🏹 July 29th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Camp Opens, Recruits Locked, and a Star QB Emerges

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The Chief
July 29, 2025

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How confident are you in Tommy Castellanos leading FSU’s offense this season?

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

🎯 QB Watch, Camp Starts, and Flip Drama Ends 🎯
Tommy Castellanos lands on the Maxwell Award watch list—can he live up to the Heisman whispers? Meanwhile, fall camp kicks off this week, and we’ve got the full schedule of coach and player availabilities through the Bama opener.

🌍 Softball Heads to Europe 🌍
Lonni Alameda’s squad is bound for London and Paris for a week of team bonding, international scrimmaging, and one incredible preseason experience.

🚫 Darryon Williams Dodges Flip, Doubles Down 🚫
The Gators nearly snagged a top FSU WR pledge… until they ran out of room. Now, Williams is all-in with the Noles and fired up for the opener.

🏀 FSU Hoops Loads Up Bama Weekend with Star Power 🏀
Four-star center Marcis Ponder and 2026 scoring machine Kayden Allen headline a wave of elite recruits visiting Tallahassee for football’s season kickoff.

👇 Dive in for the full breakdown on what’s shaping up to be one of the most pivotal weeks of the year for Florida State.

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🏹 Tommy Castellanos Named to Maxwell Award Watch List 🏹


Could FSU’s dual-threat QB be college football’s breakout star in 2025?

Senior quarterback Tommy Castellanos is officially on the radar for one of the sport’s top honors—the Maxwell Award, given annually to the most outstanding player in college football.

🎯 Why He’s on the List
• First QB in Boston College history to surpass 2,000+ pass yards and 1,000+ rush yards in a single season (2023).
• Accounted for 28 total TDs last year, including a career-high 156 rushing yards and 2 scores in the Fenway Bowl (MVP honors).
• Reunites at FSU with Gus Malzahn, his former UCF head coach, in a system built to maximize his athleticism.

📈 What It Means
Castellanos brings 3,689 career passing yards, 33 passing TDs, and 1,427 rushing yards to a Florida State team in search of an identity on offense. With a national spotlight against Alabama in Week 1, he’ll get a chance to make his case early.

🗓️ Save the Date
🏟️ FSU vs. Alabama
📍 Doak Campbell Stadium (renovated)
🕞 August 30 at 3:30 PM (ABC)

📅 Fall Camp Schedule Released: Practice Kicks Off Wednesday 📅


FSU football officially returns to the field Wednesday, July 30, with the start of preseason camp—and we now have the full slate of coach/player media availabilities through the Alabama opener.

🗣️ Opening Notes
• Mike Norvell and staff will speak Tuesday, July 29 to preview the team.
• The first practice on Wednesday includes a short media window, followed by Norvell + player interviews.
• All remaining practices are closed, but FSU will hold daily post-practice availabilities with coaches and players.

🧠 What to Watch For
• First public comments from new coordinators Gus Malzahn (OC) and Tony White (DC).
• Two scrimmages—August 5 and August 10—with virtual Norvell briefings.
• Two UNF sessions (Aug 7–8) provide a change of scenery and a chance for depth pieces to shine.

📆 Key Dates to Bookmark
• Aug 30: Season opener vs. Alabama
• Aug 25: Norvell’s official fall press conference
• Daily: Chief Brief fall camp updates with takeaways from every major availability

🎯 Big Picture
We’re entering the most pivotal month of Norvell’s tenure—with fresh scheme installs, quarterback leadership, and defensive identity all on the line. How FSU progresses over the next four weeks will shape their entire 2025 season.

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🌍 Noles Softball Heads to London (and Paris) 🌍


FSU Softball is gearing up for an international adventure from August 4–11, with stops in London and a day trip to Paris as part of their 2026 preseason prep.

⚾ What’s on the Itinerary
• Youth clinic & scrimmage with the London Mets on August 6
• Cultural sightseeing across both London and Paris
• A team-building foundation for the year ahead

🇬🇧 Homecoming Vibes
Pitcher Jazzy Francik, who has deep European roots and plays for Team Great Britain, will reunite with family abroad and is set to compete again in September’s European Championships alongside former Nole Jahni Kerr.

