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Florida State is in the action on multiple fronts this weekend, from standout performances in track and field to major recruiting visits and a crushing loss on the hardwood. Here’s what’s happening in Tallahassee:

🏃‍♂️ FSU Track & Field Closes Lenny Lyles Invitational with Record-Breaking Performances 

Six program top-10 finishes highlighted the weekend, including a 400m sprint by Micahi Danzy, a meet-record 3,000m by Bieke Schipperen, and a dominant showing from the women’s relay team.

🏀 FSU Collapses Late, Falls to Boston College 77-76

The Seminoles let a 15-point second-half lead slip away, surrendering a game-winning three-pointer with 4.8 seconds left to extend their losing streak to four games.

1️⃣ Nation’s No. 1 LB Kaden Henderson Visits FSU, Meets New Staff 

The top-ranked linebacker in the 2027 class made his fourth visit to Tallahassee and had his first sit-down with new defensive coordinator Tony White and linebackers coach John Papuchis.

💪 4-Star OL G’Nivre Carr Visits FSU, Plans Return for Official Visit

The IMG Academy offensive lineman finally made it to campus, strengthening his connection with offensive line coach Herb Hand and setting the stage for a future commitment push.

🏆 Top-100 QB Landon Duckworth Names FSU in His Final Four 

The highly coveted 2026 quarterback has Florida State, South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Georgia leading the race, with official visits planned before a summer commitment.

🔥 Nation’s No. 1 Edge Rusher LaDamion Guyton Returns to FSU for Junior Day

The top-ranked pass rusher in the 2027 class got an in-depth look at FSU’s defensive scheme, connected with DL coach Terrance Knighton and Odell Haggins, and left eager to return for a game this fall.

📅 What’s Next?

🏀 FSU looks to bounce back against Notre Dame on Tuesday night.
🏈 Recruiting dead period begins soon—can the ‘Noles make a final push for key targets?
🏃‍♂️ FSU Track & Field splits up for major meets in Texas and Massachusetts.

🔥 Let’s get into it.👇

🏃‍♂️ FSU Track & Field Closes Lenny Lyles Invitational with Record-Breaking Performances

Florida State wrapped up the Lenny Lyles Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky, with six program top-10 performances, including a dominant showing from freshman running back Micahi Danzy.

🔥 Top Performances:
🏆 Bieke Schipperen – Won the 3,000m in a meet record 9:08.36 (7th-fastest in FSU history).
🏆 Kaelyaah Liburd – Won the 400m in 53.24, setting a meet record and the 6th-fastest time in FSU history.
🏆 Tyson Williams – Won the 60m hurdles in 7.69 (7th-fastest in program history).
🔥 Micahi Danzy – Finished 2nd in the 400m with a 46.34, tying for 5th-fastest in FSU history.
🥈 Women’s 4x400 relay (Liburd, Wilson, Green, Francis) – Placed 2nd in 3:35.30, the 3rd-fastest time in program history.
🥉 Zach Cloud – Finished 3rd in the mile with a 4:01.76, ranking 7th all-time at FSU.
🏆 Kyvon Tatham – Took 1st in the triple jump (15.92m / 52-02.75).
🏆 Suus Altorf – Set a meet record in the mile with a 4:36.42, her second meet record of the weekend.

🌟 Micahi Danzy’s Impact
In addition to his record-setting run, Danzy is drawing attention from both the track and football teams. The true freshman, who was a four-star football recruit, is showcasing elite speed—something that could be a valuable weapon for new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.

📅 What’s Next?
FSU Track & Field splits up for upcoming competitions:
📍 Feb. 14 – Jarvis Scott Invite (Lubbock, TX)
📍 Feb. 15 – David Hemery Invitational (Boston, MA)

👉 Check out full results & updates here.

🏀 FSU Collapses Late, Falls to Boston College 77-76

Florida State suffered a crushing 77-76 loss to Boston College on Saturday after surrendering a 15-point second-half lead, capped by a game-winning three-pointer with 4.8 seconds left. The Seminoles, who led by eight with 48 seconds remaining, committed a costly turnover in the closing moments, allowing BC’s Chas Kelley III to drill the decisive shot.

🔥 Key Performers

• Jamir Watkins – 19 points, 7 rebounds

• Malique Ewin – 18 points, 9 rebounds

• AJ Swinton – Career-high 10 points in his return from injury

📊 By the Numbers

• FSU led 64-49 with 12:40 left before BC’s 31-12 run to close the game

• The Seminoles shot 38.5% from the field (20-of-52) and 40% from three (6-of-15)

• FSU made 30-of-39 free throws (76.9%) but committed 12 turnovers, leading to 15 BC points

• Boston College shot 40.7% from deep (11-of-27) and had 14 second-chance points

⏭️ What’s Next?

Florida State (13-9, 4-7 ACC) returns home looking to snap its four-game losing streak against Notre Dame on Tuesday at 7 PM.

👉 Full game recap and more details here.

1️⃣ Nation’s No. 1 LB Kaden Henderson Visits FSU, Meets New Staff

Florida State welcomed Kaden Henderson, the No. 1 linebacker in the 2027 class, to campus on Saturday for his fourth visit with the Seminoles. This trip marked his first opportunity to meet new defensive coordinator Tony White and the revamped coaching staff.

Henderson, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound linebacker from Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit, is also ranked as the No. 2 prospect in Florida and the No. 18 overall player in the 2027 class, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. Along with FSU—who was the first school to offer him—he holds offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, Florida, Oklahoma, Miami, Tennessee, and Texas A&M, among others.

🔍 Henderson on His Visit & FSU’s New Staff

• On why he returned to FSU: "I just wanted to come up here and see the atmosphere with the new coaches and see if I still like it the same, or like it more."

