Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

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Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

From record-breaking athletes to impactful coaching moves, there’s plenty to celebrate and analyze. Here’s what’s coming your way:

🏀 Latson’s Weekly Dominance: Junior guard Ta’Niya Latson continues to cement her legacy with another ACC Player of the Week honor, highlighted by stellar performances and a historic three-point shooting night.

🏈 Knighton’s Defensive Line Momentum: New DL coach Terrance Knighton is making waves, securing strong impressions with top recruits James Johnson and Zavion Griffin-Haynes during Junior Day.

🏈 Defensive Back Prospects Shine: Four-star DBs Lasiah Jackson and J’Vari Flowers share glowing reviews of their visits, signaling FSU’s push for the nation’s best defensive back class.

🏈 Tyriq Green’s Versatile Talent: Buford star Tyriq Green leaves Junior Day with a strong connection to FSU’s coaching staff and plans for a return visit.

🌟 Payne’s O-Line Commitment: Three-star offensive lineman Xavier Payne is locked in with the Seminoles, ready to contribute under Coach Herb Hand’s guidance.

🏀 Ta'Niya Latson Named ACC Player of the Week 🏀

Florida State junior guard Ta'Niya Latson has earned her fourth ACC Player of the Week honor this season, recognized by the league's Blue Ribbon Panel for her stellar performances in victories over Clemson and Miami.

🌟 Clutch Performances:

• Against Clemson (Thursday): Latson notched her fourth double-double of the season, tallying 20 points and 10 assists.

• Against Miami (Sunday): She led the team with 30 points and set a career milestone by going 5-of-5 from beyond the arc, tying an FSU program record for three-point efficiency in a single game.

🌟 Historical Milestone:

Latson became just the fourth Seminole in program history to achieve a perfect 5-for-5 performance from three-point range. Her contributions also powered FSU to a record-breaking 18 three-pointers in a single game against Miami.

🌟 Career Recognition:

With this latest honor, Latson now boasts 18 weekly career recognitions, further cementing her place as one of FSU’s most decorated players.

📅 What’s Next?
The Seminoles will take on No. 14 North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Sunday, January 26, at 12:00 p.m., broadcast live on ACC Network.

👉 Read more about Latson’s standout performances here.

🏈 Terrance Knighton Making an Early Impact on FSU’s Defensive Line Recruiting 🏈

Florida State’s new defensive line coach, Terrance Knighton, is stepping into big shoes as he succeeds Odell Haggins, a long-time powerhouse on the recruiting trail. Early returns suggest Knighton is ready to uphold FSU’s rich tradition of defensive line excellence, especially following a strong showing during last weekend’s Junior Day.

🌟 Four-Star DT James Johnson: Feeling the FSU Push
One of the top targets for Knighton, James Johnson (North Fort Myers), left Junior Day with a renewed perspective on Florida State:

• Impression of the Visit: “The visit was really good,” Johnson said after meeting with Knighton, Haggins, and head coach Mike Norvell.

• Norvell’s Pitch: Johnson appreciated Norvell’s personal recruiting style, saying, “He’s not just going to recruit me; he’s going to pursue me.”

• Building a Bond with Knighton: Johnson highlighted Knighton’s relatable journey from Division II to the NFL, adding, “He’s a cool coach and knows the game really well.”

• Where FSU Stands: Johnson listed Florida State among his top schools, alongside Miami, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia.

🌟 Four-Star DE Zavion Griffin-Haynes: Building Relationships
North Carolina’s Zavion Griffin-Haynes also had a standout experience during Junior Day:

• Connection with Knighton: Griffin-Haynes emphasized Knighton’s NFL experience and his ability to develop players. “He’s a great guy and knows how to put players in the best spot.”

• Versatility in Defense: FSU envisions him as a “Jack” linebacker, with potential adjustments based on his development.

• Plans for Future Visits: Griffin-Haynes is planning a return trip to watch a spring practice and hinted at a potential official visit.

• Recruitment Outlook: While FSU is now among his top schools, Griffin-Haynes has yet to name a clear leader.

🌟 Key Takeaways from Knighton’s Early Efforts
Knighton’s NFL background, personal approach, and emphasis on development are resonating with recruits. Combined with Haggins’ continued involvement, FSU’s defensive line recruiting is gaining momentum.

👉 Read more about FSU’s recruiting impact here.

🏈 Four-Star DB Lasiah Jackson Impressed by FSU Junior Day Visit 🏈

Florida State is doubling down on its success in Lee County, Georgia, this time targeting four-star defensive back Lasiah Jackson for the 2026 class. Following a Junior Day visit to Tallahassee, Jackson left with a strong impression of the Seminoles.

🌟 A Genuine Approach
Jackson praised FSU’s emphasis on honesty and personal growth, noting head coach Mike Norvell’s unique recruiting style:

• “Coach Norvell’s recruiting is different. He gives you both positive and constructive feedback, which I like because it helps me grow.”

• Jackson added that Norvell made him feel “like part of the team already.”

🌟 Versatility on the Field
FSU’s coaching staff envisions Jackson as a versatile asset in the secondary, capable of playing both safety and cornerback.

• He connected with secondary coach Patrick Surtain and defensive analyst Greg Moss, deepening his appreciation for the program.

🌟 What’s Next?
Jackson plans to return for a spring practice and is looking forward to scheduling an official visit. While schools like Alabama, Michigan, and Florida remain in the mix, Jackson emphasized FSU’s serious commitment to building the nation’s top defensive back class:

• “They want the best DB class in the country.”

