Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy hump day, Seminole!

Things are kicking back into gear and we’ve got you covered:

🏀 Latson’s Legacy Grows
Ta’Niya Latson is rewriting the record books with a stellar week of accolades and her inclusion on the prestigious Wooden Award Midseason Watch List. Can FSU’s leading scorer drive the Seminoles to victories on their California road trip?

🏀 Elite Recruit Edwards Weighs Her Options
Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 1 power forward in the 2026 class, is narrowing her choices. As the Seminoles remain in contention, how will her upcoming visits shape her decision?

🏀 Rising Star Maluk Adapts Quickly
Freshman Alier Maluk is thriving at FSU, balancing academics and athletics with remarkable poise. Could he become a key piece in Leonard Hamilton’s squad?

⛳ Global Stage for Seminole Golfers
Lottie Woad and Mirabel Ting take their talents to the UAE for the Patsy Hankins Trophy, continuing FSU golf’s tradition of excellence on the international stage.

🏊 FSU Swimming Makes a Splash
As the Seminoles dive into 2025 with a meet against Villanova, will their momentum from record-breaking performances in 2024 propel them forward?

🛡️ Defensive Star Wynn Joins the Noles
Kevin Wynn, a four-star defensive lineman, has officially joined FSU. His confidence in the program’s potential sets the tone for the future.

🏈 OT Ty Haywood Back in the Mix
FSU is making a strong push for five-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood, with a pivotal in-home visit on the horizon. Will this renewed connection lead to a commitment?

🏈 EDGE Carlton Explores Options
Four-star EDGE Jamarion Carlton is set to visit FSU and USC as he narrows down his top choices. Could the Seminoles sway the Texas standout?

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🏀 Ta’Niya Latson Adds More Honors, Joins Wooden Watch List 🏀

Florida State junior guard Ta’Niya Latson continues to collect accolades, earning AP Player of the Week and USBWA Ann Myers Drysdale Player of the Week honors after her record-setting performances. This marks her first career AP Player of the Week award and second USBWA recognition this season.

🌟 Latson’s Achievements This Week:

• ACC Player of the Week: Named Monday after a historic 40-point game against Virginia Tech.

• AP Player of the Week: First career nod in Week 9 following two dominant outings.

• USBWA Player of the Week: Earned her second selection for the season.

• Wooden Award Midseason Watch List: Included for the third consecutive season, recognizing her as a contender for college basketball’s most prestigious honor.

📊 Season Highlights:

• Scoring Leader: Leads the nation with 27.9 points per game and ranks second in total points (391).

• Consistency: Has scored 20+ points in 13 games this season and boasts 20 career 30-point games.

• Efficiency: Ranks third nationally in field goals made (142).

🏀 About the Wooden Award:
Since 1976, the John R. Wooden Award has recognized the best in college basketball, celebrating past winners like Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Breanna Stewart. Candidates must excel on the court and meet academic standards.

📅 What’s Next for the Seminoles?
Latson and the No. 24-ranked Seminoles head to California this week for two challenging road games:

• Stanford: Thursday

• California: Sunday

👉 Read more about Latson’s incredible season and FSU’s upcoming challenges here.

🏀 Five-Star PF Oliviyah Edwards’ Recruitment Heats Up 🏀

Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 1 power forward and No. 4 overall prospect in the 2026 class, is set to visit Tennessee on Thursday, January 9, as the Lady Vols host LSU. The 6’3” five-star from Tacoma, Washington, remains one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation.

Recruitment Snapshot

• Finalists: Edwards narrowed her list to 10 schools in June, including Florida State, Tennessee, LSU, North Carolina, Washington, Florida, Duke, USC, and Notre Dame.

• Visit Plans: She continues to explore all finalists and evaluate their performance throughout the season.

• No Timeline Yet: Edwards has not disclosed a decision date, opting instead to focus on campus visits and team success.

Scouting Report (via Brandon Clay):

• Strengths:

  • Exceptional in transition, dominating the open floor with her speed and athleticism.

  • A force in the paint with a relentless rebounding ability.

  • Developing a reliable mid-range jumper (15-18 feet) to round out her offensive game.

• Outlook: Edwards’ physicality and versatility make her one of the most intriguing prospects in her class.

