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Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
How do you feel about where FSU stands after the last week of portal activity?
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Happy Monday, Seminole!
Florida State’s Monday reset brings clarity, context, and consequence — from portal maneuvering to trench bets and on-court results.
🧱 Jordan Sanders Visit Sets the Tone 🧱
FSU makes a strong early impression on a priority defensive line target, even as the recruitment stretches into a multi-stop decision.
🎯 JUCO QB Depth Comes Into Focus 🎯
With QB1 secured, FSU turns to developmental depth, hosting a national title–winning JUCO quarterback for an official visit.
🎥 Why FSU Is Buying the Dip on Xavier Chaplin 🎥
A film-based look at why the Seminoles believe a proven Power Four tackle can rebound — and quietly upgrade the offense.
🔁 Transfer Portal Week in Review 🔁
A fast-moving seven days bring commitments, departures, and unresolved battles as FSU heads into a critical next phase.
🏀🌴 Women’s Hoops Battles, But Falls in Miami 🌴🏀
An early fight gives way late as FSU drops another ACC game, with execution proving decisive down the stretch.
Let’s get into it 👇
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🧱 FSU Makes Strong Impression on Texas State DL Jordan Sanders 🧱
Florida State continues to generate traction on the defensive line, making a strong early impression on Jordan Sanders, though the former Texas State Bobcats football standout is taking a deliberate path toward a decision.
🔥 What Stood Out
Sanders spent Saturday in Tallahassee and said FSU is “definitely high-ranked” on his board, calling it “a hard place to beat.”
He praised Mike Norvell for his honesty and clarity about expectations, noting the staff’s emphasis on work ethic and accountability.
Defensive line coach Terrance Knighton played a major role, with FSU outlining plans to use Sanders across multiple interior spots, a pitch that resonated.
📅 What’s Next
Sanders plans to visit Mississippi State, then head home to California during the upcoming NCAA dead period.
Additional visits to Cal, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma are also on his radar before he narrows things down.
🧠 Why He’s Looking
At 6’4”, 306 pounds, Sanders is seeking a jump in competition after the Sun Belt, aiming to win more games and develop under elite coaching.
He posted 16 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and nine QB hurries last season, showing interior disruption that FSU believes can scale up at the Power Five level.
🔍 Why It Matters: While others have committed quickly, Sanders’ approach is different — and telling. FSU didn’t rush him, but it clearly set a standard. If the Seminoles can hold serve through the dead period, this recruitment could turn into another meaningful trench win.
👉 Get the full visit breakdown, Sanders’ unfiltered quotes, and what comes next in his recruitment here
🎯 FSU Hosting JUCO QB Malachi Marshall for Official Visit 🎯
Florida State will host Malachi Marshall of Iowa Western Community College for an official visit Jan. 17–18, as the Seminoles continue to round out the quarterback room.
🔥 What to Know
Marshall led Iowa Western to a JUCO national championship, throwing 33 TDs for 2,750 yards and earning JUCO Offensive Player of the Year honors.
He’s clear-eyed about the role: compete as the No. 2, keep a redshirt available, and develop to challenge for the starting job down the line.
With Ashton Daniels locked in as QB1, FSU is prioritizing experienced depth.
🔍 Why It Matters: This is a low-risk, high-upside depth evaluation — a proven JUCO winner who fits FSU’s short-term needs while preserving future flexibility at quarterback.
👉 Read more for Marshall’s full comments, how FSU views his development path, and where this visit fits into the QB plan
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🎥 Film Room: Why FSU Is Betting on a Xavier Chaplin Bounce-Back 🎥
Florida State believes it has upgraded at left tackle with Xavier Chaplin — not by chasing perfection, but by buying the dip on a proven Power Four starter with real NFL traits.
🧠 Background & Trajectory
Chaplin began his career at Virginia Tech, breaking out in 2023 before starting all 12 games in 2024, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors.
His 2024 tape showed balance: reliable pass protection and steady run blocking (near-70 PFF grades across the board).
A transfer to Auburn in 2025 brought uneven results — more penalties, a dip in run blocking, and inconsistent form — but still 12 SEC starts at left tackle.
Listed at 6’7”, 348 pounds, with rare length and mass for the position.
💪 What Shows Up on Film
Explosive power off the snap, capable of jolting defenders on down blocks.
Mass + length that swallows rushers and erases escape space when technique is right.
Better movement than expected, including nimble climbs to the second level in the run game.
Late-season improvement at Auburn suggests conditioning and context — not ability — drove much of the 2025 regression.
📐 Scheme Fit at FSU
Inside Zone remains a strength: a 75.3 IZ grade in 2024, and still one of his better concepts in 2025.
