🏹 June 22nd - The Chief Brief 🏹

Coaching updates, athletic achievements, and standout performances

Author

The Chief
June 22, 2024

Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Saturday Seminole!

Here’s the docket on a busy recruiting weekend for Coach Norvell:

🏀 Jake Morton Joins FSU Basketball Staff as Assistant Coach 🏀

Coach Leonard Hamilton welcomes Jake Morton, a former Miami player and coach, as an assistant. Morton brings experience from East Carolina and Jacksonville State. Read more here

🏃‍♂️ FSU Outdoor Track and Field Teams Shine in All-ACC Academic Honors 🏃‍♀️

FSU's outdoor track teams placed 21 athletes on the All-ACC Academic teams, showcasing academic and athletic excellence. Read more here

🌟 FSU Athletes Compete at U.S. Olympic Trials 🌟

Ten FSU track and field athletes, including Dajaz DeFrand and Jeremiah Davis, compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Read more here

🏌️‍♀️ Bella Bugg Wins Tennessee Women's Amateur Championship 🏌️‍♀️

Sophomore Bella Bugg wins the 92nd Tennessee Women's Amateur, earning entry to the U.S. Women's Amateur. Read more here

⚾ James Tibbs III Named ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year ⚾

Junior outfielder James Tibbs III earns ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, adding to his numerous accolades. Read more here

🌟 Dajaz DeFrand Advances to U.S. Olympic Trials Semifinals 🌟

Sprinter Dajaz DeFrand reaches the semifinals in the 100-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Read more here

⚾ FSU Baseball Secures Transfer Commitment from Gage Harrelson ⚾

FSU baseball adds Texas Tech transfer Gage Harrelson, a standout outfielder, to the roster. Read more here

🏈 FSU Hosts Official Visitors Amid Competitive Recruiting Weekend 🏈

FSU hosts 19 official visitors while key targets visit other schools, highlighting crucial recruiting battles. Read more here

🏈 FSU Hosts 19 Official Visitors: Position-by-Position Preview 🏈

A detailed look at the official visitors, including top targets across various positions. Read more here

🏈 Crunch Time for Four-Star WR Joshua Moore 🏈

Four-star WR Joshua Moore narrows his choices to Florida and Florida State, with a commitment announcement soon. Read more here

🏀 Jake Morton Joins FSU Basketball Staff as Assistant Coach 🏀

Coaching Experience: Florida State Head Coach Leonard Hamilton welcomes Jake Morton as an assistant coach, returning to the ACC where he played (1989-93) and coached (2008-11) at the University of Miami. Morton led the Hurricanes to three consecutive 20-win seasons and the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

Recent Success: Morton joins from East Carolina, where he helped the Pirates to 31 wins over two seasons. His previous tenure at Jacksonville State saw the Gamecocks achieve some of their best seasons, including a 21-11 record, the Atlantic Sun Conference title, and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021-22.

Coach Hamilton's Endorsement: "Jake Morton brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team," said Hamilton. "He understands our schemes and will immediately impact our basketball team. Our players will love his work ethic and teaching ability."

Playing Career: Morton played under Hamilton at Miami, scoring 909 points and earning multiple team awards for his defensive prowess. He played professionally in Israel for six years before embarking on a successful coaching career.

Morton's Excitement: "I am elated and honored to work alongside a Hall of Fame coach like Coach Hamilton," Morton said. "He has been a role model for me for the last 36 years, and I am honored to join his staff."

Previous Roles: Morton has coached at Bowie State, St. Francis (Pa.), James Madison, Miami, Western Kentucky, Coppin State, Jacksonville State, and East Carolina.

🏃‍♂️ FSU Outdoor Track and Field Teams Shine in All-ACC Academic Honors 🏃‍♀️

Outstanding Academic Achievement: The Florida State outdoor track and field teams have placed 21 student-athletes on the 2024 All-ACC Academic teams, highlighting their dedication both on the track and in the classroom.

Men’s Team Highlights:

  • David Mullarkey: Finished fourth in the 5,000 meters at the ACC Outdoor Championships with a time of 13:41.76. He also competed in the NCAA Outdoor Championship, placing 18th in the 5,000 meters.

Women’s Team Highlights:

  • Suus Altorf: Led the women’s team, qualifying for her first NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship after finishing 12th in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA East Prelims with a lifetime best and sixth-fastest time in school history (4:10.13). She also placed third at the ACC Outdoor Championship in the 1,500 meters (4:13.22).

