Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Monday, fellow Noles! Today’s edition is heavy on the football recruiting news with updates coming out of our Elite Camp and some official visits wrapping up.

Here’s The Brief:

🏈 Elite Camp Success: Top Recruits Shine at FSU
FSU's 2024 Elite Prospect Camp attracted some of the nation's top talent, resulting in standout performances and key offers. Sean Poret earned an offer, while Faizon Brandon and Jaden O'Neal impressed with their quarterback skills.

🏈 Official Visits Update: Top Recruits Impressed by FSU
Florida State's biggest official visit weekend of the year created a buzz with glowing reviews from top prospects like Ousmane Kromah, Chase Loftin, and Zion Grady, leading to some predictions for future commitments.

🏃‍♀️ DeFrand Shines at NCAA Championships
Dajaz DeFrand earned All-American honors, placing seventh in the 200-meter finals at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

🔍 FSU Chasing Down Top Florida Recruit DJ Pickett
FSU is vying for 6-4 cornerback DJ Pickett, who appreciates the coaching staff and program trajectory. Despite leading schools LSU, Miami, and Oregon, Pickett plans to visit FSU during the 2024 season.

🏈 Elite Camp Success: Top Recruits Shine at FSU 🏈

Florida State's 2024 Elite Prospect Camp was a resounding success, attracting some of the nation's top talent and resulting in standout performances and key offers.

Key Offers and Standouts

Sean Poret (2025, OT, 3-star):

• Earned an offer after showcasing his athleticism and consistent performance in 1-on-1 drills.

• Quote: "It's amazing, FSU is one of the schools I've been looking out for a while, since I was a kid."

Jaden O'Neal (2026, QB, 4-star):

• Impressed with his accuracy and strong arm, making FSU a top contender.

• Quote: "I really liked getting coached by Tokarz...it was also my first time in Tallahassee and I really liked the city."

Faizon Brandon (2026, QB, 5-star):

• Stood out with his elite deep ball and overall arm strength.

• Enjoyed getting work in with Coach Tokarz.

Jayden Miles (2027, RB):

• A 6'2", 203-pound standout with smooth route-running and consistency.

Darryon Williams (2026, WR, 4-star, FSU commit):

• Displayed speed, agility, and reliable hands.

Jeremiah Jones (2025, TE, 3-star):

• Excelled at tight end, showing impressive ball skills and explosiveness.

• Quote: "An offer from FSU would mean a lot to me...I plan to be back on campus for an OV."

Xavier Griffin (2026, DE, 4-star):

• Dominated 1-on-1s with elite burst and re-acceleration ability.

Jake Kreul (2026, DE, 4-star):

• Earned an offer after impressing with his technical skills and physicality.

• Quote: "FSU is clearly on my radar and I am very high on them."

Michael Ionata (2026, OT):

• Legacy athlete, impressed coaches with his performance.

• Holds offers from USF, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

Trent Seaborn (2027, QB):

• Impressed coaches, earning his 18th offer after a solid performance.

Dia Bell (2026, QB, 5-star):

• Showcased a strong arm and familiarity with the FSU program, placing FSU high on his list.

• Quote: "FSU was 'definitely' up there...I really like what the FSU program is doing and how Tokarz has developed his QBs."

Jaquavious Dodd (2025, DE, 4-star):

• Received significant attention from FSU coaches and enjoyed the experience.

• Quote: "If I were to get the offer, it would boost FSU up to 'at least top three.'"

Shamar Arnoux (2025, DB, 4-star):

• Showed impressive movement skills and length, positioning himself as a potential June official visit candidate.

Tedarius Hughes (2026, S):

• Demonstrated effective coverage skills and length.

🏈 Official Visits Update: Top Recruits Impressed by FSU 📈 

Florida State's biggest official visit weekend of the year brought several top prospects to campus, creating a buzz with their glowing reviews and potential commitments.

Ousmane Kromah (2025, RB, 4-star)

Visit Highlights:

- Described the visit as "wonderful," praising FSU for treating him and his family like their own.

- Enjoyed the Virtual Reality room and new turquoise jerseys.

- Plans to make a decision in the fall after visiting Florida and Georgia.

Quote:

"They got me out of my comfort zone. I'm a quiet person. When I come around, my face is usually straight. I don't come out smiling, dancing, playing around. When I'm like that, that means I feel comfortable, I feel at home. When I get that, why would I not want to come somewhere that gives me that vibe?"

