Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

With spring football around the corner and conference play heating up across multiple sports, it’s a crucial time for Florida State athletics! 🏆

🔥 Inside today’s edition:
✅ FSU Baseball & Softball open ACC play with dominant wins.
✅ FSU Beach Volleyball takes down two ranked opponents in California.
✅ FSU Track & Field shines at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
✅ 10 Most Important Players for FSU’s 2025 football season.
✅ FSU Recruiting Stock Report – Which targets are trending up?

Plus, FSU Men’s Tennis battles ranked opponents as the ‘Noles continue their challenging ACC road stretch.

Let’s dive in! ⤵️

🥎 No. 10 FSU Softball Opens ACC Play with 8-3 Win Over Pitt

Florida State (23-5, 1-0 ACC) kicked off conference play in dominant fashion, defeating Pitt (10-14, 0-4) by an 8-3 score Friday night at JoAnne Graf Field.

🔥 Key Highlights:
✅ Big 2nd Inning – The Seminoles exploded for five runs, fueled by RBI hits from Jahni Kerr, Kennedy Harp, and Hallie Wacaser.
✅ Long Ball Power – Jaysoni Beachum crushed her 8th home run of the season, and Amaya Ross added her first HR of the year in the 5th inning.
✅ Shutdown Pitching – Annabelle Widra (W, 6-1) struck out the side in the 1st and didn’t allow a hit through two innings. Jazzy Francik earned her 5th save, now 3rd-most in a single season in FSU history.

📅 What’s Next?
The Seminoles and Panthers wrap up the series with a doubleheader on Saturday (1 PM ET, ACCNX).

More on FSU’s ACC-opening win here.

⚾ No. 5 FSU Baseball Dominates Boston College in ACC Opener

Joey Volini delivered another Friday night gem, leading No. 5 Florida State (16-1, 1-0 ACC) to an 8-2 victory over Boston College in their ACC opener at Dick Howser Stadium.

🔥 Game Highlights:
✅ Volini’s Dominance – 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R (unearned), 8 Ks, 2 BB
✅ Drew Faurot – 2 HR, 3-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 R
✅ Alex Lodise – HR, 2B, 2-for-4, 2 RBI
✅ Jaxson West – 3 hits, reached base 4 times
✅ Gage Harrelson – 2-for-4, 2 R

💪 Volini’s Last 2 Friday Starts:
🟡 13 IP, 1 ER, 19 Ks, 3 BB

🔜 What’s Next?
🚨 Saturday Doubleheader vs. BC (Due to Sunday Weather)
🔹 Game 1: 1 PM ET – Jamie Arnold (2-0, 1.12 ERA) starting
🔹 Game 2: Wes Mendes (3-0, 0.89 ERA) starting

More on FSU Baseball’s ACC opener here.

🏐 No. 8 FSU Beach Volleyball Opens East vs. West Tournament with Two Ranked Wins

Florida State started the East vs. West Tournament strong, securing two victories over No. 7 Cal (3-2) and No. 18 Hawaii (4-1) on Friday in Manhattan Beach.

🔥 Key Highlights:
✅ Clutch Win vs. Cal – Makenna Wolfe & Myriah Massey clinched the duel with a three-set victory on court five.
✅ Dominant Showing vs. Hawaii – FSU won four of five matches in straight sets, highlighted by Audrey Koenig & Alexis Durish’s commanding 21-6, 21-11 victory on court one.
✅ Series Updates: FSU now leads Cal (2-1 all-time) and extends its win streak over Hawaii to six straight.

📅 What’s Next?
FSU takes on two top-ranked opponents on Saturday:
🏐 No. 1 UCLA – 1:30 PM ET
🏐 No. 2 LMU – 4:00 PM ET

More on FSU Beach Volleyball’s ranked wins here.

🏃‍♀️ FSU Track & Field Kicks Off NCAA Indoor Championships

Florida State opened competition at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on Friday at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, highlighted by Shenese Walker’s standout performance in the women’s 60m.

