Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy humpday Seminole!

Here’s the midweek docket for you:

🔗FSU Dominates 2024 MLB Draft with Eight Selections🔗

Florida State University showcased its talent pipeline in the 2024 MLB Draft with an impressive eight players selected, the most in the ACC and among the top five nationally. This marks FSU’s most successful draft since 2017, demonstrating the strength and depth of its baseball program.

🏅FSU Track and Field Excels Academically🏅

The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association announced its academic awards for the 2024 outdoor season, recognizing the outstanding academic achievements of Florida State's track and field teams. The men's team earned All-Academic team honors with a GPA of 3.59, while the women's team achieved a GPA of 3.62.

🏈Top Prospect Jarius Rodgers to Visit FSU and UCF🏈

Jarius Rodgers, the No. 69 overall prospect and No. 11 edge rusher in the class of 2026, will visit UCF and Florida State at the end of the month. Rodgers looks forward to reconnecting with FSU coaches and showcasing his improved skills.

🏈FSU Extends Offer to 2025 OL Prospect Daniel Pierre Louis🏈

Florida State has extended a new scholarship offer to Daniel Pierre Louis, an offensive line prospect from Loxahatchee (Fla.) Seminole Ridge High School. Pierre Louis has been actively engaging with the FSU program and plans to visit again during the upcoming football season.

🏆 FSU Baseball's Myles Bailey Commits to Stay in Tallahassee 🏆

Florida State baseball experienced a bustling 2024 MLB Draft, with eight Seminoles and nine commits selected. Among them, highly-ranked commit Myles Bailey has decided to stay at FSU despite being drafted, a significant win for the program.

🔗FSU Dominates 2024 MLB Draft with Eight Selections🔗

Florida State University showcased its talent pipeline in the 2024 MLB Draft with an impressive eight players selected, the most in the ACC and among the top five nationally. This marks FSU’s most successful draft since 2017, demonstrating the strength and depth of its baseball program.

Top Picks

James Tibbs III and Cam Smith led the way as first-round selections, with Tibbs going 13th overall to the San Francisco Giants and Smith immediately following at 14th to the Chicago Cubs. Their selections mark a significant achievement for FSU, as it's the first time since 1995 that two Seminoles have been drafted in the first round.

Mid-Round Stars

Marco Dinges and Jaime Ferrer were picked in the fourth round, with Dinges heading to the Milwaukee Brewers at 123rd overall and Ferrer joining the Minnesota Twins at 126th. Both players had standout seasons, with Dinges earning second-team All-Region and Ferrer shining in the College World Series.

Carson Dorsey was a seventh-round selection by the Baltimore Orioles at 219th overall, while Gavin Adams was taken in the eighth round by the Pittsburgh Pirates at 234th overall. Dorsey, known for his postseason performances, and Adams, despite being injured in 2024, have shown great potential.

Late-Round Talent

Yoel Tejeda Jr. and Conner Whittaker rounded out the FSU draftees, selected in the 14th and 15th rounds, respectively. Tejeda, picked by the Washington Nationals, and Whittaker, selected by the Cleveland Guardians, have both contributed significantly to FSU’s recent success.

Yoel Tejeda Jr. had a solid sophomore year, with 15 strikeouts over 19.2 innings, setting a career high with five strikeouts against Duke. Conner Whittaker, with a 12-8 record and 146 strikeouts over his three-year career, went 5-0 in 2024, showcasing his reliability and skill on the mound.

Draft Legacy

Tejeda becomes the 13th Seminole drafted by the Nationals, while Whittaker is the 11th by Cleveland, following in the footsteps of top-rated prospect Parker Messick. This year's eight draft picks highlight FSU’s ability to develop players ready for the next level, reinforcing its status as a powerhouse in college baseball.

Full 2024 MLB Draft Selections:

• James Tibbs III – 1st Round, 13th overall – San Francisco Giants

• Cam Smith – 1st Round, 14th overall – Chicago Cubs

• Marco Dinges – 4th Round, 123rd overall – Milwaukee Brewers

• Jaime Ferrer – 4th Round, 126th overall – Minnesota Twins

• Carson Dorsey – 7th Round, 219th overall – Baltimore Orioles

• Gavin Adams – 8th Round, 234th overall – Pittsburgh Pirates

• Yoel Tejeda Jr. – 14th Round, 410th overall – Washington Nationals

• Conner Whittaker – 15th Round, 445th overall – Cleveland Guardians

FSU’s performance in the 2024 MLB Draft is a testament to the program’s strength and the exceptional talent it continues to nurture.

Read more here

🏅FSU Track and Field Excels Academically🏅

The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association announced its academic awards for the 2024 outdoor season, recognizing the outstanding academic achievements of Florida State's track and field teams.

Men’s Team Achievements:

• GPA: 3.59

• All-Academic Athletes:

  • Andre Korbmacher

  • Jayden Louis-Charles

  • Neo Mosebi

  • David Mullarkey

  • Martin Prodanov

  • Cooper Schroeder

Women’s Team Achievements:

• GPA: 3.62

• All-Academic Athletes:

  • Suus Altorf

  • Ava Klein

  • Agnes McTighe

  • Alexandra Webster

Qualification Criteria:

To qualify for All-Academic distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and meet specific performance criteria in championships or NCAA Division I Outdoor Championship events.

