Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Sunday, Seminole!

This edition brings a mix of basketball victories, top-tier recruit visits, and exciting updates from the transfer portal. Dive in to catch the latest highlights:

🏀 FSU Men's Basketball Triumphs Over Syracuse
The Seminoles secured their first ACC win in a commanding 90-74 performance, with balanced scoring and stellar defense leading the way.

🎙️ Squirrel White’s Take on FSU Visit
The Tennessee transfer WR praised the Seminoles’ family-like culture and a potential high-impact role in the offense.

🏈 Traylon Ray Talks About Coming Home
The former West Virginia WR sees FSU as a key step toward his NFL aspirations after his latest visit to Tallahassee.

🏹 Javian Osborne Weighs His Options
One of the top RBs in the 2026 class keeps Florida State in mind as he plans future visits.

🤝 Caleb LaVallee’s Commitment Insights
The transfer linebacker shares why FSU felt like the perfect fit for his next chapter.

🛡️ Elijah Herring Sees Strong Fit at FSU
The experienced linebacker aligns with FSU’s new defensive scheme and values its leadership-driven culture.

🏀 Seminoles Secure First ACC Win, Top Syracuse 90-74 🏀

Florida State men’s basketball claimed their first ACC victory of the season, defeating Syracuse 90-74 on Saturday at the Donald L. Tucker Center. The Seminoles improved to 10-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play, while the Orange fell to 6-8 and remain winless in the ACC.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Dominant Second Half:
  The Seminoles broke open a tight game, outscoring Syracuse by 16 in the second half.

• Balanced Scoring:
  Four Seminoles scored in double figures:

  • Daquan Davis (18)

  • Jamir Watkins (16)

  • Taylor Bol Bowen (14 points, 10 rebounds)

  • Malique Ewin (14 points, 7 rebounds)

• Efficient Offense:
  FSU shot 53.6% from the field and committed just nine turnovers while recording 17 assists.

• Defense Delivered:
  The ‘Noles forced 15 turnovers and converted them into 16 points, highlighted by nine steals and six blocks.

🛣️ What’s Next:

FSU hits the road for two ACC matchups:

• Miami: Wednesday at 7 p.m.

• Clemson: Saturday at 2 p.m.

👉 Read more about FSU’s victory here.

🎙️ Squirrel White Wraps Up FSU Visit, Highlights Fit 🎙️

Florida State hosted Tennessee transfer WR Squirrel White for a multi-day visit, making a strong impression on the speedy playmaker.

🌟 Key Points:

• Impressions:
  “The visit was amazing. Tallahassee feels like home, and the coaches were so welcoming.”

• Role at FSU:
  Pitched as the No. 2 receiver with heavy usage:
  “Getting touches was a big factor in entering the portal—I want the ball in my hands.”

• Team Culture:
  Praised FSU’s genuine, family atmosphere.

📊 Career Overview:

• 2024 Season:
  34 receptions, 381 yards, 2 TDs.

• Career Stats:
  131 catches, 1,665 yards, 6 TDs.

• Speed:
  Noted for a 10.68-second 100m dash.

📅 What’s Next:

• Visits to North Carolina and Oregon.

• Decision expected soon as White evaluates his best fit for his final college season.

FSU remains in strong contention, offering a high-impact role in an explosive offense.

👉 Read more about White’s visit and potential impact here.

🏈 Traylon Ray Eyes Return to Tallahassee After FSU Visit 🏈

Tallahassee native and former West Virginia wide receiver Traylon Ray wrapped up a two-day visit to Florida State this weekend, leaving impressed by the program and its coaching staff.

🌟 Highlights from the Visit:

• Homecoming Feel: “It felt good to be back home,” Ray said. “This visit felt even better than my high school days.”

• Coaching Connection: He praised head coach Mike Norvell and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, saying, “They believe in me and see me as a key piece in the offense.”

• Development Focus: With two years of eligibility remaining, Ray is looking to “take the next step to the NFL,” and FSU’s staff made a strong case for their ability to help him achieve that.

📊 Career at West Virginia:

• 2024: 28 receptions, 426 yards, 4 touchdowns in 10 games.

• Expected to be cleared for full contact by mid-spring or summer.

📅 Next Steps:

Ray will visit Mississippi State and Ole Miss before deciding, likely by the end of next week.

FSU remains a strong contender, offering Ray the chance to return home and play a pivotal role in their offense.

👉 Read more about Ray’s visit here.

