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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Monday, Seminole!

Let’s dive into today’s top stories from around the world of Florida State sports and recruiting:

⚾ Jamie Arnold Goes Pro ⚾
FSU’s ace becomes the first Seminole pitcher drafted in the first round since 2014, going No. 11 overall to Oakland. His historic strikeout numbers and All-American pedigree made him a can’t-miss selection.

⚾️ Three More Noles Go in the Top 3 ⚾️ 

FSU’s historic MLB Draft run continued with three more ‘Noles going early — shortstop Alex Lodise (No. 60, Braves), pitcher Cam Leiter (No. 65, Dodgers), and slugger Max Williams (No. 78, Marlins). Lodise led the ACC in hitting and became FSU’s highest-drafted infielder since 2004

🏀 Joe Philon Sets FSU Visit 🏀
One of Florida’s top rising seniors will be in Tallahassee this September. The four-star forward from Montverde is a major in-state priority for Luke Loucks and staff.

⛳ Lottie Woad Makes LPGA History ⛳
The most decorated golfer in FSU history becomes the first ever to earn LPGA membership via the new LEAP program. Her final-round 64 at the Evian Championship? The best amateur round ever at the event.

🏈 Maycock Stays Loyal to the ‘Noles 🏈
Despite heavy pressure from Syracuse and others, linebacker Karon Maycock shut down his recruitment and reaffirmed his commitment to FSU — calling it “family.”

🧠 FSU Reloads at LB Despite Misses 🧠
After striking out on a few targets, the ‘Noles are still very much alive for several elite linebackers, including IMG’s DQ Forkpa and Miami commit Jordan Campbell. It’s all about how FSU performs this fall.

🔥 How Norvell Won Over Duce Robinson 🔥
It wasn’t just a sales pitch. Mike Norvell’s effort and authenticity sealed the deal for former 5-star WR Duce Robinson, who is now fully bought into FSU’s work-first culture.

Let’s get into it 👇

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🎯⚾ Jamie Arnold Goes No. 11 Overall in MLB Draft ⚾🎯

FSU’s ace is headed to Oakland. Jamie Arnold was selected No. 11 overall by the Athletics in the 2025 MLB Draft, making him the first Seminole pitcher drafted in the first round since Luke Weaver in 2014.

💰 Pick Value: $5.98 million
📊 Career Snapshot:
• 3.61 ERA over 234.1 IP
• 327 Ks – No. 7 all-time at FSU
• 12.56 K/9 – No. 6 in school history
• 2× First Team All-ACC & All-American

🔥 2025 Highlights:
• 119 Ks – 10th in NCAA
• 12.65 K/9 – 17th nationally
• 2.98 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 8 wins

📍Big Picture:
Arnold becomes FSU’s 13th first-round pitcher and one of the most dominant lefties in program history.

👉 Full draft breakdown and career highlights here.

⚾🔥 FSU Baseball Sees Three More Drafted in Top 3 Rounds 🔥⚾

It wasn’t just Jamie Arnold making headlines this weekend — three more Seminoles heard their names called early in the MLB Draft.

🥈 Alex Lodise – No. 60 overall (Atlanta Braves)
FSU’s breakout shortstop skyrocketed up draft boards with a stellar season.
• 2025 ACC Player of the Year
• Dick Howser Award winner
• .394 AVG, 17 HR, 68 RBI
• Led ACC in batting average, third in slugging
📍 Slot Value: $1.52 million
🧱 Highest-drafted FSU infielder since 2004 (Stephen Drew)

🥉 Cam Leiter – No. 65 overall (L.A. Dodgers)
Leiter missed most of the last two seasons with injury but flashed elite stuff when healthy.
• 56 Ks in 35 IP during 2024
• Impressed scouts in late bullpen sessions
• Former Friday night starter with MLB pedigree

🚀 Max Williams – No. 78 overall (Miami Marlins)
The slugging outfielder launched 19 homers in 2025, leading the team.
• .321 AVG, 53 RBI in 2025
• 33 HR and 99 RBI in just two seasons with FSU
📍 Slot Value: $1.04 million

🎯 Big Picture:
Four Seminoles taken in the top 78 picks — the program’s best draft showing in over a decade.

👉 Full breakdown of each pick and what’s next for these Noles here.

🏀 4⭐️ Forward Joe Philon Locks In FSU Visit 🏀

Montverde Academy four-star Joe Philon — one of Florida’s top prospects in the 2026 class — is officially headed to Tallahassee this fall.

📅 Visit Set:
Philon will take an official visit to Florida State on September 26th, followed by a trip to USF the weekend of October 3rd, per 247Sports' Brandon Jenkins.

📊 The Profile:
• No. 45 overall prospect (Top247)
• No. 8 power forward nationally
• No. 8 overall player in Florida (2026 class)

🔍 Scouting Report (via 247's Adam Finkelstein):
Philon is a rangy defender with positional versatility and advanced shot-creation skills off the bounce. His perimeter shooting still needs refinement, but his competitive character and loyalty to his grassroots team stand out.

🎯 Big Picture:
New head coach Luke Loucks has made in-state recruiting a top priority — and landing Philon would be a major win. There are no Crystal Ball predictions yet, but FSU is clearly in the mix.

👉 More on Philon and FSU’s basketball recruiting visits here.

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Management has a proven track record and plans to go public in Q1 2026.

⛳ Lottie Woad Becomes First to Earn LPGA Card Through LEAP ⛳

Florida State legend Lottie Woad continues to make history — this time, as the first-ever golfer to earn LPGA Tour Membership through the new LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP).

