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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

It’s the weekend, Seminole!

Get ready for an action-packed edition as we dive into Florida State’s standout performances, exciting recruiting developments, and a look at how the Seminoles are shaping their future across multiple sports.

🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball gears up for Georgia Tech
The Seminoles aim to build on their defensive dominance after a commanding win over Pitt. Can they maintain their momentum at home against a struggling Georgia Tech squad?

⚾ Jamie Arnold’s preseason accolades keep piling up
FSU’s ace pitcher is turning heads as Baseball America’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year, solidifying his status as one of the most promising talents in college baseball.

🏃‍♀️ Record-breaking feats at the Jimmy Carnes Invite
From Bieke Schipperen’s facility record to dominant wins across events, FSU’s track and field team showcased their depth and talent in Gainesville.

🎾 No. 24 FSU Women’s Tennis starts strong
Head coach Jennifer Hyde looks for her 18th home-opening victory as the Seminoles take on Alabama State in a Sunday doubleheader.

🏈 Florida State’s recruiting weekend takes center stage
Junior Day is packed with blue-chip talent as FSU hosts top prospects from the 2026, 2027, and 2028 classes, including five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin and quarterback Trent Seaborn.

🏈 Transfer portal success lifts FSU into the national top 5
Mike Norvell’s team makes a major leap with high-impact additions like Duce Robinson and Shawn Murphy, proving their prowess in the NIL era.

🏈 Coaches hit the trail ahead of Junior Day
From five-star interior lineman Lamar Brown to four-star safety Kaiden Hall, FSU’s staff maximized their two-day recruiting window to secure pivotal connections before this weekend’s event.

🏀 FSU Prepares for Crucial ACC Clash with Georgia Tech 🏀

The Florida State men’s basketball team (12-5, 3-3 ACC) is riding high after a dominant defensive performance in an 82-70 victory over Pitt. Now, the Seminoles look to climb above .500 in conference play as they host Georgia Tech (8-10, 2-5 ACC) at the Donald L. Tucker Center on Saturday at noon. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

🌟 Seminoles' Defensive Dominance
FSU’s defense suffocated Pitt, forcing 17 turnovers and holding the Panthers to just 37.5% shooting. Head coach Leonard Hamilton praised his team’s mental and emotional growth, which translated to a more focused and disciplined effort.

• Key Players:

  • Jamir Watkins: Averaging 18.6 points per game, Watkins has scored in double figures in 14 straight games.

  • Malique Ewin: The big man has three consecutive double-doubles, including 14.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.

🌟 Georgia Tech’s Struggles
The Yellow Jackets enter the game on a three-game losing streak and are 0-3 in ACC road games. They are hampered by injuries, with key players like Lance Terry and Kowacie Reeves Jr. sidelined, which has limited their offensive output.

• Notable Players:

  • Nathan George: Leads the ACC in assists (6.3 per game) while averaging 10.5 points.

  • Baye Ndongo: Preseason All-ACC pick, averaging 12.0 points and 7.2 rebounds.

🌟 Series History
FSU holds a 46-34 advantage in the series, including six straight home wins over Georgia Tech. The Seminoles will aim to extend their streak with another strong defensive showing.

📅 What’s Next?
Following Saturday’s matchup, FSU will hit the road for a pair of games in California against Cal and Stanford, starting Wednesday at 9 p.m. (ACC Network).

👉 Read more here and here

⚾ Jamie Arnold Named Baseball America Preseason Pitcher of the Year ⚾

Florida State junior pitcher Jamie Arnold has added another accolade to his impressive resume, as Baseball America named him the Preseason Pitcher of the Year on Friday. This honor comes on the heels of being recognized as the Preseason Pitcher of the Year by Perfect Game, solidifying Arnold’s status as the top returning pitcher in college baseball.

🌟 Dominant 2024 Season

• Record & ERA: 11-3 with a 2.98 ERA.

• Strikeouts: 159 in 105.2 innings pitched.

• Control: Walked just 24 batters all season.

🌟 Highlight Performances

• Against Pitt: Struck out 17 batters in a single game.

• NCAA Regional Win: Delivered 12 strikeouts in seven innings, including an immaculate inning (three batters struck out on nine pitches).

