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Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
How confident are you in FSU baseball heading into Opening Day?
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Florida State flexed depth, reset expectations, and revealed where momentum is actually building and where questions still linger.
Here’s what’s inside today:
🥎 Softball Makes a Statement Early 🥎
Two games in, and the message is loud: elite pitching, ruthless offense, and depth everywhere. When a top-10 team is run-ruling Power Conference opponents before the weekend is over, the standard is already set.
⚽ Championship Programs Don’t Stand Still ⚽
Fresh off a national title, FSU soccer upgraded again — adding MLS pedigree to an already elite staff. Development remains the through-line.
🏀 Defense Is Becoming an Identity 🏀
FSU men’s basketball isn’t winning with fireworks; it’s winning with stops, rebounds, and late-game toughness. The results are starting to compound.
⚾ One Week to Opening Day — Still Plenty Unsettled ⚾
New faces, portal arms, bullpen questions, and middle-infield uncertainty. The floor is high. The ceiling depends on what stabilizes first.
🏈 2027 Recruiting: Signals, Not Conclusions 🏈
January revealed urgency in the trenches, volume at linebacker, and real concern in the secondary. Spring will decide whether this class gains traction — or stalls.
Let’s get into it.
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🥎💥 No. 7 FSU Softball Run-Rules Iowa Behind Offensive Onslaught 💥🥎
Florida State flexed its depth and power Friday night, cruising to a 12–3 run-rule win over Iowa in five innings at JoAnne Graf Field.
🔥 How It Unfolded
Early pressure paid off as FSU capitalized on defensive miscues and timely contact to jump out to a 5–0 lead by the second inning
Jaysoni Beachum blasted a three-run homer (her 28th career HR), clearing the bases and setting the tone
The Noles added three more in the third, forcing multiple Iowa errors and pushing the margin to 8–0
After Iowa scratched across three in the fourth, FSU immediately responded
Shelby McKenzie ended it emphatically with a walk-off grand slam — the first of her career — to trigger the run rule
🔥 Standout Performances
Shelby McKenzie: Grand slam, career-high 5 RBI (most by a Nole since April 2025)
Jaysoni Beachum: 3 RBI, 33rd career multi-RBI game, now four HR shy of top-10 in FSU history
Marin Heller: Reached base three times, sparked early rallies
Ashtyn Danley: Win in first start of 2026 (3 IP, 4 K, 1 H)
Makenna Reid: Closed it out, hitless fifth inning after Iowa’s brief surge
📊 By the Numbers
First-ever meeting vs. Iowa in Tallahassee
FSU improves to 7–3 all-time vs. Iowa
31–5 all-time in the JoAnne Graf Classic
Two double plays turned — something FSU did just three times total all of last season
🧠 Why It Matters
FSU scored in every phase, punished mistakes, and got contributions up and down the lineup. When your No. 7 team is run-ruling Power Conference opponents with freshmen, sophomores, and depth arms, the ceiling stays championship-high.
👉 Read more here for full box score, lineup notes, and what’s next as the JoAnne Graf Classic continues
⚽🧠 FSU Soccer Adds MLS Pedigree With Tyrone Marshall Hire 🧠⚽
Brian Pensky bolstered Florida State’s championship staff with the addition of Tyrone Marshall as assistant coach, bringing a decade of MLS-level development experience to Tallahassee.
🔥 Why This Hire Stands Out
10+ years in MLS environments, including Real Salt Lake and FC Cincinnati
2024 MLS Next Pro Coach of the Year
Led FC Cincinnati 2 to back-to-back playoff appearances
Proven track record developing players into MLS contracts
🏆 Winning & Development DNA
Coached multiple teams to playoff runs and trophies
Helped launch and lead Cincinnati’s MLS Next Pro program
Extensive experience in video analysis, scouting, and first-team–aligned development models
⚽ Elite Playing Background
15-year MLS career (349 appearances)
Two MLS Cups, three U.S. Open Cups
83 caps for Jamaica, former national team captain
Championship pedigree at both the collegiate and professional levels
🧠 Why It Matters
This is a development-forward hire. Marshall’s background aligns perfectly with FSU’s identity: elite recruitment, accelerated player growth, and a direct pipeline to the professional game. Coming off a national title, Pensky managed to upgrade.