Team Context

• Tennessee: Ranked No. 16, the Lady Vols aim to bounce back from a recent loss to No. 10 Oklahoma.

• LSU: Undefeated at 17-0 and ranked No. 6, the Tigers are a strong contender for Edwards' commitment.

👉 Read more about Edwards’ recruitment here.

🏀 Alier Maluk: Rising Star Embracing His Role at Florida State 🏀

Florida State freshman forward Alier Maluk is quickly making his presence felt on and off the court. A top-25 national prospect and cousin of NBA player Bol Bol, Maluk reclassified to join the Seminoles a year early, bringing versatility and determination to Leonard Hamilton’s squad.

🌟 Key Highlights:

• Early Impact: Maluk has played in 13 games, averaging 3.1 points and 10 minutes per game while tying for second on the team with 10 blocks.

• Coach’s Praise: Hamilton noted Maluk’s growth, saying, “He is growing up and maturing. I think you are going to continue to see him get better and better.”

• Academic Excellence: Maluk earned a 3.0 GPA in his first semester, excelling in Public Administration and choosing communications as his major.

🛣️ What’s Next:
Maluk and the Seminoles (10-4) face Miami today at 7:00 PM on the ACC Network.

👉 Read more about Maluk’s journey and promising future here.

⛳ Seminole Stars Compete on Global Stage at Patsy Hankins Trophy ⛳

Florida State golf standouts Lottie Woad and Mirabel Ting will represent the Seminoles on an international stage at the Patsy Hankins Trophy Championship from January 8-10, 2025, in the United Arab Emirates. Woad, ranked No. 1 in the world, will compete for Team Europe, while Ting, ranked No. 4, joins Team Asia Pacific.

🌟 Key Highlights:

• Global Rankings: Florida State is the only collegiate team with two players ranked in the world’s top 4 female amateurs.

• Lottie Woad: Defending Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion, holds FSU’s lowest career stroke average (70.56), and aims to help Europe defend their title.

• Mirabel Ting: Winner of four individual titles as a Seminole and fresh off a top-15 LPGA debut, Ting is making her first Patsy Hankins appearance.

🏌️ The Event:
The Patsy Hankins Trophy pits Europe vs. Asia Pacific in match play, featuring foursomes, four-ball matches, and singles competitions over three days.

🛣️ What’s Next for FSU Golf:
The Seminoles start their spring season at the IJGA Guadalajara Invitational (Jan. 31-Feb. 1) before hosting the Florida State Match Up (March 21-23).

👉 Read more about Woad, Ting, and their international journey here.

🏊 FSU Swimming & Diving Hosts Villanova in First Meet of 2025 🏊

The No. 22/25 Florida State swimming and diving teams kick off the new year with a dual meet against Villanova at the Morcom Aquatics Center on Wednesday, January 8, at 2 p.m. ET. Admission is free, and fans can follow live results via Meet Mobile or watch the action on the Florida State Seminoles YouTube channel.

🌊 What to Watch:

• Rankings: FSU’s men rank No. 22 and the women No. 25 in the latest CSCAA Coaches Poll, showcasing the program’s strong standing nationally.

• Competitive Edge: Villanova enters with a combined 7-2 record and strong performances at the WVU Invitational, where both teams excelled.

• Momentum: FSU closed 2024 with standout performances at the Georgia Tech Invite, achieving 11 wins, 34 top-three finishes, and five NCAA A qualifying times.

🛣️ Upcoming Meets:

• January 24: FSU hosts the University of Tampa at the Morcom Aquatics Center.

• Check out the full men’s and women’s schedules here.

👉 Stay connected for updates and live results as the Seminoles dive into 2025!

🛡️ 4⭐️ DL Kevin Wynn Sticks with FSU Commitment 🛡️

Four-star defensive lineman Kevin Wynn, the No. 59 overall prospect and No. 10 defensive lineman in the 2025 class, has officially begun his journey at Florida State. After arriving in Tallahassee last week and spending time with his new teammates, Wynn is now gearing up to showcase his talents in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl on Saturday, January 11.

🌟 Why Wynn Chose FSU:
Despite heavy interest from programs like Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and USC, Wynn stayed true to his June commitment to the Seminoles.

