Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy first Monday of June, Seminole!

Here’s what’s on the docket for you today:

⚾️ FSU Dominates UCF to Reach Regional Final ⚾️

Jamie Arnold’s stellar pitching led Florida State (44-15) to a 5-2 win over UCF (36-20), advancing FSU to the Tallahassee Regional Final.

⚾️ FSU Advances to Super Regionals with Victory over UCF ⚾️

FSU (45-15) scored nine runs in the fifth inning to beat UCF (37-21) 12-4, securing their spot in the Super Regionals.

🏈 FSU Kicks Off Busy June with Football Camps 🏈

FSU starts its June football camps with an individual camp on Sunday, aiming to enhance player skills.

🏈 FSU Elite Camp Visitor List Grows with Top Talent 🏈

Four-star WR Xavier McDonald confirms attendance at FSU’s Elite Camp, boosting the camp's star power.

🏈 FSU Impresses Four-Star CB Onis Konanbanny During Official Visit 🏈

Onis Konanbanny’s visit to FSU exceeded expectations, making FSU his top choice.

🏈 Four-Star WR Malik Clark Schedules Official Visit to FSU 🏈

WR Malik Clark will visit FSU on June 14-16, adding FSU to his list of potential schools.

🏈 Key Visits for FSU Commitments and Targets 🏈

Several FSU commitments and top targets visited other programs, creating buzz in their recruitments.

⚾️ FSU Dominates UCF to Reach Regional Final ⚾️

Behind another stellar performance from staff ace Jamie Arnold, Florida State (44-15) defeated UCF (36-20) 5-2 in the Tallahassee Regional. Arnold struck out 12 batters and allowed just two runs over 7.0 innings, while the FSU offense recorded 11 hits and scored all five runs in the first four innings.

Game Highlights:

• Cam Smith: Three hits, including a two-run home run.

• Marco Dinges: Three hits and an RBI.

• Daniel Cantu: Extended hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI single.

• Jamie Arnold: Improved to 11-3 with 146 strikeouts this season, seventh-most in FSU history.

Scoring Summary:

• T3 | FSU 1, UCF 0: Dinges singled, M. Williams scored

• T3 | FSU 2, UCF 0: Cantu singled, Smith scored

• T4 | FSU 4, UCF 0: Smith home run (15th, 336 ft), West scored

• T4 | FSU 5, UCF 0: Ferrer doubled, Dinges scored

• B4 | FSU 5, UCF 1: Zyska doubled, Boedicker scored

• B7 | FSU 5, UCF 2: Kluska grounded into double play, Neri scored

Notable Stats:

• FSU’s 44 wins are the most since 2017.

• Arnold’s 11 wins are the most for a Seminole since 2012.

• FSU's 110 home runs this season are the sixth-most in school history.

• Eight players have scored at least 40 runs, the most since 2002.

Up Next: Florida State played the winner of the UCF vs. Stetson game Sunday at 6:00 PM in the Regional Final (the story is just below - just building suspense for you)

⚾️ FSU Advances to Super Regionals with Victory over UCF ⚾️

Sparked by home runs from Cam Smith and Max Williams, Florida State (45-15) scored nine runs in the fifth inning to beat UCF (37-21) 12-4, winning the Tallahassee Regional and advancing to the Super Regionals. FSU's 18 Super Regional appearances are the most all-time.

Game Highlights:

• Cam Smith: Tied the game with a two-run home run, second in two days.

• Max Williams: Three-run home run in the fifth inning.

• Jamie Arnold: Named Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

Scoring Summary:

• T1 | UCF 2, FSU 0: Zyska home run, Boedicker scored

• B5 | UCF 2, FSU 2: Smith home run (16th, 365 ft), West scored

• B5 | UCF 2, FSU 4: Ferrer doubled, Tibbs and Dinges scored

• B5 | UCF 2, FSU 6: West singled, Ferrer and Lodise scored

• B5 | UCF 2, FSU 9: M. Williams home run (11th, 431 ft), Faurot and West scored

• T6 | UCF 3, FSU 9: Calabro singled, Calise scored

• T7 | UCF 4, FSU 9: Sundean home run

• B7 | UCF 4, FSU 10: Lodise scored on a wild pitch

• B7 | UCF 4, FSU 11: Dinges singled, Faurot scored

• B7 | UCF 4, FSU 12: Ferrer reached on catcher's interference, M. Williams scored

Notable Stats:

• FSU's 18 Super Regional appearances are the most since the SR format began in 1999.

