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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

March is heating up in Tallahassee! From swimming & diving qualifying a staggering 23 entries for the NCAA Championships, to track & field sending eight athletes to nationals. Meanwhile, the football program is gearing up for spring practice, hosting top recruits while breaking in a fresh crop of 31 newcomers.

🏆 FSU Women’s Golf continues to make history, winning a school-record fourth straight tournament title. Men’s Golf followed suit with another championship, while softball’s offense exploded for 29 runs in a doubleheader sweep.

🏈 On the gridiron, the recruiting trail is buzzing, as elite prospects—including four-star Alabama commit Jabarrius Garror and blue-chip CB CJ Bronaugh—schedule key visits. Plus, FSU’s top 10 freshmen (and JUCO standouts) to watch this spring.

🔥 From NCAA-bound athletes to future Seminoles locking in visits, this edition is packed with action. Let’s dive in! ⬇️

🏊‍♂️ FSU Qualifies 23 Entries for NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships

Florida State’s dominance in the pool continues as the Seminoles secured 14 more NCAA Championship entries on Wednesday, bringing their total to 23 qualifiers across men’s and women’s swimming & diving.

🔥 Who’s Heading to Nationals?
✅ 12 Men’s Swimmers – Qualifying in 7 individual events & all 5 relay events
✅ 7 Divers – 3 NCAA diving qualifiers, including Kayleigh Clark, Carlos Vargas, and Samantha Vear
✅ 6 Women’s Swimmers – Earned NCAA bids last week

💎 Top Individual Qualifiers:
🏊 Michel Arkhangelskiy – 100 Back (🏆ACC Champion), 200 Back, 100 Fly (All School Records)
🏊 Mason Herbet – 100 Back (4th NCAA Appearance)
🏊 Max Wilson – 100 Back (2nd NCAA Appearance)
🏊 Tommaso Baravelli – 200 Breast (FSU Record Holder)
🏊 Logan Robinson – 200 Fly (School Record Holder)

🌊 Diving Standouts:
✅ Kayleigh Clark – 3rd Place on Platform, NCAA Bid in 2 Events
✅ Carlos Vargas – Qualified on Platform
✅ Samantha Vear – Qualified on 1-Meter & 3-Meter

📅 When & Where?
🏆 Women’s NCAA Championships – March 19-22 in Federal Way, WA
🏆 Men’s NCAA Championships – March 26-29 in Federal Way, WA

🔗 More on FSU’s NCAA qualifiers here.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ FSU Sends Eight Athletes to NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships

Florida State track and field will have eight student-athletes competing at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships from March 14-15 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

🔥 Who’s Competing for the Seminoles?

🏃‍♀️ Shenese Walker – 60m (🏆ACC Champion, 7.20 PR)
💨 Women’s 4x400m Relay – Takiyah Ferguson, Alyia Green, Tyra Wilson, Kaelyaah Liburd, Jaden Francis (ACC Silver Medalists, FSU & ACC Record Holders)
🏃‍♂️ Andre Korbmacher – 60m Hurdles (🏆ACC Champion, 7.58 PR, 3rd-Fastest in FSU History)
🏅 Tyson Williams – 60m Hurdles (ACC Silver Medalist, 7.61 PR)

📅 When & Where?
🏆 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships – March 14-15 | Virginia Beach, VA
📺 Watch: ESPN+

🔗 More on FSU’s NCAA qualifiers here.

🏈 4⭐ CB Hayward Howard Jr. Sets FSU Visit, Eyes July Commitment

One of the top defensive backs in the 2026 class, Hayward Howard Jr., has set a Florida State visit for April 5 as he narrows his recruitment ahead of a July 23 commitment date.

🔥 Howard’s Profile:
✅ Position: Cornerback
✅ Height/Weight: 6’2”, 175 lbs
✅ Ranking: No. 39 CB, No. 12 prospect in Louisiana (247Sports)
✅ High School: Edna Karr (New Orleans, LA)

🏆 Under Armour Next Camp MVP
Howard dominated at the UA Next Camp in New Orleans, showing off his length and physicality to take home MVP honors.