🎓 The Resume:
• 5x First-Team All-American
• FSU’s most decorated golfer
• 53 of last 54 weeks ranked No. 1 amateur in the world
• 2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion
• 2024 McCormack Medal recipient

🔥 The Milestone:
Woad’s T3 finish at the Amundi Evian Championship secured her final points to hit the LEAP threshold — capped by a bogey-free 64 on Sunday, the lowest amateur round in tournament history. Her 13-under 271 is also the best amateur 72-hole score ever at Evian.

📈 What’s Next:
She can either:

1. Join the LPGA Tour immediately, or

2. Defer membership until the start of 2025.

🗣️ Coach Amy Bond:
“For her to be the first person ever to graduate from the LEAP program and get her LPGA card is something truly special. I am beaming with pride.”

📍 Upcoming Events:
• Women’s Scottish Open (July 24–27)
• AIG Women’s Open (July 30–Aug. 3)

👉 Full breakdown of her LEAP points and future plans here.

🔒🏈 Karon Maycock Shuts Down Recruitment, Stays Loyal to FSU 🏈🔒

Despite consistent pressure from Alabama, Florida, and a late surge from Syracuse, 4⭐ linebacker Karon Maycock is staying true to the ‘Noles.

🗣️ Maycock at the Crib Classic:
“It was out of Florida State and Syracuse... but Florida State, that’s family right there. Every day. Non-stop.”

💬 The Flip Threat:
• Syracuse built a strong connection with South Florida native Coach NiTron Stork
• Visits to ‘Bama and UF impressed — but didn’t unseat FSU

🪢 Why FSU Won Out:
• Daily contact — “They call me twice a day.”
• Comfort with the coaching staff
• Best opportunity for development and playing time

🎯 What’s Next:
Maycock will be in Tallahassee for the season opener vs. Alabama — fully locked in.

👉 Full details on his decision and what it means for FSU’s LB room here.

🏈 Linebacker Reload: FSU Keeps Swinging After Missing on Top Targets 🏈

Florida State’s linebacker board took a hit this weekend — but there’s still plenty of game left to play.

After missing on a trio of top targets in four-star Rodney Colton Jr. (Colorado), TJ White (Tennessee), and Heze Kent (Florida), the ‘Noles are actively reshuffling their recruiting deck, with the fall looming as a pivotal stretch.

📉 Where Things Stand:
• Colton was once seen as a lean to FSU but surprised many by heading to Boulder.
• White picked Tennessee last week, a miss at a position of need.
• While two 2026 backers — Karon Maycock and Noah LaVallee — are already committed, FSU clearly wants more firepower in the linebacker room.

🌀 Still in Play:
• DQ Forkpa (IMG Academy)
 Originally trending toward Florida, Forkpa delayed his commitment and now says he’s weighing FSU, UF, and Michigan. A fall decision is likely, and the Seminoles are firmly in the mix.

• Jordan Campbell (Miami commit)
 The Miami Northwestern star plans to officially visit FSU and Nebraska this fall, and maybe Auburn. Though he still calls Miami his favorite, he’s publicly admitted: “I love Florida State, and I’m not scared to say it.”

• Izayia Williams (Ole Miss commit)
 This rollercoaster recruitment could take another turn. Williams has previously committed to both Florida and FSU, and Rivals analysts believe FSU is still pushing hard to flip him again.

🔑 What’s Next:
With a new linebackers coach and a revamped room, the key for FSU now is on-field performance. Forkpa and Campbell both pointed to winning as a factor — and a hot start in September could be the edge that tips these battles back toward Tallahassee.

👉 More recruiting updates and linebacker targets here.

🔥📞 Duce Robinson’s Recruitment Reveals Why Norvell Still Wins 📞🔥

What flipped the script for former 5-star WR Duce Robinson? Not just Florida State’s vision — but the unrelenting persistence of Mike Norvell.

🏃‍♂️ The Relentless Chase:
Norvell didn’t just recruit Robinson — he worked for him.
• Daily texts and calls
• Surprise FaceTime during Robinson’s high school lift
• High energy, consistent effort — never wavered

🧠 Robinson Noticed:
“I could feel it in his words… With a lot of coaches, it’s just recruiting talk, but with him, it felt different.”

🏠 On His Visit:
Robinson visited Norvell’s home and met his daughter Mila — who talked his ear off for two hours.
"Your kid isn't going to be like that unless your enthusiasm is real every single day,” he said.

💪 Similar Spirits:
Robinson’s high-motor upbringing mirrored Norvell’s grinder mindset.
• 6’6”, 222 lbs with blazing foot speed
• Two 300+ yard seasons at USC
• Now fully bought into FSU’s culture of effort, energy, and daily growth

🗣️ Norvell:
“He didn’t come here as a finished product... but when someone has the edge and desire to grow, you’ve got a chance.”

👀 Big Picture:
Robinson’s transfer wasn’t about flash. It was about fit — and Norvell’s genuine drive gave FSU the edge over ASU, UNC, and A&M. Now Robinson’s not just wearing garnet and gold — he’s speaking Norvell-ese fluently.

👉 Read the full story of effort, alignment, and belief here.

And that’s a wrap!

FThat’s a wrap for today’s edition of The Chief Brief. Whether it’s Duce Robinson buying into Norvell’s grind, Lottie Woad blazing new trails on the LPGA Tour, or Jamie Arnold making MLB noise — the theme is clear: FSU is built different when the work gets real.

We’ll be watching the linebacker board closely and keeping you posted on every visit, commitment, and breakout. See you back here tomorrow for more Seminole heat.

Stay locked in, stay proud, and as always — Go ‘Noles 🍢