• Florida State's nine runs in the fifth inning were the most in a frame this year.

• Cam Smith's 97 hits are the most for a Seminole since Buster Posey had 119 in 2008.

• Max Williams has a career-high 15-game on-base streak.

• FSU's 22-win improvement is the largest year-over-year in program history.

• The Seminoles have hit 112 home runs this season, 57 more than last year.

• Marco Dinges had his third consecutive multi-hit game.

• FSU improved to 17-1 against in-state schools this year.

Up Next: Florida State will host the winner of the Norman Regional – either UConn or Oklahoma – next weekend in the Tallahassee Super Regional. Dates, times, and television will be announced early next week.

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🏈 FSU Kicks Off Busy June with Football Camps 🏈

Florida State begins its June slate of Mike Norvell Football Camps with the first individual camp on Sunday. The camp, focusing on basic football fundamentals, will be held at the FSU football practice fields and the Indoor Practice Facility.

Camp Details:

• Date & Time: Registration at noon; action from 2 to 4 p.m.

• Description: Non-contact camp for athletes to improve skills in all positions.

• Coaches: Run by FSU Football Staff.

Other June Camps:

• Big Man Camp & 7-on-7: June 5th & 12th

• Indy Camp: June 16th

• Quarterback Camp: June 17th

• Specialists Camp: June 17th

• Youth Camp: June 17th

• Elite Camp: June 9th, focusing on recruiting.

FSU's summer camps target future classes ('26 to '28) and will host numerous official visitors from the 2025 class.

🏈 FSU Elite Camp Visitor List Grows with Top Talent 🏈

Florida State's Elite Camp on June 9th continues to attract top prospects, with four-star wide receiver Xavier McDonald from Morton, Mississippi, confirming his attendance. McDonald, who caught 56 passes for 1,166 yards and 16 touchdowns last fall, is being heavily recruited by top programs.

Recruitment Highlights:

• Height/Weight: 6'3", 190 pounds

• Recent Visits: Mississippi State, Auburn, LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss, UCF

• FSU Offer: Received in April, with Offensive Line Assistant Gabe Fertitta playing a key role.

Offer List: Includes UCF, Louisiana, Auburn, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss.

🏈 FSU Impresses Four-Star CB Onis Konanbanny During Official Visit 🏈

Columbia (S.C.) Heathwood Hall Episcopal School four-star cornerback Onis Konanbanny spent the weekend at Florida State for an official visit, describing it as "epic" and exceeding his expectations.

Visit Highlights:

• Felt like the No. 1 priority.

• Praised the fit and experience at FSU.

• Impressed by head coach Mike Norvell and DB coach Patrick Surtain.

• Spoke with former FSU standout Jalen Ramsey via FaceTime.

Recruitment Update:

• Upcoming visits: North Carolina (June 7), Penn State (June 14), Tennessee (June 21).

• Possible visits to LSU and South Carolina.

• FSU now his top choice, competing with Tennessee.

🏈 Four-Star WR Malik Clark Schedules Official Visit to FSU 🏈

Rock Hill (S.C.) wide receiver Malik Clark, a four-star prospect, has confirmed his official visit to Florida State for June 14-16. The 6'1", 183-pound receiver, who caught 46 passes for 800 yards and 9 TDs last season, announced the visit on social media.

Recruitment Highlights:

• Recently visited South Carolina.

• Upcoming visits: North Carolina (June 7-9), Notre Dame (June 18-20), NC State (June 21-23).

• FSU entered his recruitment on May 21 after Ryan Bartow's visit.

• Clark aims to make his decision in mid-July.