🌟 FSU Athletes Compete at U.S. Olympic Trials 🌟

Event Overview: Ten athletes with ties to Florida State track and field will compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials from June 21-30 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, aiming for spots on Team USA for the Paris Olympics.

Current Seminoles Competing:

  • Women:

    • Dajaz DeFrand: Competes in the 100 meters (June 21-22) and 4x100 relay.

    • Tyra Wilson: Competes in the 400 hurdles (June 27).

    • Alexandra Webster: Competes in the 100 hurdles (June 28).

  • Men:

    • Jeremiah Davis: Competes in the long jump (June 22 and 24) and triple jump (June 28 and 30).

    • Tyson Williams: Competes in the 110 hurdles (June 24-28).

    • Kyvon Tatham: Competes in the triple jump (June 28 and 30).

Professional Athletes Competing:

  • Trey Cunningham: 110 hurdles (June 24-28).

  • Issac Grimes: Events not specified.

  • Ahmed Muhammed: 5,000 meters (June 27).

  • Kasey Knevelbaard: 5,000 meters (June 27).

Qualification Criteria: The top three finishers in each event will make Team USA if they meet the Olympic qualifying standard. Additional athletes may be added to relay pools based on results.

Broadcast Information: Coverage will be streamed live each day on NBC, Peacock, and USA.

🏌️‍♀️ Bella Bugg Wins Tennessee Women's Amateur Championship 🏌️‍♀️

Victory at Belle Meade: Florida State sophomore Bella Bugg triumphed at the 92nd Tennessee Women's Amateur at Belle Meade Country Club, shooting three consecutive rounds of 71 for a total of 3-under-par 213, winning by one stroke.

Career Milestone: This victory marks her first Tennessee Amateur championship and earns her entry into the U.S. Women's Amateur in Tulsa.

Consistent Performance: Bugg was a leader throughout the tournament, maintaining under-par scores in all three rounds and making key birdies late in the final round to secure her win.

Upcoming Competitions: Bugg will also compete in the North & South Women's Amateur at Pinehurst and the Women's Western in Illinois this summer.

Quotes and Reflections:

  • "It feels amazing to be a winner again at such a prestigious event in my home state," said Bugg.

  • Highlighting her short game and putting, she noted, "My putter was on all week."

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⚾ James Tibbs III Named ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year ⚾

Academic and Athletic Excellence: Junior outfielder James Tibbs III was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year for baseball, marking the sixth time a Seminole has earned this honor. This accolade adds to his impressive 2024 achievements.

Key Accomplishments:

  • Awards: ACC Player of the Year, unanimous first-team All-American, CSC Academic All-District Team, ACC Postgraduate Scholarship Award.

  • Statistics: Led FSU with 28 home runs, 95 RBI, .777 slugging percentage, and 58 walks.

  • Education: Graduated with a degree in political science and maintained a 3.53 GPA.

Notable Performances:

  • Played a pivotal role in leading FSU back to the College World Series.

  • Delivered a standout 5-for-6 game against Connecticut in the Super Regional with three home runs and six RBI.

🌟 Dajaz DeFrand Advances to U.S. Olympic Trials Semifinals 🌟

Sprint to Success: Florida State sprinter Dajaz DeFrand has advanced to the semifinals of the women’s 100-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Round One Performance:

  • Heat Win: DeFrand clocked a time of 11.05 seconds, winning her heat.

  • Overall Ranking: Achieved the eighth-fastest time overall.

Upcoming Events:

  • Jeremiah Davis: Competes in the long jump on Saturday at 7:45 p.m. ET.

  • DeFrand's Semifinals: Set for 8:58 p.m., with the finals starting at 10:50 p.m.

⚾ FSU Baseball Secures Transfer Commitment from Gage Harrelson ⚾

New Addition: Florida State baseball has added Texas Tech transfer Gage Harrelson, marking their fourth transfer portal commitment this cycle.

Player Profile:

  • Position: Outfielder

  • Height/Weight: 6'3", 175 lbs

  • Hometown: Warner Robins, Georgia

  • Previous School: Texas Tech

Career Highlights:

  • 2023 Freshman Year:

    • Stats: .324 batting average, 5 triples, 6 stolen bases, 45 RBI

    • Accolades: Big 12 All-Freshman Team, Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American

Recent Performance:

  • 2024 Season:

    • Stats: .245 batting average, .411 OBP, 19 stolen bases (perfect record)

    • Fielding: No errors in 87 chances

Overall Impact:

  • Career Stats: .300 batting average, .407 OBP, 25 stolen bases in 101 games

Harrelson joins Jacksonville transfers Evan Chrest, Peyton Prescott, and USF transfer Joey Volini in strengthening the Seminoles’ roster.

