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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF, Seminole!

🎆 Red, White, and Garnet 🎆
Happy 4th of July from The Chief Brief! Whether you're lighting fireworks or lighting up the grill, we’ve got a full spread of Seminole updates hotter than a Tallahassee July.

🛡️ Colton Countdown – FSU is surging late for 4⭐ linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. as Saturday’s decision approaches. With other LB targets off the board, this could be a momentum-shifting get for the ‘Noles.

🔥 Tommy Time – FSU goes all-in on QB1. A new episode of The Climb shows coaches rallying behind Castellanos — bold words, explosive plays, and all.

🎯 Top 40, Freshmen Edition – True frosh Ousmane Kromah cracks the Top 11. Sophomore pass-rush phenom Amaree Williams isn’t far behind. If both hit? This team’s ceiling rises fast.

📋 2026 Top 10 Targets – From 5⭐ CB Chauncey Kennon to potential OL anchors like Wilson Zierer, July is jam-packed with commitments that could vault FSU’s class into elite territory.

🎮 Game On – EA College Football 26 hits shelves next week. FSU’s playbook is fully Malzahn’d, Castellanos is a glitch in cleats, and our scouting report on the in-game formations is your cheat code to victory.

Whether you're reloading the cooler or reloading a Dynasty Mode save file — today’s a good day to be a Seminole.

Let’s get into it 🇺🇸👇

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🛡️ 4⭐ LB Rodney Colton Jr. Trending Toward FSU Ahead of Decision 🛡️

With FSU missing on a few key linebacker targets in recent weeks, all eyes are now on four-star Georgia product Rodney Colton Jr. — and the Seminoles are making a strong final push ahead of his Saturday commitment.

📍 Recruitment Recap:
• 6'1”, 205 lbs | No. 245 overall (On3) | No. 16 LB nationally
• Finalists: Florida State vs. Ole Miss
• Took official visit to FSU in June — “The vibe was most definitely right”

🎯 Why It Matters:
• Other LB targets Xavier Griffin (Alabama), TJ White (Tennessee), and DQ Forkpa (leaning Florida) are off the board or trending elsewhere
• Colton wants early playing time — FSU’s depth chart could offer that in 2026
• FSU’s defensive scheme under Tony White made a big impression

🔑 Bottom Line:
Colton’s decision will hinge on fit, development, and early opportunity — and the Seminoles may be checking the right boxes. Steve Wiltfong says FSU could be “tough to beat.”

👉 Full quote sheet and decision preview here.

🔥 “Let Tommy Be Tommy”: Inside FSU’s Bet on Castellanos 🔥

The latest episode of The Climb, FSU Football’s in-house docuseries, puts the spotlight on new quarterback Tommy Castellanos — and the message is clear: this is his team now.

🎙️ Coaching Confidence:
• Gus Malzahn: “He’s a true playmaker with his feet and his arm.”
• Tony Tokarz: “When it breaks down, we let Tommy go be Tommy — as long as he takes care of the football, it’s pretty good.”
• Mike Norvell: “He’s earning the locker room’s respect — guys rally around him.”

💪 The It Factor:
• First player in Boston College history to pass for 2,000+ and rush for 1,000+ in the same season
• Called “one of the most athletic guys on this team” by WR Duce Robinson
• Emphasis this offseason on strength, chemistry, and leadership

🔥 The Buzz — and the Backlash:
• Castellanos has made headlines with bold comments about Alabama and Nick Saban
• Despite fan criticism, FSU is leaning in — giving Castellanos a major platform in team media

🔑 Bottom Line:
The Seminoles aren’t just naming Castellanos their starting QB — they’re building the brand around him. He’s brash, explosive, and now fully empowered to lead the turnaround in 2025.

👉 Full feature and episode of The Climb here.

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The cost to build Gold Road from scratch today would be close to US$100 million and management plans to grow production to 20,000 ounces of gold per year in 2025/26. In a strong gold price environment this could lead to a US$40+million EBITDA in 2026 and potential for a very healthy dividend yield paid in physical gold and silver.

Management has a proven track record and plans to go public in Q1 2026.

🎯 Warchant Top 40 Countdown: Nos. 11–12 — Freshman Pressure, Freshman Potential 🎯

As we continue the deep dive into Florida State’s most important players for 2025, two underclassmen crack the next tier — both high-upside athletes with very different paths to impact.