💬 Howard on His Work Ethic:
"I work hard for it, waking up at five o'clock. I'm not really excited. It's really what's supposed to happen with the work I put in."

📆 Upcoming Visits:
🔹 Miami – March 22
🔹 Auburn – March 29
🔹 Florida – April 4
🔹 Florida State – April 5
🔹 Texas – April 12

🏆 Howard’s Final Six Schools:
Florida State | Miami | Florida | Texas | Texas A&M | Auburn (pushing to enter)

👀 What Howard is Looking For:
🔹 NFL Development – How programs develop long, physical corners
🔹 Defensive Scheme Fit – How teams use boundary corners
🔹 Coaching Style – Wants a DB coach who will push him to improve

⏳ What’s Next?
Howard will set his official visit schedule following his spring trips and is set to announce his commitment on July 23—his birthday.

🔗 More on Howard’s recruitment here.

🏈 4⭐ CB CJ Bronaugh Sets FSU Visit Amid Heavy Recruiting Push

Despite his commitment to Nebraska, elite 2025 cornerback CJ Bronaugh is keeping his options open and will visit Florida State on March 19 as he evaluates other top programs.

🔥 Bronaugh’s Profile:
✅ Position: Cornerback
✅ Height/Weight: 6’0”, 170 lbs
✅ Ranking: No. 17 CB, No. 141 overall (On3)
✅ High School: Windermere (Winter Garden, FL)

📆 Upcoming Visits:
🔹 Florida State – March 19
🔹 North Carolina – March 21
🔹 Clemson – March 23
🔹 Florida – March 25

💡 Other Schools in Pursuit:
🔹 Syracuse – Making a strong push
🔹 Nebraska – Official visit set for June 8
🔹 Penn State – Official visit set for June 20

👀 What’s Next?
Bronaugh remains committed to Nebraska but will weigh his options following these visits.

🔗 More on Bronaugh’s recruitment here.

🏈 4⭐ Alabama Commit Jabarrius Garror Sets FSU Visit for Legacy Weekend

Florida State is getting another shot at flipping an elite Alabama pledge.

2027 four-star EDGE Jabarrius “Chicken” Garror will visit FSU on March 22 for Legacy Weekend, where he’ll meet former Seminole greats and watch spring practice.

🔥 Garror’s Profile:
✅ Position: EDGE (JACK fit for FSU)
✅ Height/Weight: 6’2”, 200 lbs
✅ Ranking: No. 38 overall, No. 5 EDGE, No. 1 player in Alabama (2027)
✅ 2024 Stats: 104 tackles, 56 TFLs, 21.5 sacks (Elite pass-rusher)

💡 FSU Making a Strong Push
Garror has built a close relationship with FSU DL coach Terrance Knighton and head coach Mike Norvell.

💬 On Coach Knighton & Norvell:
"They've both got that mentality. That’s what I like about them."

👀 Who’s FSU Competing With?
🔹 Auburn – Another top contender trying to flip Garror
🔹 Other suitors in the mix but FSU & Auburn are pushing the hardest

⏳ What’s Next?
Garror has visited FSU before and remains committed to Alabama, but the Seminoles are making a serious impression.

🔗 More on Garror’s recruitment here.

🏈 FSU Set to Host Key Recruits for First Spring Practice on March 19

Florida State spring football kicks off next week, and some of the Seminoles’ top recruiting targets will be on campus to watch the new coaching staff install its offensive and defensive schemes.

👀 Here’s a look at some of the top prospects visiting on March 19 and where things stand in their recruitments:

🔥 4⭐ LB TJ White

🔹 FSU vs. Tennessee – These two are leading his recruitment.
🔹 FSU in the driver’s seat? White has been high on FSU since his last visit, and another strong trip could lock in a commitment prediction.

