Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

Here’s the docket from day 1 of the ACC Media Conference -

🎾 FSU Women's Tennis Achieves Academic and Athletic Excellence 🎾
The Florida State women's tennis team earned its 12th consecutive ITA All-Academic Team status with a 3.51 GPA for the 2023-24 year. Six student-athletes received ITA Scholar-Athlete status: Vic Allen, Anna Arkadianou, Millie Bissett, Eva Shaw, Cade Cricchio, and Chiara Di Genova. The team finished the season ranked 22nd, with 17 wins and a semifinal appearance in the ACC Tournament.

🌟 Four-Star Safety Ladarian Clardy’s Decision Nears 🌟
Ladarian Clardy, ranked as the No. 15 safety in the nation, has narrowed his choices to Ole Miss, Florida State, and Washington. With an August 3rd decision date approaching, Clardy will visit Washington this weekend but plans to visit Ole Miss again before making his final choice.

🔍 Tony Williams: Four-Star DB Still Open to Recruiting 🔍
Despite being committed to UCF, four-star defensive back Tony Williams is still open to recruiting. Williams continues to engage with schools like Florida State, Penn State, Louisville, and Michigan. He might visit UCF or Florida State for their end-of-July recruiting events, with a final decision expected by the end of his senior season.

🔥 Derrek Cooper: 2026 Standout Still Weighing His Options 🔥
Derrek Cooper, a top athlete in the class of 2026, is considering several schools despite his early commitment to Georgia. Florida State, Ohio State, Miami, Louisville, and Penn State are in the mix. Cooper plans to make his final decision next summer and is leaning towards playing running back.

🌐 ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips Addresses Legal Battles and Future Challenges 🌐
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips spoke on the ongoing legal disputes with Florida State and Clemson. He emphasized the need to compartmentalize these issues to focus on student-athlete experiences. Phillips maintained professional relationships with officials at both schools and highlighted the ACC's strategic planning and revenue generation efforts.

🌟 Future of the ACC: Realignment and Legal Battles Loom 🌟
The future of the ACC is uncertain as realignment buzz intensifies. Florida State and Clemson are not expected to announce departures before the August 15 deadline. Preliminary talks with the Big 12 have occurred, but there's little momentum. Clemson seeks a legal declaration on withdrawal penalties, and the spotlight remains on these developments as ACC Media Days begin.

🎾 FSU Women's Tennis Achieves Academic and Athletic Excellence 🎾

The Florida State women's tennis team has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence, earning its 12th consecutive ITA All-Academic Team status. With a 3.51 GPA for the 2023-24 academic year, the Seminoles surpassed the 3.2 GPA requirement for this prestigious recognition.

Six standout student-athletes received ITA Scholar-Athlete status for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or above:

• Vic Allen

• Anna Arkadianou

• Millie Bissett

• Eva Shaw

• Cade Cricchio

• Chiara Di Genova

On the court, FSU finished the 2024 season ranked 22nd in the final ITA team rankings.

The Seminoles secured 17 wins, including nine against ranked opponents, reached the semifinals of the ACC Tournament for the 20th time, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the seventh consecutive year.

Read more here

🌟 Four-Star Safety Ladarian Clardy’s Decision Nears 🌟

With an August 3rd commitment date fast approaching, four-star safety Ladarian Clardy has narrowed his choices to three schools: Ole Miss, Florida State, and Washington.

Clardy, ranked as the nation’s No. 15 safety and the No. 22 player in Florida out of Escambia High School in Pensacola, has a tough decision ahead. While Inside the Rebels has predicted Clardy to choose Ole Miss, he remains undecided.

🔍 Recent Developments

Clardy will be visiting the Washington Huskies this weekend instead of attending Juice Fest at Ole Miss. “Actually, I’ll be going to Washington,” Clardy told Inside the Rebels. Despite this, Ole Miss and Florida State remain at the top of his list.

💬 Clardy’s Thoughts

“Really, it’s still the same. I’ve just been talking to Washington over the week and building a better bond. I’m just going to go up there and try to get a feel for those guys and see what they’re talking about,” Clardy said.

