Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

This edition is packed with exciting updates, standout performances, and pivotal developments for the Noles so let’s get to it:

🏀 Makayla Timpson Lights It Up: Timpson’s career-high 38 points powered FSU Women’s Basketball to a 101-68 victory over Samford on Seminole Heritage Night.

🥎 Softball Takes Center Stage: FSU gears up for four marquee matchups at the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational in February.

🏃‍♀️ Cross Country Hosts Regionals: The NCAA South Region Championship brings electric energy to Apalachee Regional Park as FSU vies for NCAA bids.

⚽ Soccer’s Title Defense Begins: The top-seeded Seminoles face Samford in their NCAA Tournament opener, aiming for a fifth national title.

🏖️ Beach Volleyball Signs Top Talent: A dynamic trio joins FSU Beach Volleyball, showcasing the program’s national reach and dominance.

🏐 Volleyball Faces Tough Tests: The No. 22 Seminoles hit the road for matchups against top-10 opponents Pitt and SMU.

🏈 Quarterback Recruitment Shifts: With Tramell Jones decommitting, FSU pivots to four-star prospect Carter Smith.

🏈 Rising Edge Rusher Intrigued by FSU: Tobi Haastrup, a late-blooming three-star EDGE, highlights the Seminoles’ genuine recruitment approach.

🏈 Redshirt Watch: A breakdown of key players preserving eligibility for next season.

🏈 Coaching Carousel: Top offensive line coach candidates emerge as FSU reshapes its staff.

🏀 Makayla Timpson's Record-Breaking Night Leads FSU Past Samford 🏀

The RV Florida State women's basketball team (3-1) lit up the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on Thursday night, defeating Samford 101-68 during Seminole Heritage Night.

The standout performance of the game came from senior Makayla Timpson, who delivered a career-best 38 points and 15 rebounds, marking her third double-double this season and the 34th of her career.

Her 38 points are the highest for any Power 4 player this season.

Timpson Dominates the Court
Timpson’s 38-point showing tied for the third-highest in program history, falling just two points short of Natasha Howard’s 2014 record.

Her 15 field goals also set a career high. Despite missing Ta'Niya Latson due to illness, Timpson carried the team, with support from Carla Viegas, Sydney Bowles, and O'Mariah Gordon, who all scored in double figures.

Team Highlights

• Carla Viegas: Matched her career-high with five three-pointers, contributing 17 points.

• Sydney Bowles: Added 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

• O’Mariah Gordon: Tallied 15 points and five assists in her 99th career game.

The Seminoles started strong with a 33-15 first quarter and maintained dominance throughout, going 6-of-6 on free throws in the second period and finishing with 41 rebounds and 11 three-pointers.

Next Up
Florida State looks to build on this momentum as they host North Carolina Central on Monday, Nov. 18, at 6:00 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

Read more here

🥎 FSU Softball Set for Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational 🥎

Florida State softball will return to the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational for the seventh time, competing from Feb. 13-16 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla. The Seminoles will play four games in four days against top-tier opponents.

Matchups to Watch

• Feb. 13 vs. Missouri (10 a.m.): The Tigers, a 2024 Super Regional team, will be a tough opener.

• Feb. 14 vs. Ohio State (2 p.m.): FSU holds an 11-3 advantage in the all-time series.

• Feb. 15 vs. Wichita State (7 p.m.): A primetime clash against the Shockers, runners-up in the 2024 AAC Championship.

• Feb. 16 vs. UCF (8 p.m.): In-state rivalry reignites as FSU looks to extend its 14-game win streak against the Knights.

Tickets go on sale Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. Fans won’t want to miss this exciting weekend of elite softball action.

Read more here

🏃‍♀️ FSU Cross Country Hosts NCAA South Region Championship 🏃‍♂️

The No. 24 Florida State cross country teams will take center stage at Apalachee Regional Park this Friday as they host the NCAA South Region Championship for the first time since 2019.

Race Details

• Women’s 6k: Starts at 8:30 a.m.

• Men’s 10k: Starts at 9:30 a.m.
  The top two teams will secure automatic bids to the NCAA Championships in Madison, Wisconsin, on Nov. 23. Catch the action live on ESPN+.

What to Watch

• The women’s team, led by All-ACC performers Agnes McTighe and Bieke Schipperen, aims to build on a strong season that includes two regular-season victories.

• The men’s team is led by Joe Farley and Lucas Bouquot, both of whom have shown consistency and resilience in key races.

Electric Atmosphere
FSU coaches Cody Halsey and Ian Frazier highlighted the advantage of competing at home, with local fans bringing unparalleled energy to the course.

