Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

 🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Super Bowl Sunday, Seminole!

FSU Softball flexed its power in Puerto Vallarta, FSU Women’s Basketball is set for a massive Top-25 showdown, and FSU Football’s legal battle with the ACC just took another turn. Oh, and a Seminole legend is now running the Orange Bowl!

Here’s what’s inside today’s Chief Brief:
🏆 FSU Softball run-rules No. 4 Oklahoma State!
🎾 FSU Men’s Tennis battles but falls just short vs. Alabama.
🏀 FSU WBB hosts No. 14 NC State in a ranked ACC clash!
🏈 FSU lands key official visits from top recruits.
📜 FSU’s legal fight with the ACC heats up!
🏆 Henri Crockett becomes the first former player to lead the Orange Bowl.

It’s another action-packed edition—let’s get into it! 🔥👇

🏆👕 Florida State Seminoles Shirt of the Month Club 👕🏆

The perfect gift for your favorite Florida State Seminole Fan. Get officially licensed Tees, long-sleeves or Hoodies monthly.

The Premium plan is T-shirts, (Mar-Sept) long sleeves, (Oct, Nov & Feb) & Hoodies (Dec & Jan)

You receive the welcome shirt within one business day.

Keep as long as you enjoy it. No commitment you can cancel anytime.

Get your discount code for 15% OFF YOUR FIRST 3 MONTHS with Code EM15 at checkout by clicking here.

🥎 FSU Softball Closes Puerto Vallarta Challenge with Dominant Run-Rule Wins!

The No. 12 Florida State Seminoles (4-1) ended their trip to Mexico in spectacular fashion, rolling past No. 4 Oklahoma State (8-0, 5 innings) and Louisiana Tech (9-1, 5 innings) to close the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

🔥 Historic Beatdown of No. 4 Oklahoma State
✅ FSU’s first run-rule win over a top-5 team in five years!
✅ Second time ever the ‘Noles have mercy-ruled a top-5 opponent.

💣 Game 1: FSU 9, Louisiana Tech 1 (5 Innings)

🔹 Katie Dack got the party started with a solo home run in the 1st.
🔹 Jahni Kerr launched her first homer of the season in the 2nd.
🔹 Kennedy Harp continued her tear with another RBI triple in the 3rd.
🔹 Krystina Hartley (3-run HR) & Hallie Wacaser (2-run HR) added to the power surge.
🔹 Makenna Reid (4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, W) dominated before handing things off to Ashtyn Danley to close it out.

💣 Game 2: FSU 8, No. 4 Oklahoma State 0 (5 Innings)

🔹 Harp clears the bases with her third triple of the week to break a scoreless tie in the 3rd.
🔹 Small ball + speed = chaos as Amaya Ross’ aggressive baserunning led to another run.
🔹 Jahni Kerr & Isa Torres sealed the mercy-rule win with back-to-back run-scoring hits.
🔹 Annabelle Widra (W) & Jazzy Francik (S) combined for a two-hit shutout with no walks.

🏆 Tournament MVP: Kennedy Harp
✅ 10-for-15 (.667), 3 triples, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI 🔥
🏅 All-Tournament Team: Dack & Francik
✅ Francik (8 IP, 0 ER, 7 K, 1 BB) joined elite company as just the second ‘Nole to ever record a win & save in their first two collegiate appearances.

⏭️ What’s Next?
The Seminoles head to the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational next week to face another loaded slate:
📌 Thursday: 🆚 No. 15 Missouri
📌 Friday: 🆚 Ohio State
📌 Saturday: 🆚 Wichita State
📌 Sunday: 🆚 UCF

Can FSU keep this momentum rolling? Stay tuned! 🔥🥎

Read more here

🎾 FSU Men’s Tennis Falls Just Short in Thriller vs. No. 18 Alabama

The No. 15 Florida State men’s tennis team put up a gritty fight but ultimately fell 4-3 to No. 18 Alabama in a down-to-the-wire battle on Saturday at the Indoor Tennis Courts.

🔥 Match Highlights:
✅ Dous-Karpenschif & Schiessl rally in doubles – Won four straight games for a 6-4 comeback victory on Court 2.
✅ Schiessl leads the singles comeback – Rebounded from a 6-2 first-set loss to force and win a third-set tiebreaker.
✅ Rihane & Dous-Karpenschif deliver clutch wins – Both players powered through to three-set victories, tying the match at 3-3.

