Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Saturday, Seminole! Activity is picking up across all sports and we’ve got your covered:

🏀 AJ Swinton: A Spark of Energy on the Court
Freshman forward AJ Swinton is electrifying the court with his infectious energy and game-changing defense. Learn how this rising star is impacting FSU basketball both on and off the bench.

🎾 FSU Women’s Tennis: Spring Season Kickoff
Ranked No. 24 nationally, the Seminoles head to Gainesville to face No. 19 Florida and USF in the Florida Invitational. With momentum from an impressive fall season, the Noles are poised for success.

🏃‍♀️ Indoor Track & Field: Starting Strong at Clemson Invitational
With a mix of returning All-ACC talent and new leadership under Coach Matt Kane, FSU looks to set the tone for the 2025 season at the Clemson Invitational this Saturday.

🏀 Seminoles Fall to Stanford in a Close Match
Despite a late-game rally, FSU women’s basketball fell short against Stanford in a high-energy clash. Star performances from Ta’Niya Latson and O’Mariah Gordon kept the game competitive.

🏈 Recruiting News: Building the 2025 and 2026 Classes
FSU hosts key 2025 recruits, including four-star edge Zahir Mathis and legacy DB Antonio Cromartie Jr., while laying the groundwork for the 2026 class with standout visitors like OL G’Nivre Carr.

🌟 Player to Watch: WR Jabari Brady
Four-star 2026 wideout Jabari Brady has FSU on his radar, with a decision expected soon. Can the Seminoles’ new coaching staff make their mark in this competitive recruitment?

🏀 AJ Swinton: The Seminoles' Spark of Energy 🏀

Freshman forward AJ Swinton is making waves at Florida State with his unmatched energy, infectious enthusiasm, and defensive prowess. The 6'6" Maryland native, known for his 7'2" wingspan and size 18 sneakers, is proving to be a game-changer both on and off the court.

🌟 Key Highlights:

• Defensive Impact: Swinton earned a career-high two steals in FSU's win over Syracuse, catching Coach Leonard Hamilton’s attention with his relentless energy and game-altering plays.

• Team Energizer: Whether on the bench or on the court, Swinton radiates positivity, boosting team morale and keeping spirits high.

• Strong Leadership Bonds: He looks up to veteran teammates like Jamir Watkins and Chandler Jackson while sharing a close friendship with his roommate, Taylor Bol Bowen.

💬 Coaches on Swinton:

• Coach Hamilton: Praised Swinton’s defensive intensity, noting his ability to energize the team and disrupt opponents.

• Assistant Coach Nickelberry: Highlighted Swinton’s potential as one of the best "3-and-D" players in his class, crediting his joy for the game as his greatest strength.

🛣️ What’s Next: Swinton and the Seminoles (11-4, 2-2 ACC) travel to face Clemson (12-4, 4-1 ACC) today at 2 PM on ESPNU. Keep an eye on this rising star as he continues to grow into a vital piece of FSU’s success.

👉 Read more about Swinton’s journey and the contagious energy he brings to Florida State basketball.

🎾 FSU Women’s Tennis Gears Up for 2025 Spring Season 🎾

The No. 24-ranked Florida State women’s tennis team kicks off its 2025 spring campaign this weekend at the Florida Invitational, hosted at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville. After a strong 2024 season and an impressive fall showing, the Seminoles are poised for another competitive run.

🌟 Key Highlights:

• 2024 Success: The Noles finished last season with a 17-9 record, reaching the ACC Championship Semifinals and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Championships.

• Fall Momentum:

  • Maria Juliana Parra Romero and Millie Bissett claimed three doubles victories at the ITA All-American Championships.

  • Mary Boyce Deatherage and Maelie Monfils went undefeated in singles at the UNF Invitational, winning their respective flights.

  • Cade Cricchio and Tina Li dominated their doubles flight at the UNF Invitational.

🏆 The Florida Invitational:

• Teams Competing: Florida State will face No. 19 Florida and USF in singles and doubles contests on Saturday and Sunday.

• Location: Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex, Gainesville, Florida.

With a mix of returning talent and rising stars, FSU looks to build on its momentum and set the tone for a successful spring season.

👉 Follow the action this weekend as the Seminoles take on top competition in Gainesville!

