🏹 May 9th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Big bats, big awards, and big recruiting visits.

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The Chief
May 09, 2025

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Today’s Poll

How confident are you in FSU flipping Cam Brooks back from Cal?

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF Seminole!

It's tourney time, visit season, and QB debates are heating up. Let’s run it back:

🥎 Noles shut out GT to reach 18th-straight ACC Semifinal

Kerr and Dack go back-to-back 💣, McKenzie clears the bases, and the pitching trio deals a 4-hit shutout.

🌟 Francik earns top-10 national freshman nod

Jazzy’s a finalist for NFCA National Freshman of the Year — the only ACC player on the list.

⚾ Top-5 Noles head west to face Cal in final road series

FSU brings the bats (and the lefties) to Berkeley, with Faurot and Lodise red-hot at the plate.

🏀 4⭐ PF Jalan Wingfield says FSU likely first visit

The Atlanta native and son of Dontonio Wingfield says Tallahassee “has a special place in my heart.”

🏈 Cam Brooks commits to Cal… but keeps FSU visit

The 4⭐ DE still plans to visit June 6 — but the staff needs to ramp up the relationship if they want back in.

🛠️ Blue-chip OT Wilson Zierer visiting FSU this weekend

FSU breaks from tradition to host the 6’6” tackle early before his trips to Bama, UGA, and more.

🧠 Castellanos ranked No. 11 in ACC QB power rankings

The UCF transfer is a perfect fit for Gus Malzahn’s system — and may be FSU’s biggest X-factor in 2025.

Let’s dive in 👇

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🥎 Noles Dominate Georgia Tech, Advance to ACC Semis 🥎

No. 8 Florida State cruised to a 6–0 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday, punching its ticket to a record 18th-straight ACC Semifinal and extending its win streak vs. the Jackets to 26 games. ⚡

📊 Game Highlights:

  • 🧱 Pitching trio (Widra, Danley, Apsel): 4 H, 4 K, 1 BB in shutout

  • 💣 Jahni Kerr: 3-for-4, 2-run HR — her 9th of the year

  • 💣 Katie Dack: Solo shot (team-leading 14th HR)

  • 🧊 Shelby McKenzie: First career triple cleared the bases in the 5th

  • 🎯 Michaela Edenfield walk-off RBI sealed the run-rule in the 6th

📺 Up Next: FSU plays Duke or Stanford in the ACC Semifinals Friday at 10 AM ET on ACC Network (moved up due to weather)

🌟 Francik Named Finalist for National Freshman of the Year 🌟

Florida State ace Jazzy Francik was named one of 10 finalists for the NFCA National Freshman of the Year, the only ACC player on the list — and extending FSU’s streak to four straight seasons with a top-10 finalist. 🙌

📊 Francik's Numbers:

  • 🧱 1.64 ERA — lowest on the team

  • 🎯 9–2 record, 81.1 IP, 76 K, just 18 BB

  • 🔥 19 straight scoreless innings in last 3 starts

  • 💣 No-hitter vs. No. 15 Virginia Tech — first by a true freshman since 2012

📅 The award will be narrowed to 3 finalists on May 22.

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🌴 Top-5 Noles Head West for Final Road Series vs. Cal ⚾

No. 2 Florida State (34–10) hits the West Coast for its final road series of the regular season, facing ACC newcomer Cal in a three-game set beginning Friday at 9 PM ET.

📅 Weekend Schedule (All Games on ACCNX):

  • Friday, 9 PM ET – Jamie Arnold (5–1, 2.29 ERA) vs. Cole Tremain (4–5, 3.26 ERA)

  • Saturday, 5 PM ET – Joey Volini (8–2, 2.74 ERA) vs. Oliver de la Torre (2–4, 6.38 ERA)

  • Sunday, 4 PM ET – Wes Mendes (5–2, 5.09 ERA) vs. Cal TBD

🔍 Noles by the Numbers:

  • 🔺 No. 5 in D1Baseball rankings, No. 6 in RPI

  • 💣 85 HRs, .323 team AVG, 492 hits

  • 🔥 Drew Faurot: 8-for-8 in last two games with 4 HR, 8 RBI

  • 🧱 Pitching: 4.64 ERA, 452 Ks in 374.2 IP

🔁 Series History: FSU leads 3–1, including a 1992 College World Series win.