⚡ Final Showdown:
With the match tied, the deciding battle came down to Court 3, where Alabama closed out the final two games to seal the win.

⏭️ What’s Next?
The Seminoles (7-3) wrap up their nine-match homestand and now hit the road for a ranked showdown at No. 14 Texas A&M on Feb. 23.

Read more here

🏀 No. 22 FSU Hosts No. 14 NC State in Ranked ACC Showdown

Florida State women’s basketball (19-4, 9-2 ACC) returns home for a Top-25 battle against No. 14 NC State (18-4, 10-1 ACC) on Sunday at 2 PM at the Tucker Center.

🔥 Game Preview:
✅ FSU leads the nation in scoring – 92.9 PPG, powered by Ta’Niya Latson’s 26.2 PPG.
✅ Makayla Timpson dominates defensively – Power 4 leader in blocks (75) & blocks per game (3.26).
✅ Noles won last meeting in Tallahassee – 91-72 victory in 2023.

🎟️ Fan Perks:
The first 1,000 fans will receive a free t-shirt!

📺 How to Watch:
🖥️ TV: The CW
📻 Radio: Seminole Sports Network (96.5 The Spear | Seminoles.com)

Read more here

🏈 Unranked CB Sean Johnson Locks in Official Visit to FSU

Florida State continues to expand its defensive back recruiting board, recently offering Severn (MD) cornerback Sean Johnson on January 23.

🔥 Johnson’s Recruiting Timeline:
✅ FSU official visit: June 13-15
✅ Also visiting Wisconsin & NC State this summer
✅ Maryland heavily involved as a local option
✅ Expected to make a spring visit to Tallahassee as well

🔍 FSU’s Connection:
New safeties coach Evan Cooper extended the offer, showing the Seminoles' commitment to adding depth to the secondary.

Read more here

🏈 2026 OL Rhys Woodrow Sets Official Visit to FSU

Florida State continues to build its 2026 offensive line class, and the latest development is Orlando (Fla.) Boone OL Rhys Woodrow locking in an official visit.

📅 Woodrow’s Official Visit Schedule:
✅ Florida State: June 20-22
✅ Miami: June 13-15

🔍 FSU’s Key Advantage:
🔹 Longstanding relationship with OL coach Herb Hand, who originally offered Woodrow at UCF in 2023.
🔹 Familiarity with offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, strengthening FSU’s chances.
🔹 FSU already has a commitment from Orlando-based OL Xavier Payne, adding another layer of local ties.

👀 The Competition:
🔥 Miami & Florida will push hard for the 6’4, 280-pound lineman. The Hurricanes have been strong in OL recruiting, and the Gators are always a factor in Central Florida.

💡 Scouting Report:
Woodrow has experience at center, guard, and tackle, though he projects as an interior lineman at the next level. His versatility makes him a valuable prospect.

Will FSU’s early connections help seal the deal? Stay tuned! 👀🏈

Read more here

🏈 Five 2025 Signees Who Could Make an Immediate Impact for FSU

With Florida State’s 2025 recruiting class officially in the books, it’s time to look at five high school signees who could make an early impact in their freshman seasons. These aren’t necessarily the players with the best long-term potential, but the ones best positioned to contribute right away.

⭐ 1. WR Jayvan Boggs

🔹 Why He Can Contribute Early: With Duce Robinson and Squirrel White coming in via the portal, FSU’s receiver room has talent—but not a lot of proven depth. That opens the door for Boggs, who led the state of Florida in receiving yards in high school.
🔹 Skill Set: Excellent route-runner with elite short-area quickness, thrives at finding soft spots in coverage.

⭐ 2. RB Ousmane Kromah

🔹 FSU’s Biggest Flip: One of the most sought-after running backs in the nation, Kromah brings an elite ability to break tackles—something FSU’s backfield lacked last season.
🔹 Versatility: A dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield with ideal size to contribute early.
🔹 The Malzahn Factor: With Gus Malzahn’s history of developing running backs, expect Kromah to make an impact even as a summer enrollee.

