Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Sunday, Seminole!

Here’s The Brief for today:

⭐️ 5-Star OL Solomon Thomas on His Commitment to FSU ⭐️

FSU's top 2025 commit, Solomon Thomas, reaffirms his commitment despite visits to other schools. Discover his thoughts on the recruiting process and the strong bonds within the Seminoles' recruiting class.

🏃‍♂️ FSU Names Matt Kane as Director of Track and Field 🏃‍♀️

Florida State appoints Matt Kane as the new Director of Track and Field, succeeding Bob Braman. Kane's extensive experience and vision aim to continue FSU’s legacy of excellence.

💪 FSU Assistant Strength Coach Nick Dowdy's Journey to College Coaching 🏋️‍♂️

Nick Dowdy’s unique path from high school coaching to FSU highlights his dedication and growth. Learn about his impactful role in shaping FSU athletes.

🏈 FSU Maintains Strong Bond with Four-Star WR Devin Carter 🏈

Despite decommitting, four-star WR Devin Carter remains close to FSU. Explore his journey and the lasting relationships with FSU coaches.

👀 A Look at FSU's New Wide Receiver Room in 2024 👀

FSU’s wide receiver lineup has undergone a transformation for 2024. With new talents and transfers, find out how the Seminoles plan to rebuild their receiving corps.

⭐️ 5-Star OL Solomon Thomas on His Commitment to FSU ⭐️

In a recent interview with 247 Noles, Florida State's highest-ranked commitment in the 2025 class, Jacksonville (FL) Raines five-star Solomon Thomas, has affirmed his commitment to the Seminoles. Despite taking official visits to Florida and LSU, Thomas remains steadfast in his decision to join FSU.

Key Points:

• Recruiting Process: Thomas is still open to attending games for fun but is firm in his commitment to FSU. "Yeah, I'll probably go to some more games though -- just for fun," he shared. When asked if he would return to Florida or LSU, he responded, "I'm not even going back to Florida. I'll go back to Miami, LSU, I'll probably go to a Georgia game or something. I don't know."

• Commitment to FSU: Thomas highlights the unity and brotherhood within FSU's recruiting class, which he and fellow commit Tramell Jones have significantly influenced. "Every recruit who has committed to Florida State, I've pretty much had a very pivotal part. Being one of the few to commit so early, me and Tramell [Jones], me and him have really been building this team," Thomas said. "We all vibe and click together. There's no division or any kind of separation. It's a brotherhood for sure."

• Group Chat: Thomas mentioned a group chat where recruits coordinate and support each other before their public commitments. "When a new commit comes, we know they're going to come before they come. Either we've been trying to get them to commit or they've already told Coach Norvell they're going to commit and they're going to wait it out a little bit."

• Recruiting Importance: As an offensive lineman, Thomas stresses the importance of his role in recruiting, knowing the team's success heavily relies on a strong offensive line. "It falls on me because you can't have a team without an offensive line. The quarterback can't do what he's gotta do without an offensive line. And Tramell knows that, Coach Atkins knows that and Coach Norvell knows that."

• Coaching Impact: Thomas praises Coach Norvell and Coach Atkins for their genuine care and development of players, contributing to a family-like atmosphere at FSU. "Coach Norvell is building a great program, and he shows that he cares for his players more than he can tell you," Thomas shared. "You feel safer in the place that you're at. A lot of guys are able to call Coach Norvell whenever -- whether he's at home or not."

• Transfer Portal Views: He acknowledges the necessity of using the transfer portal in the past but believes FSU's current ability to attract top recruits will reduce reliance on transfers in the future. "Technically, Florida State, five years ago, wasn't able to recruit the guys that they wanted to recruit. But they still had to win to keep their jobs. The coaches still had to bring in guys who could get the job done for them to keep their job," he explained. "Now that Florida State is getting the respect that they deserve...imagine what they can do with a team full of four and five stars."