🎯 Big Picture
Coach Lonni Alameda’s squad is getting more than reps—it’s a chance to bond, grow, and get inspired ahead of a big season.

🧨 WR Darryon Williams Shuts Down Flip Talk, Stays Locked with FSU 🧨


A month ago, the buzz around four-star WR Darryon Williams flipping to Florida was real. But when UF filled up at wide receiver, the window quietly closed—and Williams stayed solid with the Noles.

💬 Williams on the Almost-Flip
“Billy [Napier] told me they were full at WR... they said I could come as a DB, but my heart is on offense.”

🔥 Why FSU Held Strong
• Official visit with Mike Norvell helped re-solidify the bond
• Cited “no fake love” from the staff—every visit feels like home
• Feels completely aligned with FSU’s culture and offense

👀 Fall Plans
Williams plans to be in Doak Campbell for the Bama opener:

“I got FSU for the win! Tommy Castellanos is talking his junk and I feel like he’s gonna back it up.”

🎯 Big Picture
One of FSU’s top WR pledges is firmly back in the fold—a near-miss flip turned momentum builder heading into the season.

🏀 4⭐ Center Marcis Ponder Set to Visit FSU for Bama Game Weekend 🏀


Florida State men’s basketball is stacking the deck for its biggest recruiting weekend of the year—and Marcis Ponder, the No. 70 overall prospect in the 2025 class, is now officially on the list.

📍 Visit Details
The 7-foot, 288-pound big man will be in Tallahassee the weekend of August 30th, when FSU football hosts Alabama at Doak. He’ll join fellow four-star targets Brandon Bass, Kevin Thomas, Collin Paul, and Toni Bryant.

💥 Why FSU’s in Great Shape
• Ponder has strong ties to the program:
– Came up in the same AAU system as head coach Luke Loucks
– Main recruiter is Gerald Gillion, his former coach’s brother and FSU assistant
• FSU has been “a constant force” in his recruitment since Loucks took over

🔢 By the Numbers
• No. 70 player in the country (Rivals Industry Rankings)
• No. 7 ranked center nationally
• Recently narrowed his top 7: FSU, Indiana, Illinois, Providence, Cincinnati, Texas, Miami

🎯 Big Picture
With momentum building and personal ties on their side, the Seminoles are a top contender for one of the biggest post players in the class.

🔥 2026 Top-60 Wing Kayden Allen Includes FSU in Final 7 🔥


Florida State has made the cut for Kayden Allen, the No. 51 overall recruit in the 2026 class, as the Zephyrhills Christian Academy star announced his top seven schools this week.

📍 Finalists:
• Florida State
• California
• Cincinnati
• Georgia Tech
• Mississippi State
• Ole Miss
• UCF

🏀 Why FSU Is in the Mix
Though the relationship is new, Allen says he's recently been on the phone with FSU assistant Coach Fly, and a visit is likely in the works:

“They’re the new guy in town and I look forward to learning more about them.”

📊 Scoring Machine
Allen turned heads this summer on the Nike EYBL circuit with Team Thad:
• 20.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.2 APG
• Shot 38.5% from three
• Dropped 35 points in a Peach Jam finale

🧨 Scouting Report
A dynamic three-level scorer with a “microwave” scoring ability—once he heats up, defenders are in trouble. Allen finishes above the rim and can create separation with ease.

🎯 Big Picture
FSU is still early in the race, but if they lock in a visit, Allen could be a major scoring weapon to track in the 2026 cycle.

And that’s a wrap!

That's a wrap on today's Chief Brief. As the Seminoles report to camp and the 2025 season inches closer, the storylines are stacking fast: a dual-threat QB to believe in, top-tier recruits circling Tallahassee, and a softball squad representing the Garnet & Gold abroad.

Stay sharp, stay locked in, and we’ll keep delivering the headlines that matter.

Until tomorrow,
— The Chief

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