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⛳️ Luke Clanton Secures Back-to-Back Top 10 Finishes on PGA Tour ⛳️

FSU junior Luke Clanton made history with a second-place finish at the John Deere Classic, marking back-to-back top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour. His consistent excellence and clutch performances, including a flawless final round, highlight his rising stardom.

🔥 FSU Gearing Up for Major Recruiting Decisions 🔥

All eyes are on some key FSU targets like three-star safety Max Redmon, four-star DBs Jaboree Antoine and Bryce Fitzgerald, and five-star OTs Josh Petty and Ty Haywood making decisions soon. Expect more blue-chip commitments in the coming weeks.

📈 Insights into FSU's 2025 Recruiting Class 📈

The Osceola reports FSU's 2025 class is shaping up strongly with top commitments like five-star OL Solomon Thomas. FSU focuses on quality over quantity, targeting elite prospects like OT Josh Petty to enhance their class further.

💵 Patrick Payton Poised for Breakout Season at Florida State 💵

Defensive end Patrick Payton is set for a stellar 2024 season. After learning from NFL stars Jermaine Johnson and Jared Verse, Payton is ready to become an All-America-caliber player, bringing significant impact to FSU's defense.

⚾️ Cam Smith and James Tibbs Poised for Top 16 Picks in 2024 MLB Draft ⚾️

FSU baseball stars Cam Smith and James Tibbs are projected top picks in the 2024 MLB Draft. Their impressive hitting and solid defense this season set them up for successful professional careers as likely first-round picks.

⛳️ Luke Clanton Secures Back-to-Back Top 10 Finishes on PGA Tour ⛳️

Florida State junior Luke Clanton delivered an outstanding performance at the John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour, tying for second place with a remarkable finish. Clanton's birdie streak and impressive final round made history, establishing him as the first amateur with back-to-back top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour since 1957-58.

Key Highlights:

Historic Achievement:
Clanton's runner-up finish at the John Deere Classic marks him as the first amateur with consecutive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour since Billy Joe Patton in 1957 and 1958.

Clutch Performance:
Clanton birdied four of his last five holes, including his final three, to close with a score of 63 in the fourth round. He maintained a clean card on Sunday with eight birdies and 10 pars, scoring no holes above par during his final round.

Consistent Excellence:
Throughout the tournament, Clanton demonstrated consistent excellence, carding 26 birdies and one eagle. His second score of 63 during the championship showcased his skill and determination.

Leaderboard Climb:
Clanton was tied for sixth and the highest-placing amateur after 54 holes. He began Sunday’s play just five strokes out of the lead, aiming for his first PGA Tour win.

World-Class Ranking:
Currently third in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Clanton finished the college season as the highest-ranked player in NCAA Golf rankings. His outstanding performance included setting a Florida State record for the lowest single-season stroke average (69.33).

Upcoming Schedule:
Clanton's upcoming tournaments include the PGA Tour ISCO Championship (July 11-14), PGA Tour 3M Open (July 25-28), and the US Amateur (August 12-18).

Luke Clanton's performance at the John Deere Classic not only highlights his talent but also cements his status as a rising star in the world of golf. His journey continues as he competes in upcoming tournaments, aiming to further his impressive record and make his mark on the PGA Tour.

Check out the full details here. Or here.

🔥 FSU Gearing Up for Major Recruiting Decisions 🔥

Florida State's recruiting efforts have gained significant momentum, with near half a dozen blue-chip commitments in recent weeks. As they aim to continue this success, several top targets are set to make decisions soon. Here's the highlights from Noles247's Zach Bolstein’s recent update:

Recruiting Intel:

Defensive Back Class:

• Max Redmon: Three-star safety making his decision on Tuesday, July 9. FSU is favored.

• Jaboree Antoine: Four-star DB competing with Miami, decision expected in early August.

• Bryce Fitzgerald: Four-star safety deciding on August 16. FSU and Florida are leading contenders, with FSU currently his leader.

• Tony Williams & Ladarian Clardy: Four-star DBs, both still in play. Clardy considering Ole Miss, decision likely this month. No timeline for Williams.

Running Backs:

• Ousmane Kromah: Four-star target likely deciding in August. FSU, Auburn, and Georgia are in contention.

• Byron Louis: Top target planning to commit in mid-September. FSU, Miami, and Georgia are involved, with FSU looking strong.

Wide Receivers:

• Vernell Brown: Four-star WR, FSU vs. Florida battle. Decision expected within two weeks.

• Daylan McCutcheon: Four-star WR, FSU vs. USC battle, with USC currently leading. Decision on July 13.

Offensive Tackles:

• Josh Petty: Five-star OT, competing with Stanford and Georgia Tech. Decision in early August.

• Ty Haywood: Five-star OT, FSU vs. Alabama, with Alabama as the current favorite.

Linebackers:

• Tavion Wallace & Zaydrius Rainey Sale: Four-star targets committed elsewhere. Wallace may still flip to FSU. Rainey-Sale less likely to re-engage with FSU.

Longshots:

• Kaliq Lockett: Five-star WR

• Jordan Young: Four-star safety

• Ben Hanks Jr.: Four-star DB

Check out the full details here.

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📈 Insights into FSU's 2025 Recruiting Class 📈

The Osceola took a deep dive into the current standing of FSU’s 2025 class as well as what to expect the rest of this summer. Here are the highlights:

Florida State made significant strides in the 2025 recruiting class this summer, earning the nation’s highest average ranking per commitment on Rivals. With 10 commitments averaging a 4.1 rating, the Seminoles are positioned strongly among top programs like Ohio State, LSU, and Oregon.