🔥 4⭐ DB CJ Bronaugh (Nebraska commit)

🔹 Not locked in with Nebraska – FSU & Florida are pushing.
🔹 Great bond with FSU safeties coach Evan Cooper & DC Tony White.
🔹 Expected to visit again for an FSU game, possibly the opener vs. Alabama.

🔥 4⭐ RB Damarius Yates

🔹 Former Mississippi State commit intrigued by Gus Malzahn’s offense.
🔹 FSU building momentum – Has a strong connection with RB coach David Johnson.
🔹 Auburn, Ole Miss still in the mix, but FSU could land an official visit.

🔥 3⭐ DE Keysaun Eleazer

🔹 First visit to FSU – The ‘Noles are in the mix with NC State, UNC, & Virginia Tech.
🔹 Could set up an official visit in June.

🔥 3⭐ OL JJ Sparks

🔹 FSU & Miami early favorites.
🔹 Excited to see new OL coach Herb Hand in action.
🔹 Official visit expected later this year.

🔥 3⭐ OL Grant Kitchens

🔹 Mississippi State early leader.
🔹 FSU is impressed with his junior film—could rise up the board after this visit.

⏳ What’s Next?
🚨 March 19 will be a huge recruiting day as FSU gets its first chance to impress these priority targets with on-field action from the new staff.

🔗 More on FSU’s spring recruiting here.

🏈 FSU’s 10 Freshmen (and JUCO Additions) to Watch This Spring

Florida State welcomed 31 newcomers this spring—including 16 true freshmen and JUCO transfers—as Mike Norvell reshapes the roster after last season’s 2-10 finish. While the incoming recruiting class ranked No. 19 nationally, several early enrollees have the potential to contribute right away.

Here are 10 freshmen (plus a bonus JUCO duo) to watch this spring:

🔟 DT Tyeland Coleman & WR Jordan Scott (JUCO Transfers)

🔹 Coleman – High-motor DT who excelled in JUCO but remains an unknown.
🔹 Scott – A 6’7” wideout drawing comparisons to Johnny Wilson (catch radius) and Keon Coleman (explosiveness).

9️⃣ OL Mario Nash Jr.

🔹 Long-limbed & athletic but a multi-year project from small-school Mississippi.

8️⃣ S Max Redmon

🔹 Multi-sport athlete with great instincts, standing out in offseason workouts.

7️⃣ QB Kevin Sperry

🔹 Oklahoma decommit – Can he process a college offense & showcase arm talent?

6️⃣ DE Darryll Desir

🔹 FSU’s staff believes he could help immediately—plays DE/JACK with power & speed.

5️⃣ WR Jayvan Boggs

🔹 Florida’s leading HS receiver – A polished route-runner who could crack the WR rotation.

4️⃣ DT Kevin Wynn

🔹 FSU’s highest-rated signee – Dominated HS & Under Armour practices. Will size (6’2", 340 lbs) translate to ACC play?

3️⃣ DE Tylon Lee

🔹 Viewed as a Day 1 contributor – Great frame, elite production, and strong offseason buzz.

2️⃣ TE Chase Loftin

🔹 6’6” pass-catching TE – Considered a major steal by FSU’s staff. Can he handle the grind of spring ball?

1️⃣ CB Shamar Arnoux

🔹 Most talked-about freshman in offseason workouts – Competing for a two-deep spot at CB.

🔥 Which freshman are you most excited to see in spring practice?

🔗 More on FSU’s new arrivals here.

And that’s a wrap!

From NCAA-bound athletes making their mark to top recruits eyeing their future in Garnet & Gold, Florida State is buzzing with momentum. Spring football is around the corner, and the ‘Noles are making waves across every sport.

👀 Who are you most excited to watch this spring? Stay locked in as FSU gears up for a massive few weeks.

🔗 More updates coming soon—stay tuned, Seminoles!

🍢 Keep climbing & Go Noles! 🍢