🏈 Future Visits

Clardy also plans to visit Ole Miss again before his August 3rd decision. “I’m not sure, but it will most definitely be very soon because I know Coach (Lane) Kiffin and Coach (Wes) Neighbors want me to get up there,” he explained. “If coach shoots me a date and tells me to come up there, I’m going to definitely come up there.”

❓ The Decision

As of now, Clardy is still weighing his options. “I ain’t going to lie. To tell you the truth, it’s everywhere right now with my three schools,” he admitted.

Read more here

🔍 Tony Williams: Four-Star DB Still Open to Recruiting 🔍

Tony Williams, a four-star defensive back prospect who recently transferred from Palm Beach Central to Miami Central High School, remains in the thick of his recruiting process despite already being committed to UCF.

🏈 Committed but Open

Williams has been pledged to UCF since the spring, and the Knights are doing everything right to keep him committed. "The communication is great. They talk to me a lot," Williams said of UCF. "They're always checking up on me, making sure I'm good outside of football. They're still keeping the connection they had from the get-go."

🏟️ Other Schools in the Mix

Despite his commitment to UCF, Williams is still open to conversations from other programs. "I'm committed to them, of course, but I'm still out there with the recruiting process. I'm still seeing schools. Schools are still reaching out to me," he said. Florida State, Penn State, Louisville, and Michigan are potential flip options.

🌟 Florida State’s Consistent Interest

The Seminoles have been the most consistent player in Williams' process aside from the Knights. Williams continues to communicate regularly with FSU's coaching staff. "I was just talking to coach Pat [Surtain] and coach [Adam] Fuller. We were just chopping it up," he said. "He was just showing that he had a lot of DBs that made it to the league, of course his son made it to the league. He was just showing up the reasons why I should end up there."

🗓️ Upcoming Visits

Williams could be at either UCF or Florida State this coming week for their end-of-July recruiting events. Regarding fall visits, a return to Tallahassee is likely, along with a trip to another school involved. "I'm probably going to end up back at Florida State during the fall. I'm probably going to end up at Penn State for the white-out [game]," Williams said.

🏅 Final Decision Timeline

A true final decision will come in a few months, either during or directly after Williams' senior season. "I definitely want to have a final, final date around during the season, end of the season," he said.

Williams ranks as the nation's No. 14 athlete by 247Sports and the No. 37 ranked player in Florida for the 2025 cycle.

🔥 Final Blitz 🔥

This is a recruitment Florida State can win. It could be significant if they get Williams on campus for their Seminole Showcase event this weekend. The 'Noles have turned up the heat with Williams this month as they look to finalize their defensive back class.

Read more here

🔥 Derrek Cooper: 2026 Standout Still Weighing His Options 🔥

Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep two-way standout Derrek Cooper is among the top athletes in the class of 2026. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is listed as an athlete prospect by 247Sports, but he will likely be a playmaking running back or defensive back at the collegiate level.

🏅 Rankings and Versatility

Cooper is ranked as the No. 161 overall prospect in the 2026 class. He is the No. 13 athlete and No. 28 player in Florida. His versatility on both sides of the ball makes him a highly sought-after recruit.

🏈 Recruitment Journey

Initially, Cooper made a surprising commitment to Georgia on June 6. However, he soon realized he had rushed his decision and decided to step back, decommitting a few days later. Despite this, Georgia remains a strong contender.

"Probably meeting with coach (Kirby) Smart again," Cooper said about his recent visit to Athens. "I'm building a relationship with him. He said we're cool with everything. He's got love for me. He said he's still going to come after me."

🌟 Strong Ties to Florida State

Florida State is another legitimate contender for Cooper. When asked about the head coach he has the best relationship with, Cooper quickly mentioned Mike Norvell.

"Probably coach (Mike) Norvell," Cooper said. "He's energetic and exciting. Every time I see him, he's got a big smile on his face, and I have a big smile on my face. They are one of the top schools. I love Florida State. I'll always love Florida State. It's a great school. I'm hoping to get there for a game or two."

