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- 🏹 January 17th - The Chief Brief 🏹
🏹 January 17th - The Chief Brief 🏹
Belief Tested, Depth Built, and Momentum Found Across the Board
The Chief
January 17, 2026
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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Happy Saturday, Seminole!
Florida State stacks wins, signs pros, reloads key football positions, and gets a clear signal of belief from one of its biggest stars.
Here’s what’s inside today:
🏃♀️🔥 Track Sets the Tone Early 🔥🏃♂️
FSU opens the indoor season with records, wins, and immediate freshman impact — a statement meet that reinforces championship-level depth.
🎾🌸 Women’s Tennis Is Back at Home 🌸🎾
The Seminoles chase another season-opening win as ranked veterans and new faces launch the spring slate against USF.
🧤🌟 From National Champs to the Pros 🌟🧤
Freshman goalkeeper Evan O’Steen signs with Seattle Reign, continuing FSU soccer’s elite pipeline to the professional level.
🏀📺 Men’s Hoops Faces a Must-Hold Moment 📺🏀
FSU looks to stop the skid at home against Wake Forest as urgency builds in ACC play.
🏈🧱 Portal Moves with Purpose 🧱🏈
Florida State adds defensive line depth, running back versatility, quarterback experience, and stabilizes special teams — all in one day.
🏈🧠 Why Duce Robinson Stayed 🧠🏈
The All-ACC wideout explains his decision to return — and what belief, leadership, and unfinished business look like in today’s portal era.
Let’s get into it.
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🏃♀️🔥 FSU Track & Field Shines at Jimmy Carnes Invitational 🔥🏃♂️
Florida State closed out the Jimmy Carnes Invitational with authority, posting four event wins and five top-10 marks while stacking records and personal bests across the board.
🔥 Standout Performances
Zianna Curtis opened the meet with a personal-best 17.74m in the women’s weight throw — the 8th-farthest mark in program history.
Shenese Walker, a two-time indoor All-American, won the women’s 200 while resetting the facility record at 23.15 — also her lifetime best and 5th-fastest in FSU history.
Nafy Thiam, a true freshman, announced herself immediately by finishing second in the shot put with a U20 Belgium national record (16.62m) — 2nd-best mark ever at FSU.
Bieke Schipperen claimed the mile (4:40.97), while Suus Altorf set a facility record in the 3,000 with a personal-best 9:03.31 — the 4th-fastest time in program history.
Alyia Green won the 400 meters in 53.20, moving up to 7th all-time at FSU.
🧠 Why It Matters
Records, wins, freshmen impact, and All-American consistency — this was a statement opening meet that reinforces FSU’s depth and ceiling heading into the heart of indoor season.
⏭️ Up Next
Florida State heads to the Clemson Orange and Purple Invitational on January 23–24 in South Carolina.
🎾🌸 FSU Women’s Tennis Opens Spring Season at Home vs. USF 🌸🎾
Florida State women’s tennis officially begins its 2026 spring campaign Saturday, hosting the South Florida Bulls women's tennis at noon at the Scott Speicher Memorial Tennis Center.
🔥 What to Know
FSU is chasing its 16th straight season-opening win and 10th consecutive home-opener victory.
The Seminoles hold a 36–22 all-time edge over USF and earned a 4–0 road win last season.
📈 Roster Strength
Seven returners accounted for 59 singles wins in 2025.
FSU won 23 singles matches during the fall slate.
Eva Shaw advanced to the Round of 32 at the NCAA Singles Championship in Orlando.
⭐ Ranked Firepower
Millie Bissett (No. 44), Eva Shaw (No. 94), and Laura Putz (No. 96) all enter spring play nationally ranked in the ITA singles poll.
🆕 New Faces to Watch
Abby Kelliher (4 fall wins), Jovana Grujic, and Lauren Anderson will make their spring debuts.
🧤🌟 FSU Freshman GK Evan O’Steen Signs with Seattle Reign 🌟🧤
Florida State soccer freshman goalkeeper Evan O’Steen has signed professionally with Seattle Reign FC of the National Women's Soccer League, the club announced Friday.
🔥 Why This Is Big
O’Steen becomes the sixth Seminole to turn pro this offseason after FSU’s fifth NCAA national championship in December.
