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Happy midsummer weekend, Seminole!

Here’s the docket for you:

🌟 Alonzo Russell Earns Third Olympic Bid 🌟
FSU alum Alonzo Russell will represent the Bahamas in the mixed 4x400-meter relay at the Paris Olympics. This marks his third Olympic appearance, adding to his 2016 bronze medal and 2020 participation.

🇺🇸 Emily Sams Joins USWNT for 2024 Paris Olympics 🇺🇸
Former FSU soccer player Emily Sams (Madril) is an alternate for the USWNT's 2024 Olympic roster. She joins fellow Seminoles Casey Krueger (Short) and Jenna Nighswonger, marking the first time three Seminoles represent the U.S. in women's soccer at the Olympics.

⚾️ FSU Baseball Adds Ole Miss Transfer Wes Mendes ⚾️
FSU baseball welcomes Wes Mendes, a left-handed pitcher from Ole Miss, to their roster. Mendes, a top-100 prospect, brings significant talent and potential to the Seminoles’ pitching staff.

🏈 Koby Howard's Commitment Journey Nears Decision 🏈
Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna receiver Koby Howard is close to finalizing his college commitment. His top choices include Ole Miss, Florida, Florida State, and Penn State.

🌟 Malik Clark Nears College Decision 🌟
Rock Hill (SC) High receiver Malik Clark will announce his college decision this month. His top choices are Florida State, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

🔥 Four-Star Safety Ladarian Clardy Set to Announce College Decision 🔥
Four-star safety Ladarian Clardy from Escambia High School, FL, will announce his college decision on August 3. His final choices are Ole Miss, Florida State, Washington, Central Florida, and Mississippi State.

🌟 Hattiesburg High's Tristen Keys Shines as Top 2026 Receiver Prospect 🌟
Tristen Keys, a standout receiver from Hattiesburg High, MS, is a top 2026 prospect. With offers from top programs, including Florida State, Auburn, LSU, and Michigan, Keys is a rising star to watch.

🌟 Alonzo Russell Earns Third Olympic Bid 🌟

Florida State alum Alonzo Russell has secured his third bid to the Olympic Games, representing the Bahamas. Russell will compete as part of the mixed 4x400-meter relay team, which qualified for the Paris Olympics through the World Relays Championships earlier this year.

Olympic Journey

Russell has been a steadfast representative for the Bahamas at the Olympics since 2016. He earned a bronze medal in the 4x400 relay during his first Olympic appearance and also competed in the 400 meters at the 2020 Olympic Games.

FSU Legacy

During his tenure with the FSU men's track and field team from 2013-14, Russell accumulated three All-American honors. His impressive performances have made him a standout alumnus of Florida State.

Continuing FSU’s Olympic Tradition

Russell becomes the 61st Seminole with ties to FSU track and field to compete in the Olympics. FSU has maintained a presence at every Olympic Games since 1972. This year, FSU will be represented by six athletes in Paris, including:

• Linden Hall (Australia)

• Lauren Ryan (Australia)

• Jeremiah Davis (USA)

• Adriaan Wildschutt (South Africa)

• Kimberly Williams (Jamaica)

• Alonzo Russell (Bahamas)

Event Details

The track and field events at the Paris Olympics will take place from August 1-11 at Stade de France.

Check out the full details here

🇺🇸 Emily Sams Joins USWNT for 2024 Paris Olympics 🇺🇸

Former Florida State soccer player Emily Sams (Madril) has been named an alternate for the 22-person roster of the United States Women's National Team (USWNT) for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sams joins fellow Seminoles Casey Krueger (Short) and Jenna Nighswonger, marking the first time three former Seminoles will represent the United States in women's soccer at the Olympics.

FSU Career Highlights

• Seasons Played: Three seasons over five years

• Appearances: 62

• Starts: 61

• Goals: 6

• Assists: 7

• Total Points: 19

• Honors:

  • United States Coaches All-American (2020, 2021)

  • ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2021)

Professional Career

After her standout collegiate career, Sams played a season with BK Häcken in Sweden before being drafted third overall by the Orlando Pride in the 2023 NWSL Draft. In her two seasons with Orlando:

• Appearances: 35+

• Clean Sheets: 14

• Clean Sheet Percentage: 40%

• Team Standing: Orlando Pride currently tops the NWSL table with 38 points after 16 matches, maintaining an unbeaten streak of 17 matches, the longest in NWSL history.

Olympic Journey

Although Sams has yet to make her debut for the USWNT, she was invited to the pre-Olympic training camp and will serve as an alternate for the squad at the 2024 Olympics.

