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Welcome to July, Seminole! Big day? 🤣 Rumors are swirling…

Here’s today’s docket:

🏈 Historic Commitment: Zae Thomas Joins FSU as First Seminole Tribe Member on Scholarship
Four-star defensive back Gregory Xavier "Zae" Thomas made history by committing to Florida State, becoming the first member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida to earn a scholarship and commit to FSU. This landmark commitment is yet another major boost for FSU’s 2025 class.

🏈 FSU Eyes Flip of Ohio State Commit Tarvos Alford
Florida State is making a strong push to flip four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford from Ohio State. Despite his current commitment, Alford praises FSU's effective and balanced recruiting efforts, noting strong connections with Coach Shannon and Coach Norvell.

⚾️ FSU Extends Contract of Baseball Coach Link Jarrett
Following an impressive 2024 season, Florida State has extended head baseball coach Link Jarrett's contract. Jarrett led FSU to a 49-17 record and a College World Series appearance and semifinal finish.

🎯 FSU Targets Top CB Jaboree Antoine for 2025 Class
Florida State is pursuing highly-ranked cornerback Jaboree Antoine, who recently decommitted from LSU. Antoine’s official visit to FSU left a strong impression, with the coaching staff's consistency and honesty standing out.

🏅 FSU Athletes Shine at 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials
The 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials concluded with notable performances from FSU athletes. Kyvon Tatham, Kasey Knevelbaard, Ahmed Muhumed, Alexandra Webster, and Jeremiah Davis showcased their talent and dedication, bringing pride to the FSU track and field program.

🍢 Historic Commitment: Zae Thomas Joins FSU as First Seminole Tribe Member on Scholarship 🍢 

4-star defensive back Gregory Xavier “Zae” Thomas made history by committing to Florida State on Sunday night, becoming the first member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida to earn a scholarship and commit to FSU. This marks the ninth blue-chip prospect in FSU’s 2025 class.

Commitment Highlights:

• Historic Significance: Thomas’ commitment is not only a major addition to FSU’s class but also a historic milestone for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. “It will be history. It definitely feels good,” Thomas said about his commitment.

• Family and Heritage: Zae’s father, Greg Thomas, emphasized the broader impact of this commitment. “It won’t just be huge for our tribe, but also for every Native American kid across the country who has dreams and aspirations of making it to college.”

• Ceremony: During a ceremony at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL, Thomas initially put on a Clemson cap before revealing an FSU cap, signaling his commitment to the Seminoles.

Why FSU?

• Coaching and Relationships: Thomas praised the consistent support from the FSU coaching staff. “The situation with Florida State is hard to beat... They were on me early, and it’s always been the same thing. It’s never been inconsistent with them.”

• Coach Surtain’s Influence: Thomas has known FSU defensive back coach Pat Surtain since the third grade. “He’s kind of like an uncle to me. It was always love with Coach Pat.”

• Program and Community: Thomas admired Coach Norvell’s impact on the program. “Anyone with eyes can see that Norvell has flipped things at Florida State... He is a winner that is there for his players.”

Athletic Profile:

• Versatility: Standing at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Thomas is valued for his size, length, and dynamic skill set. “There’s not a lot of corners my size who can move the way I move,” Thomas explained.

• Performance: Thomas has consistently impressed at camps and during games, showcasing his ability to play multiple positions in the secondary.

Looking Ahead:

• Expectations: FSU fans can look forward to seeing Thomas’ work ethic and dedication on the field. “Just a hard worker. Somebody who’s ready to come in and work every day. That’s all I know, is just ‘work.’”

• Recruiting Impact: Thomas is the ninth commitment in FSU's 2025 class, joining a group of talented recruits, including four-star defensive linemen Kevin Wynn and Myron Charles, four-star receiver CJ Wiley, and four-star tight end Chase Loftin.

You can check out the full details here, here, and here.

🏈 FSU Eyes Flip of Ohio State Commit Tarvos Alford 🏈

Florida State is making a strong push to flip four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford, currently committed to Ohio State. Despite his commitment, Alford has praised FSU's recruiting efforts, highlighting their effective communication and connection.

Recruitment Highlights:

• FSU’s Approach: Alford noted, "They know how to recruit... they always stay in contact." He appreciates the balance of consistent communication without being overwhelming.

• Defensive Line Strength: Alford is impressed by FSU's recent defensive line commitments, mentioning recruits like Myron Charles and Amaree Williams. "I feel like they've got a good d-line that would be good in front of me," he said.

