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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF Seminole!

This edition is packed with fresh FSU storylines as the countdown to the 2025 season opener hits full stride:

1️⃣ 🏈 ACC Road Trip Heads to Tallahassee Aug. 12 🏈
The ACC Network is rolling into town for a primetime look at the ‘Noles, complete with exclusive interviews, camp updates, and behind-the-scenes access.

2️⃣ 🔥 EDGE Recruiting Board Keeps Expanding 🔥
Mike Norvell’s staff is in full reload mode, offering Georgia Tech commit Chris Carbin and reshuffling their priority targets at key positions.

3️⃣ 🛠 Decision Week for OT Da’Ron Parks 🛠
A major O-line target announces Saturday—FSU vs. Auburn is the battle to watch, but Kentucky lurks as a dark horse.

4️⃣ 📊 Target List Shakeup 📊
New names rise, old ones drop as FSU updates its recruiting priorities with EDGE and OT needs front and center.

5️⃣ 🪨 Darrell Jackson Breaks the Rock 🪨
The veteran DL earns one of the program’s highest offseason honors, setting the tone as camp begins and Alabama looms on Aug. 30.

From recruiting dominoes to preseason traditions, the pieces are falling into place for an intense final month before kickoff.

👉 Let’s dive in!

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🎥🏈 ACC Football Road Trip Series Coming to FSU on Aug. 12 🏈🎥

The ACC Network’s annual Football Road Trip Series will roll into Tallahassee on Tuesday, Aug. 12, bringing a 60-minute primetime episode highlighting Florida State’s 2025 season.

💥 What to Expect
• On-site commentators: Taylor Tannebaum, EJ Manuel, Roddy Jones & Andrea Adelson
• Exclusive interviews with Mike Norvell and key players
• Behind-the-scenes look at FSU’s football program and campus traditions
• Season preview + storylines heading into the Aug. 30 showdown vs. Alabama

💥 When & Where
• Episode airs Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network
• Part of a 17-campus tour running July 28–Aug. 19
• FSU’s stop comes one week before the season opener

💥 Full Road Trip Series
• Covers all 17 ACC teams, with analysts rotating between campuses
• Fifth straight year of the ACC Football Road Trip format

🎯 Big Picture
The spotlight will be on Tallahassee as the ACC Network crew previews the Seminoles’ revamped roster, exclusive camp updates, and what to expect in Year 6 of the Mike Norvell era.

👉 Full ACC Football Road Trip schedule + details on FSU’s feature here.

🏈🔥 FSU Offers Georgia Tech Commit Chris Carbin as EDGE Search Expands 🔥🏈

Florida State isn’t slowing down its EDGE recruiting push, extending a new offer Wednesday night to Chris Carbin, a 6’4”, 236-pound edge rusher out of Hillgrove HS (Powder Springs, Ga.).

💥 Recruitment Snapshot
• Committed: Georgia Tech (July 4) over Baylor, Louisville, Mississippi State & Virginia Tech
• FSU Offer: Announced via Carbin, tagging DL coach Terrance Knighton & HS relations director Gerard Ross
• Ranking: No. 714 overall prospect, No. 67 EDGE in 2026 class (247Sports Composite)

💥 Junior Year Production
• 49 tackles, 9 TFL, 6 sacks
• 1 fumble recovery, 2 pass breakups, 1 interception & 1 safety

💥 Context
Carbin is the latest addition to FSU’s rapidly expanding EDGE board:
• 4⭐ Jarius Rodgers (Syracuse commit)
• 3⭐ DeAnthony Lafayette (LSU commit)
• 3⭐ Elijah Satchell (NC State commit)
• 3⭐ Gustaf Henriks Ras (Sweden)

💥 What’s Next
Carbin is set to enroll early in December and becomes another flip target as FSU works to rebuild depth at a premium position heading into 2026.

🎯 Big Picture
FSU’s aggressive EDGE recruiting strategy shows no signs of slowing, with Carbin joining a growing list of priority pass rushers after summer misses.

👉 Full breakdown of Carbin’s recruitment + where FSU stands here.

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🏈🔥 Decision Day Looms: 3⭐ OT Da’Ron Parks Sets July 26 Commitment 🔥🏈

The final big summer domino for FSU’s offensive line class is about to fall. Da’Ron Parks, a 6’5” three-star OT from Cardinal Mooney (Fla.), will announce his commitment on July 26, choosing between Florida State, Auburn, Kentucky, and Ohio State.

