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TGIF Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve for you on the final Friday before the Olympic games begin:

🏆 Maurice Smith Nominated for 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team 🏆

Florida State's Maurice Smith has been nominated for the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Smith, a two-time All-ACC selection, is recognized for his on-field performance and extensive community service efforts.

🏈 Four-Star WR Malik Clark to Announce College Decision on July 25 🏈

Top wide receiver Malik Clark will choose between Florida State, North Carolina, and South Carolina on July 25. Stay tuned to find out where this talented player will continue his football career.

🏀 FSU Joins Chase for 2027 Small Forward Baba Oladotun 🏀

FSU men's basketball is pursuing 6'9" small forward Baba Oladotun from Silver Spring, Maryland. With offers from top programs, Oladotun shows great potential as an elite player in his class.

🏈 Ousmane Kromah Names Top Four Schools 🏈

Running back Ousmane Kromah has narrowed his choices to Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, and Tennessee. Kromah is evaluating each program's fit and family-oriented atmosphere.

🔥 FSU's Offensive Line Recruiting Heats Up for 2025 🔥

FSU is making strides in the 2025 recruiting cycle with key offensive line commitments. The decision of five-star OT Josh Petty will be crucial to completing their offensive line unit.

🌐 FSU at the Center of College Football Realignment Buzz 🌐

Florida State is at the forefront of college football's conference realignment talks. While the SEC is not an option, the Big 12 could be a potential landing spot for the Seminoles.

🏆 Maurice Smith Nominated for 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team 🏆

Florida State's standout offensive lineman, Maurice Smith, has been nominated for the prestigious 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Career Highlights:

• Experience: Started 41 of his 45 career appearances

• Accolades: Two-time All-ACC selection, 2023 All-ACC Academic Team

• 2023 Performance: Started all 12 games, key player in FSU's 16th ACC title with a 13-0 regular season

Team Contributions:

Smith played a crucial role in blocking for an FSU offense that led the conference in multiple categories, including scoring offense, total touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns.

He protected Jordan Travis, the ACC's Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting and broke FSU career records for total offense and touchdown responsibility.

Community Service:

Maurice Smith is renowned for his active participation in community service. His efforts include:

• Tornado Relief: Helped serve over 1,000 families affected by a tornado in Tallahassee

• FSU Childcare and Early Learning Center

• Boys & Girls Club

• Boys Town

• Sabal Palm Elementary

• Hope to Dream

• Big Brothers, Big Sisters

• Second Harvest

• Youth Football Camps

About the Allstate Good Works Team:

The Allstate Good Works Team honors college football athletes for their dedication to community service.

Maurice Smith follows in the footsteps of Dillan Gibbons, who was named captain of the Good Works Team in 2022 and became the first FSU player to win the Wuerffel Trophy for exemplary community service combined with leadership and on-field performance.

Read more here

🏈 Four-Star WR Malik Clark to Announce College Decision on July 25 🏈

One of the top wide receivers in the 2025 recruiting cycle, Malik Clark, is set to reveal his college choice later this month. The four-star prospect from Rock Hill, South Carolina, will decide between Florida State, North Carolina, and South Carolina on July 25.

Finalists and Visits:

• Florida State: "Let’s be honest they are FSU and had a great season last year. Coach Norvell is the truth."

• South Carolina: "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: "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."

Recruitment Journey:

Malik Clark took official visits to each of his top three schools in June, along with a visit to NC State. Currently, the in-state Gamecocks hold a slight edge in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Player Profile:

• Height/Weight: 6'2.5", 180 lbs

• Ranking: No. 209 overall prospect and No. 24 WR in the 2025 cycle (On3 Industry Ranking)

• South Carolina Ranking: No. 2 player in the state

Performance Highlights:

During his junior year at Rock Hill High, Clark caught 35 passes for 679 yards and seven touchdowns, showcasing his talent and solidifying his status as one of the top receivers in his class.

Stay tuned on July 25 to see where Malik Clark will continue his football journey and which program will gain a standout wide receiver.

Read more here

🏀 FSU Joins Chase for 2027 Small Forward Baba Oladotun 🏀

Florida State men's basketball is among the numerous programs pursuing Baba Oladotun, a highly-touted 6'9" small forward from James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Although Oladotun is not yet rated by 247Sports, his impressive offer sheet includes prestigious programs like Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, USC, Cincinnati, Louisville, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and now, Ole Miss.

Recruitment Competition:

• Current Offers: Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, USC, Cincinnati, Florida State, Louisville, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and more.

• Recent Interest: Ole Miss has recently joined the race for Oladotun.

Scouting Report:

Brandon Jenkins of 247Sports observed Oladotun at the Nike Elite 100 Camp in North Augusta, SC, where he faced off against 2027 prospect Lincoln Cosby.

Performance Highlights:

• Nike Elite 100 Camp: Oladotun displayed his potential as an elite shot creator, showing the ability to make plays off the dribble and score from various ranges. He also demonstrated strong defensive effort, matching his offensive energy.

• Scouting Summary: Despite a tough shooting night, finishing with 10 points on 4-11 shooting and 0-4 from deep, Oladotun showcased his promise as a top-tier talent. His 6'9" frame allows him to get his shot off at will, and his commitment to both offense and defense highlights his potential as an elite player in his class.

Read more here

🏈 Ousmane Kromah Names Top Four Schools 🏈

Ousmane Kromah, a highly sought-after running back, has narrowed his choices to four top schools: Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, and Tennessee. The 5'11", 200-pound prospect shared his thoughts on each program and the factors influencing his decision.

