 🏈

As Jared Verse prepares for the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, he's not just focused on the future. The potential 47th first-round NFL draft pick from FSU took a moment to reflect on his transformative journey in Tallahassee.

From Albany to FSU: A New Player Emerges

• Verse credits his evolution not to physical changes but to the refinement of his technique under FSU's guidance. "You watch my Albany film and you watch my Florida State film, it’s a different person," Verse remarked, highlighting the importance of the "minute details" that FSU honed in on.

The Technical Turnaround

• The defensive powerhouse shared how FSU's coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, defensive ends coach John Papuchis, and defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins, played pivotal roles in his development. Verse emphasized the nuanced aspects of his game that FSU improved, from his rush technique to his hand placement.

A Legacy of Excellence

• Verse's FSU tenure was marked by impressive stats: 89 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 18 sacks. He pointed to his final two games against Florida and Louisville as his peak performances, where he stepped up following the loss of quarterback Jordan Travis, showcasing his ability to elevate his play in critical moments.

Reflecting on the Orange Bowl Decision

• Despite opting out of the Orange Bowl, Verse expressed a tinge of regret, pondering what might have been had he and possibly others played. "Looking back on it, I wish I put myself in a different position," he admitted, standing by his decision but acknowledging the difficulty of watching his team from the sidelines.

From Unlikely Prospect to NFL Bound

• Verse's journey from a 0-star tight end recruit to the brink of an NFL career is nothing short of remarkable. "I was never supposed to be here today," he said, underscoring the significance of potentially being one of the first pass-rushers selected in the draft.

And that’s a wrap!

Stay tuned, stay loyal, and keep the Seminole spirit alive. Until next time,

Go Noles! 🍢