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Happy Sunday, Seminole! Here’s today’s Brief:

🏃 Ousmane Kromah's Visit to FSU: Strong Impressions 🏃
Four-star running back Ousmane Kromah visited FSU, praising the genuine care from Head Coach Mike Norvell and staff. Kromah felt the family atmosphere and support, making FSU a top contender as he nears his decision.

⚾️ FSU Baseball Adds Key Transfer Maison Martinez ⚾️
FSU baseball strengthened its roster by adding Maison Martinez, a right-handed pitcher from VCU. Martinez, who had a stellar sophomore season, brings depth to FSU’s pitching lineup.

🚀 Malik Benson Shines in FSU's Wide Receiver Room 🚀
Malik Benson is emerging as a standout in FSU’s wide receiver room, showing confidence and growth. His well-rounded skills make him a key player as FSU prepares for the season opener.

🐝 Summer Scouting Report: Georgia Tech 🐝
FSU’s first 2024 opponent, Georgia Tech, brings optimism with returning talents like QB Haynes King and RB Jamal Haynes. Despite defensive challenges, GT aims to compete strongly this season.

⭐️ 5-Star OT Josh Petty Visits FSU Today ⭐️
Five-star offensive tackle Josh Petty, ranked No. 14 in the nation, visits FSU today. With FSU among his top contenders, Petty’s decision on August 12th is eagerly anticipated.

🏃 Ousmane Kromah's Visit to FSU: Strong Impressions and Recruitment Updates 🏃 

Four-star running back Ousmane Kromah from Lee County (Ga.) made a pivotal visit to Florida State on Friday. As he nears his decision after official visits to FSU, Georgia, Auburn, and Tennessee, Kromah shared his thoughts.

Impressions of FSU:

Kromah emphasized the genuine care and dedication shown by Head Coach Mike Norvell and the entire FSU staff. "They show me that I'm important," Kromah stated, highlighting Norvell's passion and commitment. "I could see it in the way he talks to me -- his eyes. Today, when he was talking to me, my little sister even felt it. He was talking to me like we thought he was going to tear up because of how passionate he was and how passionate he feels about me."

Experiencing the FSU Family:

During his visit, Kromah participated in player meetings, observed practice film, and felt the camaraderie among the players. "It's just that family energy, that love when I come around," he noted. "Mike Norvell had the whole staff waiting outside for me. When I got to the door, everybody just started clapping. Realistically, a lot of head coaches aren't going to do that because they have so much to do. With Norvell, I feel like it's a little different because he is going out of his way to show that he cares about me."

Recruitment Insights:

Kromah appreciates the consistent efforts from Norvell and running backs coach David Johnson (Coach YAC), who regularly check on his well-being. "Coach YAC literally checks up on my mental health every time he calls me," Kromah shared. "It's stuff like that that really separates them from the other people." He added, "It’s like I haven’t seen one of my friends in a while and I’m coming back and seeing him."

Priority for FSU:

Norvell has conveyed to Kromah that he is a key piece for FSU's future, seeing him as a player who can elevate the program. "He says I fit the program. I know that a lot of people say that about everybody, it's a recruiting tactic. But he really thinks I fit the program and I can elevate their program and make it better to get them to the next level."

Next Steps:

Kromah plans to visit Auburn next, followed by potential visits to Georgia. His decision timeline remains uncertain, but FSU's efforts have kept them firmly in the mix. "I'm not sure if I want to commit yet. But that's how I feel about Florida State right now," Kromah concluded.

You can check out more details here and here.

⚾️ FSU Baseball Adds Key Transfer in Maison Martinez ⚾️

Florida State baseball has had an eventful offseason, navigating through numerous additions and departures via the transfer portal and the MLB Draft. The Seminoles lost seven right-handed pitchers, including four who signed officially with MLB teams, but they have bolstered their roster with key transfer commitments.

Newest Addition: Maison Martinez

• Background: Six-foot-two, 210-pound right-handed pitcher from Florida

• Previous School: VCU (Park Vista HS in Lake Worth)

• Class: Rising junior

• Performance:

  • Freshman Season: Struggled with a 9.78 ERA in 23 IP

  • Sophomore Season: Improved significantly with a 2.98 ERA in 42.1 IP, 19 appearances (all in relief)

  • Stats: 2.98 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .200 batting average against, 41 strikeouts, 19 walks, and four wins with no losses

Pitching Style:

• Arsenal: Fastball-slider combo

• Fastball Velocity: 91-94 MPH

• Effectiveness: High whiff rates on the slider, effective at limiting hits (30 hits, 7 extra-base hits in sophomore season)

Portal Additions for 2025:

• Maison Martinez (VCU)

• LHP Joey Volini (USF)

• RHP Evan Chrest (JU)

• RHP Peyton Prescott (JU)

• OF Gage Harrelson (Texas Tech)

• C Nathan Cmeyla (Dartmouth)

• LHP Wes Mendes (Ole Miss)

FSU's active engagement in the transfer portal demonstrates their commitment to building a competitive roster for the upcoming season, and Martinez's addition is a significant boost to their pitching depth.

More details here.

