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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Softball punched back, a track star turned national headline, and the diamond duo of Arnold & Lodise picked up more honors. Plus: big-time recruiting takeaways and a quietly effective portal haul.

Here’s what’s inside today:

🥎 Danley, Defense Deliver After Auburn Stunner to Send Noles to Supers
FSU drops Game 1 but locks down Game 2 to win the Tallahassee Regional and advance to host Super Regionals.

🏃‍♂️ Track Star, Gridiron Threat: Danzy Sets ACC Record in 400m
Micahi Danzy explodes at ACCs — and reminds everyone he’s not done on the football field either.

⚾ Arnold & Lodise Named Golden Spikes Semifinalists
Two Noles, two national contenders. Voting is live — and your support can help them win.

🏈 FSU Recruiting Rundown: South Florida Stars, Evaluations, and Priority Targets
Southridge. Northwestern. STA. Chaminade. We’ve got the names you need to know from Florida’s hottest recruiting hubs.

🔁 Portal Recap: FSU Adds 7 in Spring Window
Wilson. Sawchuk. Blackwell. Norvell & Co. made some quiet-but-crucial additions — with both 2025 and beyond in mind.

Let’s dive in. 👇

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🥎 Danley, Defense Deliver After Auburn Stunner to Send Noles to Supers 🥎

It took two games — and a whole lot of grit — but Florida State is headed to the Super Regionals.

After falling 8–3 to Auburn in Sunday’s opener, No. 5 FSU bounced back in dominant fashion with a 4–0 shutout to win the NCAA Tallahassee Regional and advance to host next weekend’s Super Regional.

🌀 Game 1 Recap:
• Isa Torres set the tone with a leadoff solo homer (her 9th)
• Auburn roared back with 3 HRs, including back-to-back bombs in the 5th
• Katie Dack crushed a 2-run homer in the 6th (her 15th), but it wasn’t enough
• The loss was Julia Apsel’s first of the season (12–1), as FSU gave up 8 runs in total

💪 Game 2 Redemption:
• Ashtyn Danley spun 5 shutout innings, dancing around 5 walks with help from her defense
• Jazzy Francik slammed the door with 2 perfect innings to seal the win
• Michaela Edenfield launched a 2-run shot in the 1st to reset the tone
• Shelby McKenzie added a pinch-hit solo bomb in the 5th
• Annie Potter tacked on an RBI double for insurance in the 6th

🧱 Defensive Gems:
• FSU turned a triple play in the 4th to kill a Tigers rally
• Isa Torres made a diving stop with the bases loaded to preserve the shutout

FSU (49–10) now awaits the winner of the Texas Tech Regional, with the Super Regional series set to be played at JoAnne Graf Field.

👉 Check out the full recap of Game 1 and Game 2

🏃‍♂️ Track Star, Gridiron Threat: Danzy Sets ACC Record in 400m 🏈

There’s fast — and then there’s Micahi Danzy fast.

The FSU freshman torched the track at the ACC Outdoor Championships on Saturday, winning the 400 meters in a jaw-dropping 44.38 seconds — a time that broke the Florida State school record, the ACC meet record, and the all-time ACC record.

📈 The resume from Saturday:
• 🥇 First place in the 400m — fastest time in ACC history
• 🥇 Part of FSU’s 4x100m relay team that also took gold (39.05)
• 👑 First dual-sport FSU athlete to win the 400m at ACCs

Even with all the track accolades piling up, Danzy made one thing clear on social media: he’s still playing football in the fall. After redshirting as a true freshman last year, the Tallahassee native is set to return as a wide receiver — with four years of eligibility and world-class speed to burn.

🔥 2024 football flash: 1 catch for 38 yards + 2 carries, 5 yards

Danzy’s track stardom is just the beginning — and he’s about to bring that same burst back to Doak.

👉 Read more on Danzy’s record-setting weekend + football plans

⚾ Arnold & Lodise Named Golden Spikes Semifinalists ⚾

Two of the best in the country — and you can help them win.

Florida State stars Jamie Arnold (LHP) and Alex Lodise (SS) have been named semifinalists for the 2025 Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the nation’s top amateur baseball player.

🔥 FSU is one of just two programs with multiple semifinalists — and it’s the fourth time in school history the Noles have landed a pair.

🗳️ Fan voting is open now through May 28:
• Vote for Arnold
• Vote for Lodise
(No limit — vote daily!)

📊 Arnold by the Numbers:
• 6–2, 2.59 ERA, 90 K in 66.0 IP
• 12.27 K/9 (19th nationally)
• 6.14 H/9, 1.03 WHIP — dominant efficiency

📊 Lodise by the Numbers:
• .422 AVG (6th NCAA) | 87 hits | 63 RBI | 17 HR
• .772 SLG, .483 OBP | 17 doubles, 2 triples, 6 SB
• Named Midseason National Player of the Year (Baseball America, PG)

The duo helped power FSU to a 37–13 record and a top-5 ranking — and now they’ll lead the charge into the ACC Tournament this week as the No. 2 seed.

📆 FSU opens in the quarterfinal Friday, May 23 at 3 PM in Durham.

