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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF, Seminole! Today is the opening of the one and only portal period. With positions coaches signing on the dotted line and retaining some of our own studs, we’ve got a loaded edition for you.

🏀📉 FSU Women Fall at Syracuse 📉🏀
A late rally showed real fight, but early deficits proved too much as the Seminoles dropped another ACC road test in the Dome.

🧠🏈 FSU Finalizes Its New Front Office Model 🏈🧠
John Garrett officially steps in as GM, signaling a full NFL-style shift in how FSU builds, evaluates, and retains its roster.

📊🏈 Taylor Edwards Joins Player Personnel Leadership 🏈📊
A major addition with SEC and CFP experience as FSU continues stacking infrastructure behind the scenes.

🔥🏈 Duce Robinson Locks In for 2026 🏈🔥
FSU’s most explosive offensive weapon returns, stabilizing the passing game and raising the ceiling heading into next season.

🧠🏈 Ernie Sims Set to Take Over Linebackers Room 🏈🧠
A Seminole legend steps into a key coaching role during a critical defensive reset.

🔒🏈 Landen Thomas Reverses Course, Returns to FSU 🏈🔒
A huge retention win that prevents a total reset at tight end and lowers portal urgency at the position.

🦶🏈 FSU Punter Mac Chiumento Enters the Portal 🏈🦶
A quiet but meaningful departure after an efficient, low-volume season on special teams.

🧭🏈 Portal Primer: How FSU Is Positioned as the Window Opens 🏈🧭
With no spring window and a two-week January sprint, we break down the key targets, visit timelines, and pressure points that will define this cycle.

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🏀📉 FSU Women Fall at Syracuse Despite Late Push 📉🏀

Florida State showed fight late but couldn’t erase an early deficit, falling 82–72 at Syracuse on Thursday night.

🔥 Standout Performances

• Sole Williams led all Seminoles with 21 points, two shy of her career high

• Emma Risch added 15 points on 4-of-? from three, spacing the floor all night

• Allie Kubek chipped in 12 points, including a clutch late three

• Jasmine Shavers fueled the defense with 5 steals, tying her career high, plus 10 points

🧠 What Made the Difference

• Syracuse built separation early and controlled the game for most of three quarters

• FSU forced 20 turnovers (16 steals) and cut the deficit to two points late, but couldn’t get over the hump

• The Orange closed it out at the free-throw line in the final minute

⏭️ What’s Next

• FSU drops to 5–10 (0–3 ACC)

• The Seminoles return home to host Virginia on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 2:00 p.m. (ACC Network)

👉 Full recap, stats, and play-by-play breakdown at the source

🏈🧠 FSU Formalizes Front Office Model with John Garrett as GM 🧠🏈

Florida State has officially put structure behind its offseason overhaul.

🔥 The Hire

• John Garrett has been named General Manager of Player Personnel

• Will work alongside Mike Norvell to lead roster construction under a new front-office model

📋 What Garrett Controls
Per FSU, the GM role will oversee:

• High school recruiting strategy

• Transfer portal acquisition and retention

• Scholarship allocation

• Long-term roster and personnel planning

This formalizes a clear split between football operations and on-field coaching.

🎯 What Still Belongs to Norvell

• Player development

• Game preparation

• Culture

• On-field performance

FSU emphasized that Norvell retains ultimate authority, including final say if football ops and the coaching staff disagree on a personnel decision.

🧠 Why This Matters

• NIL, recruiting analytics, and player evaluation are now centralized into one framework

• Designed to improve efficiency, alignment, and compliance in the modern portal/NIL era

• Signals FSU is moving toward an NFL-style roster management model, not just reacting year-to-year

👉 Full details on the GM role, organizational structure, and how decision-making will work at the source

🏈📊 FSU Adds Taylor Edwards to Player Personnel Leadership 📊🏈

Florida State continues building out its new front-office structure with another key hire.

🔥 The Move

• Taylor Edwards has been hired as Director of Football & Player Acquisition

• Will work closely with GM John Garrett and Mike Norvell in a leadership role

• Central focus: player evaluation, recruiting, portal acquisition, and retention

🧠 Why This Matters

• Edwards is a 13-year personnel veteran with deep SEC and regional experience

• Most recently served at Miami, helping assemble a CFP semifinal roster

• Previously led personnel/recruiting efforts at South Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, and Alabama

📈 Track Record That Stands Out

• South Carolina (2021–24):

  • 29 wins, three bowl trips

  • 2024 team won nine games with four ranked wins

  • Multiple All-Americans and record-setting freshman honors

• Maryland: Helped land a Top-20 recruiting class

• Arkansas: Part of a Top-25 recruiting haul

👉 Full details on Edwards’ role, background, and how he fits into FSU’s evolving front office at the source

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🏈🔥 Duce Robinson Returning for Senior Season at FSU 🔥🏈

Florida State just locked in one of the most important pieces of its 2026 offense.

