🏹 February 5th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Big Wins, Big Moves & Big Decisions Ahead for the Noles

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The Chief
February 05, 2025

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy hump day, Seminole!

It’s been a huge week already for Florida State Athletics—from big wins to major recruiting moves to a coaching search heating up.

🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball took down Notre Dame 67-60, snapping a two-game skid. Meanwhile, AD Michael Alford is wasting no time in the search for Leonard Hamilton’s successor, with strong interest already pouring in.

🥎 Softball is back! The Noles open their season in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, marking their first-ever international start. Can this stacked roster make a return to the Women’s College World Series?

⚾ Baseball tickets are on sale now! The ‘Noles are coming off a College World Series run and have a loaded home schedule ahead.

🏈 Recruiting is rolling—FSU added key 2025 signees, locked in a summer visit with 4-star CB Samari Matthews, and is making waves with elite 2028 DL Asher Ghioto.

A lot is happening—let’s break it all down! 👇

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🏀 FSU Closes Strong, Takes Down Notre Dame 67-60

Florida State (14-9, 5-7 ACC) snapped a two-game skid with a hard-fought 67-60 victory over Notre Dame (10-12, 4-7 ACC) at the Tucker Center. Fueled by an 18-0 first-half run and a clutch performance from Jamir Watkins, the Seminoles held off a second-half push from the Fighting Irish to secure the win.

🔥 Key Moments & Takeaways

  • Momentum-Shifting Run: Trailing 17-7 early, FSU erupted for an 18-0 run, flipping the game to a 25-17 advantage.

  • Watkins Ignites Offense: The junior drilled three straight triples early in the second half, sparking a key push that put FSU ahead 43-34.

  • Ewin’s Double-Double: Malique Ewin (18 points, 10 rebounds) controlled the paint, earning his eighth double-double of the season.

  • Freshman First Start: AJ Swinton made his first career start, finishing with 9 points, 2 rebounds, and a steal.

🔢 By the Numbers

  • Jamir Watkins: 21 points, 3 assists, 2-of-2 FT

  • Malique Ewin: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals

  • AJ Swinton: 9 points, 5-of-6 FT

  • FSU Free Throws: 16-of-19 (84%)

  • FSU’s Defense: Held Notre Dame to 39.7% FG, limiting the ACC’s top three-point shooting team

⏭️ What’s Next?

The Seminoles get a week off before heading to Wake Forest on Feb. 12 at 7 PM. With the ACC Tournament inching closer, every win matters.

🥎 FSU Softball Opens 2025 Season in Puerto Vallarta

Florida State Softball is back! The Seminoles kick off the 2025 season this week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, competing in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge. Over three days, FSU will play five games, including two matchups against No. 4 Oklahoma State.

📅 Schedule – Puerto Vallarta College Challenge

  • Thursday, Feb. 8 🆚 No. 4 Oklahoma State – 11 AM

  • Thursday, Feb. 8 🆚 Northern Colorado – 2 PM

  • Friday, Feb. 9 🆚 Louisiana Tech – 2 PM

  • Saturday, Feb. 10 🆚 Louisiana Tech – 5 PM

  • Saturday, Feb. 10 🆚 No. 4 Oklahoma State – 7:30 PM

📺 All games streamed on FloSports (subscription required).

🌎 Noles in Uncharted Territory

  • First time starting a season outside the U.S.

  • First season opener vs. a ranked opponent since 2014.

  • First season opener away from home since 2018 (FSU won the National Championship that year 👀).

💪 Loaded Roster, High Expectations

After missing the Women's College World Series in 2024, the Seminoles are hungry for a return to Oklahoma City.

  • 🔙 Two NFCA All-Americans Return – Jaysoni Beachum (.417 AVG, 16 HR, 66 RBI) & Michaela Edenfield (.381 AVG, 15 HR).

  • 🔥 Power Lineup – FSU returns 73% of its RBI production from a record-breaking .332 team batting average last season.

  • 🛡️ Reinforced Pitching Staff – Led by Ashtyn Danley (18-6, 3.20 ERA), with key transfers Julia Apsel (Hofstra) & Annabelle Widra (Auburn).

🔜 What’s Next?

FSU returns home for its Feb. 20 home opener – the latest since 1997 – and will navigate a grueling road-heavy schedule with 31 of 55 games away from home.

🎟️ FSU Baseball Tickets Now on Sale!

Florida State baseball season is almost here, and tickets for the first 11 home games are now available!

🏟️ General Admission Season Tickets – $80 for adults, $45 for youth (includes all 35 home games).
🎟️ Single-Game Tickets – Starting at $5 for general admission, with special $2 Tuesday pricing for select games.

📅 Home Games Now on Sale:
⚾ Opening Weekend vs. James Madison (Feb. 14-16)
⚾ Penn Series (Feb. 21-23)
⚾ Georgetown Series (Feb. 28-March 2)
⚾ Midweek Games vs. North Florida (March 4) & Bethune-Cookman (March 5)

🔥 Coming off a College World Series appearance, the 2025 schedule is stacked with 20 home games vs. NCAA Tournament teams, including Florida, Wake Forest, Virginia & North Carolina.

🎟️ Get your tickets today at Seminoles.com/Tickets or call 850-644-1830.

