Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

From buzzer-beaters on the hardwood to a flurry of quarterback offers on the recruiting trail, this week has been a wild one for Florida State athletics. Here’s what’s happening Tallahassee:

🏀 Latson Leads the Way: Ta’Niya Latson delivered a buzzer-beater to lift FSU Women’s Basketball over No. 13 UNC, 86-84, for their first ranked win of the season.

💪 Big Addition for the 2025 Class: Georgia OL Chastan Brown committed to Florida State, citing strong relationships with Gus Malzahn and Herb Hand.

⛳ Clanton Makes Waves: Junior Luke Clanton impressed at the Farmers Insurance Open, finishing tied for 15th and moving closer to a PGA Tour card.

🚨 QB Shuffle Begins: After Brady Smigiel’s decommitment, FSU moved quickly to offer Bowe Bentley, a four-star dual-threat QB from Texas.

🚀 FSU Targets Landon Duckworth: Four-star QB Landon Duckworth reconnected with Gus Malzahn as the Seminoles offered the elite 2026 prospect.

⭐ Henderson Gets the Call: Florida State extended an offer to four-star QB Keisean Henderson, adding to their pursuit of top quarterback talent in the 2026 class.

🏊‍♂️ FSU Hosts Miami: The Seminoles face their in-state rival in swimming and diving today at 2 p.m. in their final home meet of the season.

🏀 Latson’s Heroics Propel FSU to Thrilling Win Over No. 13 UNC

In a dramatic finish, Ta’Niya Latson delivered a game-winning drive at the buzzer to lift the No. 15 Florida State women’s basketball team (16-4, 6-2 ACC) to an 86-84 victory over No. 13 North Carolina (18-4, 6-3 ACC) on Sunday at Carmichael Arena. The win marked the Seminoles’ first ranked victory of the season.

🌟 Game Highlights:

• Ta’Niya Latson: Led FSU with 25 points and 7 assists, including the game-winning shot as time expired.

• Sydney Bowles: Tied her career high with six made threes, finishing with 18 points. Her clutch triple with 7.2 seconds left gave FSU an 84-82 lead.

• Makayla Timpson: Posted 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks, anchoring the Noles in the paint.

• Malea Williams: Grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds and added 9 points.

🔥 Key Moments:

• FSU opened with a 7-0 run, setting the tone early.

• The Seminoles went 7-of-13 from three in the first half, trailing 44-43 at the break.

• After UNC pulled ahead in the third quarter, FSU responded with an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead heading into the fourth.

• The game featured 20 lead changes, with Latson’s buzzer-beater sealing the victory in dramatic fashion.

🗓️ Up Next:
Florida State stays on the road to face Boston College on Thursday.

👉 Read more about FSU’s thrilling win here

💪 FSU Lands Key Commitment from OL Chastan Brown

Florida State bolstered its 2025 recruiting class with the commitment of Georgia three-star offensive lineman Chastan Brown, who made the announcement during his official visit to Tallahassee on Sunday.

🌟 Why Brown Chose FSU:

• Connection with Coaches: Brown cited his strong relationship with offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and offensive line coach Herb Hand as pivotal.

  • “Me and Coach Malzahn have a really great bond. … I trust him with everything,” Brown said.

• Familiarity with Teammates: Brown already had a connection with FSU RB commit Ousmane Kromah, saying, “This is the Rebuild Class. … I already told him I’m coming to FSU.”

• Academic Fit: FSU’s academics and developmental plans checked all the boxes for Brown.

🌟 What Brown Brings to the Noles:
At 6-foot-7, 270 pounds, Brown is an imposing presence who adds much-needed depth and versatility to the Seminoles’ offensive line. His commitment is another example of Malzahn and Hand’s success in recruiting top talent.

Brown’s Words on the Future:

“Coach Hand is going to develop me really well and have me ready. … This is the Rebuild Class in 2025. We are fixing to get this thing rolling.”

With Brown on board, Florida State’s 2025 recruiting class continues to its impressive comback.

👉 Read more about Brown’s commitment here

⛳ Clanton Shines at Farmers Insurance Open

Florida State junior Luke Clanton delivered a standout performance at the Farmers Insurance Open, finishing tied for 15th place at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Clanton, one of only two amateurs to make the cut—an achievement not seen in 55 years at the tournament—continues to impress on the PGA stage.

🌟 Clanton’s Highlights:

• Opened with rounds of 70 and 72, sitting at 2-under par heading into the weekend.

• Closed out the tournament with rounds of 72 and 73, securing a T-15 finish despite windy conditions.

