🏹 July 27th - The Chief Brief 🏹

FSU Athletes Shine on Global and National Stages

Author

The Chief
July 27, 2024

Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Saturday, Seminole!

🌊 Gloria Muzito to Bear Uganda's Flag at 2024 Olympics Rising FSU senior Gloria Muzito will carry Uganda's flag at the Olympic Opening Ceremony. FSU has 26 athletes competing in Paris, continuing a tradition of Olympic representation.

⚾️ FSU Baseball Coach Link Jarrett Signs Extension Link Jarrett extends his tenure at FSU through 2031, following a successful 2024 season. The new contract includes substantial salary increases and performance incentives.

🏈 Day 3 of FSU Preseason Camp: Physicality Ramps Up With shoulder pads on, FSU's preseason camp intensity rises. Standouts include Joshua Farmer and KJ Sampson on defense, and DJ Uiagalelei's impressive quarterback performance.

🌟 Top 2026 Prospect Simeon Caldwell Shines in Recruitment Jacksonville Bolles School linebacker Simeon Caldwell, ranked No. 96 overall, garners attention from top programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Florida State.

🏈 ESPN's FPI Top 25: Seminoles Ranked 11th FSU is ranked 11th in ESPN's preseason Football Power Index, reflecting high expectations for the 2024 season under Coach Mike Norvell.

🏊‍♀️ Gloria Muzito to Bear Uganda's Flag at 2024 Olympics 🏊‍♀️

Rising Florida State swimming and diving senior Gloria Muzito has been honored by the Uganda Olympic Committee to bear the country's flag at the 2024 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. Muzito continues a proud tradition as the fourth consecutive swimmer to carry Uganda's flag.

Olympic Participation and Schedule:

  • Opening Ceremony: Friday at 2:30 p.m. (ET) on Peacock and 7:30 p.m. on Primetime NBC.

  • FSU Representation: 30 athletes with ties to Florida State have made the Olympics, representing 23 countries since 1972. FSU has had athletes at every Games since 1996.

  • Upcoming Competitions: Peter Varjasi kicks off the swimming events on July 27 in the Men's 4x100 free relay for Germany. Gloria Muzito will compete in the Women's 100 free on July 30.

2024 Olympics Schedule:

  • July 27: Peter Varjasi – Germany, Men's 4x100 free relay

  • July 28: Ida Hulkko – Finland, Women's 100 breast; Max Wilson – U.S. Virgin Islands, Men's 100 back

  • July 29: Emma Terebo – France, Women's 100 back

  • July 30: Gloria Muzito – Uganda, Women's 100 free; Julio Horrego – Honduras, Men's 200 breast

  • Aug. 1: Emma Terebo – France, Women's 200 back

  • Aug. 2: Emma Terebo – France, Mixed 4x100 medley relay

  • Aug. 3: Max McCusker – Ireland, Men's 4x100 medley; Emma Terebo – France, Women's 4x100 medley

Special Mentions:

  • Molly Carlson: Former FSU diver will join NBC as a content creator for the Olympics. Carlson, representing Team Canada in high diving, is a two-time World Aquatics silver medalist and currently ranks second in the 2024 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.

Florida State and head baseball coach Link Jarrett have agreed to an extension, ensuring his leadership through June 2031. Jarrett, who led FSU to a remarkable 2024 season with a 49-17 record and a College World Series appearance, will see a significant salary increase and enhanced incentives in the new deal.

Contract Details:

  • Base Salary: $200,000 per season

  • Supplemental Figures:

    • $1,050,000 (2024-25)

    • $1,100,000 (2025-26)

    • $1,150,000 (2026-27)

    • $1,225,000 (2027-28)

    • $1,350,000 (2028-29)

    • $1,475,000 (2029-30)

    • $1,575,000 (2030-31)

  • Average Annual Salary: $1.275 million

  • Retention Bonuses: Up to $150,000 annually

  • Performance Incentives: Bonuses for ACC championships, NCAA Tournament achievements, national recognition, and academic success.

Assistant Salary Pool:

  • Increased to $525,000 to accommodate a third paid assistant.

Termination Clause:

  • If terminated without cause, FSU will pay 85% of the remaining contract value.

🏈 Day 3 of FSU Preseason Camp: Physicality Ramps Up with Shells On 🏈

Day 3 of the Seminoles’ preseason camp saw the intensity increase as the team donned shoulder pads for the first time. Despite still being in shells, the added physicality brought out impressive performances from both veterans and newcomers.

Defensive Line Dominance

  • Joshua Farmer and KJ Sampson stood out, disrupting plays and recording multiple tackles for loss. Farmer, a returning starter, and Sampson, a redshirt freshman, showcased their quickness and power.

  • Darrell Jackson also performed well, though Farmer and Sampson made more splash plays.

  • Quindarrius Jones and freshman corner Ricky Knight made significant pass break-ups.

Quarterback Highlights

  • DJ Uiagalelei continued to impress, displaying confidence and delivering accurate deep throws, including a beautiful pass to Ja'Khi Douglas for a long TD.

  • Brock Glenn had an up-and-down day, showing moments of brilliance but also missing some easy throws.

