Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy hump day, Seminole!

The momentum in Tallahassee is real. FSU women’s basketball is back in the Top 25, Latson keeps stacking accolades, and the baseball team is gearing up for a deep postseason run. Meanwhile, Thomas Castellanos is already making his mark as FSU’s new QB1, and the Seminoles continue to make waves on the recruiting trail with a massive OT commitment and key visits lined up.

🏀 FSU Women’s Hoops Back in the Polls, Latson Honored Again

Ta’Niya Latson earns Ann Meyers Drysdale Player of the Week recognition.

Noles climb to No. 25 in the AP Poll, No. 24 in the Coaches Poll.

🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball Looks to Rebound vs. Virginia Tech

The Noles look to snap a two-game skid at home tonight.

⚾ FSU Baseball’s Preseason Scrimmages Showcase Pitching Depth

Wes Mendes, Joe Charles & Brady Louck shine on the mound.

Cam Leiter remains sidelined, but depth is a strength.

🏈 Thomas Castellanos Steps Into Leadership Role at FSU

The new QB1 is already making an impact on and off the field.

🏈 FSU Continues to Push for 4-Star DB Brody Jennings

The Michigan commit is set for an unofficial visit this weekend.

🏈 4-Star ATH Jyron Hughley Locks in FSU Official Visit

The versatile athlete will be in Tallahassee June 6-8.

🏈 FSU Lands 4-Star OT Chastan Brown

The 6’7” tackle brings elite length and big-time potential.

🏀 Latson Earns National Recognition, FSU Women’s Basketball Returns to Top 25

Florida State junior Ta’Niya Latson continues to rack up accolades, earning Ann Meyers Drysdale Player of the Week honors from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association on Tuesday. This marks the third time this season Latson has been named to the weekly list, further cementing her status as one of the nation's elite players.

🌟 Latson’s Latest Honors:

• Named ACC Player of the Week for the second consecutive week (fifth overall).

• Earned an honorable mention for Associated Press Player of the Week.

• Recognized alongside players from UCLA, Drexel, Bucknell, and Murray State in this week’s Ann Meyers Drysdale selections.

🔥 Latson’s Impact vs. No. 13 UNC:

• Game-Winning Shot: With 3.2 seconds left, Latson drove to the basket for a buzzer-beating layup, securing FSU’s first ranked win of the season (86-84).

• Stat Line: Led FSU with 25 points and 7 assists, scoring 17 in the second half.

• Historic Moment: The game-winner marked FSU’s first walk-off victory since 2007.

📈 FSU Back in the Rankings
Following their road upset over North Carolina, the Seminoles have returned to the national rankings:

• No. 25 in the AP Poll

• No. 24 in the USA Today/UBCA Coaches Poll

This is FSU’s second stint in the AP Top 25 this season after initially debuting at No. 19 in October.

🗓️ What’s Next:
Florida State looks to keep the momentum rolling as they continue their road trip, facing Boston College on Thursday at 6 p.m.

👉 Read more about Latson’s accolades and FSU’s return to the rankings here.

🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball Looks to Bounce Back vs. Virginia Tech

Florida State men’s basketball returns to The Tuck on Wednesday night, looking to snap a two-game losing streak as they host Virginia Tech at 7 p.m. on ACC Network.

🌟 Game Preview:

• FSU Record: 13-7 (4-5 ACC)

• Virginia Tech Record: 8-12 (3-6 ACC)

• Series History: FSU leads 38-25 and won both matchups last season.

• Last Meeting: FSU won March 13, 2024, behind 34 points from Jamir Watkins.

🔥 Players to Watch:

• FSU:

  • Jamir Watkins (F, 18.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG) – Has scored double figures in 17 straight games.

  • Malique Ewin (C, 14.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG) – One of only four ACC players top-20 in both scoring & rebounding.

  • Chandler Jackson (G, 7.6 PPG, 2.2 APG) – Expected to return after missing two games.

• Virginia Tech:

  • Tobi Lawal (F, 15.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG) – Shooting 60% from the field this season.

  • Jaden Schutt (G, 7.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG) – Leads VT with 40 made threes.