⭐ 3. DB Gregory Thomas

🔹 Biggest Defensive Sleeper: Thomas is one of the most polished DBs in the class and can play both cornerback and safety.
🔹 FSU Connection: Already familiar with secondary coach Patrick Surtain Sr., his former high school coach.
🔹 Opportunity: While FSU has talent in the secondary, not all five spots are locked in—Thomas could see early snaps.

⭐ 4. DL Kevin Wynn

🔹 Pass-Rushing Weapon: One of the most explosive defensive linemen in the class, Wynn showed NFL-caliber quickness at the Navy All-American Bowl.
🔹 Comparison: Reminds some of Derrick Nnadi, bringing a blend of power & burst that could earn him early playing time.
🔹 Early Enrollment Boost: Already on campus, which is crucial for a freshman defensive lineman adjusting to the college game.

⭐ 5. TE Chase Loftin

🔹 Versatile Weapon: Plays like a big receiver, giving FSU flexibility to use him in multiple formations.
🔹 Early Buzz: Positive feedback from early workouts.
🔹 Immediate Path to Reps: With Amaree Williams splitting time at defensive end, Loftin could see extra chances to step up.

Read more here 🔗

🏆 FSU Legend Henri Crockett Named President of the Orange Bowl Committee

For the first time in the 87-year history of the Orange Bowl Committee, a former player from the game will serve as its president and chair—and that honor belongs to former Florida State linebacker Henri Crockett.

🏈 Crockett’s FSU & NFL Legacy:
🔹 Played at FSU (1992-96) and won a national championship in the 1994 Orange Bowl.
🔹 Key member of FSU’s dominant ACC Championship teams from 1993 to 1997.
🔹 Selected in the 4th round of the 1997 NFL Draft and played seven seasons.
🔹 Starting linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII (1998 season).

🔥 Impact Beyond the Game:
Crockett has made major contributions to South Florida, both as a businessman and philanthropist. As co-founder and president of the Crockett Foundation, he helps provide youth development programs focused on education, sports, and health initiatives.

🏟 What’s Next for the Orange Bowl Committee?
Crockett will oversee key events, including:
📌 2026 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl (Jan. 1, 2026).
📌 2026 CFP National Championship Game in Miami (Jan. 19, 2026).

Read more here 🔗

⚖️ FSU vs. ACC Legal Battle Heats Up with Depositions

Reports of a settlement between Florida State and the ACC may have been premature, as five former FSU officials are set to give depositions in the coming weeks regarding the ongoing legal dispute over the Grant of Rights agreement.

📝 Who’s Testifying?
🔹 John Thrasher (Former FSU President) – Signed the 2016 GOR extension.
🔹 Eric Barron (Former FSU President) – Led FSU when the original GOR was signed in 2013.
🔹 Ed Burr (Former FSU Board of Trustees Chair).
🔹 David Coburn (Former FSU Athletic Director & longtime chief of staff).
🔹 Pam Perrewe (Former FSU Athletics Faculty Representative).

📅 Key Deposition Dates:
🗓️ Feb. 14 – Thrasher & Coburn
🗓️ Feb. 19 – Barron
🗓️ Feb. 20 – Burr
🗓️ Feb. 21 – Perrewe

🚨 What’s at Stake?
FSU is fighting to either invalidate the ACC’s Grant of Rights or reduce the penalties for leaving early. Without a legal victory or negotiated settlement, the Seminoles could owe the ACC hundreds of millions of dollars if they exit before 2036.

Meanwhile, Clemson is pursuing a similar lawsuit, and the ACC has filed countersuits against both schools in North Carolina.

⚡ What’s Next?
Despite rumors of a potential settlement, these depositions suggest the legal fight is far from over. Will FSU find a way out of the ACC’s media deal? Stay tuned!

Read more here 🔗

And that’s a wrap!

🏆 FSU Softball made history in Puerto Vallarta, FSU Hoops has a big one at the Tuck, and the ACC legal fight just got real. Meanwhile, recruiting is heating up, and a Seminole legend is now running the Orange Bowl!

👀 What are you most fired up about? Hit the poll below and drop your thoughts in the comments!

See you back here tomorrow, Nole Nation! 🍢🔥

— The Chief Brief Team