🏀 4⭐ Wingfield Eyes FSU for First Official Visit 🏀

Jalan Wingfield — the No. 77 overall recruit in the 2026 class — says Florida State is likely to get his first official visit this fall, thanks to deep ties to the region and a compelling pitch from the Seminoles’ staff.

📍 What to Know:

  • 6'8" PF from Tri-Cities High School (Atlanta, GA)

  • Son of former NBA forward Dontonio Wingfield

  • FSU pitch: “Help turn the program around”

  • Hometown tie: “Tallahassee is 20 minutes from where I grew up… special place in my heart”

👀 Also Considering:

  • Georgia, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State

🗣️ Wingfield:
“Luke Loucks wants me in that 2026 class. I really like that.”

🏈 Top DE Cam Brooks Commits to Cal — But FSU Not Out Yet 🏈

Despite growing up an FSU fan and calling the Seminoles his “dream school,” four-star DE Cam Brooks (No. 25 nationally per On3) surprisingly committed to Cal after an April official visit — citing the Bears’ early and consistent pursuit.

🧠 What He’s Saying:

“They’ve been recruiting me the hardest since Day One... the plan they have for me, there’s no way I can lose.”

📍 Where FSU Stands:

  • Official visit to Tallahassee (June 6) still on the calendar

  • Brooks: “I want to spend more personal time with the players and coaches... Everyone knows my feelings about FSU.”

📣 What Needs to Happen:

  • Stronger personal connection with the staff (especially DL coach Terrance Knighton)

  • A detailed pitch on how he fits into Tony White’s defense

  • Nail the official visit — or risk falling out of the picture

🧒 Rising Stars to Watch at Thomas County Central:

  • 2027 WR Jabari Watkins – 4⭐, FSU among early favorites

  • 2028 DT Prince Che & DB/WR DeAndra Andrews – both recently offered by Tony White

🛠️ 4⭐ OT Wilson Zierer Set for Official Visit to FSU 🛠️

Florida State will host four-star offensive tackle Wilson Zierer this weekend, a notable shift from the usual June official visit schedule under Mike Norvell.

📍 What to Know:

  • 6’6”, 280-pound OT from Rabun Gap (GA)

  • No. 240 overall, No. 21 OT nationally (247Sports Composite)

  • Offered by Gus Malzahn back in February

🔁 Zierer’s Visit Slate:

  • FSU this weekend (confirmed by multiple sources)

  • Set to visit Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin in May and June

🧠 Why It Matters:

  • FSU adjusting schedule shows Zierer is a priority

  • A strong showing this weekend could help the 'Noles stand out in a crowded field

🧠 ACC QB Power Rankings: Where FSU’s Castellanos Lands 🧠

Post-spring rankings are out — and there’s room to rise.

The ACC’s quarterback landscape is taking shape after spring camp, and Florida State’s new signal-caller Tommy Castellanos lands just outside the top 10 at No. 11 in 247Sports’ latest power rankings. The UCF transfer is considered a perfect fit for Gus Malzahn’s offense — but there’s still plenty to prove.

📊 Top of the ACC QB Rankings:

  1. Cade Klubnik – Clemson

  2. Carson Beck – Miami

  3. Kevin Jennings – SMU

  4. Haynes King – Georgia Tech

  5. Miller Moss – Louisville

⚡ Where Castellanos Fits:

“In the right system, Tommy Castellanos can be more than just a serviceable quarterback. That was the case two years ago at Boston College and seems more than likely in 2025 at Florida State.”

“He has upside as a 1,000-yard rusher and was a more refined passer last year... there’s real bounce-back potential here.”

📈 Why It Matters:

Castellanos might be FSU’s biggest X-factor. If he levels up under Malzahn’s up-tempo scheme — and builds chemistry with playmakers like Duce Robinson and Squirrel White — don’t be surprised to see him vault into the ACC’s upper tier by midseason.

And that’s a wrap!

Until Next Time, Nole Nation!

Stay tuned as our Seminoles continue to shine across all arenas. Whether it's the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, or the buzz of recruiting news, The Chief Brief has you covered. Have thoughts or predictions? Hit reply and let us know!

Go Noles!

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