Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

🚨 Here’s what’s snowing around Florida State today:

⛳ Seminoles Tee Off in San Diego
Luke Clanton and four FSU alumni are competing in the Farmers Insurance Open, showcasing FSU’s golf talent on the PGA stage.

🏀 Tough Loss for Men’s Hoops
FSU fell to Cal, 77-68, despite standout performances from Jamir Watkins and Malique Ewin. Next up? A Saturday showdown against Stanford.

⚾ Baseball Season Prep Underway
With Opening Day around the corner, the Seminoles are deep into scrimmages, refining rotations, and gearing up for another strong season under Link Jarrett.

📅 Mark Your Calendar
ACC football schedule drops are coming soon, with key games like Alabama’s visit on August 30 already locked in.

🏈 Recruiting Heats Up
FSU continues to pursue four-star prospects like tight end Carson Sneed and linebacker Duyon ‘DQ’ Forkpa Jr., solidifying its future.

⛳ Seminoles Shine at Farmers Insurance Open and Beyond ⛳

The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, running January 22-25, is set to feature a strong Seminole presence with junior Luke Clanton and four FSU alumni—Vincent Norrman, John Pak, Daniel Berger, and Cristobal Del Solar—teeing off in San Diego.

🌟 Seminoles in the Spotlight

• Luke Clanton: The junior tees off in his second PGA event of the year, aiming to secure a PGA Tour Card with a top-five finish. He starts on the north course at 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday and 1:01 p.m. on Thursday.

• Vincent Norrman: Norrman looks to continue his impressive streak after finishing top 30 in his first two events of 2025. He tees off at 1:29 p.m. Wednesday and 12:10 p.m. Thursday.

• Daniel Berger: Fresh off a tied-21st finish at The American Express with a standout 65 in the third round, Berger begins at 12:01 p.m. Wednesday and 1:07 p.m. Thursday.

• Cristobal Del Solar: Del Solar, who earned his PGA Tour card in 2024, is eager to build momentum after making the cut at the Sony Hawaii Open. He starts at 12:34 p.m. Wednesday and 1:34 p.m. Thursday.

• John Pak: Pak tees off at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday and 1:51 p.m. Thursday, as he aims for a strong showing this season.

🏆 Lebioda’s Victory at Bahamas Golf Classic

FSU alum Hank Lebioda claimed the championship at the Bahamas Golf Classic with rounds of 67, 62, 67, and 66, finishing 18-under par. This marked the first Korn Ferry Tour win of the season.

Currently, Lebioda sits in the final group at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, poised at 16-under par heading into Wednesday’s final round.

👉 Read more here

🏀 Florida State Falls Short Against Cal in ACC Clash 🏀

Florida State men’s basketball (13-6, 4-4 ACC) dropped a hard-fought road game to Cal, 77-68, on Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion. Despite a strong defensive performance and standout individual efforts, the Seminoles couldn’t overcome a decisive 18-6 second-half run by the Golden Bears.

🌟 Key Performances

• Jamir Watkins: Led the Seminoles with 18 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while going 3-of-4 from the free throw line.

• Malique Ewin: Recorded his fifth consecutive double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, continuing his streak of scoring in double figures for 16 straight games.

• Jerry Deng: Added 11 points, including a pivotal dunk that briefly gave FSU the lead in the second half.

• Taylor Bol Bowen: Contributed nine points, seven rebounds, and a career-high four blocks.

• Daquan Davis: Finished with eight points, four rebounds, and two steals.

🏀 Game Highlights

• FSU started strong with Malique Ewin’s layup off a turnover at the 18:03 mark but trailed 37-33 at halftime despite briefly reclaiming the lead late in the first half.

• The Seminoles fought back in the second half, taking a 51-49 lead on Deng’s dunk before Cal’s decisive 18-6 run sealed the game.

• FSU showcased defensive resilience with nine blocks, five steals, and 21 defensive rebounds.

🌟 Cal’s Standouts

• Jeremiah Wilkinson: Led the Golden Bears with 18 points.

• Rytis Petraitis and Mady Sissoko: Each recorded double-doubles, propelling Cal to their third ACC victory.

📅 Up Next

The Seminoles will stay in California to take on Stanford at Maples Pavilion on Saturday, January 25, at 7:00 p.m. ET. Catch the game on the ACC Network or tune in via the Seminole Sports Network.

👉 Read more about FSU’s road trip and upcoming matchup here.

⚾ Florida State Baseball Prepares for 2025 Season with Key Position Battles ⚾

With 21 days and 18 practices before Opening Day, Florida State baseball is gearing up for another promising season after last year’s 49-win campaign. Head coach Link Jarrett enters his third season with the Seminoles, navigating a roster featuring 20 newcomers and a mix of established talent.

🌟 Key Storylines

• Rotation Behind Arnold: Jamie Arnold, a projected top-five MLB Draft pick, leads the pitching rotation. Contenders for the remaining rotation spots include Joey Volini, Wes Mendes, and Evan Chrest, with each bringing unique strengths and experience.

