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Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
How would you describe FSU’s performance vs. No. 1 Duke?
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
TGIF and Happy Friday the 13h, Seminole!
It was heartbreak in Charlotte as Florida State nearly stunned No. 1 Duke, falling just short after a last-second three from Robert McCray V rimmed out but the Seminoles showed plenty of fight down the stretch.
Here’s what we’ve got for you today:
🏀💔 Noles Fall Just Short vs. No. 1 Duke 💔🏀
Florida State pushed the top-ranked Blue Devils to the brink in a one-point ACC Tournament thriller behind big nights from Lajae Jones and Robert McCray V.
🏀🎙️ Loucks Proud of Noles’ Fight 🎙️🏀
Head coach Luke Loucks reflects on the team’s resilience, late-season surge, and the culture he hopes to build moving forward.
⚾🔥 Baseball Opens ACC Play at Wake Forest 🔥⚾
The No. 20 Seminoles begin conference play with a tough road series against No. 12 Wake Forest.
🏃♂️🏆 Three Noles Head to NCAA Indoor Championships 🏆🏃♀️
Shenese Walker, Kaelyaah Liburd, and Andre Korbmacher will represent Florida State on the national stage this weekend.
🥍🏠 Lacrosse Returns Home vs. Virginia Tech 🏠🥍
The Seminoles look to bounce back in ACC play as they host the Hokies in Tallahassee.
🎾🛣️ Men’s Tennis Hits the Road 🛣️🎾
Florida State travels to face Clemson and Georgia Tech in a pair of ACC matchups.
🏈👀 Early Spring Practice Buzz Emerging 👀🏈
Early observations from FSU’s first spring practices highlight improved leadership, competition, and a new team energy.
🏈📬 FSU Offers Rising Edge Prospect 📬🏈
The Seminoles extend a scholarship to fast-rising edge rusher Jayvon Dawson after a strong junior season.
🏈👀 Top 2027 Recruits Visit Spring Practice 👀🏈
Four-star prospects Brayden Tyson and Frederrick Ford headline a group of recruits checking out FSU’s spring practices.
Let’s get into it.
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🏀💔 Noles Fall Just Short vs. No. 1 Duke 💔🏀
Florida State nearly pulled off a stunning ACC Tournament upset Thursday night, falling 80–79 to No. 1 Duke after a last-second three-pointer from Robert McCray V came up just short.
⭐ Big Nights from Jones & McCray
Lajae Jones: 28 points, 4 three-pointers, 8-for-8 free throws
Robert McCray V: 25 points, 4 assists
Chauncey Wiggins: 13 points, 3 threes
Jones scored 17 points in the second half to help fuel the Seminoles’ comeback attempt.
📉 Duke’s Game-Changing Run
FSU led 59–51 midway through the second half
Duke responded with a 19–2 run to seize control
The Seminoles rallied late but couldn’t complete the comeback
⏱️ One Last Chance
Florida State cut the deficit to 80–79 with 37 seconds left, but McCray’s potential game-winning three at the buzzer fell just short.
🧠 Why It Matters: The Seminoles pushed the nation’s top-ranked team to the brink, continuing their late-season surge and showing how dangerous they can be when their offense is clicking.
🏀🎙️ Loucks Proud of Noles’ Fight After Duke Thriller 🎙️🏀
After Florida State’s heartbreaking 80–79 loss to No. 1 Duke, head coach Luke Loucks praised his team’s resilience and character following a season filled with adversity.
⭐ Proud of the Team’s Fight
Loucks emphasized how the Seminoles never folded despite early-season struggles, crediting the group’s grit and commitment during their late-season surge.
“These guys could have easily folded… they came to work every day and tried to find solutions.”
📊 Game Turned on the Glass
Duke recorded 22 offensive rebounds
Resulted in 24 second-chance points
Loucks pointed to rebounding as the key difference in the one-point loss.
💪 Players Reflect on the Battle
Lajae Jones: Navigated most of the second half with four fouls while still leading the team with 28 points
Chauncey Wiggins: Emphasized staying connected during Duke’s momentum swings
Both players noted the game ultimately came down to runs and key possessions.