  • Luke Kromenhoek made notable throws, including a 40-yard TD to running back Samuel Singleton.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Shine

  • Hykeem Williams bounced back with several nice plays, including a great move to get open for a long TD.

  • Deuce Spann showcased his potential with a 50-yard catch but also had a couple of drops.

  • Kyle Morlock and Jackson West made significant catches, with Morlock winning a contested catch against linebacker Shawn Murphy.

Running Backs Flash Potential

  • Caziah Holmes had a 50-yard burst up the middle for a touchdown, with the offensive line, particularly Julian Armella and transfer Jacob Rizy, opening up the hole.

  • Lawrance Toafili continued to impress with multiple gains, including a 30-yard reception from Uiagalelei.

Trenches Battle

  • The offensive and defensive lines had intense battles, with Keiondre Jones and Jeremiah Byers excelling on the offensive side.

  • Patrick Payton and Sione Lolohea made key defensive plays, showcasing their ability to penetrate the backfield.

  • Freshman Jonathan Daniels had back-to-back wins in drills, earning praise from the staff.

Coaching and Drills

  • Defensive ends coach John Papuchis emphasized the importance of "violent, heavy hands" during drills, and the defensive line responded with a disruptive performance.

  • Defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins praised the effort and improvement of his players, highlighting the progress of Daniel Lyons, Grady Kelly, and freshmen D'Nas White and Jamorie Flagg.

Team Drills and Observations

  • The 11-on-11 portion was largely controlled by the defense, but the offense had its moments, including a 41-yard pass from Uiagalelei to Kentron Poitier.

  • Amaree Williams, a freshman tight end, continued to show his potential as a receiver, despite some drops.

The Seminoles will take Saturday off before returning to practice on Sunday, ready to continue building on the physicality and intensity seen in Day 3.

Read more here, here, and here

🌟 Top 2026 Prospect Simeon Caldwell Shines in Recruitment 🌟

Jacksonville Bolles School linebacker Simeon Caldwell is making waves as a top 2026 prospect. Standing at 6-3 and weighing 185 pounds, Caldwell is ranked No. 96 overall, No. 7 linebacker, and No. 16 recruit in Florida by 247Sports.

Versatile Athlete Caldwell excels in multiple positions including safety, outside linebacker, and inside linebacker, though he prefers the latter due to his father's coaching background.

Recruitment Highlights

  • Top Offers: Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, and Notre Dame among others.

  • Early Standouts: Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida State, Florida, and Miami.

  • Strong Relationships: Building connections with coaches across top programs and has a familial tie to Ohio State’s coach Tim Walton.

Upcoming Visits

  • Notre Dame (July 25): Confirmed visit for the Grill and Chill event.

  • Potential Visits: Miami, Tennessee, and Texas.

Academics and Culture Caldwell values the balance between academics and athletics, particularly praising Notre Dame’s academic excellence. He also appreciates the unity and competitiveness at Florida State, Florida, and Miami.

Leading Contenders

  • Miami and Notre Dame: Early calls at the start of the recruiting process underscore his importance to these programs.

🏈 ESPN's FPI Top 25: Seminoles Ranked 11th 🏈

Florida State has been ranked 11th in ESPN's preseason Football Power Index (FPI) top 25 for 2024. The FPI, which predicts team performance based on simulations and various factors, has positioned the Seminoles just outside the top 10.

Top Teams Overview

  1. Georgia Bulldogs: Aiming for another national title with a robust roster and top-ranked recruiting class.

  2. Oregon Ducks: Expected playoff contenders with strong quarterback additions and defensive depth.

  3. Texas Longhorns: Boasting a potent quarterback duo and a formidable offensive line.

  4. Ohio State Buckeyes: Strengthened by top transfers and a dynamic coaching staff.

  5. Alabama Crimson Tide: Navigating the post-Saban era with questions but undeniable talent.

FSU’s Position

  • Mike Norvell’s Strategy: Known for his prowess in utilizing the transfer portal, Norvell has again crafted a competitive roster for the Seminoles.

  • Key Additions: Former Oregon State and Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is a significant boost, quickly learning the offense and integrating with a talented squad.

  • Defensive Strength: FSU’s back seven is highlighted for its athleticism, promising a solid defensive performance.

Expectations and Challenges

  • Expanded Playoff Impact: The introduction of the 12-team College Football Playoff adds intrigue and potential opportunities for FSU.

  • Comparative Rankings: While ranked 11th in the FPI, FSU’s standing aligns with other preseason predictions, reflecting a consensus on their top-tier status within the ACC.

Other Notable Teams

  • Penn State: Ranked 6th with anticipated offensive improvements.

  • Notre Dame: At 7th, boosted by strategic coaching hires and key player transfers.

  • Oklahoma: Positioned 8th, with ESPN’s FPI showing high expectations.

  • Clemson: Ranked 15th, focusing on a balanced offense and a robust defense.

The 2024 season promises to be dynamic, with FSU well-placed to capitalize on their strategic rebuild and aim for playoff contention.

And that’s a wrap!

Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage of FSU sports and achievements.

Keep the Seminole spirit alive and always strive for excellence!

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