🔥 Day 1 Highlights:
✅ Shenese Walker – Advances to Saturday’s final with a career-best 7.18 (T-4th fastest in FSU history).
✅ Andre Korbmacher (60m Hurdles) – 2nd Team All-American, finishing 14th (7.76).
✅ Tyson Williams (60m Hurdles) – 2nd Team All-American, finishing 15th (7.77).

📅 Saturday’s Championship Events:
🏃‍♀️ 3:10 PM ET – Women’s 60m Final (Walker)
🏃‍♀️ 4:20 PM ET – Women’s 4x400m Relay Final (Ferguson, Green, Wilson, Liburd, Francis)

More on FSU’s NCAA Indoor Championship performances here.

🏈 10 Most Important Players for FSU’s 2025 Season

Florida State’s path back to national relevance in 2025 hinges on key contributors stepping up—whether they’re returning veterans, transfers, or rising young stars.

Spring camp will be crucial in determining how these players fit into new schemes, how consistently they perform, and how the coaching staff views their progress.

Here are 10 (technically 11) players to watch as the Seminoles gear up for a pivotal season.

🔥 The Must-Watch List for Spring Camp

🔹 DE Amaree Williams
A former tight end making the switch to defensive end, Williams is a high-upside project with elite athleticism. FSU needs twitchy pass rushers, and if he develops quickly, he could become a situational weapon on third downs.

🔹 QB Thomas Castellanos
The biggest storyline of the spring. Castellanos already has experience in Gus Malzahn’s system from their time together at UCF, but how much has his passing developed? His ability to handle obvious passing situations will be a major focus.

🔹 WR Duce Robinson
FSU’s top-rated transfer addition is expected to be the go-to receiver this season. The 6'6" playmaker has drawn rave reviews in offseason workouts—now, will that translate into dominant performances in spring camp?

🔹 DT Darrell Jackson
A true force inside, Jackson has the potential to dominate as a nose tackle in FSU’s new defensive scheme. He was one of the most productive interior pass rushers in the country last season (30 QB pressures). If he’s consistent, he could be the key to FSU’s defensive front.

🔹 DL Daniel Lyons
Now entering Year 4, Lyons has flashed potential but hasn’t quite taken the leap. With FSU’s transition to a hybrid three-man front, this could be a make-or-break spring for him.

🔹 OT Micah Pettus
FSU’s biggest offensive line addition, Pettus has SEC experience and elite size (listed at 350 pounds, but reportedly slimming down). Can he consistently handle top-tier pass rushers? Spring will provide early answers.

🔹 DL Deante McCray
One of the most intriguing transfer additions, McCray was an elite run-stopper at WKU with untapped pass-rush potential. He’s expected to be a day-one starter on the defensive line.

🔹 DE James Williams
The Nebraska transfer is FSU’s biggest pass-rush addition. He’s already proven himself as an effective third-down rusher—now, can he develop into a complete player? His progression this spring will be key for the defense’s overall success.

🔹 CB Quindarrius Jones
FSU is counting on Jones to step into a starting role at cornerback. He has the physical tools but hasn’t had consistent playing time. If he delivers, it stabilizes a young but talented secondary.

🔹 LB Blake Nichelson / Elijah Herring
The linebacker duo represents FSU’s most important pieces at the position.
➡️ Nichelson is a high-upside athlete FSU invested heavily in retaining.
➡️ Herring brings experience from Tennessee and Memphis and could play multiple roles.

💡 What’s Next?
FSU’s spring practices will be the first real test for these players in new schemes. If this group thrives, the Seminoles could be on track for a major turnaround.

🔗 More on FSU’s key spring camp battles here.

🎾 FSU Men’s Tennis Falls to No. 5 NC State

Florida State battled hard on the road but came up short against No. 5 NC State, falling 4-0 in Raleigh on Friday night.