• Loyalty: FSU’s consistent recruitment since his ninth grade played a pivotal role.

• Off-Field Opportunities: Wynn highlighted FSU’s hospitality and tourism major, culinary classes, and study abroad programs as key factors in his decision.

• Coach Norvell’s Impact: Wynn’s strong relationship with Mike Norvell, who communicated with him frequently during the recruiting process, solidified his choice.

🗣️ Wynn on FSU’s Future:
After a weekend visit to Tallahassee, Wynn expressed confidence in the program’s direction:
“I feel like we’re going to be good. The people they just got in are pretty good at what they do.”

🏈 Next Up:
Catch Wynn in action at the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl on Saturday, January 11, at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

👉 Read more about Wynn’s commitment and journey here.

🏈 FSU Resumes Pursuit of 5⭐️ OT Ty Haywood 🏈

Florida State is making a late push for Ty Haywood, the top-ranked unsigned recruit in the 2025 class and No. 4 offensive tackle nationally. The Seminoles are scheduled for an in-home visit with the 6’5”, 285-pound standout on Tuesday night, marking the first face-to-face meeting since Haywood’s official visit to Tallahassee last June.

Recruitment Update:

• FSU’s Pitch: Haywood will meet Herb Hand, FSU’s new offensive line coach, for the first time during the visit.

• Past Connections: FSU was in the mix for Haywood last summer before he initially leaned toward Alabama, his childhood favorite.

• Current Competition: Michigan has emerged as the main challenger for Haywood’s signature, with Texas Tech also in the running. A January official visit to Ann Arbor is expected, while a return trip to Tallahassee hasn’t been scheduled yet.

• Alabama Out: The Crimson Tide are no longer pursuing Haywood, giving FSU and Michigan the upper hand.

Scouting Report:

• Elite Frame: Long arms and impressive reach make him a natural fit at tackle.

• Athletic Versatility: Dominant on the elite camp circuit and boasts exceptional shot put results (58-6 personal best).

• Developmental Potential: Projects as a high-level college protector with early-round NFL upside, likely excelling at right tackle but offering versatility at guard if needed.

• Areas for Growth: Continued work on hand placement, leverage, and balance will be key to unlocking his full potential.

With the Seminoles vying to land one of the nation’s most coveted offensive line recruits, Tuesday’s meeting could be pivotal in swaying Haywood toward Tallahassee.

👉 Read more about Haywood’s recruitment here.

🏈 Four-Star EDGE Jamarion Carlton Sets Visits to FSU and USC 🏈

Temple (Texas) standout Jamarion Carlton, a four-star EDGE prospect, is preparing for a pivotal stretch in his recruitment with visits to Florida State on January 18 and USC on February 1. The 6’4”, 217-pound junior is exploring options beyond his home state as he narrows his list of suitors.

Recruitment Highlights

• In-State Contenders: Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Houston, and SMU are working hard to keep Carlton close to home.

• Upcoming Visits: First-time trips to Florida State and USC, as well as a return visit to Texas in between.

• Top 10 List: Carlton named his finalists in October and plans to narrow the list further before scheduling official visits.

What Carlton is Looking For

• Florida State:

  • "The coaches are recruiting me hard, and I want to see what it’s like at FSU."

  • Carlton is eager to experience the campus, community, and meet the coaching staff.

• USC:

  • Excited for his first visit to California, Carlton praised the program for its player development and NFL pipeline.

Eye on Texas

Carlton has visited Texas multiple times and is impressed by the program's resurgence under Steve Sarkisian:

• "He’s building something very special there. He changed the program around when he got there."

What’s Next?

Carlton, ranked No. 65 in the On3 Industry Ranking, aims to finalize his decision-making process in the coming months as he schedules official visits. With interest heating up from powerhouse programs, his January and February trips could play a significant role in shaping his future.

👉 Read more about Carlton’s recruitment here.

And that’s a wrap!

🏹 Until Next Time, Noles! 🏹
As we kick off 2025, Florida State athletics is charging ahead with record-setting performances, top-tier recruits, and global recognition.

Whether it’s on the court, in the pool, or on the field, the Seminoles are setting the tone for a thrilling year ahead. Stay tuned, stay passionate, and as always—Go Noles!