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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

Camp is officially underway and we have key updates from the practice fields, behind-the-scenes coach intel, and a fall baseball showcase with postseason energy.

⚾ Noles Baseball Heads to Pensacola
Florida State will face Mississippi State in a rematch of the 2025 Tallahassee Regional Final—this time on the Gulf Coast.

🌡️ Camp Opens in the Heat, Transfers Shine Early
FSU kicked off fall camp in 105-degree heat with Duce Robinson and Gavin Sawchuk standing out. Norvell’s message? Embrace the conditions and get better.

🧠 Offensive Staff Shares Unfiltered Evaluations
We got the inside scoop on how the staff views players like Ousmane Kromah, Kevin Sperry, and Chase Loftin—and which positional battles are just getting started.

🛡️ Defensive Coaches Break Down Depth Chart Movement
From Jeremiah Wilson’s leadership to Jayson Jenkins’ comeback, there’s plenty to unpack as camp begins. Plus: who's winning at corner and Jack linebacker.

📉 FSU Lands 7th in ACC Preseason Poll
The Seminoles earned just four first-place votes—behind Duke and SMU. It's bulletin board material for a team trying to claw back into national relevance.

Let’s dive in.

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⚾ Noles Baseball to Face Mississippi State in Fall Showcase ⚾

Florida State Baseball is heading back to Pensacola this fall for a marquee exhibition against Mississippi State on October 18 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

⏱️ Key Details:
• First pitch set for 2 p.m. ET
• Rematch of the 2025 Tallahassee Regional Final (FSU won both games)
• Held at the home of the Miami Marlins’ Double-A affiliate

🎟️ Tickets:
• Blue Wahoos season ticket holders get early access starting today
• General public sales begin Tuesday, August 12 at 9 a.m. CT on BlueWahoos.com

📣 A Seminole Shoutout:
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves, a 2007 FSU grad, helped announce the event.

📍 Why It Matters:
This matchup continues a rising tradition—last year’s fall game vs. Auburn sold out—and adds momentum to a program coming off back-to-back Super Regional trips.

👉 Read more about the exhibition and FSU Baseball’s upcoming fall slate.

🌡️ Fall Camp Opens with Heat and High Expectations 🌡️

FSU football kicked off its 2025 fall camp under brutal conditions—and a clear message from the coaching staff.

The Seminoles practiced at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday to mirror kickoff time vs. Alabama, and the heat index soared above 105 degrees. Defensive line coach Terrance Knighton made his stance known early: “Same *#%@-ing weather! We can’t be tired!”

🔥 Highlights from Day One:
• Gavin Sawchuk (Oklahoma RB transfer) turned in multiple impressive runs.
• Jeremiah Wilson (Houston CB transfer) stood out in 1-on-1s with a key PBU.
• Duce Robinson (USC WR transfer) made multiple big plays and said it best: “It literally feels like you are drowning in just hot air.”
• Ousmane Kromah (Freshman RB) flashed burst and vision during 11-on-11.

👀 Other Notes:
• No pads yet—Day 1 was focused on fundamentals and assignment execution.
• Bryson Estes, previously an OL, is now listed as OL/TE at 269 lbs. He’ll be used as a physical blocker in heavy sets.

📣 Norvell’s Take:
“You didn’t see just a ton of mistakes from guys that were here in the spring... It was good to see them compete.”

📍 What’s Next:
FSU returns to the practice field Thursday afternoon with increased competition expected.

👉 Read more about Day One takeaways and key player impressions.

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🧠 Coaching Intel: Kromah, Sperry, and FSU’s Offensive X-Factors 🧠

As FSU opens preseason camp, we got rare clarity from the assistant coaches on who’s standing out—and how the staff plans to deploy its top offensive talent.

🗣️ Notables from the Staff:

• Ousmane Kromah might be the most intriguing freshman on the roster. RB coach David Johnson told him:
“Don’t be in a rush, you’re not here to save us.”
A powerful sentiment—showing they’re easing him in, but fully believe in his ability to impact games immediately.

• Jaylin Lucas will remain a versatile threat at RB and slot—despite last season’s injury and a new OC, his hybrid role is here to stay.

• Chase Loftin isn’t a traditional tight end. Gus Malzahn says the freshman will play both TE and WR:
“Half tight end, half receiver.”

