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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

Here’s everything you need to know:

🔥 Cade O’Leary becomes FSU Baseball’s 5th portal addition and brings top-150 pedigree from Mississippi State.
🪜 Egor Ryzhov, a 6’11” Russian center, officially joins FSU Hoops and adds rim-protecting upside for 2025–26.
📝 FSU Basketball is stacking a monster recruiting weekend for the Alabama game, with four blue-chip visitors locked in.
🔍 The 2026 football class is up to No. 9 nationally — but who’s still on the board? We break down every need by position.
🌪️ “First name Wade” — true freshman Jayvan Boggs might be the most-hyped WR in the building heading into fall camp.

It’s a blend of future stars, current momentum, and quietly critical recruiting updates. Let’s jump in.

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🔥 FSU Adds Former Top-150 RHP Cade O’Leary from Mississippi State 🔥

Florida State baseball has landed its fifth transfer portal addition — Mississippi State right-hander Cade O’Leary, a former top-150 national recruit and MLB Draft prospect.

🧢 Player Profile:
• RHP | 6’4”, 190 lbs | Knoxville, TN (Farragut HS)
• Former Top-150 recruit by Perfect Game (No. 131 overall, No. 1 RHP in TN)
• Ranked No. 191 in 2024 MLB Draft Rankings (MLB Pipeline)
• MLB Combine participant

📈 High School Highlights:
• 2.20 ERA | 56 Ks in 32 IP as a senior
• Helped Farragut win 3 straight state titles (2022–24)
• Fastball touched 95 MPH

🎓 College Recap (Mississippi State, 2024):
• 2 appearances | 2 IP | 2 unearned runs | 5 Ks
• Showed swing-and-miss stuff early: 5 of 6 outs via strikeout

🔑 Bottom Line:
A high-upside power arm with big-game pedigree, O’Leary adds to FSU’s growing portal pitching class and gives Link Jarrett another developmental weapon in the 2025 bullpen or rotation plans.

👉 Full portal breakdown and FSU's summer additions here.

🏀 FSU Men’s Hoops Signs 6’11” Russian Center Egor Ryzhov 🏀

Florida State basketball just added international size and skill to its frontcourt with the signing of Egor Ryzhov, a 6’11”, 220-pound center from Russia who most recently played with Zenit Saint Petersburg.

🌍 Player Snapshot:
• 20 years old | 6’11”, 220 lbs
• Hometown: St. Petersburg, Russia
• Played for Zenit Saint Petersburg (VTB United League)
• Signed a three-year deal with Zenit in 2022
• NBA Draft eligible in 2026

📊 2024–25 Season (VTB League w/ Zenit):
• 29 games | 7.7 MPG | 3.1 PPG | 1.7 RPG
• 61.5% FG | 67.5% FT

📈 Zenit-2 (Russia Superleague 1):
• 12 games | 27.8 MPG
• 15.3 PPG | 8.3 RPG | 2.9 APG | 0.8 BPG
• 47.1% FG | 11.1% 3PT | 53.0% FT

🏀 Development Notes:
• Rose through Zenit’s youth system
• Won two youth league titles in 2022
• Played with former ‘Noles Okaro White and Dwayne Bacon
• Earned call-ups to Russia’s U20 and senior national teams

🔑 Bottom Line:
Ryzhov adds rim protection, international experience, and long-term upside to FSU’s frontcourt. While raw, his mobility and high-level competition background could help him carve out a rotational role in 2025–26.

👉 Full scouting notes and eligibility updates here.

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🎯 FSU Hoops Building Stacked Visit Weekend for Alabama Game 🎯

Florida State men’s basketball is capitalizing on the electric atmosphere of the Alabama football weekend — hosting some of the top 2026 prospects in the country for official visits in late August.

🔥 Confirmed Visitors:

⭐ Toni Bryant
• 6’9”, 215 lbs | Zephyrhills Christian Academy (FL)
• 5-star PF | No. 12 overall | No. 3 at position
• Visiting FSU ahead of UNC and Mizzou
• Versatile, athletic big with top-10 upside

⭐ Collin Paul
• 6’7”, 205 lbs | Calvary Christian (West Palm Beach, FL)
• 4-star PF | No. 79 overall | No. 32 at position
• Called FSU “one of my favorite schools”
• Inside-out four with perimeter touch and toughness

⭐ Kevin Thomas
• 6’7”, 190 lbs | Sagemont Prep (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
• 4-star SF | No. 81 overall | No. 33 at position
• Described as “supremely athletic” with elite length

⭐ Brandon Bass Jr.
• 6’3”, SG | Windermere Prep (FL)
• 4-star SG | No. 97 overall | No. 12 at position
• Smooth, downhill lefty guard — major priority for Luke Loucks

🔑 Bottom Line:
The ‘Noles are going big for Bama weekend — with a five-star and three high-level four-stars locked in for campus visits. If Loucks can keep the energy rolling from the weekend into fall decision season, FSU could pull in a top-tier class.