🧠 Why It Matters: Despite the loss, Loucks believes the team’s resilience and late-season improvement set the foundation for building the program moving forward.
⚾🔥 Noles Open ACC Play at No. 12 Wake Forest 🔥⚾
No. 20 Florida State begins ACC play this weekend with a tough road series at No. 12 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem.
⭐ Weekend Matchups
Friday: Wes Mendes (4–0, 0.83 ERA) vs. Blake Morningstar
Saturday: Trey Beard (1–0, 2.92 ERA) vs. Chris Levonas (4–0, 1.83 ERA)
Sunday: Bryson Moore (2–0, 4.24 ERA) vs. Duncan Marsten
The finale will air on ACC Network, while the first two games stream on ACC Network Extra.
📊 Strong Start for the Noles
13–3 record entering ACC play
Team batting .303 with 18 home runs
Pitching staff holds a 3.90 ERA with 173 strikeouts
Key contributors include Myles Bailey (.360, 6 HR) and Wes Mendes, who has allowed just two earned runs in 21.2 innings.
⚔️ Tough Opponent
Wake Forest enters the weekend 15–2 overall and 11–0 at home, making this one of the Seminoles’ toughest series of the early season.
🧠 Why It Matters: The series marks the start of ACC play and an early measuring stick for a nationally ranked Florida State team against a top conference contender.
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🏃♂️🏆 Three Noles Head to Indoor NCAA Championships 🏆🏃♀️
Florida State will be represented by three student-athletes at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships this weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
⭐ Walker Leads the Charge
Shenese Walker: No. 3 nationally in the 60 meters (7.09 school & ACC record)
Making her third straight NCAA appearance
Two-time First Team All-American
Walker recently earned ACC Indoor Championships MVP after winning both the 60m and 200m titles.
📈 Liburd Breaks Through
Kaelyaah Liburd: Competing in the 400 meters
Set a school and national record (51.58) at ACC Championships
Only ACC athlete in the event
🔥 Korbmacher Returns
Andre Korbmacher: Competing in the 60-meter hurdles
ACC champion with a personal-best 7.55
Finished Second Team All-American at last year’s national meet
🧠 Why It Matters: With three athletes competing across sprint and hurdles events, Florida State enters the national meet with multiple opportunities to bring home All-American honors.
🥍🏠 Noles Return Home to Face Virginia Tech 🏠🥍
Florida State lacrosse returns to the Seminole Lacrosse Complex on Saturday to host Virginia Tech as the Seminoles look to bounce back in ACC play.
⭐ Offensive Leaders
Meg Kenny: 14 goals, 16 points
Summer Harrell: 10 goals, 5 assists
Lola Mancuso: 11 goals
Freshmen Brynn Perkins and Lydia Ward have also added nine goals each to help power the attack.
📊 Team Production
74 goals scored through nine games
151 shots on goal out of 189 attempts
🛡️ Defensive Standouts
Erin Schaefer: Team-high 19 ground balls
Reilly Hunter: 9 draw controls
Goalkeeper Catrina Tobin leads the netminders with 31 saves in eight starts.
🧠 Why It Matters: Florida State looks to regain momentum at home against a Virginia Tech team that already holds an ACC win this season.
🎾🛣️ Noles Hit the Road for ACC Tennis Matchups 🛣️🎾
Florida State men’s tennis begins a two-match ACC road trip this weekend, facing No. 34 Clemson on Friday before traveling to No. 55 Georgia Tech on Sunday.
⭐ Players to Watch
Corey Craig: Coming off a win over the No. 18 player in the nation
Erik Schiessl: Strong first season with multiple key singles victories
Luis Felipe Miguel / Schiessl: No. 17 ranked doubles pair with a 15–4 record
📈 Looking to Bounce Back
The Seminoles enter the weekend after a tight 4–3 loss to No. 4 Wake Forest, the defending national champions.
🧠 Why It Matters: Florida State looks to regain momentum on the road with two important ACC matchups against Clemson and Georgia Tech.