Chase Loftin (2025, TE, 4-star)

Visit Highlights:

- Praised head coach Mike Norvell for his consistent communication and involvement.

- Felt at home and appreciated the family atmosphere at FSU.

- Will visit Texas A&M and Nebraska before deciding later in June.

Quote:

"It’s one of those places where I walk in and feel at home... Building those relationships is what’s important."

Zion Grady (2025, DE, 4-star)

Visit Highlights:

- Enjoyed his time with the coaching staff and noted their straightforward approach.

- Participated in various activities, including laser tag.

- Next official visits: Auburn, Tennessee, and Ohio State.

Quote:

"Really just Norvell being Norvell. Yelling. Same ol'. Coach Norvell is really just getting closer to me."

Ethan Pritchard (2025, LB, 4-star, FSU commit)

Visit Highlights:

- Reaffirmed his commitment to FSU despite interest from UCF and Baylor.

- Engaged in recruiting efforts for FSU, particularly targeting teammate Max Buchanan (2025, LB, 4-star).

Quote:

"Mostly a recruiter. Zion Grady, the d-lineman, Max, and Tony [Williams]," Pritchard said. "I ain't forcing [Buchanan] to do anything, but I tell him every day 'you know where home's at.'"

Ladarian Clardy (2025, DB, 4-star)

Visit Highlights:

• Moved FSU to the top of his list, praising the love and family atmosphere shown by the staff.

• Enjoyed bonding with current players and participating in activities like a cooking competition.

• Multiple recruiting experts put in predictions for an FSU commitment on Sunday.

Quote: "I feel like it’s a big family here. That’s what I want to be a part of."

Bryce Fitzgerald (2025, S, 4-star)

Visit Highlights:

• FSU jumped to his top three after his visit, citing the program's reputation as "DBU."

• Appreciated the opportunity and guidance from defensive backs coach Pat Surtain Sr.

Quote: "I was talking with Surtain and he said, 'Give me a shot.' I risked it and came here."

Overall Impressions

The weekend was a significant success for FSU, solidifying commitments and making strong impressions on undecided prospects. Stay tuned for more updates on these recruits and their upcoming decisions.

🏃‍♀️ DeFrand Shines at NCAA Championships 🏃‍♀️

The Florida State women's outdoor track and field team concluded the NCAA Outdoor Championships with Dajaz DeFrand capturing All-American honors.

Highlights:

- Dajaz DeFrand: Placed seventh in the 200-meter finals with a time of 22.72, earning her second first-team All-American honor. She previously earned first-team accolades in the 100-meter in 2023.

Quote:

"Really gusty race by Dajaz," said head coach Bob Braman. "It's nearly impossible to score out of lane one and she just did it to earn All-American status."

Team Results:

- Women's team: 54th place with 2 points.

- Men's team: 19th place with 15 points.

🔍 FSU in the Running for Top Florida Recruit DJ Pickett 🔍

Florida State is vying for the top recruit in Florida, 6-4 cornerback DJ Pickett from Zephyrhills, who is ranked No. 4 nationally by On3.

Recruitment Overview:

- Top Schools: LSU, Miami, and Oregon are currently leading his recruitment. Florida State, Florida, and Georgia are also in the mix.

- Visit Plans: Pickett plans to take his official visit to FSU during the 2024 season.

Key Factors:

- FSU Coaches: Pickett appreciates head coach Mike Norvell's energy and defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain.

- Program Trajectory: FSU's recent success, with 10 wins in 2022 and 13 in 2023, is appealing.

- Early Playing Time: Pickett values programs that offer early playing opportunities and are not overly reliant on transfers.

Quotes:

- “Coach Norvell is a good guy... Coach Surtain is one of the DB coaches I like the most in this whole thing,” Pickett said.

- "The team is on a mission to win a national championship," he added.

Despite FSU having some ground to make up, Pickett’s interest in the Seminoles remains strong due to their coaching staff and winning trajectory.

He’s also stated that he won’t make a commitment until he completed official visits to each of his top schools, with the visit to Tallahassee again expected during the season.

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you for joining us as we covered a ton of recruiting news and another outstanding track and field performance.

Until next time, Go Noles!