🏈 Key Visits for FSU Commitments and Targets 🏈

Over the weekend, several FSU commitments and top targets visited various programs, creating significant buzz and movement in their recruitment processes. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Running Backs

4-star RB Byron Louis:

• OV Location: Miami

• Other Visits Planned: Wisconsin (June 7-9), Florida State (June 21-23)

• Insights: Louis praised Miami's environment and Coach Cristobal's vision. FSU remains a strong contender with an upcoming visit to Tallahassee, which could be pivotal before his final decision.

Wide Receivers

4-star WR Kaliq Lockett:

• OV Location: LSU

• Other Visits Planned: Texas A&M (June 7-9), Florida State (June 14-16), Texas (June 21-23)

• Insights: LSU visit was impressive, enhancing LSU’s position. FSU will have a chance to make an impact during their scheduled visit.

5-star WR Caleb Cunningham:

• OV Location: Auburn

• Other Visits Planned: Florida (June 7-9), Tennessee (June 14-16), Alabama (June 21-23)

• Insights: Auburn currently leads, but Cunningham plans an in-season official visit to FSU. His recruitment remains fluid with other major programs in the mix.

4-star WR Vernell Brown III:

• OV Location: Ohio State

• Other Visits Planned: Miami (June 11-13), Florida (June 14-16), Florida State (June 21-23)

• Insights: Ohio State visit solidified their standing, but Brown remains open to FSU and Florida.

4-star WR Daylan McCutcheon:

• OV Location: Ohio State

• Other Visits Planned: USC (June 7-9), Texas (June 14-16), Florida State (June 21-23)

• Insights: FSU, SMU, and USC are significant players in his recruitment. McCutcheon’s upcoming visit to FSU is crucial.

4-star WR Joshua Moore:

• OV Location: Florida

• Other Visits Planned: Miami (June 7-9), Florida State (June 14-16), Georgia (June 21-23)

• Insights: Florida impressed Moore, but FSU remains a strong contender.

Offensive Line

4-star OT Ty Haywood:

• OV Location: Alabama

• Other Visits Planned: Texas A&M (June 7-9), Oklahoma (June 14-16), Florida State (June 21-23)

• Insights: FSU gets the last summer official visit, which could be crucial in swaying Haywood’s decision.

5-star iOL Solomon Thomas (FSU commit):

• OV Location: LSU

• Other Visits Planned: Florida (June 7-9), Florida State (June 21-23)

• Insights: LSU made a strong impression, but FSU is still favored. Thomas will finalize his decision after visiting FSU.

4-star OT Ziyare Addison:

• OV Location: Florida

• Other Visits Planned: Oregon (June 7-9), Penn State (June 14-16), Florida State (June 21-23)

• Insights: Addison values FSU, which gets his final summer OV, keeping them in a strong position.

Defensive Line

4-star DE Javion Hilson (FSU commit):

• OV Location: Florida

• Other Visits Planned: Texas (June 7-9), UCF (June 14-16), Florida State (June 21-23)

• Insights: Hilson appreciated Florida's efforts but maintains FSU as his leader.

4-star DE Zion Grady:

• OV Location: Miami

• Other Visits Planned: Florida State (June 7-9), Tennessee (June 14-16), Ohio State (June 21-23)

• Insights: Miami visit was strong, but FSU remains a serious contender if they nail their OV.

5-star DE Jared Smith:

• OV Location: South Carolina

• Other Visits Planned: Georgia (June 7-9), Tennessee (June 14-16), Florida State (June 18-20), USC (June 21-23)

• Insights: Smith’s recruitment is open, with FSU having a shot during their midweek visit.

Linebackers

4-star LB Tavion Wallace:

• OV Location: Arkansas

• Other Visits Planned: Georgia (June 7-9), Florida (June 14-16), Florida State (June 21-23)

• Insights: Arkansas made a positive impression, but FSU’s last summer OV could be decisive before his July 2 decision.

FSU is strategically positioned to make significant impacts in these recruitments with their upcoming official visits. The month of June will be crucial in shaping our future roster.

And that’s a wrap!

Stay with us for more updates, insights, and highlights as FSU continues its journey through the postseason and beyond.

Remember, your support makes a difference.

Go Noles!

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