Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Time to kick off the week with the latest updates from FSU athletics:

🏈 FSU's Junior Day Unveils Future Stars: Discover insights into FSU's recruiting strategies as we cover prospects like Myron Charles, Gregory Xavier Thomas, Vernell Brown, and CJ Wiley.

🏀 Seminoles Women's Team Faces Setback Against Virginia In a thrilling ACC matchup, the FSU Women's Basketball team narrowly lost to Virginia.

📆 Coaches Advocate for Recruiting Calendar Revision FSU coaches join the call for a revamp of the December recruiting calendar.

🌌 Harvard OL Jacob Rizy Visits FSU FSU's pursuit of bolstering their offensive line leads to targeting Harvard transfer Jacob Rizy.

🏈 FSU Junior Day: New Perspectives from Additional Blue-Chip Recruits

Following our previous coverage of FSU’s Junior Day, we delve into insights from other blue-chip recruits who visited the campus, providing a broader view of FSU’s ongoing recruitment momentum.

Myron Charles: A Rising Star on the D-Line: Port Charlotte four-star defensive lineman Myron Charles made his third visit to FSU, expressing a feeling of being 'at home.'

FSU's head coach Mike Norvell and interior defensive line coach Odell Haggins have established a strong, personal connection with Charles.

His positive interactions with the staff, combined with Norvell's commitment to FSU over Alabama, have left a significant impression.

Holding offers from top programs like Ohio State and Michigan, Charles considers FSU as one of his top schools.

He is ranked No. 17 among defensive linemen and No. 145 overall for the 2025 class.

Gregory Xavier Thomas: A Key Defensive Back Target
Gregory Xavier Thomas, a blue-chip prospect from American Heritage, had a noteworthy visit to FSU, focusing on his fit in the defense and the importance FSU places on him.

His meetings with Norvell, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, and cornerbacks coach Pat Surtain emphasized FSU's interest.

Thomas' relationship with the FSU coaching staff, especially with Surtain, is a significant factor in his recruitment.

His Seminole heritage adds a unique dimension to his consideration of FSU. Thomas is ranked as the No. 13 cornerback and the No. 111 overall prospect in the class of 2025.

Vernell Brown: Electrifying Wide Receiver Prospect: Orlando Jones wide receiver Vernell Brown, a Florida Gators legacy, has shown a keen interest in FSU, evident from his recent visit.

His interactions with Norvell and receivers coach Ron Dugans were particularly impactful, appreciating their transparent and genuine approach.

Brown, who could be utilized both inside and outside in Norvell's offense, rates FSU alongside UF as his top choices.

Ranked as the No. 16 athlete and No. 279 overall prospect, Brown plans a decision after his official visits in June.

CJ Wiley: Georgia Receiver with FSU in Focus: CJ Wiley, a four-star receiver from Georgia, had his second visit to FSU and left with a positive impression.

Coach Dugans discussed potential roles in the FSU offense, eyeing Wiley for an outside position due to his speed and film highlights.

Wiley, who is considering FSU as one of his top options, is planning to return for a spring practice. He is currently one of the top-50 wide receivers nationally.

These insights from Charles, Thomas, Brown, and Wiley further underscore FSU's strong positioning in the recruitment of top-tier talent.

As FSU continues to build relationships and host prospects, the potential commitments of these recruits could significantly enhance the future of FSU football.

🏀 Noles Fall Short in Tight Battle with Virginia

The 15th-ranked FSU Women's Basketball team faced a challenging ACC showdown against Virginia this Sunday at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

Despite a strong season and holding a 14-5 overall record, the Seminoles experienced a close 91-87 defeat.

FSU, known for their depth and talent, couldn't capitalize on their 5-2 ACC advantage.

Key players like sophomore Ta'Niya Latson, averaging 20.3 points, and junior forward Makayla Timpson, with her notable defensive skills, led the Seminoles' efforts.

Latson, recognized before the game for reaching 1,000 career points, scored 22 points with six assists, while Timpson contributed 21 points and seven rebounds.

Junior guard O'Mariah Gordon and fifth-year guard Sara Bejedi also made significant contributions, scoring 17 and 10 points, respectively.

Despite their efforts and a low turnover count, the Seminoles struggled against Virginia's efficient shooting and rebounding strategy.