• Tallahassee Regional MVP: Earned the Most Outstanding Player title for his clutch postseason performance.

🌟 MLB Draft Outlook
Arnold is projected to be one of the first pitchers selected in the MLB Draft this July, adding further excitement to what promises to be another stellar season for the All-American lefty.

👉 Read more here

🏃‍♀️ FSU Track and Field Impresses at Jimmy Carnes Invite 🏃‍♂️

Florida State’s indoor track and field team delivered standout performances at the Jimmy Carnes Invite in Gainesville on Friday, highlighted by record-breaking and personal-best efforts across multiple events.

🌟 Record-Setting Performances

• Bieke Schipperen: Broke the facility record in the one-mile run with a time of 4:35.15, the fourth-fastest in FSU history.

• Suus Altorf: Won the 3,000m, clocking the 10th-fastest time in school history at 9:14.31.

• Kaelyaah Liburd: Took first in the 400m with a personal best of 53.90, the 10th-fastest time in program history.

🌟 Notable Wins and Highlights

• Zach Trotter: Won the men’s 800m with a lifetime best of 1:50.60, the eighth-fastest time in FSU history.

• Curtis Williams: Secured victory in the long jump with a leap of 7.58m (24' 10½").

• Austin Kleinman: Dominated the men’s weight throw with a mark of 17.96m (58' 11¼").

• Shenese Walker: Triumphed in the 200m with a time of 23.68.

🌟 Team Relays Shine

• The women’s 4x400 relay team placed second, recording the sixth-fastest time in FSU history at 3:36.79.

📅 What’s Next
Florida State heads to the Lenny Lyles Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky, from January 31 to February 1.

👉 Read more here

🎾 No. 24 FSU Women’s Tennis Hosts Alabama State 🎾

The No. 24 Florida State women’s tennis team welcomes Alabama State to the Scott Speicher Memorial Tennis Center for a Sunday doubleheader starting at 10:00 a.m.

🌟 Match Preview

• FSU holds a 1-0 series lead, defeating the Hornets 4-0 in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Championships.

• Head coach Jennifer Hyde aims for her 18th home-opening win in her 21st season.

🌟 Players to Watch

• Laura Putz: Undefeated 3-0 start in singles and doubles. Highlighted by a comeback win (2-6, 6-4, 1-0 [8]) and doubles victories alongside Amelia Bissett and Mary Boyce Deatherage.

• Tina Li: Dominated her singles matches, winning 24 of 30 games in straight-set victories (6-3, 6-0 and 6-1, 6-2).

• Mary Boyce Deatherage: Secured a three-set singles win (3-6, 6-1, 1-0 [7]) and followed up with a straight-set triumph (6-4, 6-4).

👉 Read more here

🏈 Florida State Hosts Star-Studded Junior Day Event 🏈

Florida State is rolling out the red carpet for a packed Junior Day event this Saturday, January 18th, with an impressive list of top talent from the 2026, 2027, and even 2028 recruiting classes descending on Tallahassee.

🌟 Notable Visitors

• 4⭐ QB Trent Seaborn (2027): The No. 9 quarterback in his class, Seaborn has already racked up over 6,400 passing yards and 68 touchdowns in his varsity career. A MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, he’ll make his third visit to FSU after receiving an offer at the Seminole Elite Camp in June.

• 4⭐ RB Amari Clemons: A standout local recruit from Marianna, Fla., Clemons is coming off a dominant 1,880-yard, 34-touchdown junior season.

• 4⭐ WR Somourian Wingo: The St. Augustine pass-catcher brings size and versatility to the Seminoles’ radar.

• 5⭐ LB Xavier Griffin (USC commit): The nation’s top linebacker in the 2026 class returns to Tallahassee as a top flip target.

• 4⭐ Edge Trenton Henderson: An explosive pass rusher from Pensacola, Fla., Henderson is a major defensive priority for FSU.

🌟 Other Prospects to Watch

• 4⭐ ATH Efrem White (FSU commit)

• 4⭐ TE Xavier Tiller (Texas A&M commit): Making his first visit to Tallahassee, Tiller is one of the top flip targets at tight end.