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🏈👀 Early Spring Practice Buzz Emerging 👀🏈
Florida State’s first two spring practices are in the books, and early reports suggest a different energy around the program compared to last season.
⭐ Stronger Team Culture
Sources say the group feels more player-led, accountable, and business-like, with defensive leaders Daniel Lyons, Chris Jones, Mikai Gbayor, Ashlynd Barker, and K.J. Kirkland setting the tone.
📊 Early Position Group Notes
Quarterbacks: “Up and down” early with no clear leader yet
Running backs: Texas transfer Tre Wisner already drawing strong praise
Wide receivers: Solid group but limited completions due to coverage and timing
🛡️ Defensive Standouts
Nehemiah Chandler: Impressive reps in coverage
Quindarrius Jones: Showing improved habits and development
Rylan Kennedy: Emerging as a strong candidate at the JACK pass-rush role
🔥 Safety Competition Heating Up
With two safeties gone from last season, K.J. Kirkland has stood out early while transfers Ma’Khi Jones and CJ Richard could factor into the rotation.
🧠 Why It Matters: Early spring reports point to improved leadership and competition across the roster, two things the Seminoles will need as they look to rebound in 2026.
🏈📬 FSU Offers Rising Edge Prospect Jayvon Dawson 📬🏈
Florida State has extended a scholarship offer to three-star edge rusher Jayvon Dawson following his recent Junior Day visit to campus.
⭐ Productive Junior Season
68 tackles
22 tackles for loss
8 sacks
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound defender from Lake Worth (Fla.) Santaluces is ranked No. 26 edge rusher nationally in the 2027 class.
📊 Recruitment Update
North Carolina currently leads his recruitment
Official visit set with the Tar Heels (June 19–21)
Upcoming visits planned to Georgia and Kentucky
Dawson praised the Seminoles’ hospitality during his visit, saying the staff “treats me like family.”
🧠 Why It Matters: Dawson is a fast-rising edge prospect with pass-rush ability and coverage skills, and Florida State will look to build momentum in the recruitment with additional visits this year.
🏈👀 Top 2027 Recruits Visit FSU Spring Practice 👀🏈
Florida State hosted multiple top prospects during spring practice this week, including four-star running back Brayden Tyson and four-star edge rusher Frederrick Ford, as the Seminoles continue building momentum on the recruiting trail.
4-star RB Brayden Tyson has visited Florida State 7–8 times, including Wednesday’s spring practice.
The 6-foot, 235-pound back said the speed and physicality of practice stood out most.
Tyson also praised new running backs coach Kam Martin for being relatable and highlighted Texas transfer Tre Wisner’s leadership with the running backs group.
Tyson plans an official visit to FSU on June 12 as part of a busy spring recruiting schedule.
📊 Elite Production
1,292 rushing yards and 16 TDs as a junior in Georgia’s highest classification.
Over 4,000 career rushing yards with 46 touchdowns while averaging 8.4 yards per carry.
4-star JACK/edge Frederrick Ford made his first trip to Tallahassee, touring campus and meeting with Nick Williams, Tony White, and Mike Norvell.
The 6-foot-6 edge rusher said FSU’s practice intensity and defensive line versatility stood out during his visit.
Ford is working to schedule an official visit in early June.
📈 Recruiting Momentum
Both prospects are part of the 2027 recruiting class, and their visits highlight Florida State’s continued push to build relationships with elite regional talent early in the cycle.
🧠 Why It Matters: Spring practices serve as a key recruiting stage, giving top prospects an inside look at FSU’s culture and coaching staff as the Seminoles battle SEC and ACC programs for priority targets.
And that’s a wrap!
And that’s a wrap for today’s edition of The Chief Brief.
The Noles came within inches of knocking off the No. 1 team in the country, baseball is about to get its first real ACC test, and spring football is already generating buzz with recruiting visits and early practice reports.
We’ll be back tomorrow with more updates from around Seminole Nation.
Until then, stay garnet and gold.
Go Noles,
Chief
