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- 🏹 November 14th - The Chief Brief 🏹
🏹 November 14th - The Chief Brief 🏹
Postseason pushes, national rankings, elite recruiting momentum, and a massive Senior Night under the lights at Doak.
The Chief
November 14, 2025
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Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
Should Tommy Castellanos return for 2026 if eligible? |
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
TGIF, Seminole!
A loaded Friday rundown, Chief — from national rankings to recruiting fireworks to postseason pushes across campus.
Here’s what you need to know before a massive weekend in Tallahassee:
🏊♂️ Men’s Swimming Surges into Top 20 🏊♂️
FSU climbs to No. 16 nationally, riding a wave of dominant October wins and another ACC Swimmer of the Week honor for Michel Arkhangelsky. The Georgia Invite next weekend will test just how high this group can climb.
🏀 Women’s Hoops Signs an Elite 2026 Class 🏀
Brooke Wyckoff just landed one of the best recruiting classes in program history — five blue-chip prospects headlined by three national five-stars. Scoring, size, and versatility at every position.
🏐 Volleyball Battles No. 7 Louisville 🏐
FSU flashed early but couldn’t sustain it in a four-set road loss. Kyleene Filimaua notched her sixth 20-kill match, and the Noles regroup for Notre Dame on Sunday.
⚽ Soccer Opens NCAA Tournament Play Tonight ⚽
The No. 3-seeded Noles host Samford at 5 p.m. aiming to extend their absurd 24–0–1 First Round record. Jordynn Dudley and Wrianna Hudson headline one of the nation’s most explosive attacks.
🏃♂️ Cross Country Chasing NCAA Championship Bids 🏃♀️
Both squads hit Huntsville today for the NCAA South Regional. The women enter ranked No. 4, the men No. 9, with several athletes positioned to qualify individually.
🏈 Availability Report Drops Ahead of VT Matchup 🏈
FSU releases its first injury update of the week — several DBs remain out, multiple offensive weapons trend toward probable, and a clearer picture arrives tonight at 8 p.m.
🏈 Massive Recruiting Weekend on Deck 🏈
Six defensive targets — including flip candidates 4⭐ EDGE Kam Wilson and 3⭐ DB Jordan Crutchfield — headline FSU’s final official-visit weekend of the 2025 cycle. Edge and DB help is an urgent priority.
🏈 Tommy Castellanos: Senior Night… or Not? 🏈
Tonight may look like a farewell, but the NCAA is reviewing whether Castellanos is actually eligible for 2026. His future — and FSU’s — hinges on coaching stability, development, and big decisions ahead.
If you’re new here, hit subscribe — and let’s dive in.
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🏊♂️ FSU Men’s Swimming Climbs to No. 16 in Latest CSCAA Poll 🏊♂️
Florida State continued its strong fall surge, rising two spots to No. 16 nationally in the November CSCAA Division I rankings.
🔥 Momentum Building
Seminoles jumped from No. 18 to No. 16 and are one of eight ACC teams inside the Top 25.
October featured a dominant win at the All Florida Invite (14 of 16 event victories) and a 179–121 win over South Carolina at home.
FSU also battled top competition, facing No. 7 NC State, No. 20 Auburn, LSU (now No. 13), and Alabama (now No. 14).
💫 Star Power
Sophomore Michel Arkhangelsky earned ACC Swimmer of the Week for the second time this season — highlighted by big performances at both the FSU Invite and vs. South Carolina.
🗓️ What’s Next
FSU heads to the Georgia Invitational (Nov. 18–21) against a stacked field: No. 8/18 Georgia, No. 14/16 Alabama, No. 4/7 Florida, Georgia Tech, and No. 13/11 LSU.
The team wraps 2025 with that meet before returning home to host Villanova on Jan. 6.
🏀 FSU Women’s Basketball Signs Star-Studded 5-Member 2026 Class 🏀
Brooke Wyckoff announced a loaded haul for 2026 on Thursday — five elite prospects headlined by three five-stars and two nationally ranked four-stars.
🔥 Meet the New Noles
Asia Lee — Guard (KS)
4⭐, No. 75 nationally (247Sports)
All-time leading scorer at Olathe North (23.9 PPG as a junior)
Dynamic creator with elite quickness and deep shooting range
Wyckoff: “Deadly shooter, lightning quick, brings joy to the game.”
Morgan Stewart — Guard (MD)
4⭐, No. 31 on ESPNW
MVP of 2025 UA Future 60 & Steph Curry Camp Underrated Award winner
Three-level scorer and elite defender
Wyckoff: “One of the best charge-takers in the country — a perfect fit for our culture.”
Kennedy Loux — Guard (FL)
Florida’s top guard in the 2026 class
Led Providence to three Final Fours; elite floor spacer
Wyckoff: “Sharp shooter with strength, IQ, and multi-position versatility.”
Missy Odom — Forward (AL)
5⭐, No. 21 ESPNW — also a Top-10 softball recruit
Dual-sport FSU signee (basketball + softball)
Naismith Trophy Watch List & two-time state champion
Wyckoff: “Skill, length, athleticism — a fierce competitor and matchup problem.”