🎾📉 FSU Tennis Teams Drop Tough Road & Home Tests 📉🎾
Competitive starts weren’t enough this weekend as both Florida State tennis programs ran into ranked and disciplined opponents.
Florida State men’s tennis dropped a 4–1 decision to No. 8 Texas A&M at the Indoor Tennis Courts, despite grabbing early momentum.
Doubles point secured
Ezerzer / Hornung dominated Court 3 (6–1)
Miguel / Schiessl clinched Court 1 with a 6–4 win
Singles momentum swung quickly
Texas A&M captured four straight singles courts
Aggies sealed the match on Court 4 after a tight opening set
📍 What’s Next:
FSU opens ACC play on Feb. 27 at Notre Dame.
Florida State women’s tennis fell 4–2 to UC Santa Barbara on Friday, despite a promising opening.
Strong doubles showing
Shaw / Lavickova won in their first match together
Putz / Li secured Court 1 for the doubles point
Singles pressure proved decisive
UCSB claimed three singles courts to flip the match
Mary Boyce Deatherage stayed perfect in spring singles (4–0)
The Seminoles later faced No. 22 Texas Tech, dropping the doubles point, with singles play continuing Saturday before a matchup against Arizona.
🧠 Why It Matters
Both teams showed they can compete early, but depth and execution in singles remain the separator against ranked or experienced opponents.
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🏀🛡️ Defense & Rebounding Fuel FSU’s Late-Season Surge 🛡️🏀
Florida State men’s basketball is winning the hard way and it’s working.
Under head coach Luke Loucks, the Seminoles enter Saturday’s road matchup at Notre Dame Fighting Irish riding real momentum.
🔒 What’s Changed
Won 3 of last 4 games, including back-to-back wins
Held opponents to 68 PPG in ACC wins vs. Miami, Cal, and Stanford
Outrebounded opponents late in close games
Fewer fouls, fewer free throws allowed
🧮 By the Numbers
Opponents shooting just .420 in recent ACC wins
Led for 18+ minutes in each of the three victories
19-point lead vs. Stanford (ACC season high)
Fouls reduced to 15.5 per game over last four (down from 17.8)
🧱 Winning Plays, Not Highlights
Lajae Jones’ game-sealing offensive rebound vs. Cal
Miami held to 61 points — nearly 24 below its season average
Stanford sent to the line just 9 times (ACC-low)
📍 Up Next
Today at Notre Dame
Tip: 4:05 p.m. ET
TV: The CW Network
⚾🧠 One Week to Opening Day: What We Really Know About 2026 FSU Baseball 🧠⚾
New faces, same expectations and plenty still undecided.
Year four under Link Jarrett begins in seven days, and Florida State enters 2026 with real buzz and real questions.
📊 The Big Picture
23 new players on a 40-man roster (10 via portal)
11 players drafted last year (program record)
Preseason No. 16 (D1 Baseball)
Picked 3rd in the ACC preseason poll
FSU was one win from Omaha in 2025. The talent turnover is massive — but so is the belief.
🧱 Question No. 1: Who Handles the Middle Infield?
Consensus: No easy replacement for Lodise + Faurot
Most common Opening Day projections:
Gabe Fraser at SS (defense + speed upside)
Eli Putnam at 2B (elite hit tool, portal addition)
Cal Fisher is a lock in the lineup — position TBD
🧠 Expect experimentation early, stability later.
🔥 Question No. 2: Weekend Rotation Locks In
Trey Beard (LHP)
Wes Mendes (LHP)
Bryson Moore (RHP, Virginia transfer) favored for Sunday
Payton Manca looms as the swing option but Moore’s upside and pitch mix give him the early edge.