👉 Read more about Jackson’s visit and FSU’s defensive recruiting here.

🏈 Four-Star Athlete Tyriq Green Shines During FSU Junior Day Visit 🏈

Buford (Ga.) four-star athlete Tyriq Green made a strong impression during his Florida State Junior Day visit on Saturday, just two weeks after receiving an offer from the Seminoles. Green, a versatile prospect who excels as both a running back and defensive back, is being valued by FSU as a multi-dimensional offensive asset.

🌟 A Genuine Connection
Green appreciated the authentic atmosphere during his visit:

• “The visit was great. They left a nice impression on me. Everything felt genuine and real.”

• He spent quality time with head coach Mike Norvell, who emphasized FSU’s high standards for success both on and off the field.

🌟 Coach Surtain’s High Praise
Patrick Surtain, FSU’s secondary coach, took a keen interest in Green’s abilities:

• Surtain highlighted Green’s ball skills, speed, and physicality at nearly 200 pounds, even suggesting a potential look at cornerback to challenge him.

• Surtain’s early-day meeting with Green and his family underscored the Seminoles’ strong interest.

🌟 Versatile Talent
Green’s stats from his junior season showcase his dynamic playmaking ability:

• Offense: 789 all-purpose yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, and contributions as a return specialist.

• Defense: 28 tackles, 5 interceptions, and a fumble recovery.

🌟 Next Steps
Green plans to return to Tallahassee this spring to watch a practice and further evaluate the program. While he holds more than three dozen offers, including from Tennessee and Georgia, the Seminoles’ personal approach has positioned them as a serious contender.

👉 Read more about Green’s visit and recruitment here.

🌟 Miami Northwestern Star J’Vari Flowers Talks FSU and Recruitment 🌟

J’Vari Flowers, a four-star defensive back in the 2026 class from Miami Northwestern, is one of the most electrifying players in his class. Known for his lockdown coverage skills and explosive playmaking on special teams and offense, Flowers has several schools vying for his commitment.

🌟 Top Schools in the Mix
Flowers has identified five programs standing out in his recruitment:

• Miami, Syracuse, Illinois, Florida State, and Penn State.
  Florida State’s position in his recruitment has surged recently, thanks to the addition of safeties coach Evan Cooper.

🌟 Impact of Coach Evan Cooper
FSU’s new safeties coach has reignited the program’s connection with Flowers:

• Cooper previously recruited Flowers while at Nebraska and brings NFL coaching experience with the Carolina Panthers.

• “He knows what it takes to get there and he’s going to put you in the right position to make the plays,” Flowers said.

🌟 High Praise for Norvell
Flowers also expressed admiration for head coach Mike Norvell’s vision for the program:

• “They’re doing a great job with their program. I feel like they’re going to turn it around this year.”

🌟 Elite Talent
Flowers’ stats and athleticism speak for themselves:

• Rankings: No. 84 overall player and No. 9 cornerback in the 2026 class (247Sports).

• Speed: An elite 10.43-second time in the 100 meters.

• Highlight Reel: Multiple kick return touchdowns and explosive offensive plays during his junior season.

🌟 What’s Next?
Flowers plans to take official visits to his top five schools, including Florida State. With Miami in the midst of restructuring its defensive staff, the Seminoles have a prime opportunity to strengthen their position in his recruitment.

👉 Read more about J’Vari Flowers and his recruitment here.

🌟 Xavier Payne’s Commitment Solidifies FSU’s O-Line Future 🌟

Florida State offensive line coach Herb Hand wasted no time upon his arrival in Tallahassee, making three-star offensive lineman Xavier Payne his first recruiting call. That dedication paid off, as Payne, a 6-foot-7, 290-pound standout from Orlando’s Jones High School, is now firmly committed to the Seminoles.

🌟 A Connection with Coach Hand Hand’s early and consistent interest made a lasting impression on Payne:

• “I was his first call...three hours after he got the job,” Payne shared.

• Hand’s impressive track record of developing offensive linemen into NFL players was pivotal in Payne’s decision:
  “He just develops people so well and turns them into what I want to become.”

🌟 Commitment to Growth and Flexibility While Payne primarily plays offensive tackle, he’s open to playing any position on the line:

• “I just want to play...I’ll snap the football if I have to. The best ones play, and I know I can work hard to earn it.”

🌟 Strong Start, Focused Future Payne’s commitment reflects his confidence in the FSU program under Coach Norvell:

• “I want to be a Seminole. Coach Norvell was exactly who I thought he was, and I love the program.”

🌟 Recruitment Still Open Despite his commitment, Payne plans to keep his recruitment process active, with visits to Miami, Florida, Arkansas, and Ole Miss still on the table:

• “I’m locked in 100%, but nothing is official until pen meets paper.”

🌟 Looking Ahead Ranked as the No. 53 offensive tackle prospect by 247Sports, Payne is set to graduate early and join the Seminoles next year, ready to contribute to FSU’s offensive line dominance.

👉 Read more about Xavier Payne’s commitment and his goals here.

And that’s a wrap!

As the Seminoles make strides on the court, field, and recruiting trail, the energy in Tallahassee is undeniable. From record-breaking performances to inspiring commitments, the pieces are falling into place for a thrilling future. Stay tuned, Seminole fans—the best is yet to come!

👉 Catch all the latest updates tomorrow. Same time, same place.