Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Wednesday and final day of January, Seminole Nation!

There’s a lot of football recruitment activity, we have a record setting track star, and our shining sophomore on the lady noles hoop squad continues to get attention.

Here’s the docket:

🏀 FSU's Ta'Niya Latson Shines in Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 🏀
Sophomore guard Ta'Niya Latson is recognized among the top 20 contenders for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, highlighting her outstanding performance this season.

🏃 FSU's David Mullarkey Earns ACC Men's Performer of the Week 🏃
David Mullarkey's record-breaking 3,000-meter run at the John Thomas Terrier Classic earns him the ACC Men's Performer of the Week title.

🏈 FSU Football: Linebacker Prospects Visiting Tallahassee 🏈
FSU welcomes linebacker prospects Ethan Pritchard and Cam Riley, showcasing the program's ongoing efforts to strengthen its defensive lineup.

🏈 FSU's Junior Day: A Showcase of Future Talent 🏈
FSU's third Junior Day event of the year brings together top high school athletes, offering a glimpse into the future of Seminole football.

🏈 FSU Impresses Athlete Caden Gordon at Junior Day 🏈
Caden Gordon's first visit to FSU for Junior Day leaves a strong impression, highlighting the program's appeal to top recruits.

🏀 FSU's Ta'Niya Latson Shines in Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 🏀

Sophomore Guard Makes Prestigious List Ta'Niya Latson, the standout sophomore guard for the Florida State Women's Basketball team, has been named to the John R. Wooden Award Late Season Top 20. This prestigious recognition is a testament to her exceptional performance during the 2023-24 season.

Selection by National Experts Latson's inclusion in this elite group is the result of a poll conducted among national college basketball experts. The list features 20 student-athletes who are leading contenders for college basketball's most esteemed honor, based on their performances this season.

Impressive Season Stats Hailing from Miami, Fla., Latson is building on her remarkable freshman year with another outstanding season. In ACC play, she's averaging 22.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, while maintaining a 42.7 percent shooting accuracy from the floor.

Dominating the ACC Latson leads the ACC with four 30-point games this season. She recently broke the school record for the most career 30-point games, achieving this milestone in just 52 games. Her latest 33-point game against Georgia Tech marks her fourth 30-point performance against the Yellow Jackets in their four encounters.

Consistent Top 10 Selection Her excellence is further highlighted by her repeat selection to the Top 10 of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Watch List. This consistency is mirrored in her late-season Wooden Award selection.

Eligibility for the National Ballot While Latson is a strong candidate for the 2024 John R. Wooden Award Women's Player of the Year, players not on the late-season list can still make it to the Wooden Award National Ballot. This ballot includes 15 top players who meet or exceed the qualifications of the Wooden Award.

The Voting Process and Announcement Nearly 1,000 voters will rank 10 of the 15 players on the National Ballot, taking into account performances in early NCAA Tournament rounds. The Wooden Award All American Team will be announced during the "Elite Eight" round, with the 2024 John R. Wooden Award winner being presented following the NCAA Tournament in April.

Ta'Niya Latson's selection to the Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 is a significant honor, reflecting her immense talent and contribution to FSU Women's Basketball. Her journey through the rest of the season and towards the Wooden Award will be an exciting one to follow! 🍢🏀🌟

🏃 FSU's David Mullarkey Earns ACC Men's Performer of the Week 🏃

Record-Breaking Performance in Track and Field David Mullarkey, a standout distance runner for the Florida State men's track and field team, has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Performer of the Week. This accolade comes after his exceptional performance at the John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston, Massachusetts.

Setting a New School Record Mullarkey achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new school record in the 3,000-meter run, clocking in at an impressive 7:42.89. This time not only marks a personal best for Mullarkey but also surpasses the previous school record set by Ahmed Muhammed in 2022.

Leading the ACC and Ranking Nationally With this record-breaking run, Mullarkey now holds the fastest time in the ACC for the 3,000-meter event and ranks seventh nationally. His achievement highlights his elite status among distance runners in both the conference and the country.

Praise from Head Coach Bob Braman FSU track and field head coach Bob Braman expressed his pride in Mullarkey's performance, noting his "amazing weekend" that included both the record-setting 3,000-meter run and a significant contribution to the distance medley relay (DMR).

Contributing to FSU's DMR Success Mullarkey also played a key role in the DMR team's success, helping them achieve a time of 9:36.76. This time is now recorded as the second-fastest in the school's history, further showcasing Mullarkey's impact on the FSU track and field program.

