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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

Here’s what’s heating up in the offseason:

🏈 Alabama LB Responds to Tommy Castellanos’ Bold Bama Claim 🏈
The Tide fires back after FSU’s new QB says Alabama won’t stop him without Saban.

🏈 FSU Commits & Targets Shift in 247Sports’ New 2026 Rankings 🏈
Several ‘Noles commits and targets slide in the updated national rankings.

⚾ FSU Baseball Offseason Tracker: Draft Picks & New Faces ⚾
After a 42–16 season, the roster reshuffle is in full swing with draft departures, transfers, and JUCO/HS additions.

🏈 FSU Turning Up Heat on 4⭐ EDGE Jarius Rodgers 🏈
The ‘Noles push for a flip from the Syracuse commit ahead of his October visit.

🏈 FSU Fighting to Stay in the Mix for 4⭐ RB Derrek Cooper & DE Kamron Wilson 🏈
FSU stays in striking distance for a top RB target while keeping the door open with a DE committed elsewhere.

🏈 Alabama LB Responds to Tommy Castellanos’ Bold Bama Claim 🏈

The war of words ahead of FSU vs. Alabama is heating up.

• Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson addressed Tommy Castellanos’ summer statement that Alabama “won’t be able to stop him without Nick Saban.”

• “It definitely ignites us a little bit… I think all disrespect will be addressed accordingly,” Lawson told SEC This Morning.

• Castellanos, a Boston College transfer, said his comment was meant to instill confidence in his new teammates.

The Seminoles host Alabama on August 30 at Doak Campbell Stadium in one of the biggest openers of the season.

👉 Read more

🏈 FSU Commits & Targets Shift in 247Sports’ New 2026 Rankings 🏈

247Sports dropped its latest class of 2026 rankings, bringing slight movement for several FSU commits and targets:

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ CB Chauncey Kennon – No. 27 overall (no change)

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ATH Derrek Cooper – No. 40 (down 1)

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐ DL Earnest Rankins – No. 117 (down 6)

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐ WR Devin Carter – No. 141 (down 6)

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐ TE Xavier Tiller – No. 157 (down 3)

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐ LB Izayia Williams – No. 170 (down 4)

Others still hold four-star grades but remain outside the Top247, including WR Brandon Bennett, DB Jay Timmons, and ATH Efrem White.

👉 Read more

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⚾ FSU Baseball Offseason Tracker: Draft Picks & New Faces ⚾

Florida State wrapped up 2025 with a 42–16 record, falling just short of a second straight College World Series appearance after the Corvallis Super Regional. Now, the offseason roster shuffle is in full swing:

MLB Draft Departures

• Jamie Arnold (No. 11 – Athletics)

• Alex Lodise (No. 60 – Braves, signed $1.3M)

• Cam Leiter (No. 65 – Dodgers)

• Max Williams (No. 78 – Marlins)

• Plus five more Seminoles drafted, expected to sign

Transfer Additions

• INF Eli Putnam (Davidson) – .349 AVG, 19 HR

• LHP Trey Beard (FAU) – 3.14 ERA in 86 IP

• RHP Cade O’Leary (Mississippi State) – rising sophomore with upside

• Plus arms from Oregon, Virginia, Duke & more

Incoming JUCO/HS Talent

• Notables include Kelvyn Paulino Jr. (IMG Academy), Mookie Rodriguez (Lakeland Christian), and multiple JUCO arms bolstering depth.

The roster tracker will keep evolving as portal moves and commitments finalize ahead of 2026.

👉 See the full updated tracker

🏈 FSU Turning Up Heat on 4⭐ EDGE Jarius Rodgers 🏈

After striking out on several summer targets at JACK linebacker, Florida State is pushing hard for Jarius Rodgers, a 6’4.5” four-star pass rusher from Orange Park’s Fleming Island.

• Currently committed to Syracuse, Rodgers has scheduled an official visit to Tallahassee for the Miami game on Oct. 4.

• Despite not taking an official to FSU this summer, he’s been on campus seven times since April 2024—more than any other school.

• Rodgers tallied 51 tackles, 9 sacks, and 22 QB hurries as a junior and brings elite length, speed, and explosiveness as a developmental edge talent.

With the ‘Noles missing on other JACK prospects, expect Rodgers to be a priority down the stretch.

👉 Read more

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🏈 FSU Fighting to Stay in the Mix for 4⭐ RB Derrek Cooper & DE Kamron Wilson 🏈

Florida State is still swinging for two South Florida standouts despite trailing in their recruitments.

• Derrek Cooper, the No. 3 running back in the nation, will announce his decision July 20 between Texas, FSU, Miami, Georgia, and Ohio State.

  • Cooper praised Mike Norvell and RB coach David Johnson, saying he likes how Gus Malzahn’s offense uses backs as runners, receivers, and even passers.

  • While Texas is trending as the favorite, the ‘Noles have stayed in striking distance.

• Kamron Wilson, a defensive end committed to Syracuse, continues to hear from FSU daily.

  • DL coach Terrance Knighton and the staff are pushing for a flip, with Wilson planning an official visit to Tallahassee this fall.

  • Nebraska is also a factor, but FSU’s proximity to home could weigh heavily.

The ‘Noles aren’t done hunting for elite talent at RB and DE—and flips could still be in play this season.

👉 Read more

And that’s a wrap!

And that’s today’s Brief! From Alabama already chirping back at Tommy Castellanos to FSU staying aggressive on the recruiting trail, it’s clear the energy in Tallahassee isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Enjoy the calm before football season ramps into overdrive—see you tomorrow, Chief.