Chamiah Francis — Forward (FL)
5⭐, No. 25 nationally (247Sports)
Two-time Pensacola Player of the Year with 1,000+ career points
Wyckoff: “Length, strength, versatility — impacts winning everywhere.”
🧠 Why It Matters:
Wyckoff just locked in one of the most talented, balanced, and nationally respected classes in FSU history (I think it’s the best ever); pure scoring, size, defense, and multi-sport athleticism across all positions.
🏐 FSU Volleyball Falls in Four Sets at No. 7 Louisville 🏐
Florida State (13–11, 7–8 ACC) couldn’t sustain its early momentum on the road, dropping a competitive four-set match to No. 7 Louisville, 20–25, 25–19, 19–25, 19–25.
🔥 Fast Starts, Tough Finishes
The Noles opened both Sets 1 and 2 with 4–0 bursts behind two early aces from Kyleene Filimaua.
After trading points late in the first, Louisville closed on a 6–1 surge to take the opener.
FSU answered in Set 2, using a 6–1 run of its own to even the match.
Sets 3 and 4 were all Cardinals as FSU struggled to solve Louisville’s imposing block.
💪 Stat Leaders
Kyleene Filimaua: 20 kills, 11 digs — her sixth 20-kill match of the season
Iane Henke: 11 kills
Payton Whalen: 7 kills
Lily Nicholson: 21 assists, career-high 17 digs
Why It Matters:
FSU showed flashes against a top-10 opponent but couldn’t match Louisville’s physicality late. The Noles look to bounce back Sunday at Notre Dame.
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🏃♂️🏃♀️ FSU XC Heads to NCAA South Regional with Championship Bids on the Line 🏃♂️🏃♀️
Florida State cross country travels to Huntsville on Friday for the NCAA South Regional — the final hurdle before the NCAA Championships on Nov. 22 in Columbia, Missouri.
🔥 The Path to Nationals
Women’s 6K: 9:30 a.m. ET
Men’s 10K: 10:30 a.m. ET
Live on ESPN+ | Results via Delta Timing
Top 2 teams per gender automatically qualify; top 4 individuals not on qualifying squads also advance.
At-large selections will be revealed Saturday at 5 p.m.
📈 Where FSU Stands
Women: No. 4 in the South Region
Men: No. 9 in the South Region
FSU has 12 total regional titles in program history (7 women, 5 men).
🌟 Women’s Outlook
Junior Bieke Schipperen leads the group after a 15th-place, All-ACC performance.
She’s joined by returners Suus Altorf, Nicole Dinan, plus five first-time regional competitors.
Field includes No. 3 Florida and No. 15 Alabama.
🌟 Men’s Outlook
Six ranked teams await the Noles, including No. 4 Virginia and No. 5 Syracuse.
Veterans Lucas Bouquot and Kaden Levings lead a young roster with several making their NCAA debuts.
FSU finished 4th last year — just shy of qualifying.
Why It Matters:
FSU has a real shot to send individuals — and possibly full squads — to the NCAA Championships if Friday’s performances hit.
⚽ FSU Soccer Opens NCAA Tournament vs. Samford on Friday ⚽
No. 3-seed Florida State begins its NCAA Tournament run on Friday at 5 p.m. ET, hosting Samford in a First Round rematch of last year’s 8–0 opener.
🔥 Tournament Tradition
26th straight NCAA appearance
21st time hosting a First Round match
24–0–1 all-time in NCAA openers
Four national titles, 14 College Cups, 83 NCAA wins
FSU enters 2025 at 10-2-4, including 6-1-2 at home, and is ranked top-6 nationally in nearly every major offensive category.
🌟 Players to Watch
F Jordynn Dudley
29 points, 11 assists (No. 3 NCAA), 9 goals
Point in 13 straight matches to close the regular season
F Wrianna Hudson
Team-high 11 goals
No. 5 nationally in shot accuracy (.659)
GK Addie Todd
0.84 GAA, .708 save percentage
💥 The Matchup: Samford (13-2-5)
SoCon champs, unbeaten in 14 straight
First ranked opponent of the year
FSU is 5–0 all-time vs. Samford (4 shutouts)
Last year’s NCAA meeting was historic — an 8–0 FSU win, the largest postseason margin in program history.
📊 Inside the Numbers
FSU ranks:
No. 6 goals per game (2.69)
No. 7 shots on goal per game (8.38)
No. 8 assists & points per game
No. 11 goal differential (+30)
📝 Last Time Out
FSU played to a 0–0 draw vs. Virginia in the ACC First Round before falling in penalties. The Noles dominated shots (23–13) and corners (13–5).
🔮 What’s Next
Winner advances to face Mississippi State or Lipscomb in the Second Round on Nov. 20.
🏈 FSU Releases First Availability Report for Virginia Tech Matchup 🏈
Florida State issued its initial injury/availability report on Thursday evening. A second update comes Friday at 8 p.m., with the final report dropping around 5:30 p.m. Saturday — two hours before kickoff.