🏈 FSU Hosts Official Visitors Amid Competitive Recruiting Weekend 🏈

Florida State is set to host 19 official visitors this weekend. Meanwhile, several major FSU targets are visiting other schools:

RB Ousmane Kromah at Georgia:
FSU and Georgia are in a fierce competition for running backs. Kromah, who visited FSU recently, will be in Athens this weekend.

WR Kaliq Lockett at Texas:
Lockett, a five-star receiver, visits Texas after generating buzz with FSU. He also visited Alabama midweek and previously LSU and Texas A&M.

TE Chase Loftin at Nebraska:
Loftin, a four-star tight end, visits Nebraska. FSU values him highly and competes with Texas A&M and Nebraska for his commitment.

EDGE Zion Grady at Ohio State:
Grady concludes a busy month at Ohio State, after visits to Miami, FSU, Auburn, and Tennessee.

LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale at Washington:
Rainey-Sale, a four-star linebacker, visits his in-state school Washington. FSU remains strongly in the mix for his commitment, with a decision expected on July 1st.

This weekend is crucial for FSU as they look to solidify their recruiting class amidst stiff competition.

🏈 FSU Hosts 19 Official Visitors: Position-by-Position Preview 🏈

Quarterback

  • Tramell Jones Jr.: Committed since April 2023. Expected to finalize his commitment post-visit.

Running Back

  • Byron Louis: Competing interests include Georgia, Miami, and Wisconsin. Decision expected post-visits.

Wide Receiver

  • Vernell Brown: Visits to Ohio State, Miami, and Florida. Recent prediction favors Florida.

  • Daylan McCutcheon: Versatile target with visits to SMU, Ohio State, USC, and Texas. FSU favored.

  • CJ Wiley: Competing with Georgia and LSU. Announcement expected June 25th.

Tight End

  • Hollis Davidson: Former Auburn pledge with strong ties to FSU.

Offensive Line

  • Ty Haywood: Top 20 prospect with visits to Alabama, TCU, and Texas A&M.

  • Solomon Thomas: Committed to FSU but has shown interest in Florida and LSU.

  • Josh Petty: Top 13 prospect, sister expected to attend FSU.

  • Lamont Rogers: Top 10 tackle, visited Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M.

  • Peyton Joseph: Decommitted from Florida, visits to Memphis and FSU.

Defensive Line

  • Zachary Hilson: Committed to FSU since January 2024. Visited Florida, Texas, and UCF.

  • Sammy Wiggins: Committed to Florida, visited Stanford and FSU.

  • Marcus Charles: FSU favorite with official visits to Florida, Miami, and Texas.

  • Hunter Wynn: Regular visitor, competition from Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas.

Linebacker

  • Anthony Wallace: Long-time target with July 2nd commitment date. Competition from Georgia.

  • Desmond Nix: Third visit to FSU, competing with Miami and Oregon.

Defensive Back

  • Desmond Thomas: Decision between Clemson and FSU, with FSU favored.

  • Herman Arnoux: Major target after strong Elite Camp performance. Competing with Auburn and USC.

This weekend's official visits are crucial for FSU as they aim to secure commitments and strengthen their recruiting class.

🏈 Crunch Time for Four-Star WR Joshua Moore 🏈

Recruitment Update:

  • Official Visits: Moore visited Miami, Florida, and Florida State in June. After another trip to Gainesville, he named Florida and Florida State as his top two choices.

  • Decision Date: Moore will announce his commitment on Tuesday, between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m.

  • Final Visit: He plans a final visit to Tallahassee before his decision.

Top Contenders:

  • Florida: The Gators have momentum in his recruitment.

  • Florida State: Moore aims to use the final visit to confirm his choice.

Stats and Ranking:

  • Ranking: No. 195 overall prospect and No. 24 wide receiver (247Sports Composite).

  • Junior Year Performance: 50 catches, 835 yards, 9 TDs.

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you for staying updated with The Chief Brief!

As always, we appreciate your support and engagement. Stay tuned for more exciting news and updates from Florida State.

Go Noles!

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