Read more here

⚽ FSU Soccer Begins NCAA Title Defense Against Samford ⚽

The No. 1 seed Florida State women’s soccer team opens its postseason campaign Friday at 5 p.m. at home against Southern Conference champions Samford. The reigning national champions aim to extend their dominant legacy in the NCAA Tournament.

Storied History
FSU has made 25 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and boasts four national championships since 2014. The Seminoles are riding an eight-game unbeaten streak, averaging nearly three goals per game.

Stars to Watch

• Taylor Huff: The ACC Tournament MVP leads FSU with 12 goals and nine assists, becoming the fastest player in five years to surpass 20 points.

• Jordynn Dudley: The sophomore sensation has 21 points and starred for Team USA in the U-20 World Cup.

• Defensive Strength: Nine shutouts and standout performances from defenders like Mimi Van Zanten and Heather Gilchrist anchor the team.

Freshmen Impact
FSU’s freshman class has delivered a combined 67 points, marking the most rookie contributions in five seasons. Taylor Suarez and Ashlyn Puerta played pivotal roles in securing FSU’s ACC Championship.

Read more here

🏖️ FSU Beach Volleyball Adds Versatile Trio to 2025 Class 🏖️

Florida State beach volleyball welcomed three talented athletes in the class of 2025: Lennox Langham, Zoe Balvia, and Elena Lam, each bringing unique strengths to the sand.

Diverse Talent Pool

• Lennox Langham: A scrappy and athletic defender from Knoxville, Tennessee, Langham’s agility and competitive fire have earned her accolades, including Knox News' 2023 Volleyball Player of the Year.

• Zoe Balvia: Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Balvia transitioned from indoor volleyball to become a dynamic blocker, winning bronze at the P1440 Future Tours Stop in 2024.

• Elena Lam: A Florida native, Lam shines as a three-sport athlete, combining power and precision in both indoor and beach volleyball.

Read more here

🏐 FSU Volleyball Prepares for Tough Road Tests Against Top Teams 🏐

The No. 22 Florida State volleyball team (18-6, 10-4) faces a daunting weekend with back-to-back matches against elite opponents. The Seminoles travel to face No. 1 Pitt on Friday evening and No. 10 SMU on Sunday, seeking their first-ever win against a top-ranked team and a rare road victory over a top-10 program.

Historic Achievements in Sight
A win over Pitt or SMU would mark FSU’s third-ever road win against a top-10 opponent and their fourth ranked win this season, a feat last achieved in 2014.

Key Players to Watch

• Audrey Koenig continues her standout season, leading the team with 322 kills and 41 aces. She recently recorded eight aces against Wake Forest, the second-most in program history for a three-set match.

• Khori Louis reached the 1,000-kill milestone and leads the ACC with a .413 hitting percentage.

• Taylor Head, a transfer from Arkansas, has added six double-doubles in her last 10 matches and leads the team with 259 digs.

Upcoming Challenges
The Seminoles’ offense, ranked 20th nationally in hitting percentage, will be tested against two of the best teams in the country. With four of their last six matches against top-15 opponents, FSU has a chance to solidify their postseason résumé.

Both matches will air live on ACCNX.

Read more here

🏈 FSU Navigates Quarterback Recruitment Shifts Amid Signing Period Approach 🏈

As the early signing period nears, Florida State’s quarterback recruiting picture has dramatically shifted, marked by Tramell Jones Jr.’s decommitment and the Seminoles’ pursuit of highly ranked alternatives. Let’s break down the developments:

Jones Reopens Recruitment

Four-star QB Tramell Jones Jr., committed to FSU since April 2023, announced his decommitment this week. Despite missing much of his senior season due to injury, Jones remains a sought-after prospect, with Florida emerging as the frontrunner for his talents. Ranked as the nation’s No. 21 quarterback and No. 247 overall player, Jones has garnered attention for his polished mechanics and strong performance at national showcases.

Carter Smith: The New Target

FSU quickly pivoted to four-star QB Carter Smith, a Fort Myers native and recent Michigan decommit. Smith, ranked No. 15 among quarterbacks and No. 196 overall, has expressed strong interest in the Seminoles and is trending toward an official visit for the FSU-Florida game on November 30. Known for his dual-threat ability and production—nearly 9,000 passing yards, 2,500 rushing yards, and 140 touchdowns—Smith represents a dynamic addition to FSU’s recruitment efforts.

