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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Monday, Seminole!

🌟 5-Star Flip Watch Ends in Garnet & Gold 🌟
FSU lands elite CB Chauncey Kennon — the No. 2 cornerback in the country — over Miami, Florida, LSU, and Georgia. Massive win for Norvell and Surtain.

🐿️ Top 10 Talent: Squirrel White’s Bounce-Back Year 🐿️
The former Tennessee WR cracks Warchant’s Top 10 — and looks fully healthy heading into a big year in Gus Malzahn’s offense.

📈 Kennon’s Commitment Boosts FSU’s Class Ranking 📈
Florida State climbs to No. 11 in the 2026 team rankings — now within two points of the Top 10 with a strong blue-chip ratio.

🎯 Decision Week: 4⭐ LB Rodney Colton Jr. Narrows Focus 🎯
The four-star linebacker announces Friday. FSU is battling Colorado and Ole Miss in one of the most emotional recruitments of the cycle.

🎥 Film Room: Kennon’s Tape = Scheme Fit Perfection 🎥
Why Kennon isn’t just highly rated — he’s a Day 1 zone disruptor with NFL traits, elite instincts, and perfect timing for FSU’s 3-3-5 rebuild.

Let’s dive in 👇️ 

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🌟 Five-Star CB Chauncey Kennon Commits to FSU 🌟

Boom. Florida State has landed its highest-ranked commitment in the 2026 class — elite Sarasota (FL) Booker cornerback Chauncey Kennon, the No. 2 CB and No. 27 overall player in the country, has pledged to the ‘Noles.

🖊️ Commitment Recap:
• 6'1", 175 lbs | 33 tackles, 16 PBUs, 1 INT in 2023
• Chose FSU over Miami, Florida, LSU, and Georgia
• Second 5⭐️ commit of the Norvell era (Hykeem Williams was the first)

🔍 What the Scouts Say:
• “Long-levered outside corner” with elite size/speed traits (4.5 40, 6’2” high jump)
• Known for shutting down big WRs and winning 50/50s
• Compares to former NFL second-rounder Trayvon Mullen
• Viewed as a physical, scheme-versatile defender with NFL upside

🧠 The Staff That Sealed It:
• CBs coach Patrick Surtain, DC Tony White, and Mike Norvell all played key roles
• Kennon was a top priority throughout spring and summer
• Official visits to FSU, Florida, Georgia, and Miami — but the Garnet & Gold won out

🔑 Bottom Line:
This is a massive defensive win on the trail — Kennon is a foundational piece and the kind of recruit who can reshape an entire secondary. If he signs in December, it’ll mark another major step forward for Norvell’s long-term roster build.

👉 More on Kennon’s commitment and what it means for the 2026 class rankings here and here.

🐿️ WR Squirrel White — Gamebreaker in the Slot 🐿️

After a quiet 2024, former Tennessee standout Squirrel White enters 2025 as a top-10 impact player for the Seminoles according to Warchant.com — and a major weapon in Gus Malzahn’s speed-focused system.

📈 Career Snapshot:
• 131 catches | 1,665 yards | 6 TDs over three years at UT
• Led Tennessee in catches (34) last season — despite playing <30 snaps in 7 games
• Ranks 7th all-time in receptions in Vols history

⚡ Why He Matters:
• Recorded 67 receptions for 803 yards in 2023 — more than any FSU WR that year
• Known for his elite burst, agility, and slot mismatch ability
• 12 career catches of 30+ yards — exactly what FSU lacked in 2024

💪 Current Outlook:
• Sat out much of spring to rehab a knee injury, but returned late and is reportedly “explosive” in summer workouts
• Expected to pair with Duce Robinson as a dynamic 1–2 punch in the passing game

🔑 Bottom Line:
If White is healthy, he’s a proven game-changer who can stretch defenses and ignite FSU’s downfield attack. His ceiling? All-ACC slot production — and a lot of open field chaos.

👉 Full player breakdown and more from the Warchant Top 40 series here.

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

📈 2026 Class Rankings Update: FSU Closing in on Top 10 📈

Chauncey Kennon’s commitment isn’t just a headline — it’s a rankings mover.