• Earned his 18th PGA Tour University Accelerated point, leaving him just two points shy of securing a PGA Tour card.

Former Seminoles on the Leaderboard:

• Vincent Norrman: Tied for 40th at 2-over par.

• John Pak: Finished 56th at 6-over par.

• Cristobal Del Solar: Tied for 66th at 8-over par.

Clanton’s impressive finish highlights the continued success of Seminoles in professional golf.

👉 Check out more about Clanton’s performance here

🚨 4-Star QB Brady Smigiel Decommits from FSU

Florida State’s 2026 recruiting class took a hit as Brady Smigiel, one of the top quarterbacks in the cycle, announced his decommitment from the program.

The 6’5”, 205-pound signal-caller from Newbury Park, Calif., had been pledged to the Seminoles since June but cited a change in direction as he reopens his recruitment.

🌟 What Led to the Decommitment:

• Staff Changes: FSU’s hiring of Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator introduced a more run-focused system that prioritizes mobile quarterbacks, which may not align with Smigiel’s strengths as a pocket passer.

• Exploring Options: Smigiel’s decision does not appear to leave the door open for a return to FSU, as he looks for a new fit.

Smigiel’s Stats at a Glance:

• 98 passing touchdowns over the past two seasons.

• Known for his size, arm strength, and ability to command the offense as a traditional drop-back passer.

FSU Moves Forward:
Shortly after Smigiel’s decommitment, the Seminoles extended an offer to Bowe Bentley, a composite four-star quarterback from Texas. Bentley is known for his dual-threat capabilities, making him a better fit for Malzahn’s offensive style.

While FSU has weathered decommitments at quarterback in six of the past seven recruiting classes, the program remains focused on finding the right fit under its new offensive scheme.

👉 Learn more about the impact of Smigiel’s decision here

🔥 FSU Quickly Targets 4-Star QB Bowe Bentley After Smigiel Decommitment

Florida State wasted no time filling the gap left by Brady Smigiel’s decommitment, offering 4-star quarterback Bowe Bentley (Celina, Texas) on Sunday. Head coach Mike Norvell personally extended the offer during a FaceTime call, positioning Bentley as a top target for the Seminoles’ 2026 recruiting class.

🌟 Why Bentley Fits FSU’s System:

• Dual-Threat Ability: Bentley is coming off a phenomenal junior season, throwing for 3,211 yards and 47 touchdowns while rushing for 923 yards and 16 scores. His versatility aligns perfectly with Gus Malzahn’s offensive philosophy, which thrives on mobile quarterbacks.

• Leadership on the Field: The 6’2”, 200-pound quarterback led his team to a state title and is known for his ability to handle pressure, work through reads, and challenge tight coverage.

What Bentley Said About the Offer:

• On the moment he received the offer: “Coach Tokarz texted me and let me know Brady was parting ways, and then Coach Norvell was reaching out. … It all happened pretty quick.”

• On visiting FSU: “Oh, for sure. I’m definitely going to try and get there for a spring practice.”

• On QBs coach Tony Tokarz: “He’s a great dude. … Talking to Coach Malzahn and Coach Norvell, they only had great things to say about him.”

🌟 Bentley’s Accolades:

• Ranked as the No. 181 overall player and No. 11 QB in the 2026 class (247Sports).

• Shined at the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl, impressing with his poise and ability to navigate pressure during practice sessions.

🔜 What’s Next:
Bentley plans to narrow down his options after the dead period and is eyeing a visit to Tallahassee during spring practices. Competing programs like Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Georgia Tech are also heavily pursuing the talented signal-caller.

👉 Learn more about Bentley’s recruitment here

🚀 FSU Extends Offer to 4-Star QB Landon Duckworth

Florida State wasted no time addressing the quarterback vacancy in its 2026 recruiting class, offering 4-star quarterback Landon Duckworth (Jackson, Ala.) shortly after Brady Smigiel’s decommitment. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who developed a strong relationship with Duckworth during his time at UCF, reached out to re-establish FSU’s interest.

🌟 Why Duckworth Stands Out:

• Elite Dual-Threat Ability: Duckworth is coming off an impressive junior season, passing for 3,439 yards and 39 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 648 yards and 12 scores.

• Top100 Talent: Ranked as the No. 66 overall prospect and No. 5 quarterback nationally in the 2026 class (247Sports).

Duckworth on Malzahn and the FSU Offer:

• On his bond with Malzahn: “Me and Coach Gus, we were real close at UCF, but he left and went to Florida State.”