Virginia presented a unique challenge, improving their record to 9-9 overall and securing their first ACC win of the season.

Coached by Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, also known as "Coach Mox," the Cavaliers' comeback was marked by a standout performance from guard Kymora Johnson, who scored 35 points.

The game, part of a long-standing rivalry where UVA holds a 35-22 series lead, proved to be an engaging encounter.

FSU now looks ahead to their upcoming games against Duke and Georgia Tech, aiming to bounce back and continue their pursuit of excellence in the ACC.

📆 Football Coaches Advocate for Recruiting Calendar Change

At the American Football Coaches Association convention in Nashville, a consensus emerged among college football coaches: the December recruiting calendar, packed with activities including the transfer portal window and early signing day, needs revision.

The December Dilemma

In December, coaches are overwhelmed with the transfer portal, early signing day, bowl practices, and exit interviews.

Todd Berry, AFCA's executive director, has voiced the need for change, suggesting an alignment of the signing date with the dead period when coaches are off the road.

AFCA's Proposed Solution

Berry recommends placing the signing day at the start of the four-day dead period in late November, separating it from the transfer portal window. This move aims to alleviate the pressure coaches face during this hectic period.

Overlap of Portal and Signing Period

In December 2023, the transfer portal's active period coincided with the early signing days, creating logistical and strategic challenges for teams and coaches.

Coaches' Struggles and Responses

Florida State's head coach, Mike Norvell, spoke about the challenges of this packed schedule. "It’s a ton," Norvell said, highlighting the difficulties in managing all aspects of the program during this period.

He emphasized the need for careful consideration before implementing changes to avoid unintended consequences.

The Importance of Roster Management

The shift in focus to December for roster management has made the early signing window and the winter transfer portal window crucial for team-building strategies.

Decision-Making Process

While the AFCA has proposed this change for the second consecutive year, the final decision rests with NCAA oversight committees and conference commissioners.

The proposal reflects a broader desire within the college football community to streamline and balance the recruitment process, making it more sustainable for coaches and players alike.

🌌 FSU Targets Harvard OL Transfer Jacob Rizy

FSU's football program, in its pursuit to enhance the offensive line, recently hosted Harvard offensive line transfer Jacob Rizy.

During his visit from Friday to Sunday, Rizy immersed himself in the Seminoles' football culture and explored potential opportunities with the team.

"It was great," Rizy said about his visit. "I learned a lot about the program. An exciting opportunity." This sentiment reflects his positive impression of the program and the possibilities it presents for his football career.

Rizy spent considerable time with FSU's offensive line coach, Alex Atkins, discussing the potential roles he could play.

The coaching staff sees Rizy as a versatile interior lineman, capable at both guard and center. "They've got a lot of opportunity that is there for the taking, I've just got to compete for it," Rizy shared, echoing the message of hard work and competition conveyed by the FSU staff.

FSU's head coach, Mike Norvell, also left a significant impact on Rizy.

Their conversations centered around giving his all and being himself, aligning with Norvell's vision for the team. "He just expressed what he expected from me is to give 110% and just to be me, myself," Rizy recalled.

He admired Norvell's unique and adaptive approach to coaching, which has contributed to FSU's recent successes.

Rizy's interaction with current and former players, like D'Mitri Emmanuel, gave him a perspective on the transition from lower-level football to finding success at FSU. Rizy found Emmanuel's journey particularly relatable and inspiring, seeing a reflection of his potential path at FSU.

With graduation from Harvard approaching in May, Rizy is looking to finalize his transfer decision soon. His primary objective is finding a program that offers him the best opportunity to advance to the NFL.

While FSU stands as a strong contender, Rizy has also considered other programs, including Northwestern, and plans to decide quickly to integrate into a new team effectively.

Rizy's journey from Westport, Conn., to Harvard, and now considering a transfer to a prominent football program like FSU, highlights his dedication to pursuing football at the highest level.

And that's a wrap!

Kicking off the week, we've sprinted through the dynamic world of FSU sports, from future stars on the field to thrilling battles on the court.

Each story has added a dash of garnet and gold to our Monday, showcasing the relentless spirit of FSU.

Here's to starting the week with Seminole pride and anticipation for more victories to come!