• Official Visit: Alford has scheduled an official visit to FSU during their game against Memphis on September 14, emphasizing his interest in the Seminoles.

Potential for a Flip:

• Connection with Coaches: Alford has built strong relationships with Coach Randy Shannon and Coach Mike Norvell. "He lets me know that I'm the one he wants," Alford said of Norvell, emphasizing his importance to the team.

• Scheme Fit: He believes FSU's defensive scheme would allow him to showcase his talents effectively. "The way they let their linebackers run around... that would be very friendly to me."

Standing at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, and ranked as the No. 8 linebacker in the nation, Alford remains a top priority for FSU, and the Seminoles are hopeful for a potential flip.

The full details are here.

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⚾️ FSU Extends Contract of Coach Link Jarrett ⚾️ 

Florida State and head baseball coach Link Jarrett have agreed to a contract extension, following a stellar 2024 season. Under Jarrett’s leadership, the Seminoles achieved a 49-17 record, reaching the College World Series and becoming National Semifinalists.

Key Highlights:

Impressive Turnaround: In his second year, Jarrett led FSU to a remarkable 26-game improvement, hosting regionals for the first time since 2018 and supers since 2017.

Offensive and Defensive Excellence: The team hit .315 with 131 homers and 138 doubles, while achieving a .978 fielding percentage, the best in program history.

Pitching Power: The pitching staff recorded 694 strikeouts over 584.1 innings, showcasing significant improvement.

Contract Details:

• Jarrett’s initial contract, signed in 2022, was a seven-year deal, averaging $929,000 per season. His salary was set to increase progressively, reflecting FSU’s commitment to his leadership.

• With a pool for assistants initially set at $450,000, adjustments are anticipated due to NCAA changes allowing a third paid assistant.

Looking Forward:

With a dedicated coaching staff, including pitching coach Micah Posey and recruiting coordinator Ty Megahee, Jarrett is poised to continue building on FSU's rich baseball tradition and lead the team into a promising future.

More details here.

🎯 FSU Targets Top CB Jaboree Antoine for 2025 Class 🎯 

Florida State is eyeing a major addition to their Top 10 recruiting class with Jaboree Antoine, a highly ranked cornerback from New Iberia, Louisiana. Recently decommitted from LSU, Antoine is considering FSU as a strong contender.

Visit Highlights:

Antoine visited FSU on June 14 and was impressed by the consistent energy and honesty from Coach Norvell and the staff. "The energy that was expressed and shown from Coach Norvell and the staff from day one to day three didn’t change not one bit," Antoine remarked.

He praised the relationship he built with Coach Pat Surtain and the defensive staff, stating, "As I went through the visit and grew a better relationship... how I would fit into the scheme it’s meant for me to make plays and be able to take a side of the field away."

Recruitment Status:

While LSU remains in consideration, Antoine is seriously contemplating his fit at FSU. He noted that FSU's approach stood out because they "kept it real" and didn't just tell him what he wanted to hear.

He also visited Miami during the summer, adding to the competitive recruitment landscape.

Antoine, ranked as the No. 6 cornerback and No. 63 prospect overall by On3, could significantly bolster FSU's defensive lineup if he commits.

You can get the full details here.

🏅 FSU Athletes Shine at 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials 🏅

The 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials concluded on Sunday at Hayward Field, showcasing impressive performances from current and former Florida State track and field athletes.

Key Performances:

- Men's Triple Jump: Kyvon Tatham placed 12th in the men's triple jump final with a mark of 15.64m (51-3 ¾).

- Men's 5,000-Meter Final: Former Seminoles Kasey Knevelbaard and Ahmed Muhumed competed in the 5,000-meter final. Muhumed finished eighth with a time of 13:29.23, while Knevelbaard placed 15th at 13:51.29.

- Women's 100-Meter Hurdles: Alexandra Webster reached the semifinals in the women's 100-meter hurdles, securing 12th place with a time of 12.84.

- Men's Long Jump: Jeremiah Davis, who won the men's long jump earlier in the week, awaits Olympic selection for Team USA based on the world rankings.

These athletes have demonstrated their dedication and skill, bringing pride to the Florida State track and field program as they compete at the highest level.

More details.

And that’s a wrap!

From historic commitments to stellar performances, Florida State continues to make headlines and build a promising future.

Stay connected, stay informed, and as always, Go Noles! 🍢

See you in the next edition!