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Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
Which Seminole program is best positioned for success next season?
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Happy hump day, Seminole!
The summer months may be here, but there's no shortage of activity across Florida State athletics.
From national honors on the baseball diamond and NCAA Championship opportunities in Eugene, to a challenging new volleyball schedule and another portal addition for Link Jarrett, today's edition highlights several programs laying the groundwork for important seasons ahead.
We also take a look at an intriguing international basketball prospect, summer baseball development opportunities, and a rising linebacker target making another trip through Tallahassee. Here's what we're covering today:
⚾ Seminole Pitching Trio Earns All-Region Honors — Wes Mendes, John Abraham, and Bryson Moore receive national recognition after anchoring one of the ACC's best pitching staffs.
🏃 Track & Field Heads to NCAA Championships — Shenese Walker, Shamar Reid, and a talented group of Seminoles prepare to compete for All-American honors and national titles in Eugene.
🏐 Volleyball's ACC Schedule Is Loaded — Lindsay Allman's first season will feature tournament teams, rivalry matchups, and one of the toughest conference slates in the country.
🏀 New Basketball Signee Draws Attention Overseas — Incoming freshman Elisee Assui turns heads at adidas Eurocamp with his size, strength, and defensive upside.
⚾ Baseball Lands Its First Portal Commitment — Two-way transfer Jackson McKenzie becomes the first offseason addition as Link Jarrett begins reshaping the roster.
☀️ Seminoles Spread Out Across Summer Baseball — Several returning players head to prestigious summer leagues looking to take the next step before 2027.
🏈 Elite Texas Linebacker Visits Tallahassee — Top-10 linebacker Deshawn Simmons continues building a strong relationship with Florida State as the battle for his recruitment heats up.
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Even after a disappointing postseason exit, Florida State's pitching staff continues to receive national recognition for one of the program's biggest strengths in 2026.
🎯 Three Seminoles Recognized
Junior left-hander Wes Mendes and junior reliever John Abraham were named ABCA Southeast All-Region First Team selections.
Junior right-hander Bryson Moore earned Southeast All-Region Second Team honors.
All three received All-Region recognition for the first time in their careers.
Florida State has now produced multiple First Team All-Region selections in three consecutive seasons.
🔥 Wes Mendes Caps Historic Season
Mendes became just the third ACC Pitcher of the Year in program history.
He finished the season with a 9-3 record, 2.81 ERA, and 125 strikeouts.
His 125 strikeouts led the ACC and ranked among the national leaders.
Mendes also earned multiple National Team of the Week honors and was a semifinalist for several national pitching awards.
🚪 Abraham Became FSU's Shutdown Reliever
John Abraham emerged as one of the ACC's most reliable bullpen arms.
He posted a team-best 1.91 ERA across 19 appearances.
Abraham recorded six saves, all in ACC play.
Opposing hitters managed just a .190 batting average against him.
💪 Moore Delivered Immediate Impact
In his first season at Florida State, Bryson Moore quickly became a key weekend starter.
He finished 6-2 with a 3.86 ERA over 14 starts.
Moore logged nearly 68 innings while holding opponents to a .230 batting average.
His consistency helped stabilize the Seminoles' rotation throughout the season.
📈 A Strength to Build Around
Florida State finished 40-19 and reached the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season under Link Jarrett.
The Seminoles placed third in the ACC and hosted an NCAA Regional for the third consecutive year.
While much of the offseason discussion has focused on offensive shortcomings and roster turnover, the pitching staff remained one of the nation's better units.
The challenge now becomes replacing that production, as Mendes, Abraham, and Moore all face professional baseball decisions in the coming weeks.
Why It Matters: Florida State's season may not have ended the way anyone hoped, but the Seminoles' pitching staff was a major reason the program still won 40 games and hosted another regional. The recognition for Mendes, Abraham, and Moore highlights just how strong the staff was in 2026. Unfortunately for Link Jarrett, it also underscores how much production Florida State could be trying to replace this offseason. 🍢⚾
Florida State's track and field teams are heading back to the sport's biggest stage as the Seminoles prepare to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships this week in Eugene, Oregon.
🌟 Chasing More All-American Honors
Florida State will send 15 athletes to Hayward Field across seven individual events and one relay.
The Seminoles have produced at least one All-American at every NCAA Outdoor Championship since 1968.
Competition begins Wednesday for the men and Thursday for the women.
Several athletes enter the meet with legitimate podium aspirations.