• Bullpen Depth: FSU’s revamped bullpen includes returning arms like Connor Hults and Joe Charles, plus key transfers like Maison Martinez and Chris Knier. Consistency and high-leverage options are priorities for pitching coach Micah Posey.

• Battle for the Corners: With Daniel Cantu and Cam Smith gone, Myles Bailey and Blaydon Plain are competing for first base, while Cal Fisher and Carter McCulley are in the mix at third. Both positions are pivotal for balancing power and defensive stability.

• Outfield Configurations: Max Williams anchors center field, surrounded by newcomers like Gage Harrelson and Chase Williams. This group’s flexibility allows for defensive adjustments and power-hitting lineups.

📅 Upcoming

FSU will scrimmage three times this weekend, offering critical opportunities for players to secure roles. The team’s first game is set for mid-February, as they aim to build on last year’s College World Series appearance.

👉 Read more here

📅 ACC Football Schedule Announcement Details Revealed 📅

The Atlantic Coast Conference is gearing up to unveil its highly anticipated 2025 football schedule. Key dates and announcements include:

🗓️ Schedule Reveal Timeline

• Full Schedule Release: Monday, January 27th (9–11 p.m.) on ACC Network, with the first hour simulcast on ESPN2.

• Week 0 & Week 1 Games: Announced Thursday, January 23rd at 4 p.m. on ACC PM (ACC Network).

• ACC Openers: Revealed Friday, January 24th at 4 p.m. on ACC PM.

🌟 FSU’s Key Games Already Set

• Season Opener: Saturday, August 30th vs. Alabama at the newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium.

• Early Matchups: Hosting East Texas A&M (Week 2) and Kent State (Week 4).

• Season Finale: At Florida, Saturday, November 29th.

🏟️ Home and Away Breakdown

• Home Games: Miami, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest.

• Away Games: Clemson, NC State, Stanford, Virginia.

👉 Stay tuned for updates as the ACC reveals more about the 2025 schedule!

🏈 FSU Eyes Tennessee Commit Carson Sneed as Top Tight End Target 🏈

Florida State is working to make way in the recruitment of four-star tight end Carson Sneed, who has been committed to Tennessee since August 2024 but remains open to exploring his options.

🌟 Sneed’s Recruitment Journey

• Committed but Open: Despite his pledge to the Volunteers, Sneed plans to visit other programs this spring to reaffirm his decision.

• Recent Visits: Sneed recently visited Miami during a 7-on-7 tournament and has expressed interest in checking out Florida State, Penn State, Alabama, and Ole Miss in the future.

• FSU’s Approach: Florida State became Sneed’s 38th offer on January 4, with tight ends assistant coach Preston Brady leading the charge. Brady, a Tennessee native, has maintained regular contact with Sneed since his time at Memphis under Mike Norvell.

🔎 Scouting Report

Sneed is a 6-foot-5.5, 235-pound prospect who excels as a traditional in-line tight end. His strengths include:

• Blocking: Effective as an attached blocker with room to grow through improved technique and physical development.

• Pass-Catching: Recent film highlights his ability to move well in space, showcasing potential as a pass-catching threat in two and three tight-end sets.

• Versatility: With experience at offensive tackle and defensive roles, Sneed fits the mold of a multi-dimensional asset in the red zone and as a "sniffer" tight end.

🔑 FSU’s Path Forward

• Securing a Visit: Landing Sneed for a spring visit will be pivotal in solidifying Florida State’s position in his recruitment.

• Potential Fit: Sneed’s size, athleticism, and blocking skills make him an ideal fit for FSU’s offense, which emphasizes tight-end versatility.

Next Steps

With official visits on the horizon, Florida State aims to establish itself as a top contender for the No. 17 tight end prospect in the nation.

👉 Stay tuned as the Seminoles ramp up their pursuit of this promising recruit.

🏈 Four-Star LB Duyon ‘DQ’ Forkpa Jr. Set for Fourth Visit to FSU 🏈

Florida State is preparing to welcome four-star linebacker Duyon "DQ" Forkpa Jr. for his fourth visit to Tallahassee on February 1. The talented prospect has been a consistent presence in FSU’s recruiting landscape, with this upcoming trip marking his latest step in building a strong relationship with the Seminoles.

🌟 Forkpa’s Recruitment Journey

• Frequent Visitor: Forkpa has visited FSU three times in the past eight months, including stops for rivalry games against Clemson and Florida last season.

• FSU Offer: The Seminoles extended an offer to Forkpa in June 2024 after an impressive camp performance in Tallahassee.

• Upcoming Visits: Before heading to Florida State, Forkpa plans to visit Georgia Tech this weekend.

🔑 Key Details

• Rankings: Forkpa is rated as the No. 324 overall prospect and the No. 26 linebacker in the 2026 class by the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

• High School Transition: After playing at Mill Creek in Hoschton, Ga., last season, Forkpa will spend his senior year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., a hotbed for elite talent.

👉 Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

From the greens of San Diego to the recruiting trail, Florida State continues to make headlines across sports. As the countdown to baseball season ticks on and football’s 2025 schedule takes shape, there’s no shortage of excitement in Tallahassee. Stick with us for every play, every stat, and every big moment.