🏈 National Signing Day: FSU Adds Key Pieces to 2025 Class

Florida State put the finishing touches on its 2025 recruiting class, securing commitments from three new prospects ahead of February’s National Signing Day. With a mix of legacy talent and key flips, the Seminoles continued to build depth in critical areas.

🔒 Signed & Sealed: Newest FSU Commits

✅ CB Antonio Cromartie Jr. (Carrollton, GA) – 3⭐ DB, Son of FSU Legend
🔹 Offered on Christmas Day, took an official visit in January before committing.
🔹 No. 176 CB nationally, brings NFL bloodlines and raw potential.

✅ C Chavez Thompson (Cocoa, FL) – 3⭐ Center, Flip from FIU
🔹 Originally recruited by Gus Malzahn & Herb Hand at UCF.
🔹 Former Oregon commit, No. 139 IOL in the country.

✅ OT Chastan Brown (Warner Robins, GA) – 4⭐ Offensive Tackle, Former UCF Commit
🔹 Top247 prospect, No. 25 OT in the nation.
🔹 Flipped to FSU after Malzahn & Hand moved to Tallahassee.

🎯 Who Else Was in Play?

🔸 4⭐ EDGE Zahir Mathis (Philadelphia, PA) – FSU was in the mix but Maryland is the favorite.
🔸 5⭐ OT Ty Haywood (Denton, TX) – FSU made a push, but Michigan is expected to land him.

🚨 One More Name to Watch?

🔍 4⭐ DB J’Vari Flowers (Miami, FL) just reclassified to 2025 but won’t sign yet.
🔹 FSU, Miami, Florida, and Georgia are battling for his commitment.
🔹 Plans to take visits and decide by March or April.

📈 With 23 total signees, FSU has rebuilt key depth and set the foundation for the future. Could the ‘Noles add another late steal? Stay tuned! 🔥

🔒 4-Star CB Samari Matthews Locks in FSU Official Visit

Florida State continues to build momentum in its 2026 recruiting class, securing another key official visit for the summer.

⭐ Samari Matthews, a 4-star cornerback from Cornelius (NC) Hough, has scheduled his official visit to FSU for June 6-8. Matthews has also locked in a trip to South Carolina (June 20-22) and recently named a Top 4 of:
🔹 FSU
🔹 South Carolina
🔹 Oregon
🔹 Clemson

📌 FSU’s Position in His Recruitment

✔️ FSU has prioritized Matthews since offering him in 2023.
✔️ CB coach Patrick Surtain Sr. has made him a top target.
✔️ Matthews attended FSU’s Junior Day in January and previously named the ‘Noles a top-three school.

🔮 Clemson currently holds the lone 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction, but FSU is firmly in the mix ahead of his summer decision timeline.

📆 Can the ‘Noles lock him in during his June visit? Stay tuned! 🔥

🌟 2028 DL Asher Ghioto High on FSU After Junior Day Visit

Florida State has positioned itself well early in the recruitment of 2028 defensive lineman Asher Ghioto. The Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles School standout already holds over two dozen offers but says the Seminoles have made a lasting impression.

🔥 Building Strong Relationships

✔️ FSU offered Ghioto last summer and has consistently prioritized him.
✔️ DL coach Odell Haggins and new DL coach Terrance Knighton are key in his recruitment.
✔️ Mike Norvell has personally stayed involved, even visiting Ghioto’s school earlier this month.

🏡 FSU Feels Like Home?
Ghioto revealed that his father—once a die-hard Georgia fan—has now become a huge supporter of the ‘Noles.

⏭️ What’s Next?

📆 Planned Return Visit: March – Expected to attend FSU’s first spring practice.
👀 What He Wants to See: How the new staff gels, leadership development, and on-field performance.

📊 As a freshman, Ghioto recorded:
🔥 66 tackles
🔥 21 TFLs
🔥 7 sacks
🔥 15 QB hurries

🔮 No early Crystal Ball predictions yet, but FSU is clearly in a strong position! 🚀

🏀 FSU AD Michael Alford Discusses Coaching Search, Wants Quick Hire

Less than 24 hours after Leonard Hamilton announced his decision to step down at the end of the season, FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford made it clear that the Seminoles are moving quickly in their search for the next head coach.

🔥 Coaching Search Priorities

🔍 FSU is already seeing strong interest from potential candidates.
⏳ The goal is to move swiftly—with the transfer portal opening March 24, having a coach in place is key.
🏆 Winning culture matters—Alford wants a leader who can win at a high level while graduating players and leading with integrity.

📝 What’s Next?

👀 Targeted conversations with candidates & their reps will begin immediately.
🏀 Some top candidates are still coaching—FSU is willing to wait for the right fit, similar to the Link Jarrett baseball hire in 2022.
🌍 FSU’s ACC situation won’t impact interest—Alford emphasized that the Seminoles remain one of the top brands in college athletics.

📅 Stay tuned—FSU aims to have a new coach in place as soon as possible to keep its roster intact and hit the transfer portal running! 🚀

And that’s a wrap!

From key victories on the court to new recruits locking in their spots, the momentum in Tallahassee is undeniable. With FSU Softball set to open its season and the basketball coaching search heating up, the next few weeks will be pivotal for the Seminoles.

Stay locked in—we’ll be tracking every win, commitment, and major move. Until next time, Go Noles! 🍢🔥

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