⚡ Shenese Walker Leads the Charge
Indoor national champion Shenese Walker returns for the final NCAA Championship appearance of her collegiate career.
Walker enters the meet with the fourth-fastest 100-meter time in the nation this season.
Her 10.80-second performance set both Florida State and ACC records.
She will also run a leg on Florida State's 4x100-meter relay team.
💿 Shamar Reid Arrives as a Title Contender
Junior transfer Shamar Reid enters the NCAA Championships seeded second in the men's discus.
Reid recently captured the ACC title while setting a new school record.
He followed that performance by winning the NCAA East Regional.
The Jamaican standout has quickly become one of the nation's top throwers.
🚧 Hurdlers Looking to Make Finals
Andre Korbmacher and Zach Extine will represent Florida State in the 110-meter hurdles.
Both moved into the program's all-time top-five at the ACC Championships.
Their first goal will be advancing through Wednesday's semifinals into Friday's final.
A strong performance could put both in contention for All-American honors.
📈 Young Stars Continue Emerging
Freshman distance runner Rylee Blade will compete in the women's 10,000 meters.
Blade became the first freshman in Florida State history to win the ACC title in the event.
Kayla Pinkard enters the women's triple jump seeded seventh nationally.
Curtis Williams, Neo Mosebi, Durian Moss, and Kyvon Tatham will also represent the Seminoles on the national stage.
🍢 Another Opportunity for National Hardware
Florida State has consistently remained one of the nation's premier track and field programs.
Multiple Seminoles enter Eugene ranked among the NCAA's best in their respective events.
The program will look to extend its remarkable All-American streak while competing for national titles.
Hayward Field once again provides the backdrop for college track and field's biggest weekend.
Why It Matters: Florida State may not have the largest group competing in Eugene, but it has several athletes capable of making serious noise on the national stage. With Shenese Walker chasing one final championship moment, Shamar Reid entering as one of the favorites in discus, and a strong mix of veterans and emerging stars throughout the roster, the Seminoles have multiple opportunities to bring home All-American honors and national hardware this week. 🍢🏆
Lindsay Allman's first season at Florida State will come with plenty of challenges as the Seminoles prepare for one of the ACC's toughest conference schedules.
🌴 Rivalry Matches Start ACC Play
Florida State opens conference action with back-to-back matchups against Miami.
The Hurricanes will visit Tully Gym on Sept. 23.
The Seminoles then travel to Coral Gables on Sept. 27.
It should provide an immediate measuring stick for Allman's first ACC campaign.
🏠 A Critical Home Stretch
Following Miami, Florida State will play four straight ACC matches at home.
The Seminoles host NC State and Wake Forest on Oct. 2 and Oct. 4.
Georgia Tech and Clemson then come to Tallahassee on Oct. 9 and Oct. 11.
That stretch could be an opportunity to build momentum before the schedule gets significantly tougher.
😳 The Toughest Road Trip of the Year
Florida State's most difficult weekend may arrive in mid-October.
The Seminoles travel to face national semifinalist Pitt on Oct. 16.
Two days later, they'll head to Dallas to take on Sweet 16 participant SMU.
Those matches should provide a clear picture of where Florida State stands among the ACC's elite programs.
🔥 Tournament Teams Everywhere
Seven ACC opponents on Florida State's schedule reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Four opponents advanced all the way to the Sweet 16.
Louisville, Pitt, Stanford, SMU, and several others will test the Seminoles throughout the season.
There will be very few weekends without a major challenge.
🍢 A New Era Begins
This marks Lindsay Allman's first season leading the program.
Florida State will finish the regular season at home against Virginia on Nov. 28.
The schedule offers plenty of opportunities for quality wins and NCAA Tournament résumé builders.
It also leaves little margin for error in one of the nation's strongest volleyball conferences.
Why It Matters: Lindsay Allman won't get much time to ease into her first season. Florida State's ACC schedule is loaded with NCAA Tournament teams, national contenders, and difficult road trips. The upside is that if the Seminoles can navigate this slate successfully, they'll have every opportunity to prove they belong among the ACC's top programs and position themselves for postseason play. 🏹🏐
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Florida State's future backcourt received some international attention this week as incoming freshman Elisee Assui competed against many of the top overseas prospects at adidas Eurocamp in Italy.
🇮🇹 A Valuable Evaluation Opportunity
Eurocamp brought together many of the top international basketball prospects preparing to play professionally or at the college level.
Several future high-major players participated throughout the weekend.
Incoming Florida State freshman Elisee Assui was among that group.