Individual Highlights:

• David Mullarkey:

  • Set an indoor program record in the 3,000 meters with a time of 7:42.89

  • Finished the season with second-team All-American honors at the NCAA Championship

  • Finished fourth at the ACC Outdoor Championships in the 5,000 meters (13:41.76)

  • Named ACC Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year

  • Captured bronze at the 2023 ACC Championships in the 8k

  • Earned All-American nod in the 10k at nationals (40th place)

• Suus Altorf:

  • Qualified for her first NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship

  • Finished 12th in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA East Prelims with a lifetime best (4:10.13), sixth-fastest time in school history

  • Placed third at the ACC Outdoor Championship in the 1,500 meters (4:13.22)

Florida State's track and field teams continue to shine both on the track and in the classroom, exemplifying the true spirit of student-athletes.

Check out the full details here

Small plug here - if you’re curious how the landscape of NIL in collegiate sports is playing it out, you’ll probably enjoy this newsletter called NIL Wire.

It’s the fastest growing NIL email newsletter and where we keep up with this evolving space for you on all FSU news.

You can click the link above to signup in one-click if you’d like to know more about the rest of the county as well.

🏈Top Prospect Jarius Rodgers to Visit FSU and UCF🏈

Jarius Rodgers, the No. 69 overall prospect and No. 11 edge rusher in the class of 2026, will stay local during the weeklong visit window at the end of the month, checking out UCF and Florida State on consecutive days.

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound standout from Orange Park (Fla.) Fleming Island has already visited both programs, but this will be his first visit since receiving an offer from the Seminoles on June 20.

Upcoming Visits:

• UCF: July 26

  • Rodgers looks forward to spending time with the coaches who have been helping him improve and having some fun at the end of summer.

  • Despite not yet receiving an offer from UCF, Rodgers values the connection he has with the coaching staff.

• Florida State:

  • Rodgers is eager to reconnect with coach Mike Norvell, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, and defensive ends coach John Papuchis.

  • He is excited to show how much he has improved since the coaches last saw him.

Athletic Background:

• Football: Rodgers is a highly-touted edge rusher with strong potential.

• Track and Field: He competes in the 100-meter dash (personal best of 11.53 seconds) and 100-meter hurdles (14.1 seconds).

Rodgers' visits to UCF and Florida State will be crucial as he continues to evaluate his options and build relationships with the coaching staffs at these prominent programs.

Check out the full details here

🏈FSU Extends Offer to 2025 OL Prospect Daniel Pierre Louis🏈

Florida State has extended a new scholarship offer to Daniel Pierre Louis, an offensive line prospect from Loxahatchee (Fla.) Seminole Ridge High School. The unranked recruit reported the offer on Tuesday, tagging FSU offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins in his tweet.

Recruitment Highlights:

• Campus Visits: Pierre Louis has been actively engaging with the FSU program, camping in Tallahassee last month and returning for a more in-depth visit in late June. During this visit, he spent several days exploring the football program and facilities.

  • Pierre Louis on His Visit: "I wanted to get the feel for the school... they invited me back after the Big Man Camp and I just really enjoyed everything that they offered here and everything, the coaches, the buildings."

Player Profile:

• Height/Weight: 6'4.5", 290 lbs

• Attributes: Known for his excellent length and frame, Pierre Louis has the potential to add more weight and muscle.

• Other Offers: Ivy League schools (Penn, Brown), Central Michigan (official visit in late June), Coastal Carolina, Western Kentucky, and others.

Future Plans:

• Pierre Louis may set up an official visit to FSU during the upcoming football season, further solidifying his interest in the Seminoles.

Florida State's proactive engagement with Pierre Louis underscores their commitment to bolstering their offensive line with promising talent for the 2025 class.

Check out the full details here

🏆 FSU Baseball's Myles Bailey Commits to Stay in Tallahassee 🏆

Florida State baseball experienced a bustling 2024 MLB Draft, with eight Seminoles and nine commits selected in the 20-round event. Among them, Myles Bailey, a highly-ranked commit, has decided to stay at FSU despite being drafted.

Myles Bailey's Profile:

• Background: Tallahassee native, attended Lincoln High School.

• Physical Stats: Left-handed hitter, six-foot-four, 235 pounds.

• Positions: Played 1B, SS, 3B, and corner OF in high school; expected to play first base at the next level.

• Eligibility: Sophomore draft-eligible in two years.

Rankings and Achievements:

• Perfect Game: No. 37 overall, No. 1 first baseman in high school class.

• Florida Ranking: No. 7 in Florida.

• MLB Pipeline: Ranked No. 145, with a 60 grade for power.

Future at FSU:

Bailey's decision to remain at FSU is a significant win for the program. His versatility and power-hitting ability make him a valuable asset for the Seminoles.

Florida State's strong recruiting efforts and successful draft outcomes highlight the program's bright future and commitment to developing top-tier talent.

Check out the full details here

And that’s a wrap!

We’re thrilled to share the latest and greatest from Florida State University, highlighting our athletes’ achievements both on and off the field. From dominating the MLB Draft to excelling in academics, FSU continues to set the bar high.

Stay connected and keep supporting our Seminoles. Don’t miss out on the upcoming events and exciting announcements. Until next time, keep that Seminole spirit strong!

Go Noles!