👉 Full recruiting visit schedule and prospect breakdown here.

📋 Where FSU Stands: 2026 Recruiting Class Needs & Priorities 📋

Florida State’s 2026 class is on fire — ranked No. 9 nationally with 19 commits and counting. But with momentum surging, what positions still need to be filled? Let’s break it down by position group:

🔥 Quick Snapshot
• Current Commits: 19
• Class Rank: No. 9 (247Sports)
• Blue-Chip Count: 11

🧠 Quarterback (Need: 1 | Commit: Jaden O’Neal)
FSU got its guy. Four-star Jaden O’Neal flipped from Oklahoma and is expected to be the lone QB in this cycle.

🏃 Running Back (Need: 1–2 | Commit: Amari Thomas)
South Carolina is pushing hard for Thomas — keeping him is priority No. 1. FSU missed on other top targets.

📡 Wide Receiver (Need: 4–5 | Commits: Carter, Bennett, White, Williams)
FSU could be done here — but they’re still in pursuit of big-bodied Keeyun Chapman and Miami target Jasen Lopez.

🧲 Tight End (Need: 2 | Commit: Xavier Tiller)
The ‘Noles landed a major win in Tiller. Now eyes are on Landen Miree (July 11) and Heze Kent (July 12).

🧱 Offensive Line (Need: 4–5 | Commits: Green, Ionata, Francis)
One or two more, with a focus on tackles. Da’Ron Parks and Wilson Zierer are top targets.

🧨 Defensive Line (Need: 3–4 | Commits: Carrington, Crittendon, Cadeau)
FSU needs one big fish DT — keep an eye on four-star Earnest Rankins (July 3). Johnson and Guervil remain longshots.

💥 Edge Rusher (Need: 2 | Commits: 0)
Addison is trending FSU’s way, but more options are needed. It’s thin right now — some LBs may convert.

🦅 Linebacker (Need: 3 | Commits: LaVallee, Maycock)
Solid base — but a blue-chip is a must. FSU is in the mix for 5⭐ Xavier Griffin and 4⭐s Forkpa Jr. & Colton Jr.

🛡 Defensive Back (Need: 5–6 | Commits: Timmons, Bell III, Hughes, Johnson)
FSU is in great shape here, but there’s still work to do. 5⭐ CB Chauncey Kennon (July 6) is a major flip target. Brody Jennings (Michigan commit) is another key name to monitor.

🔑 Bottom Line:
FSU is ahead of schedule in the 2026 cycle — but keeping commits and closing on a few elite prospects will determine if this ends as a top-5 class.

👉 Full recruiting board and summer commitment tracker here.

🌪️ “First Name Wade” — Jayvan Boggs Drawing Major Buzz 🌪️

He’s not on every preseason watch list — yet. But freshman WR Jayvan Boggs is clearly on the radar of his teammates.

📣 The Hype Is Real:
• CB Jeremiah Wilson: “Last name Boggs. First name Wade. That boy, he’s cold.”
• DB Antonio Cromartie Jr.: “Jayvan Boggs. He’s been making plays often.”
• CB Zae Thomas: Boggs was the first name mentioned.
• QB Jaylen King: “The deep ball... makes fans want to come watch FSU.”

📈 Why It Matters:
• Boggs led the state in receiving as a senior at Cocoa High
• 0.9288 Composite Grade | Known for elite hands & physicality
• Most-discussed true freshman throughout spring and summer PRPs

🔎 What to Watch:
• Coaches will likely give him every chance to crack the WR rotation this fall
• With deep-ball ability and YAC upside, Boggs may emerge as a surprise weapon early in the season

🔑 Bottom Line:
He may not have the five-star measurables, but Boggs is making too much noise to ignore. With teammates singing his praises — unprompted — this “sleeper” might just be FSU’s breakout freshman.

👉 Full PRP breakdown and player quotes here.

And that’s a wrap!

From “First Name Wade” to five-star visit weekends, this summer is starting to feel like the spark before the storm. Between portal power moves, international signings, and a recruiting class climbing toward top-five status, the ‘Noles are putting the pieces in place — now it’s just about execution.

See you tomorrow, and keep your eye on July 6 (👀 Kennon watch).

—Chief