The event provided an early glimpse of how Assui stacks up against other international talent.
💪 Built Like a Football Player
Assui immediately stood out physically to evaluators.
At roughly 6-foot-5, he possesses a powerful frame and impressive strength.
One evaluator joked that he looked like someone Florida State could use at linebacker.
His physicality projects as one of his biggest assets when he arrives in Tallahassee.
🛡️ Defense Could Be His Calling Card
While offensive opportunities were limited during the event, Assui's defensive potential stood out.
His strength and toughness should translate well on the defensive end.
Evaluators also noted his ability to impact the game on the glass.
Those traits could help him earn playing time early as he develops the rest of his game.
📈 Offensive Development Remains Key
Assui finished the event with eight total points across three games.
The structure of the games and his team's struggles made it difficult to fully evaluate his offensive skill set.
Florida State's coaching staff likely views him as a long-term development prospect rather than an immediate offensive centerpiece.
The raw tools, however, remain intriguing.
🍢 Another Piece for Luke Loucks
Assui is part of the highly regarded recruiting class Luke Loucks is bringing to Tallahassee.
Florida State's staff has emphasized length, toughness, and versatility throughout roster construction.
Assui appears to fit that blueprint well.
His development over the next few years could make him one of the more interesting long-term projects in the class.
Why It Matters: Summer evaluation events aren't always about scoring points. For Elisee Assui, the biggest takeaway was confirmation that his physicality, toughness, and defensive upside translate against strong international competition. Florida State may not need him to be an immediate star, but the traits that stood out at Eurocamp are exactly the kind of building blocks Luke Loucks hopes to develop into future ACC contributors. 🏀🍢
Florida State's offseason roster rebuild is officially underway.
Link Jarrett and his staff secured their first transfer portal commitment Tuesday, adding a productive bat with experience both at the plate and on the mound.
🔄 First Portal Domino Falls
Former FAMU standout Jackson McKenzie announced his commitment to Florida State.
McKenzie becomes the Seminoles' first transfer portal addition of the offseason.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior arrives after a breakout season with the Rattlers.
He brings versatility as both a hitter and pitcher.
💥 Serious Offensive Production
McKenzie was one of the most productive bats in the SWAC this season.
He hit .397 with 12 home runs, 13 doubles, and 52 RBI.
His 1.333 OPS, .817 slugging percentage, and .516 on-base percentage highlight just how dominant he was offensively.
He earned All-SWAC First Team honors as a designated hitter.
🧤 Multiple Ways to Contribute
While most of his value comes with the bat, McKenzie also offers defensive and pitching flexibility.
He started games at first base and designated hitter this season.
On the mound, he made 14 relief appearances and struck out 27 batters.
That versatility gives Florida State additional roster flexibility as the offseason unfolds.
📈 An Interesting Development Story
McKenzie began his college career at Mississippi State before spending a season at Gulf Coast State College.
His offensive production steadily improved at each stop.
The Seminoles are betting that his breakout season at FAMU can translate against ACC competition.
Given Florida State's need for power production, the timing couldn't be better.
🏹 Filling an Immediate Need
Florida State is expected to lose significant offensive production through both the MLB Draft and transfer portal.
The Seminoles have already seen several players depart, including Hunter Carns and Gabe Fraser.
McKenzie provides another experienced bat for a lineup searching for answers.
It's likely the first of many portal additions over the coming weeks.
Why It Matters: Florida State's biggest offseason priority is finding more offense, particularly power. Jackson McKenzie checks that box after a monster season at FAMU and gives Link Jarrett an experienced bat with positional flexibility. Whether he settles in at first base, designated hitter, or another role, the Seminoles needed proven production and they've now landed their first piece of the offseason puzzle. ⚾🍢
Florida State's season may be over, but several Seminoles are just getting started.
With summer leagues opening across the country, a handful of returning players will get valuable extra at-bats and innings as they prepare for what could be pivotal 2027 seasons.
🌊 Cape Cod League Loaded with Seminoles
Four potential Florida State returners are expected to compete in the prestigious Cape Cod League this summer.
The Cape remains one of the top showcases for future professional talent.
Several Seminoles will have opportunities to boost both their development and draft stock.
🚀 Stuetzer Looks Ready for a Sophomore Leap
Freshman outfielder John Stuetzer will suit up for the Bourne Braves.
Stuetzer started 51 games this season and finished with 10 home runs and a team-leading 43 RBI.