Top Four Schools:

1. Auburn:

   • "Auburn's just great. I had a bad little beginning with them, but now, it's different. Coach [Derrick] Nix is making sure I feel right. Before, my mama didn't like Auburn. Now he's done changed my mama's mind. My mom loves Auburn. She literally wants to go there whenever we can. Coach Nix did everything he needed to make sure we felt welcome. Coach [Hugh] Freeze let us know he really wants me. Coach Nix wants to make me the best back I can be or the best back in the nation."

2. Florida State:

   • "They just believe in me. They're my people. They make me feel super, super comfortable. If I was to go there, I would have no regrets. Coach [Mike] Norvell and Coach [Alex] Atkins, they're all great coaches and they care about me for real. They don't want to see me fail ever in any scenario. And they love my family too, so they care about how I was raised. It makes it easier and better when they love my family.”

3. Georgia:

   • "Coach Crawford makes me feel wanted. He makes sure I know he's going to be there for me through anything. Being from Lee County, that makes it that much better. He knows people that take care of me. It's the family aspect. All the coaches introduced themselves and shared a fun fact. That just shows that they care about each other and they want everybody to know everybody so it can actually be a family and not just a team."

4. Tennessee:

   • "Coach [De'Rail] Sims, man, I gotta get back to Tennessee. That's my guy. He makes sure everybody is good at all times. When I went on my OV, he made sure all my questions were answered. My mom, sister, and girlfriend were there, and they were all taken care of. They're making sure you're feeling at home or wanted."

Decision Timeline: Kromah's timeline for making his final decision is still undecided, but he hinted it could be soon. "I'm talking with my mom to know when. I don't know if I want to do it in the middle of the season or just go ahead and get it over with, but I might just go ahead and get it over with," Kromah said.

Read more here

🔥 FSU's Offensive Line Recruiting Heats Up for 2025 🔥

Florida State is a big player in the 2025 recruiting cycle, particularly with its offensive line recruits. However, the Seminoles are still on the hunt for a crucial piece: an offensive tackle.

FSU has secured commitments from two blue-chip interior offensive linemen, one of whom may have the flexibility to play tackle. Still, a true tackle prospect remains a key target to complete their offensive line unit.

Current Commitments:

5-star iOL Solomon Thomas

• School: Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines

• Details: Thomas committed early to Florida State despite an impressive national offer list. He visited schools like LSU and Florida in the spring and early summer but reaffirmed his commitment after an official visit to Tallahassee in late June. While he might visit other schools during the fall, he currently seems solidly committed to the 'Noles.

4-star iOL Peyton Joseph

• School: Warner Robins (Ga.) Houston County

• Details: Joseph, initially committed to the Florida Gators, switched his commitment to FSU after persistent efforts from offensive line coach Alex Atkins. He chose the Seminoles over Memphis and is projected to be a future starter on the interior line.

Potential Additions:

5-star OT Josh Petty

• Importance: Petty is the top priority remaining on FSU’s board. The Seminoles need a true tackle prospect, and Petty fits the bill. However, Georgia Tech is a significant competitor, especially with NIL considerations and strong academic offerings. Petty's decision is expected soon, and it's crucial for FSU to secure his commitment.

Under-the-Radar Targets:

3-star OT Sean Poret

• School: Atlanta (Ga.) Riverwood (committed to South Florida)

• Details: Poret became a target after impressing at a spring practice and FSU's Elite Camp. Although the Seminoles haven’t pushed aggressively yet, Poret might reappear on their radar around the Seminole Showcase event later this month.

OT Daniel Pierre Louis

• School: Loxahatchee (Fla.) Seminole Ridge

• Details: Recently offered by FSU, Pierre Louis is another developmental prospect. He camped at FSU in June and has mostly Ivy League and G5 offers. It remains to be seen if FSU will push for his commitment soon.

As FSU continues to build its offensive line for the future, these recruits represent key pieces in creating a formidable unit.

Read more here

🌐 FSU at the Center of College Football Realignment Buzz 🌐

Florida State University is once again at the forefront of college football's conference realignment discussions, primarily due to its ongoing legal battle with the ACC. However, the Seminoles' potential landing spot, should they successfully exit their current conference, remains uncertain.

SEC's Position:

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has firmly dismissed the possibility of adding Florida State to the league. With Texas and Oklahoma officially joining this month, the SEC is committed to maintaining its 16-team structure.

• Sankey’s Statement: "Our presidents have said very clearly, we're not going to be entangled in legal issues around any consideration of expansion, so it's not a conversation. We're not going to take our pie and slice it into more pieces. We have to grow the pie."

Conference Stability:

As the 2024 college football season approaches, the SEC and the Big Ten stand as the two most prominent and stable conferences. This stability is highlighted by the recent collapse of the Pac-12, reducing the power conference structure to four.

• Sankey’s Perspective: "This group of 16 is an incredibly strong, well-positioned group of 16 universities and athletic programs in contiguous states. There's not this need [for expansion]."

Potential Big 12 Move:

With the SEC out of the picture, the Big 12 emerges as a potential destination for Florida State and Clemson. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark emphasized that the conference is still "open for business" and actively pursuing expansion.

• Yormark’s Statement: "There is no time to press pause on expansion. We're still open for business."

Preliminary Discussions:

Florida State and Clemson have already had preliminary discussions with the Big 12, exploring the feasibility of a move. Financial considerations are crucial for both parties to ensure the mutual benefit of such a transition.

As the landscape of college football continues to shift, Florida State’s future conference affiliation remains a key storyline to watch.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you for joining us in this edition of The Chief Brief! As Florida State continues to excel on and off the field, we’re excited to keep you updated on all the latest news and achievements.

Stay connected with us for more updates, and be sure to catch the big announcements and events highlighted in this edition. Your support for FSU athletics makes all the difference!

Until next time, go Noles!