• RB Strategy: Malzahn says FSU doesn’t need a workhorse back—yet—but the depth chart is fluid. Don’t rule out Kromah emerging as a featured weapon later in camp.

• Amaree Williams, previously working at EDGE, may get some limited looks at TE this fall—a potential multi-positional chess piece.

• WR Room Leadership is solid with Duce Robinson, Squirrel White, and Gavin Blackwell earning praise as tone-setters.

• QB Kevin Sperry is a standout freshman. QB coach Tony Tokarz said his arm talent was expected—but his composure and athleticism exceeded expectations:
“Didn’t seem panicked.”
Malzahn added: “He’s a real quarterback… it comes natural to him.”

🎯 Big Picture:
FSU’s offense is deep, flexible, and filled with young talent. Expect big roles for freshmen—but also a deliberate ramp-up as the staff sorts out who’s ready to carry the load.

👉 Read more on player roles, development plans, and position battles.

🛡️ Defensive Notes: Depth, Versatility, and a Whole Lotta Confidence 🛡️

FSU’s assistant coaches didn’t hold back when breaking down the defensive side of the ball ahead of fall camp—and it’s clear: this group is deep, position battles are heating up, and several young stars are ready to rise.

🔥 Line Talk
• Jayson Jenkins is still progressing from a lower-leg injury, but DC Tony White is high on his potential:
“He can play anything. He’s all of 6'6", 275, 280 and can move.”
Versatility + twitch = dangerous.

• Top DTs so far? Darrell Jackson, Daniel Lyons, and KJ Sampson.

🧱 Linebacker Depth
• Elijah Herring is being groomed at Mike, but could see action at Sam too.
• Jack linebacker options include Justin Cryer, Omar Graham, Stefon Thompson, and Herring, while DE types like James Williams, Amaree Williams, and Deamontae Diggs might also rotate in.

👀 Cornerback Battle
• Top 3 are set: Jeremiah Wilson, Ja’Bril Rawls, Quindarrius Jones.
• But who’s next? Charles Lester and Cai Bates are in the top tier of reserves.
• Shamar Arnoux has elite upside but needs maturity; Jamari Howard is getting back to form.

🧠 What They’re Saying About Wilson
• “He’s the first one in the building, last one to leave. He’s all football.” – DC Tony White
• “A ball of light. Loves FSU. Brings guys with him.” – CB coach Patrick Surtain

🧠 Safety Talk
• Edwin Joseph is fully back after a spring injury.
• Earl Little Jr. may be the X-factor. White believes he’s built for the Rover role—it’s just about self-belief:
“He is explosive… smart… physical. The role was built for him.”

🎯 Big Picture:
FSU’s defense is oozing with athleticism, positional flexibility, and emerging leaders. Now it’s about refining roles and developing depth behind the established starters.

👉 Read more on player roles, defensive rotations, and who’s rising in fall camp.

📉 FSU Picked 7th in ACC Preseason Poll 📉

Florida State isn’t getting much respect from the media heading into 2025.

In the ACC preseason poll released this week, FSU was slotted 7th overall—behind Duke, Louisville, Georgia Tech, and SMU—with only four first-place votes out of 183 ballots.

🥇 Top of the Table:

1. Clemson (167 first-place votes)

2. Miami (7)

3. SMU (2)

4. Georgia Tech (2)

5. Louisville

🔥 The Outlook:
• Clemson is the clear favorite after a 10–4 season and ACC title.
• FSU trails all but one of last year’s Power Five ACC additions (SMU) in the rankings.
• The Seminoles did beat out North Carolina, Pitt, and NC State—but the gap is razor-thin.

🗓️ Mark the Date:
The 2025 ACC Championship Game is set for Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC in Charlotte.

🎯 Big Picture:
After a 13-win season just two years ago, Florida State is facing a serious perception problem. Whether it’s depth concerns, post-transfer portal losses, or skepticism around QB play, the message is clear: the Seminoles need to prove it all over again.

👉 Full rankings and breakdown here.

And that’s a wrap!

Fall camp has begun, the heat is on, and expectations are rising. Whether it's freshman flashes, underrated transfers, or preseason slights, one thing is clear: Florida State's identity will be forged in August.
We'll be tracking every move. See you back here tomorrow.

– The Chief

P.S. Share this with a fellow Seminole who’s ready for the season to actually start.