💥 Where Things Stand
• FSU & Auburn are widely viewed as the top two contenders
• Kentucky remains a dark horse with a late push
• Ohio State had early momentum but has faded over the past few months

💥 Why FSU Is in the Lead
• Parks was blown away on his FSU official visit—greeted by Norvell & the entire staff to the war chant
• Seminoles have made him a top OL priority and built strong relationships
• OL coach Herb Hand’s development track record is a selling point

💥 Auburn’s Staying Power
• The Tigers have been a constant factor since the spring, keeping steady buzz despite FSU’s surge
• Parks’ ties to Florida make both Auburn & FSU attractive

💬 Parks on FSU Visit
“I walk in there, the head coach comes out, daps me up. I hear a whole bunch of music in there, it’s the chant song… every single staff member’s in there clapping it up. That was the most different thing I’ve ever seen.”

🎯 Big Picture
Parks would be a huge piece for FSU’s OL haul in 2025—a prospect some evaluators view as a borderline four-star talent. While Auburn remains a serious threat, the Seminoles seem to have the edge heading into his Saturday decision.

👉 Full preview of Parks’ decision + why this OL battle matters for FSU here.

📊🔥 FSU Target List Shakeup: New Names Rising, Others Dropping 🔥📊

Florida State’s recruiting board is shuffling again as the staff reassesses priorities ahead of fall camp. Noles247 updated its Target List, moving several prospects into the Top Target category while others slid down—or off the board entirely.

✅ Trending Up to Top Target
• 4⭐ EDGE Jarius Rodgers (Syracuse commit) – Miami game visit locked in; now a priority JACK LB target after summer misses.
• 3⭐ EDGE DeAnthony Lafayette (LSU commit) – Orlando standout offered recently; FSU pushing for an early visit.
• 3⭐ EDGE Gustaf Henriks Ras (Sweden) – International pass rusher offered last week, expected for the Alabama game.
• 3⭐ OT Bear Fretwell (Georgia Tech commit) – OT options are thin; FSU now aggressively evaluating him with a season opener visit planned.
• 3⭐ EDGE Elijah Satchell (NC State commit) – Third new JACK LB offer; FSU will try to flip him during the fall.

❌ Trending Down/Off the Board
• 3⭐ EDGE Chris Addison – Was leaning FSU, but committed to Michigan State July 4.
• 3⭐ EDGE Katrell Webb (Purdue commit) – Off the board after choosing the Boilermakers.
• 4⭐ LB Rodney Colton (Colorado commit) – FSU lost out; could circle back later but no longer top priority.
• 3⭐ OT Wilson Zierer (Auburn commit) – Huge OL miss; now pivoting to new options.
• 4⭐ DL Deuce Geralds – Never visited; no longer in play.

⬇️ Moved Down the List
• 3⭐ RB Amari Thomas – Lost commitment; now expected to pick South Carolina Aug. 9.
• 4⭐ LB Jordan Campbell (Miami commit) – Still talking to FSU, bumped up to Interested but not an active flip yet.
• 3⭐ WR Jonah Winston – Younger brother of Jameis; WR room is full for now, bumped to Interested for potential later-cycle option.

🎯 Big Picture
FSU’s staff is still in reload mode, especially at EDGE & OT, flipping focus to new targets while keeping lines open on previously lost recruits. Expect more moves as the season approaches and official visits line up.

👉 Full updated Target List + analysis on each move here.

🔥 Darrell Jackson ‘Breaks the Rock’ to Close Summer Workouts 🔥

Florida State wrapped up summer workouts with one of Mike Norvell’s favorite traditions—breaking the rock. This year’s honor went to defensive lineman Darrell Jackson, chosen by Norvell, strength coach Josh Storms, and the staff for his relentless effort this offseason.

💥 What It Means
• Breaking the rock is a team-voted honor for the player who embodies work ethic & leadership during summer workouts.
• Last year’s honoree: RB Lawrance Toafili
• Jackson earned it after a standout summer, showing consistency, intensity, and buy-in.

💬 Storms’ Message to the Team
“It’s going to take everybody. Roles change throughout a season. Be open to be led by your teammates… there is no limit to what this group can go do.”

💥 Jackson’s Journey
• Former Maryland/Miami transfer, sat out 2023 after NCAA waiver denial
• 2024 season: 14 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
• At 6’5”, 337 lbs, he’s entering his final college season aiming for a big NFL Draft push

🎯 Big Picture
Jackson’s recognition underscores his importance as a veteran leader on a revamped defensive line. With fall camp opening July 30 and the massive season opener vs. Alabama just a month away, Jackson’s performance could set the tone for FSU’s defense in 2025.

👉 Full story on Jackson’s honor + Storms’ speech here.

And that’s a wrap!

That’s all for today’s edition! As the ACC spotlight heads to Tallahassee, the final summer workouts wrap, and recruiting battles heat up, the countdown to FSU vs. Alabama at Doak is officially on.

Stay tuned for the next Chief Brief as we bring you camp updates, recruiting moves, and all the inside storylines leading into fall.

Until then—keep the spear high and the war chant loud. ✌️