🏹 July 16th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Community Leaders to Future Stars

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The Chief
July 16, 2025

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Which future ‘Nole do you think makes the biggest impact?

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy hump day, Seminole!

We’ve got a hoops heavy edition today:

🏈 Richie Leonard IV Nominated for Allstate AFCA Good Works Team 🏈
FSU’s veteran OL earns national recognition for his impact beyond the field.

⚾ Cal Raleigh Starts in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game ⚾
The former ‘Nole catches five innings for the AL after winning the Home Run Derby.

🏀 FSU Hoops Alumni Shine in NBA Summer League 🏀
Jamir Watkins, M.J. Walker Jr., and more make their mark in Vegas.

🏀 FSU in Final 7 for 2026 Four-Star Center Marcis Ponder 🏀
The 7-footer trims his list and keeps the Seminoles firmly in the mix.

🏀 FSU Secures First Official Visit from 4⭐ Wing Kevin Thomas 🏀
The explosive scorer locks in a visit for the Alabama football weekend.

🏀 FSU Loading Up Star Power for Bama Weekend Hoops Visits 🏀
Four-star Collin Paul joins a stacked group of visitors.

🏈 FSU Leads for 2027 QB Target Logan Flaherty 🏈
The legacy recruit names the Seminoles as his current frontrunner.

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🏈🤝 Richie Leonard IV Nominated for Allstate AFCA Good Works Team 🤝🏈

Florida State redshirt senior OL Richie Leonard IV is being recognized for his impact off the field as a nominee for the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

🌟 Community Impact:

  • Founded the Richie H. Leonard Football Camp in Cocoa, FL, providing a free experience for nearly 300 kids in 2024 while donating $5,000 to Cocoa High School’s program

  • Joined FSU’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes mission trip to Argentina this spring, teaching local communities about American football

  • Sponsors an AAU basketball team, participates in youth initiatives in Tallahassee & Cocoa, and is planning care packages for cancer patients at Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Center (where his mother received treatment)

📊 On the Field:
Leonard has played 35 career games with 17 starts, leading Florida in snaps in 2023 before a 2024 injury-shortened season.

📅 What’s Next:
Leonard could join eight other Seminoles honored since 1992. FSU opens its season vs. Alabama at Doak on Aug. 30 (3:30 PM, ABC).

⚾⭐ Cal Raleigh Starts in 2025 MLB All-Star Game ⭐⚾

Former Seminole Cal Raleigh made his first-ever All-Star appearance as the AL’s starting catcher at Truist Field in Atlanta.

📊 All-Star Game Recap:

  • AL vs. NL ended 6–6 after nine innings

  • Decided by a swing-off, with the NL taking the win

  • Raleigh caught five innings & went 1-for-2 with a single

🔥 Raleigh’s Week:

  • Won the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby Monday night

  • Leads MLB with 38 HRs & 82 RBI at the break

Next up, Raleigh and the Mariners face the Astros in a three-game series starting Friday.

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🏀 FSU Hoops Alumni Shine in NBA Summer League 🏀

Former ‘Noles are making their presence felt in Summer League play.

  • Jamir Watkins earned his first start with the Washington Wizards and logged nearly 32 minutes. He scored 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting, adding 5 boards, 2 assists, 8 steals, and 3 blocks in an all-around effort. The 2025 second-round pick (No. 43 overall) continues to carve out his role after two standout seasons at FSU.

  • M.J. Walker Jr. chipped in 6 points for the Charlotte Hornets in a win over Dallas, despite an off shooting night (2-of-11).

  • Jaylan Gainey was a DNP for the Utah Jazz.

The NBA Summer League rolls on this week as more FSU alums fight for roster spots.

🏀 FSU in Final 7 for 2026 Four-Star Center Marcis Ponder 🏀

Florida State made the cut for Marcis Ponder, a 7-foot, four-star center from Miami who just trimmed his list to seven schools. Joining the Seminoles in the mix: Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Miami, Providence, and Texas.

  • Ranked No. 71 nationally by Rivals, Ponder is a high-motor big man known for his strength and ability to dominate the paint.

  • He’s reshaped his body down to 280 pounds, improving his ability to run the floor and make second-effort plays. He models his game after Shaquille O’Neal, using his size as a weapon.

  • So far, Providence is the only school to host him for an official visit, but he plans to schedule more before committing this fall ahead of his senior season.

“I’m looking for a place where I can play as a freshman and continue to develop,” Ponder said.

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🏀 FSU Secures First Official Visit from 4⭐ Wing Kevin Thomas 🏀

Florida State will host Kevin Thomas, a 6’7” four-star small forward from Fort Lauderdale’s Sagemont Prep, for his first official visit on August 29—timed with the Seminoles’ football showdown against Alabama.

  • Ranked No. 79 nationally, Thomas is an explosive athlete who can score from deep and is tapping into his defensive potential.

  • He’s already taken unofficials to UCLA, Miami, and Georgia Tech, though Tech’s interest has cooled while Miami and UCLA remain engaged.

  • Auburn is also in the mix for a future official visit, with Thomas noting their reputation for developing wings.

Thomas says he’s in no rush, expecting a decision later this winter after weighing fit, minutes, and team culture.

🏀 FSU Loading Up Star Power for Bama Weekend Hoops Visits 🏀

Luke Loucks is lining up a massive official visit weekend for FSU men’s basketball—timed with the football clash against Alabama.

Already confirmed:

  • Kevin Thomas (4⭐ SF)

  • Brandon Bass (4⭐ SG)

  • Toni Bryant (4⭐ F)

Now, add another big name: Collin Paul, a 6’6” four-star small forward from South Florida ranked No. 49 nationally and the No. 6 prospect in Florida.

Paul is a versatile, “positionless” player generating NBA scout buzz this summer. His connection with FSU assistant Michael Fly, who first recruited him at Jacksonville, could be a key factor in the Seminoles’ pursuit.

Miami, Georgetown, TCU, Virginia Tech, and Alabama are also involved, but Paul hasn’t locked in any other fall visits yet.

🏈 FSU Leads for 2027 QB Target Logan Flaherty 🏈

Florida State has emerged as the clear leader for 2027 three-star quarterback Logan Flaherty, a Port Charlotte product and legacy recruit whose parents both attended FSU.

  • Flaherty calls the Seminoles his No. 1 school, with UCF and Miami sitting as close second and third options.

  • The ‘Noles offered him last November, and he’s already visited three times, including a June camp where OC Gus Malzahn praised his “pretty ball” and athletic fit in the scheme.

  • As a sophomore, he completed 61% of his passes for 1,403 yards, 20 TDs, and just 4 picks.

While many QBs commit early, Flaherty plans to take his time, aiming to trim his list in November or December.

And that’s a wrap!

And that’s today’s Brief! From Richie Leonard’s impact beyond football to recruiting battles heating up in both hoops and football, the Seminoles are stacking wins everywhere.

Stay locked in—next stop, Bama weekend.

See you tomorrow, Chief.

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