🗓️ What’s Next:
FSU hits the road to face Boston College on Saturday at 2 p.m.

👉 Check out more on FSU’s matchup with Virginia Tech here.

⚾ FSU Baseball Wraps Up First Weekend of Scrimmages, Faces Key Roster Questions

Florida State baseball completed its opening weekend of preseason scrimmages, showcasing its deep pitching staff while head coach Link Jarrett addressed key roster developments ahead of the 2025 season.

🔥 Pitching Standouts:

• Wes Mendes (LHP, So.) – Electric fastball (92-95 mph) with 20+ mph separation on changeup. One of FSU’s most dynamic arms.

• Joe Charles (RHP, R-Sr.) – Struck out four in three innings, flashing elite fastball command (94-95 mph) and a sharp curveball.

• Brady Louck (LHP, So.) – Seven whiffs with his fastball, sitting 90-93 mph. A name to watch in the rotation battle.

• Ben Barrett (RHP, Jr.) – Touched 97 mph multiple times with a power sinker, but needs to refine command.

🚨 Key Roster Updates:

• Cam Leiter (RHP, Jr.) remains sidelined indefinitely due to injury, a tough loss for FSU’s pitching depth.

• Despite Leiter’s absence, Jarrett is confident in his deep pitching staff, which includes eight or nine potential starters competing for rotation spots.

• Top rotation candidates include Jamie Arnold, Mendes, Louck, Hudson Rowan, John Abraham, and Evan Chrest.

⚡ Offensive & Defensive Outlook:

• Power Outage? FSU lost 90 home runs and 331 RBIs from last season, but Max Williams, Alex Lodise, and Jaxson West lead a new-look lineup.

• Speed & Athleticism Boost: The Seminoles’ outfield defense has dramatically improved, with Texas Tech transfer Gage Harrelson, JUCO standout Chase Williams, and two-sport athlete BJ Gibson competing for playing time.

📅 What’s Next:
The Seminoles continue preseason prep before Opening Day on February 16 as they look to make another deep postseason run.

👉 Check out more on FSU Baseball’s preseason progress here and here

🔥 Thomas Castellanos Embraces Leadership Role as FSU’s New QB1

Florida State’s quarterback room has a new leader, and he’s wasted no time making an impact. Thomas Castellanos, the former Boston College starter and dynamic dual-threat playmaker, has reunited with Gus Malzahn at FSU, bringing much-needed confidence, mobility, and leadership to an offense in need of an identity.

💬 Castellanos on His Leadership Mentality:
“A couple things I’ve seen from the locker room, I feel like they were missing leadership. … Since I’ve been here, we’ve been meshing really well. They’ve accepted me and let me be a part of their family.”

🔍 Why Castellanos is a Game-Changer for FSU:

• Proven Playmaker: Over the last two seasons, he’s totaled 3,614 passing yards, 33 TDs, 1,307 rushing yards, and 14 rushing TDs.

• Confidence & Swagger: Unlike last year’s quarterback rotation, Castellanos exudes belief and has already helped recruit top transfers like Squirrel White and Duce Robinson.

• Dual-Threat Evolution: His 2023 season showcased elite rushing ability (1,113 yards, 5.2 YPC), while his 2024 season proved his growth as a passer (163.4 QB rating).

🏆 Building Chemistry Off the Field:
Beyond practice, Castellanos has taken an active role in bonding with teammates—recruiting transfers, organizing hangouts, and even helping new arrivals move in.

💡 What’s Next:
With spring ball on the horizon, Castellanos will have his first chance to cement himself as QB1 in FSU’s new-look offense under Malzahn.

👉 Check out more on Castellanos’ impact here.

🌟 4-Star DB Brody Jennings Keeping FSU in the Mix

Florida State isn’t giving up on four-star Michigan commit Brody Jennings, and the Seminoles may be making progress. Jennings, a legacy recruit whose father, Bradley Jennings, played linebacker at FSU, remains "100 percent locked in" with the Wolverines—but that hasn’t stopped him from exploring other options.