🔥 The News

• Duce Robinson announced he will return to Florida State for his senior season

• Forgoes the 2026 NFL Draft after a dominant first year in Tallahassee

📊 A Historic 2025 Season
Robinson didn’t just produce — he rewrote expectations:

• First-team All-ACC (most votes of any player)

• Biletnikoff Award semifinalist

• 56 catches, 1,081 yards, 6 TDs

• FSU’s first 1,000-yard receiver since 2019

• 14th 1,000-yard season in program history

📈 Elite Efficiency & Explosiveness

• 19.3 yards per catch (2nd in ACC)

• Ranked 9th nationally in receiving yards

• Five 120-yard games — most among P4 receivers

• ACC leader in:

  • 20+ yard catches (17)

  • 30+ yard catches (12)

  • 40+ yard catches (6)

💥 Signature Performances

• vs. East Texas A&M:

  • 5 catches, 173 yards, 2 TDs

  • 82-yard TD (FSU’s longest play of 2025)

  • 160 yards in one quarter — most nationally in 2025

• Big games vs. Clemson, Virginia, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech

• Averaged 102.8 yards per game in ACC play — best in the conference

🧠 Why This Changes Everything
FSU isn’t just getting a proven WR1 back, it’s retaining the most explosive receiver in the ACC at a time when offensive continuity matters most. Robinson’s return stabilizes the passing game, raises the ceiling of the offense, and gives the Seminoles a legitimate conference-defining weapon heading into 2026.

👉 Full stats, weekly honors, and what Robinson’s return means for FSU’s offense at the source

🏈🧠 Ernie Sims Expected to Take Over as FSU Linebackers Coach 🧠🏈

Florida State is set to keep things in-house at linebacker — and lean into Seminole DNA.

🔥 The Move

• Ernie Sims is expected to be promoted to primary linebackers coach, replacing John Papuchis

• Promotion has been confirmed by multiple sources

• Sims joined FSU in April 2024 and has quickly risen through the staff

🧭 Coaching Path to This Moment

• 2024: Defensive analyst at FSU

• 2025: Assistant linebackers coach

• Prior stops:

  • UCF (2023) — coached Jason Johnson to First-Team All-Big 12 (114 tackles)

  • USF (2020–22) — linebackers coach, later interim DC

  • FAU (2018–19) — strength & conditioning, then football operations

🧠 Why This Makes Sense

• Proven LB development background

• Familiar with Tony White’s defensive structure

• Already embedded in the program during a major defensive reset

• Maintains continuity during portal season

🌟 Seminole Legend Credentials

• Tallahassee native (North Florida Christian)

• No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2003

• FSU career:

  • 27 wins, 2 ACC titles

  • First-Team All-American (2004)

  • 200 tackles, 21 TFL, 7 sacks

• No. 9 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft

• Eight-year NFL career (Lions, Eagles, Colts, Cowboys)

  • 623 tackles, multiple impact seasons

• Returned to FSU to earn his degree in 2018

👉 Full background, coaching résumé, and what this promotion means for FSU’s linebacker room at the source

🏈🔒 TE Landen Thomas Reverses Course, Will Return to FSU 🔒🏈

Florida State just avoided a complete reset at tight end.

🔥 The News

• Landen Thomas is now expected to return to Florida State for the 2026 season after previously announcing plans to enter the Transfer Portal

• Source confirmed to Noles247

🧠 Why This Is Big

• FSU was on track to lose all of its 2025 tight end production

• Thomas’ return stabilizes a position that had quietly become a portal must-fix

• Keeps a former blue-chip talent in-house during a critical roster rebuild

📊 Thomas at FSU
2025 Season

• Played in all 12 games

• 3 catches, 35 yards, 2 touchdowns

  • 2-yard TD vs. Kent State

  • 25-yard TD vs. Pitt

2024 (True Freshman)

• Played in all 12 games, started final seven

• 14 catches, 173 yards, 1 TD

• Added a 2-point conversion vs. Florida

• First career catch: 20-yard TD at SMU

🧬 Development Context

• 6’4”, 234 lbs

• Former Top247 prospect

• Flipped to FSU from Georgia in the 2024 class

• Will have three years to play two

🔍 Big Picture
This doesn’t eliminate the need for portal help at tight end — but it dramatically lowers the urgency. Instead of starting from zero, FSU now has a known, developed piece to build around while supplementing the room strategically.

👉 Full context on Thomas’ decision and what it means for FSU’s tight end outlook at the source

🏈🦶 FSU Punter Mac Chiumento Enters Transfer Portal 🦶🏈

Florida State is losing its starting punter after a standout, low-volume season.