🔥 Out
DL Deamontae Diggs — out six straight games
LB Caleb LaVallee — only appearance vs. Stanford
LB Ethan Pritchard — out since post-Alabama incident
CB Quindarrius Jones — season-ending (Miami)
CB Ja’Bril Rawls — injured vs. Clemson
CB Ricky Knight III — suspended
S Donny Hiebert — missed last three games
❓ Questionable
RB Samuel Singleton Jr.
TE Chase Loftin — out six games
👍 Probable
RB Roydell Williams
WR Teriq Mallory
WR Lawayne McCoy
WR Jayvan Boggs — missed 3 of last 5
OL Gunnar Hansen
DL James Williams — missed Clemson game
🏈 FSU Hosting Six Priority Defensive Recruits in Final Visit Weekend 🏈
With Saturday marking Florida State’s final home game — and final official-visit weekend of the 2025 cycle — the Seminoles are bringing in six defensive targets for a high-stakes closing push against Virginia Tech.
🔥 Two Headliners to Know
These are the flips FSU must make to stabilize the 2026 class:
4⭐ EDGE Kam Wilson (Syracuse commit)
Wilson is the staff’s top defensive flip target — a long-time priority who’s visited multiple times and remained interested even during FSU’s rough patches.
9 sacks, 40+ tackles at Miami Southridge
Nebraska pushing hard, but FSU has built season-long momentum
True freshman impact potential (Desir-twin type trajectory)
This weekend must convince him that the program’s trajectory is real.
3⭐ DB Jordan Crutchfield (Kentucky commit)
After losing Jay Timmons (Ohio State) and Tedarius Hughes (Syracuse), FSU needs DB help — badly.
Versatile enough to play corner or safety
Close with 4⭐ FSU commit EJ White
Strong relationships with DB coach Patrick Surtain & S coach Evan Cooper
This is a must-have evaluation for Tony White’s defense.
🔥 All Six Official Visitors
4⭐ LB Izayia Williams (FSU commit)
One of the most chaotic recruitments in the country — six total commitments (including two to FSU).
FSU wants to stabilize his pledge and quiet other suitors.
3⭐ S Jordan Crutchfield (Kentucky commit)
Major flip target after recent DB decommits.
3⭐ EDGE Kamron Wilson (Syracuse commit)
Longtime FSU target. This weekend could clarify FSU’s actual chances.
3⭐ EDGE Jalen Anderson (JUCO)
The No. 1 JUCO EDGE in the country.
FSU battling WVU, Vandy, SMU, Illinois.
Huge position of need.
3⭐ EDGE Josh Warren Jr. (JUCO)
Florida native, offered earlier this year.
If FSU pushes, insiders believe the ’Noles lead.
3⭐ EDGE Jaemin Pinckney (South Florida commit)
Was gaining momentum with FSU, but has become less responsive recently — making this visit uncertain.
🧠 Why It Matters
Between roster needs (edge + DB) and recent recruiting losses, this weekend is crucial.
Wilson + Crutchfield = two of the biggest potential flips left on the board.
🏈 Tommy Castellanos’ Senior Night… But Is It Really His Last Year? 🏈
Saturday is Senior Night at Doak, and senior QB Tommy Castellanos is expected to walk but thanks to eligibility quirks, it’s unclear whether this is actually his final season.
🔥 The Eligibility Puzzle
Castellanos burned his redshirt in 2022 at UCF when he entered the AAC Championship the fifth game he played that year.
A year later, the NCAA changed the rule so conference title games no longer count toward eligibility.
Norvell says FSU and the NCAA are reviewing whether that game should still cost him the year.
Translation: He may be eligible to return in 2026.
But his future also ties to the biggest unknown of all:
Will Mike Norvell be here?
Will Gus Malzahn be here?
Those answers heavily influence Castellanos’ next move.
🔥 Evaluating His 2025 Season
Castellanos has been exactly what many expected — flashes of brilliance, moments of frustration.
2025 Production
60% passing, 2,128 yards, 11 TD, 6 INT
359 rushing yards, 6 rushing TD
276.3 total yards per game, 17 total TD
He’s made big-time throws, electric scrambles, and a handful of costly misses (Stanford, Clemson, Virginia).
FSU QB coach Tony Tokarz summed it up:
“He’s made some wow plays. But there are absolutely plays we have to make.”
🔥 The Reality of His Game
Castellanos is tough, competitive, and dangerous with his legs — but limited as a passer.
He ranks No. 33 out of 68 Power Four QBs per ESPN’s Bill Connelly — dead center.
Not elite. Not bad.
A good college quarterback who boosts FSU’s run game more than any other player.
🧠 The Big Question
If the NCAA grants another year…
If Norvell and Malzahn stay…
Would Castellanos return?
He’ll have suitors.
He’s shown enough this season to be a sought-after portal QB — if he chooses that path.
And that’s a wrap!
A huge weekend ahead — NCAA Tournament soccer, cross country regionals, recruiting fireworks, Senior Night at Doak, and a crucial November test for Mike Norvell’s squad. We’ll be tracking every storyline as it unfolds.
Enjoy the games, enjoy the chaos, and enjoy your Friday.
See you back here tomorrow with everything you need to know.
— Chief ✌️
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