🏃‍♂️ FSU Indoor Track & Field Opens Season at Clemson Invitational 🏃‍♀️

Florida State’s indoor track and field teams are set to begin their 2025 campaign at the Clemson Invitational on Saturday, January 11. Under the leadership of new head coach Matt Kane and four assistant coaches, the Noles are eager to establish their identity and build momentum for the season.

🌟 Key Highlights:

• Returning Talent: FSU brings back 11 key athletes, including five All-ACC honorees from the 2024 ACC Indoor Championships.

• Fresh Leadership: Matt Kane begins his tenure as head coach, looking to make an immediate impact with his revamped coaching staff.

• Notable Athletes to Watch:

  • Andre Korbmacher: Silver medalist at the U20 World Championships, expected to shine in the sprints.

  • Shenese Walker: All-American sprinter debuting in the 60-meter dash.

  • Tyra Wilson: Competing in the 300-meter event after standout training performances.

  • Micahi Danzy: A football standout contributing to the 4x400 relay team.

  • Kyvon and Kayla: Experienced triple jumpers leading the jumps group.

🏟️ Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, January 11

• Location: Clemson Invitational, Clemson, South Carolina

• First Event: Men’s shot put at 12:00 p.m.

• Live Stream: Available for fans to follow the action.

With a mix of seasoned athletes and fresh energy from new coaching, the Seminoles aim to set the tone for a competitive 2025 season.

👉 Keep an eye on FSU’s standout performers as they take their first steps toward indoor track success!

🏀 Seminoles Fall Short in Hard-Fought Battle Against Stanford 🏀

The Florida State women’s basketball team (13-3, 3-1 ACC) came up just short in an 89-84 loss to Stanford (9-6, 1-3 ACC) on Thursday night at Maples Pavilion. Despite a slow start, the Seminoles mounted a fierce rally, led by stellar performances from Ta’Niya Latson and O’Mariah Gordon.

🌟 Game Highlights:

• Dynamic Duo:

  • Ta’Niya Latson: Scored a team-high 24 points, adding seven rebounds.

  • O’Mariah Gordon: Dropped 23 points and dished four assists.

• Makayla Timpson’s Impact:

  • Contributed 19 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and three steals in a well-rounded performance.

• Team Effort:

  • Seminoles cut a 17-point deficit to seven by halftime, thanks to a 10-0 run capped by Gordon’s buzzer-beater.

  • Strong third-quarter showing with 25 points, including clutch back-to-back three-pointers by Raiane Dos Santos.

🕹️ Key Moments:

• Trailing by as many as nine in the fourth, FSU pulled within two points with 4:51 left on a 7-0 run.

• A late three by Latson brought the Seminoles close, but Stanford held on to secure the victory.

👉 The Seminoles will look to bounce back in their next ACC matchup as they aim to maintain momentum in conference play!

🏈 Seminoles Target Key Offensive Line Recruits for 2025 Class 🏈

Florida State’s top-20 recruiting class for 2025 could get even stronger as the Seminoles continue to focus on bolstering their offensive line. With upcoming visits from key targets, FSU is poised to make a significant impact in the final stretch of recruiting.

🌟 Chastan Brown (3⭐ OT):

• Former UCF commit with strong ties to FSU’s Herb Hand and Gus Malzahn, both of whom recruited him at UCF.

• Scheduled to visit Florida State officially on either January 18 or January 25.

• Brown has expressed his admiration for FSU on social media, and experts predict the Seminoles will secure his commitment.

• His addition would fill a critical need for depth at offensive tackle.

🌟 Ty Haywood (5⭐ OL):

• Currently committed to Alabama but expected to flip elsewhere, with Michigan as the perceived favorite.

• FSU is pushing for an unofficial visit in January, aiming to build momentum in his recruitment.

👉 Stay tuned for updates as the Seminoles work to close the 2025 recruiting cycle on a high note!

🏈 Four-Star WR Jabari Brady Keeps FSU in the Mix 🏈

Jabari Brady, a four-star wide receiver from Pompano Beach’s Monarch High School and one of Florida’s most coveted 2026 recruits, is evaluating his options as he considers a potential decision within the next month.