• On receiving the offer: “He called me and offered me like 20 minutes ago. … He said, ‘We’re going to full-court press you.’”

• On his plans: “It means a lot for any school to offer me, and I definitely plan to visit Florida State.”

🔜 What’s Next for Duckworth?

• Visits: Duckworth intends to visit FSU but hasn’t set a date yet. He’s also planning spring visits to Ole Miss, Georgia, and South Carolina.

• Timeline: Aiming to make his college decision this summer after taking official visits in June.

With his strong junior campaign and Malzahn’s direct involvement, Duckworth becomes a key target as FSU looks to land an elite quarterback for the 2026 class.

👉 Learn more about Duckworth’s recruitment here

⭐️ FSU Extends Offer to 4-Star QB Keisean Henderson

Florida State continues its pursuit of top quarterback talent in the 2026 class, offering 4-star QB Keisean Henderson from Spring, Texas, just hours after Brady Smigiel’s decommitment. Henderson, who is currently committed to Houston, is ranked as the No. 15 overall prospect, No. 1 athlete, and the top player in Texas (247Sports).

🌟 Why Henderson Stands Out:

• Elite Talent: MVP of the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl after a standout performance.

• Versatility: A dual-threat quarterback with a polished skill set, standing at 6’3” and 185 pounds.

• Recruiting Profile: Holds offers from over three dozen schools, including recent interest from other Power 5 programs.

Henderson on FSU’s Interest:

• On the Offer: "Coach Malzahn and Coach Tokarz both reached out, and then Coach Norvell called to officially offer. They said I fit their scheme and style, and Coach Norvell wants to get to know me beyond football."

• On Gus Malzahn’s Track Record: "He produces great quarterbacks, like Cam Newton and Bo Nix. That’s someone I look up to, and hearing it directly from him was pretty cool."

• On FSU’s QB Coaching Duo: "Coach Malzahn is a mastermind, and Coach Tokarz is very detailed and down-to-earth. The way they spoke about me was great."

🔜 What’s Next for Henderson?

• Potential Visit to FSU: Henderson is discussing with his family whether to visit Tallahassee in the near future.

• Current Commitment Status: Houston remains strong in Henderson’s recruitment, with no immediate plans to flip. However, several schools are pushing for visits in the coming weeks.

• Timeline: He’ll return to Houston on February 1 and continue evaluating options.

FSU’s quarterback pursuit is heating up, and Henderson’s dynamic skill set would fit perfectly in Gus Malzahn’s offense. The Seminoles’ ability to secure a visit could be pivotal in flipping this blue-chip recruit.

👉 Read more about Henderson’s recruitment here

🏊‍♂️ FSU Hosts Miami in Final Home Meet of the Season

The No. 21/25 Florida State swimming and diving team will face in-state rival Miami on Today at 2 p.m. ET at the Morcom Aquatic Center. This ACC showdown marks the final home meet of the season for the Seminoles’ women’s team and men’s divers.

🌟 Key Matchup Notes:

• Free Admission: Fans can attend for free and follow live results on Meet Mobile or via FSU’s YouTube page.

• Unbeaten at Home: The Seminoles are undefeated in 2025, with recent wins over Villanova and Tampa.

• Strong Rankings: FSU’s men’s team is ranked No. 21, while the women’s squad holds the No. 25 spot in the latest CSCAA Coaches Poll.

• Miami’s Record: The Hurricanes are 7-1 in dual meets, with their lone loss coming at Yale in November.

🗣️ Coach Neal Studd:
“We are excited to host a very good Miami team. It’s going to be a really stiff test, and we’ll have to be perfect to win.”

Last Time Out:
FSU dominated Tampa on Senior Day, winning 23 of 28 events. The Seminoles also swept Miami the last two seasons, with the series returning to Tallahassee for the first time since 2019-20.

🗓️ What’s Next:
Florida State concludes the regular season on Friday, January 31, against Florida in Ocala, Fla., at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training.

👉 Check out more about FSU’s matchup with Miami here

And that’s a wrap!

That’s a wrap for this week’s Chief Brief! From buzzer-beating basketball wins to major recruiting updates, the Seminoles are making moves across the board. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as FSU keeps building momentum.

🌟 Don’t forget:

• Catch FSU Women’s Basketball at Boston College on Thursday.

• Follow the Noles as they close out their swimming and diving regular season against Florida on Friday.

• Keep up with the latest recruiting updates—this quarterback race is just heating up!

Until next time, Go Noles! 🍢 🏹