📌 The Basics

• Mac Chiumento, redshirt junior punter, is entering the NCAA Transfer Portal

• One year of eligibility remaining

• Graduated from FSU in spring 2025 (Economics)

📊 2025 Snapshot

• Starting punter and FSU Special Teams MVP

• 27 punts total (fewest in program history)

• 44.0 yards per punt

• 13 punts inside the 20

• 6 punts of 50+ yards

• Just 1 touchback

• Also handled holding duties

🧠 Context That Matters

• FSU punted only 28 times all season — and did not punt in three games, the most by any team nationally over the past 20 years

• Chiumento was efficient, reliable, and largely untested due to offensive production

• His departure creates a quiet but real offseason need at a specialist position

👉 Full details on Chiumento’s decision and what it means for FSU’s special teams outlook at the source

🏈🧭 Portal Primer: How FSU Is Positioned as the Window Opens 🧭🏈

With the transfer portal officially opening January 2–16, Florida State is set up to be one of the most active programs in the country and the early board is already taking shape.

This cycle is different by design. With the spring portal window eliminated, this is the offseason window. Add in a newly installed front-office structure and a clear sense of roster urgency, and FSU’s approach is aggressive, targeted, and time-sensitive.

🔥 How the Portal Works (2026 Rules Snapshot)

• Window: January 2–16 (two weeks only)

• Exceptions:

  • Coaching changes → 15-day window

  • CFP teams playing Jan. 12+ → 5 days after final game

• No spring window — all movement happens now

Every visit, offer, and decision carries more weight than ever.

🔥 Quarterback: Still the Domino Position

FSU is expected to add at least one starting-caliber QB, with depth also a concern.

Names firmly in play

• Colton Joseph (Old Dominion) — Early favorite, but Georgia Tech momentum has complicated things

• Anthony Colandrea (UNLV) — Three-year starter, dual-threat profile fits the Malzahn mold

Monitoring

• Mason McKenzie (Saginaw Valley State) — Fast-rising small-school QB drawing P4 attention

QB remains the position most likely to dictate the pace of the entire portal cycle.

🏃 Running Back: Volume, Explosion, Options

FSU is casting a wide net here.

Top names

• CJ Baxter (Texas) — Former FSU commit; injuries cloud recent tape, but mutual interest exists

• Peyton Lewis (Tennessee) — Speed back with home-run ability; visits trending elsewhere for now

• Cam Cook (Jacksonville State) — Nation’s leading rusher (1,659 yards), heavy competition expected

Depth and durability are the priorities.

🎯 Wide Receiver: Production + Return Value

This board blends upside with special teams impact.

Key targets

• Corey Scott (West Florida) — D2 standout (1,000+ yards), Power Four interest rising

• Iverson Hooks (UAB) — 72–927–7 season; FSU among many suitors

• Xavier Townsend (Iowa State) — Familiarity with Malzahn/T. Harris Jr.; return-game value stands out

  • Expected visit early in the window

🧩 Tight End: Familiarity Matters

• Kylan Fox (UCF) — Strong Malzahn/Norvell ties, high mutual interest

• Brayden Loftin (Kansas State) — Reliable blocker, family connection to FSU

This position feels selective rather than volume-based.

🧱 Offensive Line: A Must-Hit Area

One of FSU’s clearest needs.

High-priority targets

• Shadre Hurst (Tulane) — One of the top guards in the portal; competition will be fierce

• Ben Murawski (UConn) — 6’7”, 335 lbs, 75.7 PFF; visit expected

• Bryant Williams (Louisiana) — 11-game starter; FSU viewed as well-positioned

  • OV expected Jan. 3–4

🛡️ Defensive Line & Edge: Power and Disruption

Interior

• John Walker (UCF) — High mutual interest, deep FSU ties

  • OV expected Jan. 3

• Michai Boireau (Florida) — SEC starter, expensive, interest unclear

• Ezra Christensen (New Mexico State) — Productive G6 DT, stiff competition

Edge

• Chaz Coleman (Penn State) — Flashed elite upside; Ohio State looms large

🧠 Linebacker: Experience Is the Theme

FSU needs instant contributors.

Names to watch

• Mekhi Mason (Louisiana Tech) — Trending hard; elite tackler with coverage ability

• Chris Jones (Southern Miss) — 133 tackles in 2025; Ole Miss visit scheduled

• Keaton Thomas (Baylor) — All-Big 12 vet; Jacksonville native

• Robert Woodyard (Auburn) — 80.1 PFF grade; SEC-tested

🔒 Defensive Back: Visits Will Tell the Story

Corners

• Jaquez White (Troy) — One of the top G5 CBs; mutual interest

• Nehemiah Chandler (South Alabama) — 77.4 PFF; plans to visit FSU Jan. 2

• Bo Mascoe (Rutgers) — Two-year starter; early contact only so far

👉 Full portal tracker, confirmed visits, and daily updates at the source

And that’s a wrap!

FSU just formalized an NFL-style roster model, the portal window is only two weeks (Jan. 2–16), and the early board is already loaded with names that can swing the entire 2026 season.

This isn’t a slow-burn offseason anymore — it’s a sprint.
And the first few visits are going to tell us exactly how real this new “front office” era is.

Have a safe New Year’s weekend, enjoy the reset… and buckle up — because portal season starts now.

— Chief