David Mullarkey's recognition as the ACC Men's Performer of the Week is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and talent. His contributions continue to elevate FSU's track and field program, and his future endeavors are eagerly anticipated. Congratulations, David! 🍢🏃🏆

🏈 FSU Football: Linebacker Prospects Visiting Tallahassee 🏈

Ethan Pritchard: Committed Linebacker Returns to FSU Ethan Pritchard, a four-star linebacker commit, is set to visit Florida State University this weekend. Pritchard, who committed to FSU on October 21 following the Seminoles' victory over Duke, has been a frequent visitor to Tallahassee, with this weekend marking his seventh visit since receiving an offer from FSU in June last year. His commitment came after witnessing FSU's triumph over Miami at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Pritchard's Impressive Profile Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 200 pounds, Pritchard is a standout from Sanford, Florida. He is currently ranked as the No. 35 linebacker prospect and the No. 301 overall prospect in the class of 2025, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

Cam Riley: SEC Linebacker Eyeing FSU In addition to Pritchard, FSU is hosting Auburn linebacker transfer Cam Riley for an unofficial visit this weekend. Riley, who entered the transfer portal in January, brings a wealth of SEC experience to the table.

With one year of eligibility remaining, he could be a valuable addition to the Seminoles' linebacker corps, especially with FSU looking to replace departing starters Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune.

Riley's Auburn Tenure During his four years at Auburn, Riley made 11 starts in 46 career games. His stats include 120 total tackles, 69 solo tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 2 pass breakups. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Riley's size and experience make him an intriguing prospect for FSU. He plans to graduate from Auburn in May before enrolling at his next school.

As FSU continues to strengthen its linebacker unit, the visits from both Pritchard and Riley this weekend are crucial.

Pritchard's ongoing commitment and Riley's potential addition could significantly bolster the Seminoles' defensive capabilities in the upcoming seasons. Stay tuned for more updates on FSU football's recruiting efforts. 🍢🏈🛡️

🏈 FSU's Junior Day: A Showcase of Future Talent 🏈

FSU's Third Junior Day Event of the Year Florida State University is gearing up for its third Junior Day recruiting event of the year, set to take place this weekend, February 3 and 4. This event follows the success of the previous Junior Day events held on January 20 and January 27.

A Gathering of Top Prospects The Junior Day event is a significant occasion for FSU, as it brings together a host of talented high school athletes.

List of Notable Visitors The event will feature a range of highly-rated recruits across various positions. The current list of visitors includes:

• QB CJ Ingram

• 4-star RB Alvin Henderson

• 4-star RB Taevion Swint

• 4-star WR Koby Howard

• 4-star OL Carde Smith

• 2026 4-star OL Pierre "DJ" Dean

• 2026 OL Desmond Green

• 3-star DL Jarquez Carter

• 3-star Edge Tylon Lee

• 4-star LB Ethan Pritchard (FSU commit)

• 4-star S Jordan Young

A Platform for Talent and FSU's Future This Junior Day event is not just an opportunity for FSU to showcase its program to potential recruits, but also a chance for these young athletes to experience the university's atmosphere and envision their future in college football. With a mix of committed and prospective players, the event is a crucial step in FSU's ongoing recruiting efforts. 🍢🏈🌟

🏈 FSU Impresses Athlete Caden Gordon at Junior Day 🏈

First Visit to FSU Leaves a Strong Impression Caden Gordon, a standout athlete from Lake Worth, Florida, visited Florida State University for the Seminoles’ second Junior Day recruiting event of the year. This visit marked Gordon's first experience with FSU, and it left a significant impact on him.

Positive Interaction with FSU Coaches Gordon expressed his enthusiasm about the visit, highlighting his interactions with the coaching staff, including head coach Mike Norvell. "It was great," Gordon said. "I got to meet all the coaches and had a meeting with coach Norvell. We talked about the expectations that FSU has." This conversation seemed to resonate with Gordon, aligning with his aspirations for greatness in college.

Decision Timeline and Other Contenders Gordon plans to make his college decision by late February or early March. FSU is among his top considerations, along with NC State, West Virginia, UCF, and Georgia Tech. This timeline indicates that his visit to FSU could play a crucial role in his final decision.

FSU's Interest in Gordon's Abilities The Seminoles' staff, who offered Gordon on January 12, appreciate his size and speed as a defensive back. "They love my size and speed at DB," Gordon noted. "Being able to guard wide receivers that are over 6-foot-3, so they want that taller DB. And they love how physical I am."

Building Relationships and Feeling at Home Gordon felt more comfortable with cornerback coach Pat Surtain and senior defensive analyst Greg Moss during his visit. He spent considerable time with both coaches, which helped deepen his connection with the FSU program. "This kind of feels like home," Gordon remarked, emphasizing the importance of comfort and familiarity in his college choice.

Future Visits and Considerations The 6-foot-1, 170-pound athlete looks forward to returning to FSU in the spring. He also plans to visit Georgia Tech and Indiana, with the possibility of more visits throughout the spring. However, he acknowledges that these plans could change based on his decision-making process.

Caden Gordon's visit to FSU for Junior Day has clearly made a positive impression, potentially influencing his upcoming college decision. His focus on comfort and adjustment to college life, along with FSU's recognition of his talents, make the Seminoles a strong contender in his recruitment journey. 🍢🏈🌟

And that’s a wrap!

From Ta'Niya Latson's remarkable achievements on the basketball court to the promising prospects visiting for FSU's football program, the Seminole spirit shines bright.

Baseball and softball are on the horizon so let’s keep cheering for the Seminoles as they continue on the warpath in collegiate sports!