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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Happy Sunday, Seminole!
It’s shaping up to be one of the most consequential weeks of Florida State’s offseason — with quarterback dominoes, portal momentum, and on-court progress all converging at once.
🏈🧭 QB Domino Week 🧭🏈
FSU’s quarterback search enters its decisive phase as multiple transfer QBs — including DJ Lagway and Anthony Colandrea — arrive on campus, setting the timeline for how the entire offseason could unfold.
🏀📈 A Turning Point in Tallahassee 📈🏀
FSU pushed No. 6 Duke to the brink in its best offensive showing of the season, offering tangible proof that Luke Loucks’ vision is starting to take hold — even without the win.
🔒 Portal Wins Begin 🔒
The Seminoles landed South Alabama corner Nehemiah Chandler, an experienced, ball-productive defender who raises the floor of a secondary in transition.
🏃 SEC Production on the Board 🏃
Texas running back Tre Wisner is in Tallahassee, giving FSU a chance to add a proven, every-down offensive weapon with immediate impact potential.
🧱 The OL Rebuild Takes Shape 🧱
With all five starters gone, FSU’s offensive line reset is underway — and multiple trench targets are already on campus or scheduled to visit.
📰 Portal Roundup: From Planning to Execution 📰
Saturday marked the true start of portal season, with visits stacking up across quarterback, tight end, safety, edge, and running back — and Sunday/Monday looming as defining days.
Let’s get into it 👇
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🏈🧭 QB Domino Week: FSU Lines Up Multiple Transfer Visits 🧭🏈
Florida State’s quarterback search is accelerating fast — and this week could determine the direction of the entire offseason.
🔥 The Visit Slate Is Stacking Up
FSU is expected to host multiple starting-caliber quarterbacks in the coming days, including DJ Lagway and Anthony Colandrea visiting today, as it hunts for a 2026 QB1:
Anthony Colandrea (UNLV) — Expected on campus today
DJ Lagway (Florida) — Expected to visit today
Ashton Daniels (Auburn / Stanford) — Visiting Monday
Colton Joseph (Old Dominion) — Visiting Wisconsin first, then likely Tallahassee
This is no longer speculative interest — FSU is actively bringing decision-makers to campus.
🔥 Why Lagway Is the Headliner
Lagway is the biggest swing on the board:
Former No. 1 QB in the 2024 recruiting class (247Sports)
No. 11 overall player and No. 4 QB in the current portal (247Sports)
Two years of eligibility remaining
📊 2025 at Florida
2,264 passing yards
16 TDs, 14 INTs
62% completion
244 rushing yards
Notably, Lagway threw three touchdowns against FSU in the season finale — a reminder of both his upside and volatility. He’s been linked to multiple Power Four programs, but mutual interest with FSU is real and active.
🔥 The High-Floor Option: Colandrea
If Lagway is the ceiling play, Colandrea is the stabilizer:
📊 2025 at UNLV
3,459 passing yards
23 TDs, 9 INTs
65.9% completion
649 rushing yards, 10 TDs
Originally from St. Petersburg, Colandrea brings experience, mobility, and production — and is viewed as a top target by both FSU and Tennessee.
🔥 Daniels: The Wild Card
Ashton Daniels offers a different profile:
Started at both Stanford and Auburn
Best showing: 31-of-44, 353 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs vs. Vanderbilt
Struggled against Alabama and Kentucky
He’s more of a development-plus-upside evaluation than a clear plug-and-play answer — but the staff wants eyes on him.
🧠 Why This Week Matters
FSU must land a transfer starter after Tommy Castellanos exhausted eligibility and declared for the NFL Draft. With no spring portal window remaining, this is the offseason QB market.
This week will reveal:
How aggressive FSU is willing to be
Whether it prioritizes ceiling (Lagway) or stability (Colandrea/Joseph)
How quickly the QB market will collapse once one domino falls
🔍 Big Picture
FSU isn’t browsing — it’s hunting. Multiple visits, mutual interest, and real timelines mean the quarterback decision is nearing its critical phase. However this shakes out will shape the ceiling, floor, and credibility of the 2026 reset.