Florida State has jumped to No. 11 nationally in the 2026 team rankings following the five-star cornerback’s decision, sitting at 252.7 points — just two points behind No. 10 LSU and within five of No. 8 Miami.

📊 Class Composition:
• 22 total commits (15 four-stars, 7 three-stars)
• Among the top blue-chip ratios in the Top 15
• One of the larger classes — but still quality-heavy

🧮 Rankings Math:
• FSU’s large class means future additions yield less point-for-point gain (diminishing returns effect)
• Still, peers like Michigan (7), Miami (8), and Clemson (9) also have 20+ commits
• LSU (10), Oregon (12), and Texas (13) have fewer commits — more room to rise as July progresses

🔑 Bottom Line:
FSU hasn’t often found itself in this territory under Mike Norvell — but it now has a clear Top 15 foundation and is flirting with Top 10. If the Seminoles start fast this fall and keep key commits in the fold, this could become Norvell’s best prep class yet.

👉 Full class rankings and blue-chip breakdowns here.

🎯 Final Stretch: 4⭐ LB Rodney Colton Jr. Nearing Decision 🎯

Florida State is in the thick of a high-stakes recruiting battle for 2026 linebacker Rodney Colton Jr., who’s set to announce his commitment this Friday, July 12 at 6:15pm ET.

🏈 The Finalists:
• Florida State
• Colorado
• Ole Miss

🔥 Decision Pressure:
• “It was fun at first. Now it’s just hell,” Colton said about the final days leading up to his decision.
• Cited family, faith, and long-term development as key deciding factors
• Wants a school that can develop him for the next level and help provide for his family

📍 FSU’s Pitch:
• Strong relationship with LBs coach John Papuchis
• Track record of NFL development: “He did everything I want to do,” Colton said, citing Ernie Sims as an example
• Also impressed by FSU’s scheme fit and staff continuity

📊 Recruiting Background:
• Former South Carolina commit
• Ranked No. 15 LB nationally (247 Composite)
• Career: 100 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 INT, 5 fumble involvements over 22 games

🔑 Bottom Line:
Colton is a plug-and-play physical linebacker with sideline-to-sideline ability and special teams upside. If FSU can win this emotional and development-driven battle, it’ll be one of the most meaningful pickups of the summer.

👉 Full recruitment history and decision coverage here.

🎥 Film Room: Why 5⭐ CB Chauncey Kennon Is a Perfect Fit at FSU 🎥

He moves like silk, hits like stone, and sees plays before they happen. Here’s what makes new five-star cornerback commit Chauncey Kennon a potential instant contributor in Tallahassee.

📽️ Key Traits:
• Smooth, coordinated athlete with elite stop-start ability
• Excellent bend and fluid hips — rarely looks rushed or strained
• 6’1”, 175 lbs with outstanding wingspan — envelops receivers
• Strong ball tracking and zone instincts — perfect for Tony White’s 3-3-5

🏃 Athletic Profile:
• 11.08 100m dash | 21.88 200m | 6'2" high jump
• 33 tackles | 16 PBUs | 1 INT | 1 FF (2023 season)
• Also a red-zone threat on offense: 10 catches, 317 yds, 6 TDs

📈 Scheme Fit:
• Thrives in zone — smart, instinctive, and great at breaking on the ball
• Compares favorably to Trayvon Mullen (via 247Sports)
• Will get physical in coverage and run support despite lean frame

🧩 Room to Grow:
• Not a burner, but makes up for it with savvy and anticipation
• Needs to improve takeaway totals — plenty of pass breakups, not as many INTs
• Slight injury concerns, but nothing long-term

🔑 Bottom Line:
Kennon isn’t just a five-star on paper — he’s a real-deal fit for FSU’s defense. His length, processing, and zone skillset make him an ideal early contributor with NFL potential. Add 10–15 lbs of muscle, and he could be a true No. 1 corner in Garnet & Gold by 2027.

👉 Full scouting breakdown and highlight film here.

And that’s a wrap!

That’s all for today, fellow Noles.
Chauncey Kennon in the fold. Squirrel White surging. A top-10 class in reach. Friday could bring even more fireworks with Rodney Colton Jr. on deck. Buckle up — it’s a big week in the climb back.