She joins a strong FSU-to-pro pipeline that includes Bay FC, Denver Summit FC, San Diego Wave FC, Angel City FC, and Club América Femenil.
📊 Freshman Impact at FSU (2025)
4 appearances, 2 starts, 0 goals allowed in 169 minutes
3 shutouts; team went 3–0–1 in her matches
Calm, efficient presence with clean sheets in limited but high-leverage minutes
🌍 International Pedigree
Represented Team USA at the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Morocco
Golden Glove winner at the 2024 U-17 World Cup (four clean sheets)
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🏀📺 FSU Men’s Hoops Looks to Stop the Slide vs. Wake Forest 📺🏀
Florida State men’s basketball is back at home Saturday night, hosting Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball at the Donald L. Tucker Center with tip set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
🔥 What to Know
FSU record: 7–10 (0–4 ACC), riding a four-game losing streak
Home floor: Seminoles are 7–3 in Tallahassee
Wake Forest: 10–7 (1–3 ACC), winless in true road games (0–2)
Series edge: FSU leads 31–28 all-time and has won the last two meetings
🧠 Why It Matters
This one’s about momentum — and urgency. Head coach Luke Loucks is still searching for his first ACC win, and home games are becoming must-capitalize opportunities for a young roster trying to find its footing.
🔍 Players to Watch (FSU)
Robert McCray V: 13.7 PPG, 6.6 APG — the engine
Chauncey Wiggins: 11.9 PPG — coming off his first ACC double-double
Kobe MaGee & Lajae Jones: Scoring punch off the bench
⏭️ Up Next
FSU heads to Miami on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. matchup at the Watsco Center on ESPNU.
🧱🛬 FSU Adds Interior Help with Texas State DL Jordan Sanders 🛬🧱
Florida State Seminoles football bolstered its defensive front Friday night, landing a commitment from Texas State Bobcats football defensive lineman Jordan Sanders out of the Transfer Portal.
🔥 What to Know
Chose FSU over Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, and Wisconsin
Redshirt junior with one year of eligibility remaining
Third collegiate stop after three seasons at Cal Poly and one at Texas State
📊 2025 Production Snapshot (Texas State)
13 games played
16 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 forced fumble
9 QB hurries
365 snaps
PFF grade: 77.0 overall
73.3 run defense
71.7 pass rush
🧠 Why FSU Won the Recruitment
Sanders cited defensive line coach Terrance Knighton as the difference-maker after his Tallahassee visit, calling him the most capable DL coach he encountered during his process — and a coach who can help him reach the next level.
🧠 Why It Matters
This is a functional, snap-ready add for a defensive line room that needed experienced bodies fast. With nearly 1,000 career snaps, solid pass-rush grades, and positional versatility, he gives FSU reliable depth and rotational value up front in a portal cycle where those traits are at a premium.
🏃♂️🛬 FSU Adds Versatile RB Gemari Sands from FAU 🛬🏃♂️
Florida State continues to round out its backfield, adding Florida Atlantic transfer Gemari Sands, who signed Friday after a quick campus visit.
🔥 What to Know
Position: Running back
Size: 6’0”, 195 lbs
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas alum)
📊 2025 Production (FAU)
105 carries, 465 rushing yards (4.4 YPC)
40 receptions, 217 receiving yards
Brings real pass-catching value out of the backfield
📈 Career Snapshot
2024: Played in 11 games
31 carries, 117 yards, 2 TDs
Added 3 catches for 60 yards
2023: Redshirt season
🧠 Where He Fits
Sands joins a crowded but complementary RB room featuring Ousmane Kromah, Samuel Singleton Jr., early enrollee Amari Thomas, and veteran Texas transfer Tre Wisner. His receiving ability gives FSU another option in space and adds flexibility for rotation, situational packages, and depth across a long season.
🧠 Why It Matters
Between his pass-game utility and local South Florida roots, he’s a useful, low-risk add that strengthens the floor of the position group as FSU continues stacking playable options.
🏈🧠 FSU Adds Veteran QB Dean DeNobile from Lafayette 🧠🏈
Florida State continues to reshape its quarterback room, landing a commitment from Lafayette transfer Dean DeNobile, who committed during his campus visit Friday.
