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Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
Which Seminole on the NFL Draft watch list surprises you most?
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Good morning and happy Monday, Seminole! Camp officially opens Wednesday, and today's edition leans into the buildup: two more fall camp preview installments, a look at three players fans should watch most, a deep dive on Rylan Kennedy's offseason transformation, FSU's NFL Draft prospect count, and the latest on the recruiting trail.
📋 In Today's Chief Brief:
🎯 Fall Camp Preview: Quarterback & Tight End 🎯 - Two more position breakdowns as camp nears.
👀 3 Players to Watch in Fall Camp 👀 - The names worth tracking once pads come on.
💥 Rylan Kennedy's 'Speed to Power' Transformation 💥 - An offseason built to fix FSU's pass rush.
🏆 12 Seminoles Named NFL Draft Prospects 🏆 - FSU shows up in a big way on an early scouting list.
📝 Recruiting Notebook 📝 - New offers and shortlists across three sports.
Let's dive in. 🍢
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🎯 Fall Camp Preview: Quarterback & Tight End 🎯
Camp opens Wednesday, and outlets continued their position-by-position breakdowns this week with looks at two pivotal rooms: quarterback and tight end.
Ashton Daniels enters as the starter, but his ability to hit checkdowns and throw with anticipation from the pocket, not just rely on his legs, will determine how much Duce Robinson can be featured. His Auburn tape shows real chemistry on quick game and back-shoulder throws, but also a tendency to hold the ball too long against zone pressure.
Behind him, redshirt freshman Kevin Sperry is the presumptive backup after flashing in spot duty last season, while JUCO National Player of the Year Malachi Marshall looks like a developmental piece who could push for the QB2 job as early as this fall.
East Carolina transfer Desirrio Riles enters as the room's clear favorite to start after totaling 45 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns over three seasons with the Pirates.
Behind him, Landen Thomas and redshirt freshman Chase Loftin represent unproven depth, and with FSU replacing all five starters on the offensive line, tight ends will be leaned on heavily as extra blockers early in the season.
Why It Matters: Between a new quarterback and thin tight end depth, FSU's passing game rests on two rooms that still have real questions to answer. Camp will tell us a lot about how much Norvell can lean on either group early in the season. 🍢
With practice starting Wednesday, here are three names worth tracking closely once pads come on.
🏃 Quintrevion Wisner
The Texas transfer isn't flashy, but he's a complete back who reads outside zone well, excels as a pass-catcher in the screen game, and is a reliable pass protector. He piled up 1,734 rushing yards and nine scores over 38 games with the Longhorns and has a real shot to emerge as FSU's RB1.
🎯 Jayvan Boggs
Boggs became the first true freshman in program history to start a season opener last year before injuries limited him to nine catches for 103 yards. With Duce Robinson locking down one spot, a healthy Boggs has the inside track at slot receiver.
💪 Daniel Lyons
Lyons started all 12 games last year for the first time in his career and earned the team's Most Improved award. With Darrell Jackson Jr. gone to the NFL, Lyons has a clear runway to be a leader up front for a young defensive line.
Why It Matters: All three represent a different kind of opportunity: a proven transfer, a former blue-chip trying to stay healthy, and a veteran ready for a bigger role. How they perform in camp will shape a lot of FSU's two-deep. 🍢
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Texas A&M transfer Rylan Kennedy is projected to start at the JACK edge spot for FSU, and he's spent the offseason working with a personal trainer to make sure he's ready for a bigger role in Tony White's defense.
🏋️ The Work
Kennedy has added weight since arriving in Tallahassee, now listed at 251 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame after being listed at 239 pounds at Texas A&M. Trainer Travis Norton, who has worked with former first-round pick Terrion Arnold, said the two have focused on Kennedy's bend, explosive first step, and converting speed into power at contact.
Kennedy managed just 14 tackles and two sacks last season at Texas A&M, but White plans to use him differently at FSU with a heavier focus on rushing the passer.
Why It Matters: FSU struggled to generate pressure with its front last season, and Norton believes Kennedy is built to fix that after a full offseason of specialized training. If the physical transformation shows up on Saturdays, Kennedy could be one of the breakout stories of the season. 🍢
The Shriners Children's East-West Bowl released its top 1,000 prospects eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft, and a dozen Florida State players made the cut ahead of the season.
📋 Who Made the List
Wide receiver Duce Robinson and cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls headline the group. Robinson was joined on offense by offensive tackles Xavier Chaplin, Nate Pabst, and Chimdia Nwaiwu, running back Quintrevion Wisner, and tight end Desirrio Riles.
On defense, Rawls was joined by defensive linemen Daniel Lyons and Deante McCray, linebackers Blake Nichelson and Mikai Gbayor, and safety Ashlynd Barker.
📊 Where FSU Stacks Up
FSU tied Clemson for the fourth-most players from the ACC on the list, trailing Miami (21), Louisville (15), and Virginia (13). Florida edged the Seminoles with 14 players.
Why It Matters: After producing just three draft picks over the last two seasons combined, getting a dozen players onto scouts' radar is an encouraging early signal. Turning preseason buzz into actual production this fall is the next step. 🍢
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📝 Recruiting Notebook 📝
Clermont East Ridge offensive tackle Aiden Galles picked up offers from Ohio State and FSU within days of each other this summer, and he now lists Florida State among his top five schools. He plans to visit Tallahassee this fall before deciding after his junior season.
2027 small forward Carson Crawford, fresh off a Peach Jam championship, narrowed his recruitment to five schools including Florida State, Arizona State, Ole Miss, Providence, and Syracuse. He's already taken an unofficial visit to Tallahassee.
Florida State extended an offer to four-star defensive lineman Nikolas Stevens, a Maryland prospect drawing interest from Miami, Penn State, LSU, and Ohio State. He was named Defensive Line MVP at UA Next Baltimore in June but has yet to visit Tallahassee.
Why It Matters: Three different sports, three different recruiting boards, all moving at once. The staff's ability to keep landing spots on prospects' shortlists even during a stretch of on-field pressure says something about the pitch they're still able to make. 🍢
And that's a wrap!
Thanks for reading today's edition, Seminole! Camp opens Wednesday, and between two more position previews, a dozen NFL Draft eyes on the roster, and recruiting momentum across three sports, the pieces are starting to come together before pads finally hit the field.
Go Noles,
– The Chief Briefers