📅 Future Decisions

Cooper says that Georgia, Florida State, Ohio State, Miami, Louisville, and Penn State are the schools to watch in his recruitment. He plans to make his final decision next summer, before the start of his senior season, and is in no rush.

🏃 Position Preference

As for his future position, Cooper is still deciding but is leaning toward running back. "I'm still trying to figure it out, but I'm leaning toward running back right now," he said.

Read more here

🌐 ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips Addresses Legal Battles and Future Challenges 🌐

Legal Disputes with FSU and Clemson

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips directly addressed the ongoing legal disputes with Florida State and Clemson during his opening remarks at the ACC Football Kickoff event.

Phillips emphasized the damaging and disruptive nature of these legal battles but remained confident in the conference's resilience and long-term future.

Phillips stated, "We will fight to protect the ACC and our members for as long as it takes," highlighting the league's commitment to overcoming these challenges and maintaining its premier status in college athletics.

He acknowledged the emotional toll and personal attacks that have arisen from these disputes, particularly defending former ACC commissioner John Swofford and the unanimous agreement on the current television contract and the launch of the ACC Network.

Handling Distractions

When asked about managing the distraction of lawsuits during the football season, Phillips noted that the ACC has navigated six months of disruption effectively.

He emphasized the importance of compartmentalizing the legal issues to keep the focus on providing great experiences for student-athletes and ensuring the ACC's competitive edge.

Strong Leadership in Challenging Times

Phillips' remarks were notably more forceful, reflecting the critical nature of the current situation.

He reiterated his commitment to protecting the league, stating, "This is a really important time for the conference. Either you believe in what has been signed or you don't."

He emphasized that the ACC is bigger than any one school and expressed confidence in the conference's adjustments and future direction.

Maintaining Relationships

Despite the legal battles, Phillips maintained that his working relationships with Florida State and Clemson officials remain strong and professional.

He stressed the importance of not letting legal disputes impact the experience of student-athletes and the broader athletic community at these schools.

Financial and Strategic Planning

Phillips highlighted the ACC's efforts in revenue generation and strategic planning, including exploring private capital and innovative revenue streams.

He pointed to the success of the league's expansion, which added Cal, SMU, and Stanford, and the implementation of a new revenue distribution model rewarding schools for athletic success.

He also addressed concerns about NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and the revenue gap, emphasizing the ACC's history of success despite not leading in revenue generation.

Phillips underscored the importance of creativity and innovation in helping ACC schools remain competitive.

Expanded College Football Playoff and Media Strategy

Phillips expressed optimism about the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, seeing it as a positive development for the ACC.

He also discussed the importance of strategic media placements and the benefits of having a coast-to-coast conference footprint for programming opportunities.

Read more (and the full transcript) here

🌟 Future of the ACC: Realignment and Legal Battles Loom 🌟

Realignment Speculations and Legal Battles

As college football realignment buzz intensifies, the future of the ACC is in question. ESPN's Pete Thamel reports that Florida State and Clemson are not expected to notify the league of their intentions to leave before the August 15 deadline. With ACC Media Days commencing in Charlotte, the focus remains on potential realignment and its implications.

SEC and Big 12 Discussions

• SEC Interest: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey revealed interest from multiple schools, not just Texas and Oklahoma.

• Big 12 Speculation: Reports suggest minimal momentum for Florida State and Clemson joining the Big 12, despite preliminary talks.

• Current Stance: "Folks at FSU are dismissive of Big 12 talk being of any real substance," said Noles247's Chris Nee.

Legal Approach by Clemson

• Clemson's Lawsuit: The Tigers seek a "declaration of its rights" regarding the "unenforceability of the exorbitant withdrawal penalty" and "nonexistence of fiduciary duties" owed to the ACC.

Conclusion

As ACC Media Days unfold, the spotlight remains on potential realignment and ongoing legal battles involving Florida State and Clemson. The future of the ACC hangs in the balance, with the outcome of these disputes likely to shape the landscape of college football for years to come.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you for tuning in to The Chief Brief!

Stay updated with the latest from FSU athletics as we navigate the exciting and ever-changing landscape of college sports.

Until next time, go Noles!