Upcoming Matches

The United States will kick off its Olympic journey on July 25 against Zambia at 3 p.m. ET.

Check out the full details here

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⚾️ FSU Baseball Adds Ole Miss Transfer Wes Mendes ⚾️

Florida State baseball continues to bolster its roster through the transfer portal, with Ole Miss transfer Wes Mendes announcing his commitment to FSU on Friday.

Player Profile:

• Name: Wes Mendes

• Height/Weight: 6'1", 195 lbs

• Position: Left-Handed Pitcher

• Hometown: Tampa, FL

High School Highlights:

• School: Jesuit Tampa

• Teammates: Jamie Arnold, Ryan Denison, John Abraham

• Achievements: State Championship (Junior Year)

• Notable Performance: Arnold and Mendes combined to throw 12.2 of 14 innings in the state championship.

Recruiting Rankings:

• Perfect Game:

  • No. 92 overall prospect in the 2023 class

  • No. 13 left-handed pitcher in the class

  • No. 15 overall in Florida

College Performance:

• School: Ole Miss

• Season: Freshman (2023)

• Appearances: 17 (2 starts)

• Innings Pitched: 31.2

• ERA: 6.82

• Batting Average Against: .273

• Strikeouts: 43

• Hits Allowed: 33

• Walks: 19

• Wins: 2

• Saves: 1

• SEC Performance: 11 appearances, 18.2 innings, 7.71 ERA

Notable Stretch:

• Final Four Appearances:

  • Innings Pitched: 9.1 against SEC opponents (including National runner-up Texas A&M)

  • Hits Allowed: 4

  • Walks: 6

  • Runs Allowed: 1

FSU Transfer Portal Additions:

• Pitchers:

  • LHP Joey Volini (USF)

  • RHP Evan Chrest (JU)

  • RHP/UTIL Peyton Prescott (JU)

  • RHP Grant Cherry (LBSU)

• Position Players:

  • OF Gage Harrelson (TT)

  • C Nathan Cmeyla (Dartmouth)

Mendes brings his talent and potential to a growing roster, adding depth and strength to FSU's pitching staff as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Check out the full details here

🏈 Koby Howard's Commitment Journey Nears Decision 🏈

Receiver Koby Howard, from Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna, is closing in on his college decision. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound standout aims to finalize his commitment before his senior season kicks off on August 24.

Howard has narrowed his choices to Ole Miss, Florida, Florida State, and Penn State.

Top Criteria for Decision:

• Offensive utilization

• Relationship with coaches

• Development opportunities

Official Visits:

• Penn State:

  • Impressed by offensive strategy and game atmosphere.

  • Attended for the Lasch Bash and to work out on July 27.

  • "Playing in a 'White Out' game would be amazing," Howard said.

• Ole Miss:

  • Visited June 14-16.

  • Praised Coach Lane Kiffin's offensive schemes.

  • "They have a real explosive offense," Howard noted.

Upcoming Visits:

• Florida:

  • Initial visit in early June didn't happen.

  • Plans for an in-season official visit.

  • "Florida is close to home, and it's a great program," Howard said.

Relationship with Florida State:

• Unofficial visit in the spring.

• Strong connection with Receivers Coach Ron Dugans since eighth grade.

  • "Coach Dugans believed in me since the eighth grade," Howard shared.

• Head Coach Mike Norvell described as "a real cool guy" who connects well with players.

Junior Season Stats:

• 65 receptions

• 1,065 yards

• 8 touchdowns

Koby Howard’s decision will soon bring clarity to his next step in a promising football career.

Check out the full details here

🌟 Malik Clark Nears College Decision 🌟

Rock Hill (SC) High On300 receiver Malik Clark is set to announce his college decision this month. The four-star talent has narrowed his choices to Florida State, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Decision Process:

• Consultation with family (mom and brother)

• Evaluation of pros and cons

• Prayer for guidance on the best decision

Recruiting Rankings:

• No. 2 recruit in South Carolina (On3 Industry)

• No. 24 receiver in the country

• No. 209 prospect overall

Key Criteria for Decision:

• Family feel

• Development opportunities

• Competitive environment

Finalists:

Florida State:

• Impressed by Coach Norvell

• FSU's strong season last year

  • "Let's be honest, they are FSU and had a great season last year. Coach Norvell is the truth."

South Carolina:

• Proximity to home (one hour away)

• Love for game-day environment

• Positive view of Coach Mike Furrey

  • "USC is home. Hour down the road from me. Love the game-day environment and Coach (Mike) Furrey is a great guy and coach as well."