👉 Full breakdown + voting links here

🏈 FSU Recruiting Rundown: Spring Evaluations & South Florida Standouts 🏈

With spring football heating up across Florida, recruiting evaluations and early offers are picking up steam — and Florida State continues to make moves in key regions.

Here's a rundown of the top observations and prospects from a loaded week of spring evaluations:

🌴 South Florida Jamboree Standouts 🌴

📍 Southridge vs. Atlantic/Mainland (3-Team Jamboree)

• QB James Perrone (2027, 6’2, 185) – Emerging as potentially the top QB in his class. Can make every throw, doesn’t force it, and adds value with his legs. Compared favorably to Luke Altmyer. High-upside target FSU should camp and monitor closely.

• DE Kamron Wilson (2026, 6’5, 220) – Decommitted from Syracuse. Disruptive, high-motor edge with a frame to grow into a true Power 4 lineman. Worth circling back on.

• DT Antonio Wilcher (2028, 6’2, 260) – Possibly the most impressive lineman seen all spring. Plays with impact on every snap and has the build to eventually reach 300 pounds. Likely FSU offer down the line.

• OC Ryan Miret (2026, 6’4, 300) – State champion wrestler. Plays with power and mean streak. Has FSU interest; currently high on Miami and Nebraska.

🏟️ Miami Northwestern: The Spring's Most Talented Team

• Calvin Russell (2026, 5⭐ WR) – "Everything Hykeem Williams was supposed to be — but better." A must-get target for FSU. Elite size/speed combo, high ceiling.

• Neimann Lawrence (2028 QB) – Already offered by FSU. Projects as the top QB in his class nationally.

• Jordan Campbell (Miami commit, 2026 EDGE) – Explosive, relentless pass rusher. Ideal scheme fit for FSU’s evolving front.

• Tedarius Hughes (2026, LB/ATH, FSU commit) – Brings physicality and swagger. Held his own in a high-pressure spring atmosphere.

• Nicholas Lennear & Nicsaint Joseph (2027 WRs) – Both projected to receive FSU offers. Competitive, physical receivers who make plays.

⭐ Saint Thomas Aquinas & Chaminade Standouts ⭐

• Derrek Cooper (2025, ATH) – The best player in Florida? Could be. RB/LB hybrid with All-American potential at either spot. Priority target.

• Arwin Jackson (2027 RB) – Electric speed. Showed elite burst on a 50-yard TD. Name to remember.

• Ashley Walker (2026 OL, 6’7, 280) – Massive lineman with versatility. Brother (8th grade TE, 6’5, 230) also a top future recruit.

• Denairius Gray (2025 WR, Auburn commit) – Big-play ability, but needs consistency. Still being recruited heavily by multiple programs.

• Jasen "J-Roc" Lopez (2026 ATH) – High on FSU’s board. Multi-sport standout. Pure playmaker.

🔨 More Names from Saint Thomas 🔨

• Daniel Norman (2026 DL, 6’4, 200) – Under-the-radar disruptor with great burst. Oklahoma pushing hard.

• Mark Matthews (2026 OL, 6’6, 270) – Converted DL with sky-high potential. Very raw but promising frame.

• Wyatt Smith (2026 DE, 6’5, 250) – Son of NFL 1st-rounder. Athletic upside is massive.

📈 Summary: FSU is keeping strong tabs on South Florida and looking to close on elite talent — from rising 2027 stars to 2025 blue-chips like Cooper and Russell. Miami Northwestern may be the most important school to monitor this cycle, while multiple names from STA and Chaminade remain priority targets.

Stay tuned here for more details as the spring circuit continues.

🔁 Portal Recap: FSU Adds 7 in Spring Window 🔁

Florida State quietly made some key moves in the spring transfer portal — and while the winter window tends to grab more headlines, this haul could have real impact.

⚡ Top Additions:
• CB Jeremiah Wilson (Houston) – No. 1 cornerback in the portal, 4 INTs in 2023. Will battle for a starting spot.
• RB Gavin Sawchuk (Oklahoma) – 742 yards and 9 TDs in 2023. Instant depth behind Roydell Williams and Jaylin Lucas.

📦 Depth + Development Pieces:
• WR Gavin Blackwell (UNC) – Speedy deep threat. Potential WR3 behind Duce and Squirrel.
• OL Jaelyne Matthews (Rutgers) – High-upside tackle for the future.
• OL Joshua Raymond (Vanderbilt) – Sleeper interior lineman with real buzz inside the building.
• S Jarvis Boatwright (USC) – Raw but athletic. Coaches love the upside, though playing time in 2025 is TBD.
• QB Jaylen King (ETSU) – Developmental redshirt expected to compete in 2026.

📉 Biggest Miss: Defensive line help — FSU pursued some top options but didn’t land a proven pass rusher. Expect younger players to be tested early for depth.

🔍 Overall: The staff filled key holes, boosted position competition, and added long-term talent. Quietly effective work from Norvell & Co.

👉 Read the full portal breakdown here

And that’s a wrap!

That’s a wrap on a packed weekend across the board — from clutch postseason wins to record-breaking sprints and major recruiting buzz. Super Regionals await, the ACC Tourney is up next, and the recruiting machine is only heating up.

Catch your breath, Noles — we’re just getting started.