📍 No. 11 — RB Ousmane Kromah (Freshman)
• Five-star RB who was one of FSU’s biggest recruiting wins post-2024
• Described as “different” by program sources — explosive, mature, and ready to contribute early
• Plays a position built for immediate impact in Gus Malzahn’s run-heavy scheme
• If Kromah delivers, it changes the entire floor of the 2025 offense

📍 No. 12 — EDGE Amaree Williams (Sophomore)
• Former 4⭐️ TE turned pass rusher with rare twitch and burst
• Won’t be an every-down player — but situational impact could be massive
• Could fill the “James Williams” role from Tony White’s Nebraska defenses — speed off the edge, havoc on 3rd down
• One of the most physically unique athletes on the roster

🔑 Bottom Line:
Kromah needs to hit — he’s the best bet for FSU to field a legit rushing attack. Williams doesn’t need to — but if he does, he could be the most disruptive wildcard on the defense. Both are young, both are gifted, and both could help shape the ceiling of this team.

👉 Full Top 40 breakdown and remaining player tiers here.

🎯 FSU’s Top 10 Most Wanted Recruits for 2026 🎯

Florida State sits at No. 10 nationally in the 2026 recruiting rankings — and July is shaping up to be a pivotal month. With major decisions looming, here’s the latest Top 10 Most Wanted board based on need, talent, and mutual interest.

📋 The List:
1. 5⭐ CB Chauncey Kennon
• Sarasota native deciding July 6
• FSU leads in Crystal Ball — would be second 5-star of Norvell era

2. 3⭐ OT Wilson Zierer
• Auburn battle looms — brother played under Gus
• FSU visit in May made a strong impact

3. 4⭐ LB DQ Forkpa Jr.
• July 12 decision vs. Florida, Michigan, Miami
• Gators trending but FSU still in it

4. 3⭐ EDGE Chris Addison
• Louisiana native fits FSU’s JACK role
• FSU leads going into July 4 decision

5. 3⭐ OT Da’Ron Parks
• Decision on July 26
• OT remains a top need; strong push from FSU

6. 4⭐ TE Heze Kent
• 300-pound jumbo TE — elite size
• Battle with Florida ahead of July 12 decision

7. 4⭐ LB Rodney Colton Jr.
• Another July 12 decision
• FSU vs. Ole Miss with playing time a big factor

8. 4⭐ CB Brody Jennings (Michigan commit)
• FSU legacy weighing a flip from Michigan
• Miami also in the picture

9. 4⭐ RB Derrek Cooper
• Top-tier back, decision date TBD
• FSU longshot — but pulled similar surprise with Kromah

10. 4⭐ CB Lasiah Jackson
• July 7 decision between Alabama, Stanford, FSU
• Stanford leads, but ‘Noles still fighting

🔑 Bottom Line:
FSU’s July could define its 2026 class — and there’s real momentum on multiple fronts. If the ‘Noles can land Kennon, Addison, and one OT, the class could climb into the Top 7 nationally.

👉 Full scouting breakdowns and decision timelines here.

🎮 Play Like the 'Noles: FSU’s Malzahn-Inspired Playbook in CFB 26 🎮

The wait is almost over. EA Sports College Football 26 drops July 10 — and Florida State fans will get their first taste of a fully playable Seminoles squad with real coaches, schemes, and players since 2013.

👀 Who’s in the Game:
• Mike Norvell and DC Tony White feature in Dynasty Mode
• Gus Malzahn opted out — but his offense didn’t
• You’ll get a re-creation of UCF’s playbook, rich with jet motion, wildcat, and QB runs

🏈 What to Expect:
• Tommy Castellanos will be one of the most dynamic QBs in the game — elite with his legs, but limited deep
• Duce Robinson, Jaylin Lucas, and Squirrel White are your speed weapons
• Plays built around jet sweep, orbit motion, triple option, and QB draw galore

💡 Best Formations to Master:
• Gun Y Off Trips – simple reads, RPOs, and vertical shots
• Gun Empty Trio – deadly jet motion screen game
• Gun Bunch Trio Open – RPOs + PA Fake Screen Verts = chaos
• Gun Wing Trips Wk – Bash, Buck Sweep, and comeback wrinkles
• Gun Spread Flex – Malzahn’s tempo-heavy masterpiece for advanced users

🔑 Bottom Line:
Whether you’re grinding Dynasty Mode or just trying to dominate online with Castellanos and company, this year’s game rewards creativity, speed, and run-heavy schemes — exactly what the new-look Seminoles are built for.

👉 See the full playbook breakdown and leaked roster here.

And that’s a wrap!

Whether you're watching the skies or watching FSU’s recruiting board, today reminded us: fireworks aren’t just for the Fourth — the ‘Noles are lighting it up too. From a bold QB1, to a rising freshman RB, to recruiting battles that could define the future, this summer’s sizzle is just getting started.

Thanks for spending part of your Independence Day with The Chief Brief. See you tomorrow — with even more boom.

Until then, enjoy the freedom 🍔🏈🇺🇸
— Chief