North Carolina:

• Feeling of being a top priority

• Strong connection with Coach Galloway and the team

  • "UNC made it known I’m a top priority. Coach Galloway and I have a great connection, and also with my family. Love the guys on the team and the ones coming in from Jordan Shipp to Bryce Baker."

Junior Season Stats:

• 35 receptions

• 679 yards

• 7 touchdowns

Recruiting Class Rankings:

• Florida State: No. 10 (On3)

• South Carolina: No. 26

• North Carolina: No. 29

Stay tuned as Malik Clark prepares to make his highly anticipated college decision this month.

Check out the full details here

🔥 Four-Star Safety Ladarian Clardy Set to Announce College Decision 🔥

Date of Announcement: August 3

Final Choices: Ole Miss, Florida State, Washington, Central Florida, Mississippi State

Profile:

• Name: Ladarian Clardy

• Position: Safety

• School: Escambia High School, Pensacola, FL

• Height/Weight: 5'10.5", 175 lbs

• Class: 2025

• 247Sports Ratings:

  • National Safety Ranking: No. 15

  • Florida State Ranking: No. 21

  • 247Sports Composite Index:

    • National Safety Ranking: No. 17

    • Florida State Ranking: No. 31

Official Visits:

• Ole Miss: Weekend of June 22

• Florida State and Mississippi State: Early June

Recruitment Insights:

• Clardy praised his visit to Ole Miss, highlighting the coaching staff, player interactions, and defensive scheme.

• He previously mentioned that Florida State was his leader, but after his visit to Ole Miss, he considers both schools neck and neck.

  • "I also loved my Florida State visit. I love both schools."

Conference Considerations:

• Clardy is drawn to the SEC's reputation for top-tier competition, which could influence his decision.

  • "The SEC most definitely will play a big part in it."

Scouting Report:

• Strengths: Aggressive play style, excellent run support, and strong in 50-50 situations.

• Weaknesses: Needs more experience in man coverage.

• Potential: Multi-year starter and impact player at the Power Four level, with the ability to contribute on special teams.

Quotes:

• On Ole Miss Visit: "The visit went great. I loved it. Talking to the coaching staff...seeing how they can fit me in their defense and what they think about me, it was a great visit."

• On Conference Choice: "It matters, most definitely. I would love to play in the SEC."

Ladarian Clardy is poised to make a significant impact wherever he chooses to play. Stay tuned for his announcement on August 3 as he decides between these top-tier programs.

Check out the full details here

🌟 Hattiesburg High's Tristen Keys Shines as Top 2026 Receiver Prospect 🌟

Profile:

• Name: Tristen Keys

• Position: Receiver

• School: Hattiesburg High, MS

• Height/Weight: 6'2", 175 lbs

• Class: 2026

• Ranking: No. 162 overall player in the nation by 247Sports

Recruitment:

• Offers: Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and more.

Top Suitors:

• Florida State:

  • Interest: High

  • Comments: "I like their support and how they make the recruits comfortable. They communicate well and that's key. They make the recruits feel good. Coach Norvell is a good coach. He's doing a great job. It's good to see what they're doing."

• Auburn:

  • Interest: Moderate

  • Comments: Not specified in detail.

• LSU:

  • Interest: Very High

  • Comments: "That's been the dream school. I always wanted to go there. I've been there a few times. I've seen the campus and the environment. I like everything there. You talk to the players. They fill you with a lot of things that make you feel good. When you see that everything they say is true, it makes you feel good."

• Ole Miss and Mississippi State:

  • Interest: High

  • Comments: "I've been to both a lot. Been there quite a few times. They make me feel at home. They really make me comfortable. I like what they have to say. The environment at both is great and so are the fanbases."

• Michigan:

  • Interest: Growing

  • Comments: Michigan is the latest to offer Keys. He's a top priority for the Wolverines staff and he's expected to visit Ann Arbor eventually.

Offseason Highlights:

• Tristen Keys has been outstanding on the camp circuit, proving himself as one of the top playmakers on the offensive side of the ball.

Key Attributes:

• Impressive height and weight for his age and position.

• Strong performance in camps and showcases.

• Highly regarded by top college programs.

Tristen Keys is a rising star to watch, with multiple top-tier programs vying for his commitment. His impressive skills and growing list of suitors highlight his potential to make a significant impact at the next level.

Stay tuned for more updates on Tristen Keys' recruitment journey and his potential visits to top college campuses.

Check out the full details here

And that’s a wrap!

From securing Olympic bids to landing top recruits, FSU continues to make headlines on the global stage and in the college sports arena.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and exclusive insights in the next edition of The Chief Brief.

Go Noles!