Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

Here’s what’s making headlines:

🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball Triumphs Over Pitt
Jamir Watkins’ standout performance helped secure a crucial ACC victory for the Seminoles.

🏀 Women’s Basketball Returns to Action Against Clemson
Ta’Niya Latson leads the Seminoles in a high-stakes home matchup.

🏐 Volleyball Adds Nicole Mauser to Roster
The talented transfer bolsters Florida State’s front line.

🏌️‍♀️ Lottie Woad Earns Golfweek Female Amateur of the Year
FSU’s golfing superstar continues to dominate both on the course and in the classroom.

🔒 Sandman Secured: Chavez Thompson Joins the Seminoles
Florida State flips the three-star center to strengthen its offensive line.

👕 FSU Football Updates Jersey Numbers
Meet the newest Seminoles and see who’s sporting fresh digits this spring.

🏈 FSU Targets 2026 Athlete Wydeek Collier
A late offer shakes up the recruitment of a top prospect.

🏀 FSU Topples Pitt Behind Watkins' Dominance 🏀

Florida State men's basketball secured its biggest win of the season, defeating Pitt 82-70 at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Led by standout performances from Jamir Watkins and Malique Ewin, the Seminoles now sit at 12-5 overall and 3-3 in ACC play.

🌟 Game Highlights:

• Jamir Watkins: Delivered 26 points, including clutch free throws late in the game, marking his 14th consecutive double-digit performance.

• Malique Ewin: Dominated inside with 18 points and 13 rebounds, notching his third consecutive double-double and fifth this season.

• Team Resilience: FSU extended their second-half lead to as many as 16 points and withstood multiple Pitt rallies.

🌟 Key Stats:

• Free Throws: FSU shone at the stripe, hitting 28-of-33 (84.8%).

• Defensive Edge: The Seminoles forced Pitt into a season-high 17 turnovers, including eight by standout Jaland Lowe.

• Rebounding: FSU won the boards 37-31, converting eight offensive rebounds into 10 second-chance points.

🌟 Looking Ahead:
The Seminoles face Georgia Tech at noon on Saturday in another crucial ACC matchup at home, televised on ESPNU.

👉 Read more here

🏀 FSU Women’s Basketball Hosts Clemson in Key ACC Matchup 🏀

The Florida State women’s basketball team (13-4, 3-2 ACC) returns to the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on Thursday to face Clemson (10-7, 3-2 ACC) at 6:00 PM.

🌟 Matchup Highlights:

• FSU’s Recent Dominance: The Seminoles lead the all-time series 38-28, winning six of the last seven meetings.

• Offensive Leaders:

  • Ta’Niya Latson: Leads the nation in scoring with 26.8 points per game.

  • Makayla Timpson: Ranks second nationally in blocks (52) and is one double-double away from tying FSU’s career record.

• Scoring Powerhouse: FSU ranks first in the ACC and second nationally, averaging 92.8 points per game.

🌟 Last Game Recap:
The Seminoles fell to Cal, 82-70, despite Makayla Timpson’s 17-point, 13-rebound double-double. FSU outscored the Bears 24-10 in the fourth quarter but couldn’t close the gap.

👉 Read more here.

🏐 FSU Volleyball Adds Opposite Hitter Nicole Mauser 🏐

Florida State volleyball welcomed 6-2 opposite hitter Nicole Mauser, a standout transfer from California Baptist, to the team on Wednesday.

🌟 Why Mauser Stands Out:

• Proven Performer:

  • 2023 WAC Freshman of the Year: 225 kills, .257 hitting percentage, 60 blocks.

  • 2024 Leader: Led the Lancers with 246 kills, adding 48 blocks and 11 matches with double-digit kills.

• Coach Poole’s Perspective:
  “Nicole brings experience and fills a key need for us this spring,” said Poole.

🌟 High-Level Experience:
Mauser’s best match in 2024 featured 23 kills and a .408 hitting percentage against Tarleton State, earning her Second Team All-WAC honors.

👉 Read more here

🏌️‍♀️ Lottie Woad Named Golfweek Female Amateur of the Year 🏌️‍♀️

Florida State’s Lottie Woad added another accolade to her decorated career, earning Golfweek’s 2024 Female Amateur of the Year honor.

🌟 Woad’s 2024 Highlights:

• Winner of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

• Smyth Salver Award for low amateur at the AIG Women’s Open.

• ACC Golfer of the Year.

• Helped Great Britain and Ireland win the Curtis Cup.

🌟 World No. 1 Amateur:

• Held the top spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) for 27 consecutive weeks and 29 weeks overall since June 2024.

• Winner of the prestigious Mark H. McCormack Medal as the leading woman in WAGR.

🌟 Seminole Achievements:

• Two-time All-ACC selection.

• Four-time All-American, including two first-team honors.

• School record-holder with a 70.56 stroke average and four individual titles.

🌟 Academic Excellence:

• Earned a perfect 4.0 GPA in fall 2023.

• Two-time Dean’s List honoree and WGCA All-American Scholar.

📅 Upcoming Schedule:

• IJGA Guadalajara Invitational: January 31-February 1, 2025.

• Florida State Match Up: March 21-23, 2025, at the Seminole Legacy Golf Club.