👉 Full visit updates, evaluations, and what each option means for FSU’s offense at the sources here and here
🏀📈 FSU Pushes No. 6 Duke to the Brink, Falls 91–87 📈🏀
Florida State may not have gotten the win — but Saturday night felt like a turning point.
🔥 Why This Game Mattered
Tied at halftime vs. No. 6 Duke
Within 2 points in the final minute
Best offensive performance of the season against elite competition
📊 The Numbers That Jump Out
53.4% shooting overall
14-of-30 from three (47%) — far above FSU’s season average
Duke survived by going 23-of-25 at the free throw line
💥 Standout Seminoles
Chauncey Wiggins: 22 points (8-of-11 FG, 4-of-5 3PT)
Robert McCray: 22 points, 5 assists, clutch late-game threes
Kobe MaGee: 17 points, 4 made threes
FSU had four players in double figures, all from the perimeter
🧠 What Decided It
Duke’s stars delivered late:
Cam Boozer: 17 points, 9 assists
Isaiah Evans: 28 points, 6 made threes
A 19–6 Duke run midway through the second half created just enough separation
Free throws — not shot-making — were the difference
🗣️ Why Luke Loucks Is Encouraged
After back-to-back strong showings vs. Duke and North Carolina, Loucks believes the trajectory is clear:
“If we play the way we’ve played these past two games, we’re going to win a lot of games in the ACC.”
🔍 Big Picture
This didn’t look like a team searching for an identity — it looked like one finding it.
FSU played with pace, confidence, shooting gravity, and fight. There aren’t many Dukes left on the schedule.
🔒 FSU Lands Portal Corner Nehemiah Chandler 🔒
Florida State added an immediate secondary piece with the commitment of Nehemiah Chandler, a proven starter coming off a strong season at South Alabama.
🔥 Why This Is a Win
Instant-impact résumé: 11-game starter at South Alabama
Ball production: 2 INTs, 13 pass breakups
Reliable tackler: 32 tackles, 2.5 TFL
ACC familiarity: Began career at Georgia Tech before transferring
🧠 Why FSU Targeted Him
Experience over projection
Comfortable playing full-time snaps
Proven ability to find and play the ball
Adds depth and competition in a retooling secondary
🧬 Context That Matters
Florida native (Quincy)
Former three-star recruit
Developed fast after a reset year
🔍 Big Picture
Chandler isn’t a long-term project — he’s a ready-made rotation piece who raises the floor of FSU’s defensive backfield as portal season ramps up.
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🏃 FSU Brings in SEC-Tested RB Tre Wisner for Portal Visit 🏃
Florida State is adding a proven, high-floor option to its portal running back board.
🔥 The Visit
Texas RB Tre Wisner is scheduled to begin a visit to FSU on Sunday evening
Former SEC contributor with immediate-play experience
One year of eligibility remaining
📊 Production That Travels
2025 (Texas):
Team-leading 597 rushing yards
131 carries | 4.6 YPC | 3 TDs
Added 22 catches for 146 yards + TD
2024 (Breakout Season):
1,064 rushing yards on 226 carries
44 receptions, 311 yards, 1 TD
True every-down profile with pass-game value
🧠 Why FSU Is Interested
Proven SEC tape, not projection
Can contribute immediately as a runner and receiver
Fits FSU’s need for a reliable offensive playmaker rather than a developmental swing
🔢 Portal Value
247Sports: No. 36 overall player, No. 4 RB in the portal
Desoto, Texas native with high-level competition experience
🔍 Big Picture
Wisner checks a lot of boxes for Florida State right now: production, versatility, experience, and urgency. With the Seminoles looking to stabilize the offense and add dependable skill talent, this visit is one to watch closely.
🧱 Portal OL Board Heating Up as FSU Rebuild Begins 🧱🏈
Florida State didn’t host visitors on the portal’s opening day — but the offensive line rebuild is already moving fast behind the scenes.