• On Tony White’s 3-3-5 defense: "It's built for linebackers, so it's nice to see that here."

• On meeting LBs coach John Papuchis: "Just knowing his history of putting out linebackers and the players he's coached—it’s good to know."

• On why FSU remains a top school for him: "It was really my dream school growing up. You'd always see me wearing garnet and gold."

• On conversations with Mike Norvell: "He was just telling me the real—not just what I wanted to hear, but what's actually going to happen when I get here."

⏭️ What’s Next?

Henderson plans to return for FSU’s spring practices and remains highly interested in the Seminoles as his recruitment continues to unfold.

👉 Full interview & details here.

💪 4-Star OL G’Nivre Carr Visits FSU, Plans Return for Official Visit

Four-star interior offensive lineman G’Nivre Carr finally made his way to Florida State’s final Junior Day before the recruiting dead period, and the visit solidified the Seminoles’ standing in his recruitment.

Carr, a 6-foot-4, 325-pound guard from IMG Academy, is ranked as the No. 26 interior offensive lineman and No. 307 overall prospect in the 2025 class, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

A long-standing relationship with FSU offensive line coach Herb Hand, who previously recruited him at UCF, has only strengthened his connection with the Seminoles. After his visit, Carr plans to return for spring practices and take an official visit in the fall.

🔍 Key Takeaways from Carr’s Visit

• On the overall visit: “The visit today was amazing, man. I had a phenomenal time. I’m looking forward to coming back in the fall and watching them play.”

• On OL coach Herb Hand: “Coach Hand was recruiting me at UCF. Obviously, we have a relationship already built, and today we just added more to it. He seemed a lot happier, more enthusiastic.”

• On FSU’s coaching staff & recruitment approach: “They are losing eight offensive linemen this year, and they want to bring in some big dogs. So I’m one of them.”

• On FSU’s offensive philosophy: “I’m run game. Run the damn ball. That’s what they want to do here at Florida State.”

⏭️ What’s Next?

Carr will visit Tallahassee again in the spring and has an official visit set for the fall, as FSU looks to capitalize on its early recruitment and strong coaching connections.

👉 Full interview & analysis here.

🏈 Top-100 QB Landon Duckworth Names FSU in His Final Four

Class of 2026 Top-100 quarterback Landon Duckworth has Florida State firmly in the mix as he narrows down his recruitment. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound signal-caller out of Jackson (Ala.) High is ranked as the No. 66 overall player and the No. 5 quarterback in the cycle by 247Sports.

🎙️ Duckworth’s Top Schools

Duckworth has offers from across the country but has identified his leading four programs:
✔️ Florida State
✔️ South Carolina
✔️ Ole Miss
✔️ Georgia

"I think it's really Florida State and South Carolina. Ole Miss too. Georgia is right there," Duckworth said.

He confirmed plans to take official visits to all four schools before making a commitment this summer.

🔥 Florida State’s Edge in His Recruitment

FSU’s strongest connection comes through new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who recruited Duckworth heavily during his time at UCF.

"Everyone knows I have a great relationship with Gus since when he was at UCF," Duckworth said. "I have been to Florida State and I like them. I was there in my 9th grade. Coach Malzahn came to the school with the quarterbacks coach. They were pretty cool."

⏭️ What’s Next?

• Upcoming Visits: Duckworth visits Ole Miss this weekend, with additional trips to Georgia, FSU, and South Carolina planned.

• Commitment Timeline: He plans to announce his commitment this summer and recruit other top talent to join him.

• New Offers?: Duckworth is hoping to add Tennessee and USC to his offer list, with particular interest in Lincoln Riley’s QB development at USC.

👉 More on Duckworth’s recruitment here.

🔥 Nation’s No. 1 Edge Rusher LaDamion Guyton Returns to FSU for Junior Day

Four-star edge rusher LaDamion Guyton, the No. 1 ranked edge rusher and No. 2 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, was back in Tallahassee for FSU’s Junior Day on Saturday. The Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School standout got a deeper look at the program this time around, and Florida State made sure he felt like a priority.

🏈 In-Depth Look at FSU’s Program

"It was great being able to see a lot more things. I didn't go as far deep in town last time, so getting a better feel for the school and meeting some more people was nice," Guyton said.

🛡️ Coaching Connections & Player Panel Stood Out

Guyton spent most of his time with defensive line coach Terrance Knighton and associate head coach Odell Haggins, who emphasized how they develop elite defensive linemen.

"The experience speaks for itself," Guyton said. "Him and Odell, the combined experience they've got—playing in the league for years and Odell being here for decades—it speaks for itself for the program."

One unique aspect of the visit? A player-only panel where FSU players answered questions from recruits and their families—without any coaches present.

"No other school really did that before. Norvell tells me he's not living it out for us—he can pitch it, but at the end of the day, we have to commit to it. Hearing from the players firsthand really stood out," Guyton said.

🎯 Where FSU Stands in His Recruitment

Guyton, who measured in at 6-foot-3, 236 pounds during his visit, said FSU is recruiting him as a JACK linebacker in their system.

After hearing the Warchant blaring throughout his visit, Guyton has one thing in mind: attending a game in Tallahassee this fall.

"I want to come for a game, man. I keep hearing the war song—I want to see them run out, see them play, and see them fly around."

👉 More on Guyton’s visit & recruitment here.

And that’s a wrap!

That’s a wrap for this edition of The Chief Brief! With recruiting heating up, basketball looking for a bounce-back, and track & field making headlines, there’s no shortage of action in Tallahassee.

Until next time, stay locked in Seminoles! 🔥🍢