Check out the full interview here.

🏃‍♂️ FSU Names Matt Kane as Director of Track and Field 🏃‍♀️

Florida State University Vice President and Director of Athletics, Michael Alford, announced the appointment of Matt Kane as the new Director of Track and Field at FSU. Kane, an assistant coach at FSU since 2019, succeeds Bob Braman, who led the program for 21 seasons.

Key Highlights:

Leadership Transition:

Alford expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I'm excited and proud to have Matt assuming leadership of Seminoles track and field. He is uniquely qualified to lead our program in our quest to return to the top of the podium nationally and on the conference level."

Kane’s Credentials:

Kane's impressive coaching career spans over two decades, producing nine NCAA individual champions and 42 first-team All-Americans. He served as Panama's head coach for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

Kane’s Vision:

"I'm humbled and honored to be given the responsibility of taking over a program that has been led so well by my predecessor, Bob Braman," Kane said. "My goal is to produce a program that succeeds at a level that honors the legacy I inherit."

Proven Success:

Kane has been part of four ACC championships as an assistant at FSU. His athletes had eight podium finishes at the 2024 ACC Outdoor Championships, with notable performances by sprinter Shenese Walker and Dajaz DeFrand.

Recruitment and Coaching Expertise:

Kane's experience includes head coaching success at Barton County Community College and assistant coaching roles at Oklahoma and Alabama, where he earned several coaching accolades.

Selection Process:

Alford highlighted the thorough search process, saying, "Matt has a vision for leading FSU track and field elite. His experience coaching both men and women and his deep understanding of our program made the difference."

With Matt Kane at the helm, FSU’s track and field program is poised to continue its legacy of excellence and achieve new heights on both the national and international stages.

Check out the full details here.

Underdog is back in Florida!

Sign up now with the code “CHIEF” and you’ll get a 50% first deposit match up to $500.

That means up to $250 in bonus cash

💪 FSU Assistant Strength Coach Nick Dowdy's Journey to College Coaching 🏋️‍♂️

Nick Dowdy’s path to becoming an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Florida State was unconventional but rewarding. After missing out on an internship at Mississippi State in 2013, Dowdy took on multiple roles at Lake Cormorant High in Mississippi, gaining valuable leadership experience.

Early Challenges and High School Success

“I got to learn it the hard way,” Dowdy said. At Lake Cormorant, he served as defensive backs coach, strength and conditioning coach, and boys’ power lifting team leader, leading them to new heights.

Transition to College Coaching

In 2017, Dowdy met Memphis head coach Mike Norvell and strength coach Josh Storms, who offered him a position. “It was the biggest blessing of my life. I was beyond ready,” Dowdy recalled. He quickly advanced from intern to graduate assistant and then to a full-time role in 2019.

Joining FSU and Overcoming Challenges

Dowdy joined FSU with Norvell and Storms in 2019, facing the challenge of a fractured locker room and the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic was probably the biggest hurdle of it all,” Dowdy said. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to fostering player development.

Turning the Corner

Despite a tough start, Dowdy saw progress during the 2021 season. “The biggest thing that stuck out to me that season was we were 0-3... But I could still see the buy-in.” The breakthrough came with a win against Syracuse, marking a pivotal moment for the team.

Continued Success and Growth

Dowdy works directly with the quarterbacks and coordinates the team’s “Blitz” program for individualized training. As participation grew, so did the team’s success, with FSU posting a 10-3 mark in 2022 and starting 2023 with a 13-0 record.

“Seeing these guys mature physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually... It’s really rewarding for me,” Dowdy said.

You can check out the full details here.

🏈 FSU Maintains Strong Bond with Four-Star WR Devin Carter 🏈 

Close Ties and Recruiting Process

Despite decommitting from Florida State on January 22, four-star wide receiver and FSU legacy athlete Devin Carter remains closely connected to the Seminoles. Carter explained his decision to step back from his commitment during an unofficial visit to Tallahassee in April, stating, "Just to take things slower and enjoy the process a little bit more."