Key Highlights:

Quarterback:

• Tramell Jones: 4-star QB committed to FSU, solidifying their quarterback position for the 2025 class.

Running Backs:

• Byron Louis & Ousmane Kromah: Both 4-star RBs. FSU is likely to land one, with Louis leaning towards FSU due to strong ties with Coach Surtain.

Wide Receivers:

• CJ Wiley: 4-star WR committed to FSU. Wiley is noted for his elite size and hands. He has potential to earn a 5th star.

• Daylan McCutcheon: 4-star WR who could commit soon, viewed as a slot receiver at the next level.

• Vernell Brown & Joshua Moore: Brown is leaning towards UF, while Moore is committed to UF.

Tight End:

• Chase Loftin: 4-star TE committed to FSU. Loftin has the skill set but will need time to develop.

Offensive Line:

• Solomon Thomas: 5-star OG committed to FSU, the highest-rated offensive guard.

• Peyton Joseph: 4-star OG committed to FSU. FSU is also targeting 5-star OT Josh Petty, who could commit before summer ends.

Defensive Ends:

• Javion Hilson: 4-star WDE committed to FSU. Hilson is compared to Alabama’s Dallas Turner.

• Jared Smith: 4-star DE, a strong contender for FSU but will have to battle Auburn.

Defensive Tackles:

• Kevin Wynn & Myron Charles: Both 4-star DTs committed to FSU. Wynn chose FSU over Texas and Miami.

Linebackers:

• Ethan Pritchard: 4-star OLB committed to FSU. FSU needs to flip other LB targets like Tavion Wallace and TJ Alford.

Defensive Backs:

• Gregory Thomas: 4-star DB committed to FSU. FSU aims to add 2-3 more DBs, with Max Redmon expected to commit soon.

Final Thoughts: Despite some setbacks with linebacker commitments, FSU is poised to land a top running back and offensive tackle soon. The focus on quality over quantity positions FSU strongly for the future, a marked improvement from 2-3 years ago.

Check out the full details here.

💵 Patrick Payton Poised for Breakout Season at Florida State 💵 

Patrick Payton's rise to prominence at Florida State has been remarkable, recently landing him the No. 2 spot on Warchant's list of the top 40 most impactful players for the 2024 season. His journey from a freshman learning from future NFL stars to a standout defensive end has been one of continuous growth and immense potential.

Learning from the Best:

Payton observed and learned from future NFL first-round picks Jermaine Johnson and Jared Verse, gaining insights into what it takes to excel at the highest level.

Breakout Season:

As a redshirt junior, Payton's 2023 season was his true breakout. He recorded 44 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and an impressive 10 pass breakups. His pass deflections were the most by an ACC defensive lineman since 2016 and the most ever recorded by a Florida State lineman.

Career Stats:

Over the past two years, Payton has played in 27 games, amassing 75 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. His performance has steadily improved, showcasing his potential to become one of the nation's top defensive ends.

Physical Growth:

Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 254 pounds, Payton is bigger, stronger, and faster than ever. This physical development is expected to translate into an even more impactful presence on the field.

Star Potential:

With his combination of size, speed, and experience, Payton is poised to become an All-America-caliber defensive end. His growth and performance in the upcoming season will be crucial for Florida State's defense.

Patrick Payton's journey from a promising freshman to a defensive powerhouse highlights his dedication and potential. As he steps into the spotlight, Florida State fans can look forward to another season of stellar performances from this rising star.

You can read more details here.

⚾️ Cam Smith and James Tibbs Poised for Top 16 Picks in 2024 MLB Draft ⚾️

FSU baseball stars Cam Smith and James Tibbs delivered exceptional performances throughout the 2024 season. Their impressive stats and contributions have positioned them among the top prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft, scheduled to begin on Sunday, July 14th, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Draft Projections and Potential

The latest mock drafts predict James Tibbs being picked No. 9 by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cam Smith going No. 16 to the Miami Marlins. If these projections hold, Tibbs could secure a slotted bonus of $5.7 million, while Smith might receive $4.3 million. While mock drafts aren’t set in stone, both players are likely first-round picks, setting them up for lucrative professional careers.

Season Performance and Strengths

Smith and Tibbs earned the title of "professional hitters" throughout the season, reflecting their advanced skills at the plate.

James Tibbs:

• Notable power-to-strikeout ratio.

• 28 home runs with only 37 strikeouts.

• Impressive .488 on-base percentage.

• Significant defensive improvement in the outfield over the past two years.

Cam Smith:

• Traded some power for a higher batting average, leading the team in hits.

• Led college baseball in hits late into the postseason with 104.

• Maintained a .488 on-base percentage.

• Solid defensively at third base with only seven errors.

Future Potential

Transitioning to the major leagues is challenging, but Smith and Tibbs have the offensive skills and advanced plate approaches needed to succeed. Cam Smith and James Tibbs’ journey to the MLB Draft is a testament to their hard work and dedication, promising a bright future in professional baseball.

Check out the full details here.

And that’s a wrap!

As we head into another exciting season for Florida State athletics, there's a lot to look forward to in 2024.

Luke Clanton continues to shine on the PGA Tour, while FSU’s football team gears up with promising recruits for the 2025 class.

Keep an eye on Patrick Payton as he aims for a breakout season and watch for Cam Smith and James Tibbs in the MLB Draft.

Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage in our next edition of The Chief Brief. As always - Go Noles!!!