His build and play style align with FSU’s desire to create steady displacement up front and unlock explosives behind it.
📊 The Evaluation
247Sports Grade: 91
Composite Grade: 92.6
Film-Based Grade: 90
Chaplin isn’t flawless, but he’s clearly a Power Four starter. The real question is how close he gets back to his Virginia Tech form.
🔍 Why It Matters
This is a calculated trench bet — not a gamble. Chaplin projects as an immediate upgrade at left tackle, and if the bounce-back hits, he has a realistic ceiling as a fringe All-ACC type. For an offense that needs stability more than flash, this is exactly the kind of portal move that can quietly change the season’s trajectory.
👉 Dive deeper into the full film notes, grading breakdown, and why FSU believes Chaplin’s best football is still ahead
🔁 Portal Week in Review: Where FSU Stands Going Into Week 2 🔁
Florida State’s transfer portal week was defined by constant traffic, quick wins, notable exits, and several recruitments still in play. Here’s the clean snapshot of how the last seven days unfolded.
✅ Additions & Retentions
Ashton Daniels (QB, Auburn) committed and locked in as FSU’s QB1.
Xavier Chaplin (OT, Auburn) committed as a potential starting left tackle.
Chimdia Nwaiwu (OL, Stephen F. Austin) committed after visiting.
CJ Richard (DB, Illinois State) committed and projects as a safety.
Paul Bowling (OL, Troy), Bradyn Joiner (OL, Purdue), and Nate Pabst (OL, Bowling Green) added to a rapidly rebuilt OL room.
Jayvan Boggs reversed course and is expected to withdraw from the portal and return.
🚪 Portal Entries & Likely Exits
Kevin Wynn (DT) expected to enter the portal.
Jake Weinberg (K) submitted paperwork to transfer.
Shamar Arnoux (DB) expected to enter.
Earl Little Jr. (S) committed to Ohio State.
Josh Raymond (OL) entered the portal after one season.
Randy Pittman (TE) is transferring to SMU.
Lawayne McCoy (WR) committed to Louisville.
🧭 Key Battles Still Ongoing
Jordan Sanders (DL, Texas State) visited FSU but is also seeing Mississippi State and others.
Jardin Gilbert (S, LSU) visited and remains a live option, though he’s taking multiple trips.
The Desir twins saga continued, with paperwork submitted and negotiations failing to reach a resolution.
⏳ Calendar Note
A recruiting dead period runs Monday–Wednesday, meaning visits pause and resume Thursday — giving this week extra importance for momentum and decisions.
🧠 Why It Matters
FSU exited the week with QB1 secured, the offensive line largely rebuilt, and several defensive needs clearly identified — but also with real losses on the defensive interior, secondary, and special teams. This wasn’t a clean sweep; it was controlled chaos. The next wave — especially on the defensive line — will determine whether this portal cycle ends as a success or failure.
👉 For the full day-by-day intel — including visitor timelines, shifting confidence levels, and the next names to watch — dive into the complete portal tracker here.
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🏀🌴 FSU Women’s Hoops Fights Early, Falls at Miami 🌴🏀
Florida State women’s basketball showed competitiveness early but couldn’t keep pace late, falling 89–73 to Miami Hurricanes women's basketball on Sunday afternoon at the Watsco Center.
🔥 Key Performers
Solè Williams led the Seminoles with 19 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Amaya Bonner added 13 points with a block and a steal.
Tatum Greene chipped in 10 points, four steals (tying a career high), and eight rebounds.
Jasmine Shavers also pulled down eight boards to share the team lead.
⏱️ How It Played Out
FSU jumped out early behind strong perimeter shooting and interior pressure, leading 19–18 after one quarter. The game stayed tight into halftime (Miami up 37–35), and the third quarter featured 12 lead changes before turnovers swung momentum. Miami created separation late, closing out the win in the fourth.
📅 What’s Next
Florida State continues ACC play Thursday, Jan. 15, on the road against Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball at 6 p.m. ET on ACCNX.
🧠 Why It Matters
The effort level was there, but late-game execution and ball security continue to be the separator in ACC play. FSU will need to tighten those margins quickly as the conference schedule grinds on.
👉 For a full breakdown of the back-and-forth first half, key momentum swings, and individual stat lines, read the complete game recap here.
And that’s a wrap!
This week was about momentum — not conclusions. Florida State made real progress, especially up front, but there are major holes left to fill. The next wave of portal decisions will define whether this cycle stabilizes the roster… or simply reshuffles the problems.
Dead periods end. Visits resume. Pressure doesn’t.
We’ll be here to break it all down.
— Chief