🔥 What to Know
Position: Quarterback
Size: 6’1”, 198 lbs
Class: Redshirt junior (final season of eligibility)
Hometown: Upper Saddle River, N.J.
📊 2025 Production (Lafayette)
223-of-348 (64.1%)
2,542 passing yards
19 TDs, 7 INTs
2 rushing TDs
Two-time team captain
📈 Career Snapshot
Multi-year starter with consistent efficiency
All-Patriot League Second Team honors
Known for command of the offense and leadership traits
Experience in a system DeNobile says mirrors Gus Malzahn’s structure
🧠 Why FSU Made the Move
DeNobile wasn’t brought in to be flashy — he was brought in to be functional. With one year left, he adds maturity, depth, and a steady hand to a room that already includes Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels, redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry, and incoming freshman Jaden O’Neal (expected to miss the season).
🦵🎯 FSU Reloads at Kicker with Panikowski + McAneney Additions 🎯🦵
Florida State moved quickly to stabilize a suddenly empty kicker room, signing two transfer specialists on Friday to replace departing kickers Jake Weinberg and Brunno Reus.
🔥 Who’s In
Gabe Panikowski (from Oklahoma State Cowboys football)
Redshirt senior
2024 Fred Mitchell Award winner (nation’s top non-FBS kicker)
At Idaho State Bengals football:
15-for-15 on field goals (perfect season)
44-of-47 on total place kicks
Long of 55 yards
FCS All-American + First Team All-Big Sky
Adds proven accuracy and range at the top of the depth chart
Conor McAneney (from Quincy Hawks football)
True freshman with upside
7-of-10 on field goals (70%), long of 45
Strong leg on kickoffs: 60.2-yard average, 16 touchbacks
6’3”, 190 lbs — intriguing physical profile
Native of Northern Ireland with a background in Gaelic football
🧠 Why This Matters
Florida State Seminoles football lost both scholarship kickers to the portal, and instead of gambling on one option, the staff doubled down.
Panikowski brings elite, proven production and should immediately compete to win the job. McAneney adds length, youth, and developmental upside, giving FSU insurance and long-term flexibility at a position that can quietly swing games.
🏈🧠 Why Duce Robinson Stayed: Belief, Buy-In, and One More Run 🧠🏈
On the day the transfer portal officially slammed shut, Duce Robinson made something clear: his decision wasn’t about leaving Florida State — it was about whether to leave college football.
He chose neither.
🔥 The Decision
Robinson never entered the portal. Once he decided another year of college football mattered more than turning pro — and after FSU showed its commitment — the All-ACC wideout locked in one more season in garnet and gold.
“I believe in Florida State. I believe in what Coach Norvell is doing… and I didn’t want to leave after the season we had. It felt unfair to the fans.”
📊 What He Brings Back
Robinson’s 2025 season was historic by FSU standards:
56 catches, 1,081 yards, 6 TDs
Ninth-most receiving yards in a single season in program history
19.3 yards per catch — top-10 nationally, top-5 among Power 4 players
After transferring from USC, he didn’t just fit — he became the guy.
🧩 Quarterback Outlook
Robinson embraced the uncertainty under center — and leaned into it.
Praised Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels for leadership and football IQ
Called returning QB Kevin Sperry “an absolute baller” with elite upside
Plans to work closely with both this offseason
No entitlement. Just reps.
🧠 Locker Room Perspective
Robinson struck a notably mature tone on the portal chaos around him:
No resentment toward teammates who explored options
Acknowledged he is a portal success story himself
Emphasized fit, opportunity, and respect for individual decisions
That mindset matters in today’s college football.
🧠 Why It Matters
Robinson didn’t come back chasing numbers or draft buzz. He came back because he thinks this roster, this staff, and this moment can still become something more.
“I came back so next year, at this time, we’re still playing.”
That’s leadership.
And for Florida State, that might matter as much as the yards.
And that’s a wrap!
That’s the thing about programs with real ambition — the margins matter.
A fast start on the track.
Another pro signing from soccer.
Depth quietly added where it was needed most.
And a star wideout choosing belief over the exit ramp.
Not everything is solved.
But a lot of things are trending in the right direction.
Same time tomorrow.
— Chief
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