• 4⭐ OL Canon Pickett: A critical target on the offensive line with connections to new OL coach Herb Hand.

• 4⭐ DB Samari Matthews: A national recruit with FSU in his top six, Matthews is a pivotal defensive back prospect for the Seminoles.

🌟 Quarterback Spotlight: Trent Seaborn

• Stats That Impress: In his sophomore season, Seaborn threw for 2,675 yards and 26 touchdowns with only seven interceptions while adding 256 rushing yards. Over three varsity seasons, he has 6,453 passing yards, 68 touchdowns, and just 16 interceptions.

• Recruitment Status: Holding offers from over 20 programs, including Alabama, LSU, Oregon, and Tennessee, FSU remains in the thick of the race.

👉 Read more here and here

🏈 Transfer Portal Rankings: Florida State Surges into Top 5 🏈

The winter transfer portal window has closed, and Florida State has emerged as one of the biggest winners, climbing into the top five nationally in the updated rankings. While other programs scramble to retool before spring practice, the Seminoles have solidified their roster with high-impact additions.

🌟 FSU's Portal Progress

• National Ranking: No. 5

• Transfer Portal Commits: 16

Key Additions

• Duce Robinson (WR, USC): A standout wideout with immediate impact potential, Robinson headlines Florida State’s portal class.

• Shawn Murphy (LB, South Carolina): Adds depth and experience to the Seminoles’ linebacker unit, a crucial need for 2025.

• Rising Momentum: The Seminoles were outside the top 20 earlier in the cycle but have rapidly risen into the top tier, showing their ability to evaluate and attract talent.

🌟 Portal Trends Across College Football

• Elite Programs Reload: LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas Tech occupy the top three spots, highlighting their aggressive use of the portal.

• High-Stakes Additions: Programs like Auburn (No. 4) and Florida State have added critical pieces to address roster gaps.

• NIL’s Growing Influence: With record-setting NIL agreements, portal additions are commanding premium deals as teams race to rebuild.

What’s Next for FSU?

With another portal window opening in April, Florida State is poised to continue refining its roster, ensuring key needs are met before the 2025 season kicks off.

👉 Read more here.

🏈 FSU Coaches Hit the Road Ahead of Junior Day 🏈

Florida State’s football staff made the most of their two-day recruiting window, visiting top 2026 prospects before hosting Junior Day. With in-school stops focused on building relationships and outlining FSU’s vision, several blue-chip recruits are set to make their way to Tallahassee this weekend.

🌟 Notable Visits

• Lamar Brown (5⭐ IOL)

  • Ranking: No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the nation (On3 Industry Ranking).

  • Highlights:

    • Head coach Mike Norvell, OL coach Herb Hand, and RB coach David “YAC” Johnson visited Brown in Baton Rouge, marking his first meeting with Norvell.

    • Discussed offensive line schemes and football philosophy.

    • Plans to visit FSU this spring.

• Trenton Henderson (4⭐ DE)

  • Ranking: Top 25 overall prospect in the 2026 class.

  • Highlights:

    • Norvell visited Henderson in Pensacola on Thursday.

    • Built on their strong relationship with conversations about life beyond football.

    • Set to visit FSU for Junior Day this weekend.

• Kaiden Hall (4⭐ S)

  • Ranking: Top 25 overall prospect in the 2026 class.

  • Highlights:

    • Received a visit from Norvell at Milton High on Friday.

    • Discussed FSU’s defensive system, NFL success stories, and his potential role as a “rover” in Tony White’s new scheme.

    • Will attend FSU’s Junior Day.

• Grant Wise (4⭐ IOL)

  • Highlights:

    • Hand and Norvell visited Wise at Pace High School on Friday.

    • Talked about Hand’s vision for the offensive line and his personal values.

    • Plans to visit FSU on Jan. 29.

👉 Read more here.

And that’s a wrap!

As the Seminoles continue to excel on the court, track, and recruiting trail, we’re reminded that every effort today builds tomorrow’s success.

Whether it’s locking down top recruits, dominating the transfer portal, or breaking records, Florida State is charging ahead with unstoppable momentum.

Stay tuned, and as always — Go Noles!