💬 Jennings on His Recent Talk with Mike Norvell:
"It was great. He told me to pick a school that’s right for me—not just because of my dad. He was being 1,000 percent real with me, and I like that."

🔍 Why FSU Could Be a Factor:

• Building Relationships: Jennings has connected well with FSU cornerbacks coach Patrick Surtain Sr., who has developed top NFL talent.

• Unofficial Visit Incoming: Jennings is set to visit Tallahassee this Saturday to meet with Norvell and continue developing his ties to the program.

• Official Visit Plans: While Michigan, Florida, and Illinois are on his schedule, Jennings says he “definitely” wants to set up an FSU official visit.

📈 Recruiting Outlook:
Jennings, ranked No. 314 nationally and the No. 23 cornerback in the 2026 class, is a Jacksonville native with strong family ties to FSU. As the Seminoles shape their DB board, he could emerge as a top priority target.

👉 Check out more on Jennings’ recruitment here.

🔥 4-Star ATH Jyron Hughley Locks in FSU Official Visit

Florida State remains firmly in the mix for four-star athlete Jyron Hughley, who has set his official visit to Tallahassee for June 6-8. Hughley, a dynamic two-way player from Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach, Fla.), has maintained a strong relationship with FSU’s staff since receiving an offer in early 2022.

💬 Hughley on Mike Norvell’s Visit to His School:
"It was good. Had a good time talking to him."

🔍 What Makes Hughley a Coveted Recruit?

• Versatile Playmaker: Played WR and DB as a sophomore before taking over as starting QB last season.

• Impressive Dual-Threat Ability: Passed for 1,353 yards & 15 TDs, rushed for 835 yards & 10 scores in 2024.

• Elite Speed: Track athlete with a 51.97-second 400m time and 11.48-second 100m dash.

🌟 FSU’s Recruiting Angle:
The Seminoles see Hughley as a potential quarterback at the next level, adding intrigue to their pursuit. FSU has a strong recruiting presence at Cardinal Newman, where Hughley was teammates with FSU DB Ricky Knight III.

📈 Recruiting Outlook:
Hughley, ranked No. 345 nationally and the No. 22 athlete in the 2026 class, remains a top priority for FSU. His official visit in June will be crucial as the Seminoles battle other programs for his commitment.

👉 Check out more on Hughley’s recruitment here.

🏈 FSU Lands 4-Star OT Chastan Brown, a High-Upside Prospect

Florida State added a key piece to its 2025 class, securing a commitment from four-star offensive tackle Chastan Brown (Northside HS, Warner Robins, Ga.). At 6-foot-7 with a massive 37.5-inch wingspan, Brown possesses elite length and raw athleticism, making him an intriguing long-term project for the Seminoles’ offensive line.

🌟 What Brown Brings to FSU:

• Elite Wingspan: Brown’s 37.5-inch arms exceed the NFL Combine record, allowing him to shield defenders effectively.

• Multi-Sport Athlete: A standout basketball player, averaging 10.1 PPG and 8.3 RPG, showcasing impressive footwork and coordination.

• Explosive in Space: Moves exceptionally well for his size, excelling in screen plays and second-level blocking.

• Competitive Edge: Plays with physicality and intensity, showing a willingness to battle in the trenches.

🔍 Development Needs:

• Weight Gain: Currently at 252 pounds, Brown needs to add 60+ pounds to handle college-level physicality.

• Technical Refinement: Footwork and hand placement need improvement, as he relies too much on arm length to recover in pass protection.

📈 Recruiting & Fit:
FSU offensive line coach Herb Hand values long, athletic tackles, and Brown fits that mold perfectly. While he’s a raw prospect, his upside in FSU’s system is undeniable. With proper development, he could become a dominant force in the trenches.

👉 Check out more on Brown’s commitment here.

And that’s a wrap!

From big wins on the court to key commitments on the recruiting trail, the energy in Tallahassee is undeniable. With Thomas Castellanos stepping into his leadership role, FSU baseball fine-tuning its roster, and basketball heating up, there’s plenty to keep an eye on.

Hit reply with your thoughts, and as always—Go Noles! 🍢🔴⚡