Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy humpday, Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve got for you halfway through the week:

🌟 FSU Athletes Shine at Olympics 🌟

Gloria Muzito made a remarkable Olympic debut, setting a personal best and national record for Uganda in the women's 100 free. Julio Horrego competed in the men's 200 breaststroke, while Emma Terebo finished seventh in the women's 100 back final.

🏆 Farmer and Washington Named to Prestigious Watch Lists 🏆

Joshua Farmer and Darius Washington have been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, with Farmer also on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. Their impressive stats and achievements position them as top contenders.

🏈 First Day in Pads: Highs, Lows, and Standout Performances 🏈

FSU’s first practice in full pads showcased both strengths and areas for improvement. DJ Uiagalelei and Brock Glenn stood out among quarterbacks, while Lawrance Toafili and Micahi Danzy impressed in the running game. Defensively, Edwin Joseph and Earl Little Jr. made significant plays. Coach Norvell highlighted the team's effort and the need for consistent energy.

⚽️ FSU Soccer Prepares for 2024 Season ⚽️

FSU soccer starts preseason practice today. Coming off an undefeated championship season, the team faces new challenges with a top-ranked recruiting class and several players set to compete in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Coach Pensky and veteran players are optimistic about integrating new talents and maintaining their winning streak.

🏈 FSU Football Targets Set to Announce College Decisions 🏈

Several top FSU football targets in the 2025 class are nearing their college decisions. Key prospects include Ladarian Clardy, Jared Smith, Kaliq Lockett, and Josh Petty. While FSU remains in contention for many, some recruits are leaning towards other schools.

🌟 FSU Athletes Shine at Olympics 🌟

Rising Florida State senior Gloria Muzito made a remarkable Olympic debut on Tuesday, setting a personal best and national record for Uganda in the women's 100 free with a time of 55.95, finishing 22nd overall. Muzito had previously set the national record at 56.01 during the 2024 African Games.

Julio Horrego, competing in his second Olympic Games, placed 24th in the men's 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:18.91.

Emma Terebo, who previously advanced to the finals in the women's 100 back, finished seventh with a time of 59.40. Terebo will compete individually in the 200 back on Thursday and may also participate in the 4x100 medley relays.

Read more here

🏆 Joshua Farmer and Darius Washington Named to Prestigious Watch Lists 🏆

Defensive lineman Joshua Farmer and offensive lineman Darius Washington have earned spots on the Outland Trophy Watch List, with Farmer also being named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.

Joshua Farmer:

• Stats: Recorded 32 tackles, 7.0 for loss, 5.0 sacks, two quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 2023.

• Achievements: Second-team All-ACC, FSU's Most Improved Defensive Player.

• Notable Games: Career-high five tackles at Clemson and five tackles in the win against Florida.

• Awards: Semifinalists for the Outland and Nagurski Trophies will be announced on November 20, with winners revealed in December.

Darius Washington:

• Stats: Started 37 of 47 games over five seasons, excelling at center, left tackle, and right tackle.

• Achievements: First-team All-ACC, ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

• Team Impact: Led FSU to top ACC rankings in scoring offense, rushing touchdowns, and fewest turnovers.

Read more here

🏈 FSU First Day in Pads: Highs, Lows, and Standout Performances 🏈

Day 6 of Florida State’s preseason camp marked the first practice in full pads, bringing a mix of impressive plays and areas for improvement. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights and observations from the day:

Offensive Highlights:

• Quarterbacks:

  • DJ Uiagalelei: Demonstrated consistent ball placement and quick decision-making. Notable plays included a long completion to Lawrance Toafili and a precise touchdown pass to Ja'Khi Douglas.

  • Brock Glenn: Showed poise under pressure, making a standout play by stepping up in the pocket for a long gain. Also connected with Williams for an 80-yard touchdown.

  • Luke Kromenhoek: Displayed his arm talent with several good series, including a deep throw for a touchdown to BJ Gibson.

• Running Backs:

  • Lawrance Toafili: Excelled as both a receiver and runner, highlighted by a cutback run showcasing his agility and vision.

  • Micahi Danzy: Continued to impress with his speed.

  • Kam Davis: Showed promising pass protection skills.

• Receivers and Tight Ends:

  • Malik Benson: Despite some drops, showcased speed and fluidity with key catches.

  • Kentron Poitier: Highlighted with explosive plays, including a touchdown catch in team drills.

  • Lawayne McCoy and BJ Gibson: Both freshmen made notable catches, demonstrating their potential.

  • Kyle Morlock: Consistently reliable, praised by Norvell for an outstanding camp.

Defensive Highlights:

• Standout Performances:

  • Edwin Joseph: Made a spectacular interception in red-zone drills.

  • Earl Little Jr.: Impressive coverage in 1-on-1s, resulting in an interception.