🏹 FSU in the Hunt for 2026 RB Javian Osborne 🏹

Florida State is making a strong push for Javian Osborne, one of the top 10 running backs in the 2026 class, as the Forney (Texas) High standout narrows down his recruiting options. Osborne, fresh off a stellar performance at the Under Armour Next All-America Game, praised the Seminoles for their personal touch and clear vision during his summer visit to Tallahassee.

🔑 Why Osborne is High on FSU:

“Coach Mike Norvell is a great guy. Sitting down with him during my visit made me feel like a big priority,” Osborne said. “When a head coach takes that kind of time, you know you’re valued.”

Osborne’s visit gave him insight into FSU’s vision for his role and the culture Norvell is building. As the Seminoles continue to compete with powerhouse programs, their personal connection stands out.

🗓️ Key Visit Plans:

While Osborne is undecided about his next stop, Alabama, Texas, and Notre Dame are vying for his attention in the coming weeks.

🌟 A Look at the Competition:

Osborne shared high praise for other programs but acknowledged his fondness for Florida State:

• Alabama: “They breed NFL running backs like Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs.”

• Michigan: “Coach Tony Alford’s teaching and NFL-level knowledge stand out.”

• Texas: “Coach Sark’s running back history with Bijan Robinson is impressive.”

🚀 What’s Next?

With a busy schedule ahead, Osborne remains focused on finding a program that aligns with his aspirations for development and NFL readiness. Florida State’s personal approach could be a deciding factor as the Seminoles aim to secure one of the most dynamic talents in the 2026 class.

👉 Read more about Osborne’s recruitment here.

🤝 Caleb LaVallee Discusses His Commitment to Florida State 🤝 

After visiting Tallahassee last week, North Carolina transfer linebacker Caleb LaVallee discussed why he chose Florida State as his next destination.

🌟 Key Reasons for Choosing FSU:

• The Right Fit:
  LaVallee felt FSU checked every box after his visit.
  “It was the perfect fit and opportunity. The coaches and the plan they had for me made it an easy decision.”

• Support from Family:
  Although ready to commit after the visit, he wanted to discuss the move with his family, who shared his excitement.

🛡️ What Stood Out:

• 3-3-5 Defensive Scheme:
  LaVallee loves the flexibility of the system and sees himself thriving in both the Mike and Will linebacker roles.
  “It fits my play style very well, and I’m excited to contribute.”

• Genuine Coaching Staff:
  Head coach Mike Norvell stood out for his supportive approach, encouraging LaVallee to explore his options.
  “His message was simple: Find the best fit for you. That really resonated with me.”

📈 A Breakout Bowl Game:

• LaVallee showed his potential in the Fenway Bowl, leading UNC with nine tackles (seven solo).

• His performance solidified FSU’s confidence in his ability to make an immediate impact.

🚀 Looking Ahead:

• LaVallee officially moves to Tallahassee on Sunday to start classes on Monday, ready to begin his journey as a Seminole.

LaVallee’s decision highlights FSU’s success in building a program that not only recruits talent but fosters trust and long-term potential.

👉 Read more about LaVallee’s journey here.

🛡️ Elijah Herring Sees Strong Fit with Florida State 🛡️

Former Tennessee and Memphis linebacker Elijah Herring visited Florida State on Saturday, solidifying his status as a top transfer portal target for the Seminoles. With one year of eligibility remaining, the experienced defender praised FSU’s staff, facilities, and the fit of its defensive scheme.

🔑 Highlights from Herring’s Visit:

• Scheme Alignment:
  Herring discussed FSU’s new 3-3-5 defense with coordinator Tony White, noting its similarity to Memphis’ system:
  “It’s really similar. Everything clicked.”

• Leadership Role:
  Herring, a likely middle linebacker, valued FSU’s emphasis on leadership in his final college season.

• Conversations Beyond Football:
  Head coach Mike Norvell spoke about Herring’s impact on and off the field:
  “We talked about life and how I’d fit in this program and community.”

🔗 Reunion with Former Teammates:

Herring reconnected with ex-Tennessee teammates Jayson Jenkins and Squirrel White, who were also visiting FSU.
“It brought back great memories. Hopefully, we can do something together.”

📅 Decision Timeline:

Herring plans to visit Cal and may stop at Syracuse before making his decision next week.

👉 Read more about Herring’s recruitment here.

And that’s a wrap!

From court-side victories to transfer portal moves, the Seminoles are making strides across the board. With every game, visit, and commitment, the future of FSU sports grows brighter.

Keep your bold predictions coming in today’s poll, and as always, thanks for starting your day with us. Let’s keep the momentum rolling!

Go ‘Noles! 🍢 🏹