🔥 Match Highlights:
✅ Corey Craig & Azariah Rusher – Earn first-ever win as a duo on Court 3 (6-4).
✅ Alex Bulte & Youcef Rihane – Top-10 doubles battle on Court 1 but fall 6-4.
✅ Strong Singles Starts – Craig, Bulte & Jamie Connel won their first sets before the match was clinched.

🏆 Final Score: No. 5 NC State 4, No. 32 FSU 0
🔹 Singles: NC State clinched the match with straight-set wins on Courts 4-6.
🔹 Doubles: Wolfpack secured the doubles point with 6-4 wins on Courts 1 & 2.

📅 What’s Next?
🚨 FSU vs. No. 1 Wake Forest – Sunday, March 17 | 1 PM ET

More on FSU men’s tennis here.

🏈 FSU’s Recruiting Stock Report: Latest Trends on FSU Targets

With spring practice set to begin, Florida State’s coaching staff is ramping up its recruiting efforts, and it’s already paying off in several key battles. Some priority targets are moving in FSU’s direction, while others are slipping toward rival programs.

Here’s a look at which recruitments are trending up—and which ones need a course correction.

🔥 Stock Up: Four Targets Moving Toward FSU

🔹 4⭐ RB Carsyn Baker
FSU is gaining serious momentum for Baker, a top running back target from Georgia. After originally setting an official visit for May, Baker rescheduled for June—and then locked in another visit for March 22 (Legacy Weekend). He’s intrigued by how Gus Malzahn uses running backs and has built strong relationships with the staff. Alabama and Clemson remain in the mix, but FSU is making a strong push.

🔹 4⭐ CB CJ Bronaugh (Nebraska Commit)
The Orlando-area cornerback seems far from locked in with Nebraska, and FSU is one of the main programs turning up the heat. He’ll be in Tallahassee for the first day of spring practice (March 19) and is expected to schedule an official visit for the summer. With Patrick Surtain and Tony White leading the charge, FSU is in a great position here.

🔹 4⭐ WR Brandon Bennett
FSU has emerged as a legit contender for the American Heritage (FL) playmaker, largely due to his connection with Surtain and new WRs coach Tim Harris Jr. Bennett has an official visit scheduled for June and will be back for Legacy Weekend (March 22). He’s eager to see how Malzahn’s offense will utilize receivers like him, giving FSU a real shot in this battle.

🔹 4⭐ WR Calvin Russell
Miami remains the favorite, but don’t count FSU out just yet. The Miami Northwestern standout has ties to WRs coach Tim Harris Jr. and is interested in FSU’s offensive changes under Malzahn. An unofficial visit this spring is expected, followed by an official visit this summer. If FSU can impress, this could turn into a real fight with Miami and Georgia.

📉 Stock Down: Two Targets Slipping Away

🔻 4⭐ DL James Johnson
FSU made an early impact with Johnson, but Georgia is now leading the charge. The Seminoles need to get him back on campus, and a potential April visit will be critical if they hope to stay in the race. Right now, it feels like Georgia’s recruitment to lose.

🔻 4⭐ LB Adam Balogoun-Ali
After an early visit to Tallahassee, FSU hasn’t been in the mix lately. The Palm Beach Gardens prospect seems more locked in with Miami and Florida. Unless FSU’s on-field performance this fall makes a strong impression, this one could slip away for good.

⏳ What’s Next?
FSU’s Legacy Weekend (March 22) and spring practices will be major opportunities to solidify their standing with key targets. Keep an eye on how these battles unfold in the coming weeks!

🔗 More on FSU’s latest recruiting trends here.

And that’s a wrap!

Another action-packed Friday for the ‘Noles! FSU Baseball & Softball kicked off ACC play with big wins, Beach Volleyball took down two ranked opponents, and FSU Track & Field made noise at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Spring football is right around the corner, and we covered a break down FSU’s 10 most important players to watch, plus the latest recruiting stock report as the Seminoles make moves on the trail.

See you next time for more FSU updates! Until then, Go ‘Noles! 🍢 🏹