🚀 Malik Benson Shines in FSU's Wide Receiver Room 🚀

As Florida State prepares for its opener, the spotlight is on the wide receiver room, where Malik Benson has emerged as a standout. Known for his speed and reliability, Benson is determined to secure significant playing time in a room that is wide open for competition.

Building Confidence:

Benson reflects on his journey and the growth he has experienced. “I’m very confident in myself and my ability,” he said. “Last year I didn’t think that I was able to showcase what I can do. But this year I’m confident that the coaches are going to put me in positions to do what I need to do for this team.”

Spring to Summer Progress:

The progression Benson has made from spring practices through summer and into the first few days of camp has been noticeable. “You could see the benefit of spring to carrying that over, to where he is now,” said FSU coach Mike Norvell. “It’s just continuing to build all aspects. He’s got a wide-open route tree.”

Comparison to Keon Coleman:

Norvell likened Benson’s versatility to former FSU receiver Keon Coleman. “A lot of the different elements of where he can go, we’ve seen that before. Keon was very similar to that and a guy that could just do so many different things.”

Filling the Void:

With the departure of Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman to the NFL, Benson’s well-rounded skill set — height, speed, experience, and route-running — positions him as a key player in the wide receiver room. He joins veterans like Ja'Khi Douglas, Kentron Poitier, and Darion Williamson, as well as promising sophomore Hykeem Williams, in the quest to lead FSU’s receiving corps.

Benson's determination and performance in camp signal his readiness to take on a significant role and help lead the Seminoles' offense this season.

You can read more details here.

🐝 Summer Scouting Report: Georgia Tech 🐝

Florida State’s first opponent in the 2024 season is Georgia Tech. As the Seminoles prepare for the matchup, The Osceola put together quick scouting notes on the Yellow Jackets.

Head Coach: Brent Key

• Record: 11-10 (One-plus seasons at GT)

• 2023 Record: 7-6

• 2024 Over/Under (Vegas Insider): 5 wins

• Preseason Prediction/Rankings:

  • Athlon's: ACC 9th, Nationally 47th

  • Lindy's: ACC 9th, Nationally 42nd

• ESPN BET preseason odds: FSU (-13), Over/Under 54.5

Team Overview:

• Quarterback: Haynes King (Texas A&M transfer) - 2,842 passing yards, 27 TDs, 737 rushing yards, 10 rushing TDs

• Running Back: Jamal Haynes - 1,059 rushing yards, 7 TDs, 20 receptions for 151 yards

• Leading Receivers: Malik Rutherford (46 catches, 714 yards, 6 TDs), Eric Singleton (48 catches, 502 yards, 4 TDs)

• Offensive Line: Returns three full-time starters and another lineman with five starts from last season

• Defense: Biggest question mark, ranked 120th in total defense last season but returns seven players with starting experience

Key Additions via Transfer Portal:

• Anthony Rutledge (Middle Tennessee): Expected starter at guard

• CJ Lightsey (Georgia): Added depth to the LB corps

• Corey Height (USC): Credited with 14 pressures last season

• Jake Barton (Furman): 25 tackles, 3 sacks, and 6 TFLs last season

Coach and Player Insights:

Brent Key at ACC Kickoff:

• Emphasized the importance of national exposure for the team

• Stated the team’s growth and culture-building from January through July

• Excited about the leadership and potential of the team

Haynes King at ACC Kickoff:

• Expressed excitement about returning solid players and building off last season

• Highlighted the importance of continuity and strong locker room culture

• Viewed Georgia Tech as a contender for the ACC championship, feeling both respected and disrespected by being labeled a "sleeper"

⭐️ 5-Star OT Josh Petty Expected at Practice Today ⭐️ 

Florida State is pushing to close out their 2025 class with some top-tier talent. One of the key targets is five-star offensive tackle Josh Petty from Roswell, Georgia. Noles 247 reported that Petty is expected back on campus on today for FSU’s fourth preseason practice.

Recruiting Profile:

• Rankings: No. 14 prospect in the nation, No. 2 offensive tackle in the 2025 class (247Sports)

• Official Visits: FSU, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Stanford, Tennessee

• Decision Date: August 12th

• Top Contenders: FSU, Georgia Tech, Ohio State

Family Connection:

FSU has an advantage as Petty’s sister is set to attend the school. Petty mentioned, "Florida State has always been one of those schools. I can see myself going here for sure. My sister is here -- so that helps a lot."

247Sports Scouting Report:

• Comparison: Tristan Wirfs (NFL offensive lineman)

• Attributes: High-level offensive tackle with potential as a defensive lineman

• Strengths: Quick off the ball, impressive two-way snaps, state champion wrestler, motivated drive blocker

• Areas to Improve: Pass-protection consistency, leverage awareness

• Potential: Multi-year starter at the high-major level with NFL Draft early-round upside

Additional Athletic Involvement:

Petty is also a top wrestler in his weight class in Georgia and participates in track and field, showcasing his versatile athleticism.

FSU remains a strong contender as Petty approaches his decision, with the lone prediction on the 247Sports.com Crystal Ball favoring the Seminoles.

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you for reading today’s edition of The Chief Brief.

We hope you enjoyed the latest updates and insights on FSU’s exciting developments. Stay tuned for more news and updates in our next edition.

Go Noles! 🍢