🌟 Recruitment Snapshot:

• Brady is currently focused on schools like Miami, Florida, Texas A&M, Oregon, and Alabama but has confirmed plans to revisit Florida State soon.

• FSU’s newly-hired receivers coach, Tim Harris Jr., recently reached out to Brady, rekindling his interest in the Seminoles.

🌟 Brady on Coach Tim Harris Jr.:

• Brady has high praise for Harris Jr., whom he met during a camp at UCF.

• "He’s a great coach… He really coached some good receivers and produced them," Brady said, referencing Harris Jr.'s track record at UCF.

🌟 On FSU’s Future:
Despite a challenging 2024 season, Brady remains optimistic about head coach Mike Norvell’s ability to turn the program around:

• "Coach Norvell always has a plan… He’s going to make it work for sure."

🌟 What’s Next:

• Brady could make a decision soon, but if he extends his timeline, FSU may gain more traction in his recruitment.

• Ranked as the No. 68 overall player and No. 8 wide receiver in the 2026 class by 247Sports, Brady remains a talent to watch—potentially even as a defensive back.

👉 Stay tuned as Brady’s recruitment process unfolds, with FSU looking to strengthen its standing in this competitive race!

🏈 FSU Hosts Key 2025 and 2026 Recruits for Official Visits 🏈

Florida State is kicking off a critical recruiting weekend, hosting three high-profile 2025 prospects alongside standout 2026 talents. With a mix of defensive and offensive stars, the Seminoles aim to solidify relationships and close out the 2025 class strong while making strides in 2026.

🌟 2025 Official Visitors

🔒 Four-Star Edge: Zahir Mathis

• Background: The 6’6”, 225-pound Pennsylvania product is ranked as the No. 73 overall player and No. 6 edge rusher in the 2025 class. Previously committed to Ohio State, Mathis has shown renewed interest in FSU since his decommitment.

• Recruitment Status: FSU offered Mathis early and reignited their push after hiring new defensive line coach Terrance Knighton. Michigan and UCLA remain contenders, but Mathis sees a strong foundation at FSU:

  • “Once I decommitted, FSU was on top of it and we have a good base right now,” Mathis said.

• Prediction: With Michigan looming as the biggest threat, FSU will aim to make a lasting impression during this visit.

🛡️ Three-Star OL: Chavez ‘Sandman’ Thompson

• Background: The 6’1”, 310-pound lineman from Melbourne, Fla., is ranked as the No. 73 interior offensive lineman. Thompson helped Cocoa High win a state title, recording 33 pancake blocks in his senior season.

• Recruitment Status: A longtime target of FSU OL coach Herb Hand, Thompson previously committed to Oregon and FIU but didn’t sign early, reopening the door for FSU. Hand’s established relationship with Thompson makes this FSU’s recruitment to lose.

• Fit: FSU views Thompson as a potential center, a key position of need for the Seminoles.

🎯 Legacy DB: Antonio Cromartie Jr.

• Background: Son of former FSU and NFL star Antonio Cromartie, the unranked Carrollton, Ga., prospect brings versatility to the defensive backfield.

• Recruitment Status: Cromartie Jr. received an FSU offer on Christmas, calling it his “dream school” since childhood. Head coach Mike Norvell and DB coach Patrick Surtain have been heavily involved in his recruitment.

• What to Watch: While he’s highly likely to commit to FSU, Cromartie Jr. is focused on evaluating his fit within the program and building rapport with the coaching staff.

🌟 2026 Visitors

🔑 Four-Star OL: G’Nivre Carr

• Carr has longstanding ties to coach Hand and counts FSU among his top schools. This visit is pivotal for FSU to set itself apart from UF and Miami in his recruitment.

🔑 Three-Star OL: Joel Ervin

• After a strong early connection with Hand, Ervin quickly set up this visit. Miami, Kentucky, Auburn, and UNC are also in contention for the 2026 prospect.

Read more about this weekend’s visitors here and here

And that’s a wrap!

🛡️ Standing Strong, Moving Forward 🛡️
From rising stars to critical recruiting battles, the Seminoles are setting the stage for a bright future. As we track the progress on and off the field, the resilience and energy of FSU shine through every story. Thanks for joining us—see you next time, Seminole faithful!