🏹 June 26th - The Chief Brief 🏹

New Commits and Olympic Athletes

Author

The Chief
June 26, 2024

Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy hump day, Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

🌟 Julio Horrego Joins FSU Alumni at Paris 2024 Olympics
Former FSU swimmer Julio Horrego will compete in his second Olympics in Paris, joining Peter Varjasi and Emma Terebo. Horrego qualified with a personal best in the 200m breaststroke.

🌊 Eight FSU Swimmers Compete at European Championships
Eight FSU swimmers participated in the 2024 LEN European Championships. Highlights include Peter Varjasi's bronze in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay and Yordan Yanchev’s personal best in the 200m freestyle.

🎓 Hodge and Woad Named to Academic All-District Team
FSU’s Alice Hodge and Lottie Woad were honored on the Academic All-District Women's At-Large Team. Both have excelled academically and athletically, contributing to the program's success.

🏆 FSU Adds Versatile Transfer Annabelle Widra
FSU added Auburn's Annabelle Widra to its 2025 softball roster. Widra, a right-handed pitcher and utility player, brings valuable experience and versatility to the team.

🏈 Four-Star Wide Receiver CJ Wiley Commits to Florida State
CJ Wiley, a four-star WR from Alpharetta, GA, committed to FSU over Georgia and LSU. Wiley praised FSU's consistent recruitment and plans to play multiple positions.

⭐️ Top 2026 QB Faizon Brandon Moves Up Commitment Timeline
Five-star QB Faizon Brandon will announce his commitment in August. Brandon, a top 2026 prospect, recently visited several top programs, including FSU.

📅 Decision Time: Key FSU Recruiting Targets Announcing Soon
Several FSU targets in the 2025 class are set to make their decisions soon. Notable prospects include 4-star WR CJ Wiley, 4-star DB Shamar Arnoux, 4-star WR Joshua Moore, 4-star DB Gregory 'Zae' Thomas, 4-star LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, 4-star LB Tavion Wallace, and 4-star OL Peyton Joseph. Stay tuned for their decisions, which could shape FSU’s future.

🌟 Julio Horrego Joins FSU Alumni at Paris 2024 Olympics

Julio Horrego, former FSU swimmer, will compete in his second Olympics in Paris. He qualified by achieving the highest men's World Aquatic points in his federation with a personal best of 2:14.15 in the 200m breaststroke at the 2024 TYR Pro Swim Series.

Horrego represented Honduras at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has participated in six World Aquatics Championships since 2019. He holds FSU’s 10th-fastest time in the 200m breaststroke.

Joining Horrego in Paris are FSU alums Peter Varjasi (Germany) and Emma Terebo (France), continuing FSU's legacy of Olympic representation since 1972.

The swimming events at the Paris Olympics begin on July 27 at the Paris La Defense Arena.

🌊 Eight FSU Swimmers Compete at European Championships

Eight swimmers with ties to FSU participated in the 2024 LEN European Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Peter Varjasi helped Germany win bronze in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay with a split of 48.26. He also placed 11th in the 100m freestyle semifinals at 48.83.

Yordan Yanchev led off Bulgaria’s 4x200m freestyle relay with a personal best of 1:49.03, securing eighth place.

Jokubas Keblys achieved his best time in the 50m freestyle, finishing 17th at 22.17.

Edith Jernstedt reached the women's 100m butterfly semifinals, placing 16th at 59.78.

🎓 Hodge and Woad Named to Academic All-District Team

FSU senior Alice Hodge and sophomore All-American Lottie Woad were honored on the Academic All-District Women's At-Large Team by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). This marks Hodge's second consecutive year and Woad's first time receiving this recognition.

Hodge's Academic Achievements:

  • Degree in finance, FSU (2024)

  • All-ACC Academic Honor Roll (three times)

  • WGCA All-American Scholar Athlete Team (three times)

  • Florida State President's List (three times)

Woad's Academic and Athletic Achievements:

  • No. 1 ranked amateur in the World Amateur Golf Rankings

  • First-team All-American

  • ACC Golfer of the Year

  • Champion, Augusta National Women's Amateur (April 3)

FSU Head Coach Amy Bond praised their academic and athletic achievements, highlighting the program's consistent excellence both on the course and in the classroom.

The team achieved a 3.892 GPA in spring 2024, the highest in program history for a semester, and maintained a cumulative 3.629 GPA for the 2023-24 academic year.

The Seminoles were ranked in the nation's top 20 throughout the season and finished in the top 12 of the NCAA Championship for the seventh time in school history, with six of those finishes under Bond.

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🏆 FSU Adds Versatile Transfer Annabelle Widra

Florida State bolstered its 2025 softball roster by adding Auburn right-handed pitcher and utility player Annabelle Widra. Widra, originally from Hoover, Alabama, began her collegiate career at Michigan before transferring to Auburn for the past two seasons.

Widra's 2024 Season Highlights:

  • Pitching: 5-3 record, 2.86 ERA over 22 appearances, 38 strikeouts, and one save.

  • Fielding: Started at various positions including third base, second base, and shortstop.