Exploring Options and Building Relationships

Since his decommitment, Carter has visited several programs, including Ohio State, Texas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and LSU. "I'm learning a lot about other schools and Florida State, too," Carter said. He continues to build strong relationships with FSU coaches Mike Norvell, Ron Dugans, and Alex Atkins.

A Message of Assurance

Norvell's message to prospects is to ensure they are certain about their decision and to enjoy the recruiting process. Carter appreciated this approach, saying, "He wasn't worried about me decommitting. He knows that they are still on my radar and I'm still on their radar."

Legacy and Personal Connection

As a legacy athlete, Carter's connection to FSU is deep-rooted. His father, Dexter Carter, played at FSU and in the NFL. This legacy, combined with his growing bond with Norvell, keeps FSU as a top contender. "Florida State is one of those schools for me," Carter affirmed.

Future Plans

Carter plans to release his top 15 schools soon and will return to Florida State in the fall to attend multiple games. His goal is to find a school that can help him achieve his dream of becoming a first-round NFL receiver.

Check out the full details here.

👀 A Look at FSU's New Wide Receiver Room in 2024 👀 

Adjusting to New Talent

Florida State is set for a transformation in its wide receiver lineup for the 2024 season. The departure of key players like Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, who combined for over 50% of FSU's touchdown receptions, presents new challenges and opportunities for FSU's passing game.

Rebuilding the Roster

Projected Depth Chart:

• WR: Hykeem Williams (Sophomore), Jalen Brown (Redshirt Freshman), Darion Williamson (Redshirt Senior)

• WR: Malik Benson (Senior), Kentron Poitier (Redshirt Senior), Deuce Spann (Redshirt Senior)

• Slot: Ja’Khi Douglas (Redshirt Senior), Lawayne McCoy (Freshman), Camdon Frier (Freshman)

2023 Stats Recap

• Keon Coleman: 50 catches, 658 yards, 11 TDs

• Johnny Wilson: 41 catches, 617 yards, 2 TDs

• Ja’Khi Douglas: 14 catches, 243 yards

• Darion Williamson: 9 catches, 127 yards, 1 TD

• Kentron Poitier: 6 catches, 136 yards

• Hykeem Williams: 5 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD

Offseason Transactions

Added: Jalen Brown (LSU transfer), Malik Benson (Alabama transfer), Lawayne McCoy, B.J. Gibson, Camdon Frier, Elijah Moore.

Lost: Keon Coleman (Buffalo Bills), Johnny Wilson (Philadelphia Eagles), Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina), Goldie Lawrence (UCF), Winston Wright Jr. (East Carolina).

Wild Cards and Versatility

FSU’s offense, under Coach Mike Norvell, focuses on balance and versatility. Indiana transfer Jaylin Lucas and Lawrance Toafili add dynamic elements to the passing game.

Emerging Talent

Hykeem Williams showed promise in 2023 and has been praised by Norvell for his improvement. Williams could be a significant contributor, potentially reaching 25-30 receptions in the season.

Key Questions

Who will lead in receptions, yards, and touchdowns? Malik Benson and Hykeem Williams are top contenders, with Ja’Khi Douglas also in the mix.

Conclusion

FSU’s new-look receiving corps presents both excitement and uncertainty. With a mix of transfers, emerging talents, and versatile playmakers, the Seminoles aim to build a dynamic and effective passing attack for the 2024 season.

Check out the full details here.

And that’s a wrap!

As we look forward to the upcoming seasons, the dedication and hard work of our athletes and coaches continue to shine brightly.

From top commitments in football to exciting new leadership in track and field, and the promising future of our wide receivers, FSU is gearing up for an exciting year ahead.

Thank you for joining us for this edition of The Chief Brief, and as always, Go Noles!