Despite batting leadoff much of the year, he consistently drove in runs and flashed significant upside.
Florida State expects him to be a cornerstone of the outfield moving forward.
📈 Big Summer Ahead for DeLamielleure
Brody DeLamielleure returns to the Cape for a second consecutive summer with the Brewster Whitecaps.
The talented outfielder hit .343 with a .951 OPS for the Seminoles this season.
DeLamielleure is draft-eligible and could face a major decision after July's MLB Draft.
A strong summer showing would only strengthen his professional profile.
🔥 Young Arms Continue Developing
Pitchers Rhett Vaughn and Cade O'Leary will both pitch for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
Vaughn is continuing his comeback after Tommy John surgery and showed encouraging velocity during limited action this spring.
O'Leary flashed strikeout potential throughout the season but will look to improve his command and consistency this summer.
Both pitchers have opportunities to take important developmental steps heading into next year.
🏝️ Additional Seminoles Hitting the Road
Freshman infielder Will Bavaro is spending the summer with the Martha's Vineyard Sharks of the NECBL.
Bavaro impressed during limited opportunities this season, posting a .490 on-base percentage as a freshman.
Catcher Kaden Frommelt will play for the Clinton LumberKings in the Prospect League.
Both players will be looking for valuable reps after seeing limited action this spring.
👀 Extra Names to Watch
Former Seminoles Gabe Fraser and Noah Sheffield, both now in the transfer portal, are also slated to play in the Cape Cod League this summer.
Their performances could help shape where they land next.
For Florida State fans, however, the primary focus will be on the players who could return to Tallahassee in 2027.
Why It Matters: Summer baseball often provides some of the biggest clues about who is ready to take the next step. Florida State has several players—particularly John Stuetzer, Brody DeLamielleure, Rhett Vaughn, and Will Bavaro—who could play major roles next season. Strong summers won't guarantee success in 2027, but they'll provide an important foundation as Link Jarrett continues rebuilding the roster for another postseason push. 🍢⚾
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Florida State welcomed one of the nation's top young linebackers to Tallahassee this week, and the Seminoles appear to have made another strong impression.
🌴 Third Visit, First Full Experience
2028 linebacker Deshawn Simmons returned to Florida State for his third visit overall.
This trip gave him his first opportunity to fully experience the Seminoles' renovated football facilities.
Simmons described the visit as "electric" and praised both the campus and the overall atmosphere.
The Seminoles continue to position themselves well with one of the top defensive prospects in the country.
🎯 Ernie Sims Leading the Charge
Linebackers coach Ernie Sims remains the driving force behind Florida State's recruitment.
Simmons said the two spent time discussing football and continuing to strengthen their relationship.
FSU was the first program to offer Simmons after camp last summer.
That early investment continues to pay dividends as more national powers enter the picture.
📈 One of the Nation's Top 2028 Prospects
Simmons carries a 90 rating from 247Sports.
He ranks among the Top 10 linebackers nationally in the 2028 class.
The Texas standout now holds nearly 20 Power Four offers.
His combination of size, athleticism, and instincts has made him one of the fastest-rising defenders in the country.
🤝 Norvell and FSU Making an Impression
Head coach Mike Norvell also spent time with Simmons during the visit.
Simmons spoke highly of his relationship with Norvell and the culture surrounding the program.
He noted that Norvell's authenticity continues to stand out throughout the recruiting process.
Florida State's staff appears to be building genuine traction beyond simply showcasing facilities.
⚔️ Heavyweight Battle Ahead
Miami hosted Simmons the day before his trip to Tallahassee.
Alabama, Georgia, and LSU are also scheduled to receive visits this summer.
Those five programs currently make up the core group in his recruitment.
Simmons plans to revisit each school for game-day experiences this fall before making any final decisions.
Why It Matters: It's still early in the 2028 cycle, but Florida State has done an excellent job establishing itself with one of the nation's premier linebacker prospects. Being the first school to offer Simmons created an important foundation, and multiple visits have only strengthened that relationship. With Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Miami all involved, this recruitment is far from over, but Florida State has positioned itself exactly where it wants to be entering the next phase of the battle. 🍢🏈
And that’s a wrap!
The games may be over for some programs, but the work certainly isn't.
Whether it's NCAA Championships in Eugene, summer leagues across the country, or recruiting battles still unfolding, plenty of important storylines are taking shape before fall arrives.
Thanks for reading, and we'll see you in the next edition of The Chief Brief.
🍢🏹 Go Noles. 🏹🍢