👉 Read more here

🔒 Sandman Secured: FSU Lands Offensive Line Commitment from Chavez Thompson 🔒

Florida State football added a cornerstone to its offensive line future with the commitment of three-star center Chavez “Sandman” Thompson. The Cocoa (Fla.) standout flipped his pledge from FIU to FSU on Wednesday night, just days after an impactful official visit to Tallahassee.

🌟 Why FSU Stood Out

Thompson credited the Seminoles' coaching staff, particularly offensive line coach Herb Hand, as the driving force behind his decision.

• Longstanding Connection: Hand first recruited Thompson during his tenure at UCF, building a relationship that reignited once he joined FSU.

• Genuine Atmosphere: Thompson praised the Seminoles’ staff for their “love” and authenticity, sharing that he felt like a top priority during his visit.

💪 On the Field

Known for his nastiness and physicality, Thompson earned high praise for his relentless blocking style.

• Stats That Impress: Thompson racked up 33 pancake blocks during his senior season, helping Cocoa secure its third straight state championship.

• Aggressive Edge: Thompson embodies the mentality of a dominant center, playing “nasty, dirty, and physical” to the echo of the whistle.

🤼 Off the Field

Beyond football, Thompson is a standout wrestler and plans to compete for Cocoa this spring.

• His wrestling background complements his strength and agility, key attributes for success on the offensive line.

📈 Recruitment Journey

Thompson’s recruitment saw him committed to both Oregon and FIU before choosing the Seminoles.

• FSU’s Role: The hires of Hand and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn were pivotal in rekindling interest and securing Thompson’s flip.

• Class Fit: Thompson joins fellow linemen Mario Nash Jr. and Sean Poret in FSU’s 2025 high school class, further strengthening the unit’s future.

📅 What’s Next

Thompson will enroll at FSU this summer, ready to bring his trademark grit and passion to the Seminoles’ offensive line.

Read more here and here

🏈 Florida State Updates Jersey Numbers for Spring Semester 🏈

Florida State football has officially revealed the jersey numbers for its 31 new players and announced updates for several returning players. Here’s a quick rundown of the fresh assignments and notable changes.

🌟 Newcomers’ Jersey Numbers 🌟

• WR Duce Robinson: No. 0

• QB Thomas Castellanos: No. 1

• WR Squirrel White: No. 4

• LB Stefon Thompson: No. 7

• DL Deante McCray: No. 8

• QB Kevin Sperry: No. 9

• DL James Williams: No. 10

• DL Deamontae Diggs & TE Randy Pittman: No. 13

• WR Jordan Scott: No. 14

• DB Shamar Arnoux & WR Jayvan Boggs: No. 15

• DB Max Redmon: No. 21

• TE Chase Loftin: No. 23

• LB Caleb LaVallee: No. 29

• LB Elijah Herring: No. 31

• LB Ethan Pritchard: No. 35

• C Luke Petitbon: No. 51

• OT Gunnar Hansen & DL Kevin Wynn: No. 55

• OL Micah Pettus: No. 57

• OL Mario Nash Jr.: No. 63

• OL Adrian Medley: No. 76

• WR Tae'Shaun Gelsey: No. 83

• TE Markeston Douglas: No. 87

• DL Darryll Desir: No. 90

• DL Tyeland Coleman: No. 91

• DL Mandrell Desir: No. 93

• DL LaJesse Harrold: No. 94

• DL Tylon Lee: No. 96

• DL Jayson Jenkins: No. 97

🔄 Updated Jersey Numbers for Returning Players 🔄

• CB Edwin Joseph: No. 3 (formerly No. 33)

• RB Roydell Williams: No. 5 (formerly No. 24)

• WR Lawayne McCoy: No. 7 (formerly No. 15)

• WR BJ Gibson: No. 10 (formerly No. 80)

• CB Ja'Bril Rawls: No. 11 (formerly No. 30)

• QB Trever Jackson: No. 16 (formerly No. 10)

• LB Jayden Parrish: No. 36 (formerly No. 55)

🏈 Late Push: FSU Enters the Mix for 2026 Athlete Wydeek Collier 🏈

Florida State has made a bold move in the recruitment of Wydeek Collier, a highly sought-after Class of 2026 prospect from Pennsylvania. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound three-star athlete, ranked as the No. 22 overall athlete and No. 10 prospect in Pennsylvania by 247Sports, is set to announce his college decision on January 19.

🌟 Recruitment Overview

Collier had previously narrowed his choices to Rutgers, Penn State, Miami (FL), West Virginia, and Syracuse in October. However, FSU’s late offer has introduced an intriguing twist to his recruitment story.

💪 On the Field

Collier’s versatility and raw athleticism make him a coveted talent:

• Defensive Impact: Tallied 34 total tackles, 8 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss in 2024, showcasing his disruptive edge-rushing potential.

• Offensive Threat: Contributed as a wide receiver, recording 370 yards and 2 touchdowns despite playing in a run-first offense.

🕵️ Scouting Insights (via Ed O.B.)

Collier projects as a high-ceiling defensive athlete with the following attributes:

• Strengths: Elite combination of speed, length, and raw ability.

• Future Potential: Expected to excel as an edge rusher or hybrid outside linebacker with added muscle and refined technique.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

From dominant court performances to key commitments shaping the future, it’s clear the Garnet and Gold are firing on all cylinders. Whether it’s Jamir Watkins leading the charge, Lottie Woad raising the bar, or Sandman Thompson bringing grit to the line, the Seminole spirit remains unstoppable.

Until next time, stay proud, stay loud, and as always—Go Noles!