  • Batting: .259 average, two doubles, two home runs, and 11 RBIs.

Widra's versatility and experience will be a valuable asset for FSU's already talented lineup.

🏈 Four-Star Wide Receiver CJ Wiley Commits to Florida State

Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton four-star wide receiver CJ Wiley made a surprising commitment to Florida State over Georgia and LSU.

His decision came shortly after his official visit to FSU, where he felt the program "checked all the boxes."

Wiley, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound receiver, praised FSU’s long-term recruitment and the opportunity to play multiple positions, comparing himself to Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson.

Commitment Details

  • Recruitment Journey: Wiley has been recruited by FSU since his freshman year and appreciated the consistent trust and process.

  • Major Win for FSU: Wiley’s commitment is significant for FSU, especially since all predictions on 247Sports.com Crystal Ball were for Georgia.

Wiley’s Performance and Potential

  • Junior Season Stats: 68 receptions, 1,473 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, averaging 21.7 yards per catch.

  • Scouting Report: Big-framed, excellent catch radius, and good long speed. Multi-sport athlete with sub-11.00-second 100-meter times and a strong background in basketball. Known for his expanded route tree, ball-tracking acumen, and impressive run-after-catch ability. Projected as a high-major receiver with future NFL Draft potential.

Interviews and Insights

Wiley shared that the consistent recruitment from Coach Ron Dugans and the home-like feeling at FSU were crucial factors in his decision. During his visit, he appreciated the development program for receivers and the overall environment, which solidified his choice.

Additional Quotes

  • On the Recruitment Process: "They've recruited me since I was a freshman. We've really built the trust in the process. I believe I can achieve my goals over there."

  • On Playing Versatility: "They told me I'd be playing outside and inside... like Keon [Coleman] and Johnny [Wilson]. Sometimes they played inside and outside, so yeah, like move around."

Wiley is the first wide receiver commitment for FSU’s 2025 class, joining other offensive commits like Jacksonville’s quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. and offensive lineman Solomon Thomas. His commitment enhances FSU's recruiting class and adds a dynamic receiver to their roster.

🌟 Top 2026 QB Faizon Brandon Moves Up Commitment Timeline

The No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 class, five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon from Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley, has announced he will make his college commitment in August. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Brandon is set to release a list of his top-five schools soon.

Recent Visits and Future Plans

  • June Visits: Alabama, Tennessee, Florida State, LSU, N.C. State

  • Upcoming Visit: Penn State on July 27

  • Spring Visits: Florida State, Georgia, Alabama, Penn State, N.C. State, LSU, Tennessee

Brandon has been actively courted by multiple top-tier programs, including North Carolina, Oregon, and Ohio State.

As the first five-star prospect ranked by 247Sports this spring, Brandon holds a rating of 98, making him one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. His early commitment decision has intensified the competition among elite college football programs to secure his talents.

📅 Decision Time: Key FSU Recruiting Targets Announcing Soon

With June official visits completed, several Florida State targets in the 2025 class are set to make their decisions soon. Here's an updated look at when these recruits are deciding and where they currently lean:

Tuesday (June 25)
4-star WR CJ Wiley

  • Finalists: Georgia, LSU, Florida State

  • Leaning: Georgia

  • Details: Georgia is favored, but FSU made a strong impression during Wiley’s recent visit.

  • BOOM - GOT HIM

Wednesday (June 26)
4-star DB Shamar Arnoux

  • Finalists: USC, Florida State, Auburn, Kentucky, Georgia

  • Leaning: USC

  • Details: USC leads, but FSU recently intensified their pursuit after his Elite Camp performance.

4-star WR Joshua Moore

  • Finalists: FSU, Florida, Miami

  • Leaning: Florida

  • Details: Moore is trending towards Florida after his unofficial visit, though FSU remains in the mix.

Sunday (June 30)
4-star DB Gregory 'Zae' Thomas

  • Finalists: Clemson, Florida State

  • Leaning: Florida State

  • Details: Thomas, a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is heavily favored to choose FSU.

Monday (July 1)
4-star LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale

  • Finalists: Florida State, UCLA, Washington

  • Leaning: Florida State

  • Details: FSU is cautiously optimistic despite Rainey-Sale’s West Coast ties.

Tuesday (July 2)
4-star LB Tavion Wallace

  • Finalists: Florida State, Florida, Georgia

  • Leaning: Florida State

  • Details: Wallace is a top target for FSU, with consistent interest from the Seminoles putting them in a strong position.

Thursday (July 4)
4-star OL Peyton Joseph

  • Finalists: Florida State, Memphis

  • Leaning: Florida State

  • Details: Joseph’s longstanding relationship with Alex Atkins makes FSU the favorite for his commitment.

Stay tuned as these key recruits finalize their decisions, potentially shaping the future of Florida State’s football program.

And that’s a wrap!

From Olympic-bound athletes to top recruits committing to FSU, it's been a week filled with thrilling updates and milestones.

We’re thrilled to see the Seminoles making waves on the global stage and strengthening our teams for the future.

Stay tuned for more updates and go ‘Noles! 🌟

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