  • Ja'Bril Rawls: Noted for multiple pass breakups and high effort.

  • Shawn Murphy: Active with tackles near the line of scrimmage.

  • Cam Riley: Demonstrated speed and agility.

• Freshman Contributions:

  • Ricky Knight: Intercepted a pass and disrupted a screen play.

  • Cai Bates: Strong physical coverage, highlighted by tight defense against Toafili.

Special Teams and Other Notes:

• Punt Returners: Jaylin Lucas and Malik Benson showed potential with natural fielding abilities.

• NFL Presence: Scouts from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, and Atlanta Falcons attended the practice.

• Traditions: Brock Glenn maintains the tradition of playing the Sod Cemetery presentation audio, a routine occasionally interrupted, adding a touch of light-hearted competition.

Overall Observations:

• Coach Mike Norvell: Pleased with the overall effort but noted a dip in energy mid-practice, which will be a focus moving forward. Praised the team's strong response at the end of practice.

• Team Dynamics: Emphasis on consistency and execution as the team builds towards the season. Continued growth and development across the board, with both veteran and freshman players stepping up.

Read more here and here

⚽️ FSU Soccer Prepares for 2024 Season with First Preseason Practice ⚽️

Florida State soccer kicks off the preseason today with their first official practice. Head coach Brian Pensky, alongside veteran players Taylor Huff and Heather Gilchrist, discussed their offseason preparation and the upcoming 2024 season.

2023 Season Recap:

• FSU won their fourth national championship.

• The team went undefeated with a 22-0-1 record, including a 9-0-1 mark in ACC play.

• They ended the season with 15 consecutive victories.

• Nine players from last year's squad signed professional contracts.

2024 Roster and Recruiting Class:

• The Seminoles welcomed the No. 1 ranked recruiting class, featuring eight freshmen and six transfers.

• The team will face challenges during the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup (August 31 - September 22), as several players will be competing internationally.

Coach Pensky’s Insights:

• Pensky praised the team's excellent testing results.

• He highlighted the squad's depth and the impact of international duties on the team’s roster during the World Cup.

• Pensky's full interview delves into these topics and more.

Player Perspectives:

• Taylor Huff and Heather Gilchrist shared their offseason routines and excitement for the new season.

• Both are eager to integrate new teammates and build team chemistry throughout the preseason.

Upcoming Schedule:

• The Seminoles will have 16 days of practice before their season opener at the University of South Florida on August 15th.

• FSU will host an exhibition match against TCU on August 9th at 7 p.m. at the Seminole Soccer Complex.

Read more here

🏈 FSU Football Targets Set to Announce College Decisions 🏈

Several top Florida State football targets in the 2025 recruiting class are nearing their college decisions. Here's a breakdown of each prospect, their finalists, and the latest intel on their recruitment:

4-star DB Ladarian Clardy

• Commitment Date: August 3

• Finalists: FSU, Washington, Ole Miss, Miss State, and UCF

• Current Outlook: Clardy is leaning towards Ole Miss, with recent momentum shifting away from FSU.

5-star Edge Jared Smith

• Commitment Date: August 3

• Finalists: FSU, Auburn, Tennessee, and South Carolina

• Current Outlook: Smith is likely to choose Auburn, having visited them recently.

5-star WR Kaliq Lockett

• Commitment Date: August 7

• Finalists: FSU, Texas, Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M

• Current Outlook: Texas is the favorite to land Lockett.

5-star OT Josh Petty

• Commitment Date: August 12

• Finalists: FSU, Stanford, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, and Tennessee

• Current Outlook: Petty's recruitment is competitive, with Georgia Tech and Ohio State making strong pushes. FSU remains in contention.

4-star RB Ousmane Kromah

• Commitment Date: August 10 (tentative)

• Finalists: FSU, Georgia, and Auburn

• Current Outlook: FSU feels optimistic after recent visits, but Georgia remains a significant threat.

4-star DB Onis Konanbanny

• Commitment Date: Sometime in August

• Finalists: FSU and Tennessee

• Current Outlook: FSU and Tennessee are neck and neck, with the Vols gaining ground after a recent visit.

4-star S Bryce Fitzgerald

• Commitment Date: August 17

• Finalists: FSU, Florida, and Miami

• Current Outlook: Fitzgerald's decision is still up in the air, with FSU, Florida, and Miami all vying for his commitment.

4-star RB Byron Louis

• Commitment Date: Sometime in September

• Finalists: FSU, Miami, Georgia, and Wisconsin

• Current Outlook: FSU and Miami are the primary contenders, with Louis expected to decide in September.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you for tuning in to today’s edition of The Chief Brief!

We appreciate your support and dedication to staying informed about all things Florida State.

Keep your Seminole spirit high and get ready for an exciting season ahead!

Stay Seminole Strong! Go Noles!