With all five starters gone to graduation, this is a total reset up front. Here are the three trench targets drawing the most momentum right now:
🔥 OT Bryant Williams (Louisiana / Lafayette)
Visiting FSU this weekend (Saturday–Sunday)
6’7”, 335 lbs | All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention
PFF grades (2025):
Run block: 70.3
Pass block: 67.1
Overall: 69.4
Williams told Warchant his focus is solely on Florida State
FSU lost both starting tackles, making this a potential fast-moving priority
🧠 Why it matters: FSU appears to be in a strong position here, and this could be one of the earliest portal decisions of the cycle.
🧩 C/G Paul Bowling (Troy)
True freshman starter in 2025
9 starts at center, 3 at guard
6’4”, 315 lbs | Atlanta native
FSU offer came Friday; visit set for Monday (after Georgia Tech)
PFF grades:
Pass block: 68.3
Run block: 64.5
🧠 Why it matters: Bowling is young, versatile, and directly tied to replacing All-ACC center Luke Petitbon — but Georgia Tech is a real competitor here.
💪 G Trovon Baugh (South Carolina)
6’4”, 337 lbs | 11 starts, 611 snaps in 2025
PFF grades:
Pass block: 60.8
Run block: 55.9
Former Freshman All-American (2023)
Known as a strong leader; served as team captain
FSU connection: Prior relationship with new personnel chief Taylor Edwards
🧠 Why it matters: Florida State must replace both starting guards, and Edwards’ arrival is already paying dividends on the eval/relationship front.
🔍 Big Picture
This isn’t about splash — it’s about volume, size, and functional starters. Tackle, center, and guard are all immediate needs, and Florida State is clearly prioritizing:
Proven snaps
Positional flexibility
Players who can start now, not develop later
The visits are just beginning — but the offensive line board is already taking shape.
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📰 Portal Roundup: Saturday Sets the Board for FSU’s Biggest Week Yet 📰
Saturday marked the first true snapshot of Florida State’s transfer portal plan in action — with visits underway, a commitment secured, and multiple position battles taking shape as the weekend opened.
🔥 What Locked In
South Alabama CB Nehemiah Chandler committed to FSU, giving the Seminoles an early win in the secondary and a proven, ball-productive ACC-ready defender.
🧠 Tight End Board: Multiple Lines in the Water
ECU TE Desirrio Riles arrived Saturday afternoon and will stay through Sunday.
Colorado State TE Rocky Beers also visited; FSU felt good about the trip, though Beers expects additional visits before deciding.
The takeaway: FSU is deliberately evaluating more than one TE option rather than rushing a decision.
🏃 Running Back Momentum
Texas RB Tre Wisner is expected to visit Sunday (Jan. 4).
His SEC production and pass-game value make him one of the most ready-made offensive additions currently on the board.
🧱 Defense: Safety & Edge Activity Accelerates
Kansas State S Qua Moss confirmed a visit for Monday (Jan. 5).
James Madison S Tyler Brown visited Saturday, though UCLA remains a serious threat due to coaching ties.
USF DB Jarvis Lee is expected in Tallahassee late Saturday night, with Auburn also in pursuit.
Oklahoma State EDGE Wendell Gregory is drawing interest as FSU continues prioritizing speed and pass-rush help. Noles will have to hope he leaves current TTU visit without committing.
Tennessee EDGE Caleb Herring (brother of FSU LB Elijah Herring) is a name to monitor closely if he officially enters the portal.
🎯 Quarterback Visits Now Imminent
UNLV QB Anthony Colandrea is set to make FSU his first portal visit on Sunday.
Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels confirmed he’ll visit Monday.
Florida QB DJ Lagway is expected to make his visit on Sunday as well.
🔍 Why It Matters
This wasn’t just a busy day — it was the transition from planning to execution. With visits stacking up across quarterback, running back, tight end, and the secondary, Florida State’s portal cycle is officially in motion. Sunday and Monday now loom as defining days.
And that’s a wrap!
This is the part of the offseason where plans turn into proof.
Visits become decisions. Targets become answers.
And by this time next week, Florida State’s picture will be a lot clearer.
We’ll keep you in the know.
— Chief