🚨 Question No. 3: Can the Bullpen Finally Hold?
Portal reinforcements were intentional:
Gabe Nard (Duke)
Cade O’Leary (Mississippi State)
Brodie Purcell (USC)
Cole Stokes (Oregon)
Pair that with returning arms like John Abraham and Chris Knier, and optimism is cautious but real.
🧠 Trust level from the panel: ~6.5–7/10 entering the season
📈 Question No. 4: Floor, Ceiling, Reality Check
Floor: Hosting conversation / Top-16 seed
Expectation: Super Regional contender
Ceiling: Omaha — if the bullpen stabilizes and new bats click
One theme was universal: Jarrett raises the floor. Whether this roster raises the ceiling will define 2026.
🧠 Why It Matters
This team won’t look like last year’s but it doesn’t have to. If the middle infield settles, the bullpen holds, and the new arms deliver, Florida State has enough talent and coaching to make another real postseason push.
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🏈🧠 2027 Defensive Recruiting: Early Signals From January 🧠🏈
Volume is up front; questions remain on the back end.
As Florida State closed out its 2026 roster in January, the staff quietly laid the foundation for the 2027 class, hosting three straight Junior Days and hitting the road nationally. Here’s what stood out defensively:
🧱 Defensive Line: Real Momentum Up Front
Florida State made the trenches a clear priority — especially on the edge.
Top Edge Targets Hosted
4⭐ Frederick Ards
4⭐ Jabarrius Garror (Alabama commit)
4⭐ Cameron Pritchett (Oregon commit)
4⭐ Desmond Malpress
3⭐ JT Austin
FSU also landed a commitment from Anthony Cavallaro (6’5”, 200+), adding early size and upside.
Interior DL Visits
4⭐ Sam Lejeune
3⭐ Errol Demontagnac
Wesley Gover, AJ Pauley, Charles Nance
🧠 Takeaway: The uptick in priority edge targets is noticeable and reflects an immediate impact from Nick Williams. Whether that momentum turns into signatures is the next test.
🧠 Linebackers: Depth First, Star Power TBD
FSU hosted a solid volume of linebackers, including:
4⭐ Mikahi Allen
3⭐ Aroson Randle Jr.
3⭐ Gregory Batson (FSU commit)
Jake Godfree, Theo Wilson, Michael Griffin Jr., Kevin Davis, CJ Ohuabunwa
Batson gives FSU an anchor, but the board currently leans more depth than difference-maker.
🧠 Takeaway: Spring will be critical if FSU wants to elevate this group with higher-ceiling prospects before official visits.
🔒 Defensive Back: The Biggest Question Mark
For a position group that typically recruits itself at FSU, January was… underwhelming.
DBs Hosted
3⭐ Brandon Allen Jr. (Miss State commit)
3⭐ Emmanuel Moses
3⭐ Cam Wade
3⭐ Damari Jerry
Alan Blackshere, Kyler James
🧠 Takeaway: It’s early but the caliber doesn’t yet match expectations. With Patrick Surtain Sr. no longer on staff, how FSU rebounds at DB recruiting will be one of the most telling storylines this spring.
🧠 Why It Matters
FSU showed real urgency in the trenches, steadiness at linebacker, and uncertainty in the secondary. January doesn’t define a class but it does reveal priorities. How aggressively the staff upgrades DB and LB boards over the next two months will tell us whether this defensive reset is gaining real traction or just treading water.
And that’s a wrap!
Softball is already playing at a national standard.
Soccer keeps reinforcing its pro pipeline.
Basketball is winning by defending.
Baseball is talented, but unresolved.
And recruiting? The intentions are clear and the execution comes next.
February is about revealing truth before the noise sets in.
Spring will decide which of these paths actually hold.
We’ll be here tracking every turn.
— Chief