Why Smith Fits FSU

On3 analysts emphasize Smith’s preference to stay close to home and his comfort level with Mike Norvell’s vision for the program. This alignment, coupled with FSU’s need for a high-ceiling quarterback following Jones’ departure, makes Smith a prime candidate. His trajectory points to FSU as the likely destination, barring surprises during his upcoming visits.

Looking Ahead

With Signing Day on December 4, the Seminoles remain in a solid position to address their quarterback needs. As the recruitment landscape shifts, FSU’s proactive approach underscores their commitment to securing top-tier talent and maintaining momentum despite recent challenges.

Read more here and here and here

🏈 FSU Stands Out for Rising Edge Rusher Tobi Haastrup 🏈

Three-star edge rusher Tobi Haastrup has skyrocketed in the 2025 recruiting cycle after playing just one senior-year game at Katy (Texas) Mayde Creek. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound standout, ranked as the nation’s No. 33 EDGE by 247Sports, recently visited Florida State and came away impressed.

“Florida State showed me what genuine people look like,” Haastrup said, highlighting the program's transparency and its vision for his role. His family also appreciated the Seminoles' authentic approach.

With visits to USC, Michigan, and Oregon still on the schedule, Haastrup plans to announce his decision on Dec. 2, just before Signing Day. FSU’s emphasis on his potential to make an immediate impact could make Tallahassee a strong fit for this late-rising star.

Read more here

🏈 FSU’s Redshirt Tracker: Players Preserving Eligibility in 2024 🏈

With two games left in the season, several Florida State players are utilizing the redshirt rule, preserving a year of eligibility by appearing in four games or fewer. Here’s a snapshot of those players:

Key Contributors Nearing Redshirt Limits:

• QB Luke Kromenhoek: Played in the last four games.

• WR BJ Gibson & WR Elijah Moore: Both have made four appearances this season.

Out Due to Injury:

• RB Jaylin Lucas: Played in two games before being ruled out for the season.

• WR Destyn Hill & WR Camdon Frier: Haven’t seen the field due to injuries.

• OL Richie Leonard IV: Played in four games before a season-ending injury.

Freshmen Yet to Debut:

• Offensive linemen Manasse Itete, Jonathan Daniels, Tye Hylton, Jayden Todd, and defensive players DD Holmes, D’Nas White, Jamorie Flagg, Timir Hickman-Collins, Jayden Parrish, and Ricky Knight III.

Others to Watch:

• CB Charles Lester III & CB Cai Bates: Played sparingly, appearing in two games each.

• RB Micahi Danzy: Played in two games, including against Clemson.

Read more here

🏈 FSU’s Coaching Carousel: Top OL Coach Candidates to Fill Offensive Void 🏈

With the departure of three assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator and OL coach Alex Atkins, Mike Norvell is reshaping his staff. While the next offensive coordinator doesn’t necessarily need to double as the offensive line coach, several intriguing candidates for the OL role have emerged:

1. Geep Wade, Georgia Tech
Known for instilling a physical run game, Wade has built a reputation as a strong recruiter, currently ranked 22nd nationally in coach recruit rankings. His approach aligns with Norvell’s focus on physicality in the trenches.

2. Bob Bostad, Indiana
A veteran coach with stints in the NFL and at Wisconsin, Bostad has developed elite talent, including multiple all-conference linemen. His units are consistently highly ranked in run and pass blocking, but his $700,000 salary might be a hurdle.

3. Matt Moore, West Virginia
A 2023 Broyles Award nominee, Moore has a proven track record of developing NFL-ready talent. With WVU ranking in the Top 10 for run blocking and 23rd for pass blocking this year, Moore could bring immediate improvement to FSU’s line.

4. Mike Bloomgren, Former Rice HC
An FSU alum with Tallahassee roots, Bloomgren was a standout OL coach at Stanford, producing seven NFL draft picks. He could bring elite coaching pedigree and a deep connection to the university.

5. Daryl Agpalsa, Kansas
Agpalsa leads one of the nation’s top run-blocking units, boasting the No. 3 Run Block Grade in college football. His track record of developing NFL linemen makes him a strong contender, though prying him away from Lance Leipold might be challenging.

6. Conor Riley, Kansas State
Riley has built a reputation for developing under-the-radar talent into NFL draft picks, such as Joe Haeg and Cooper Beebe. His ability to elevate players aligns with FSU’s goals for maximizing roster potential.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

From record-breaking performances to crucial recruitment shifts, this week showcased the resilience and ambition of Florida State athletics.

Whether it’s Timpson dominating the court, soccer kicking off its title defense, or volleyball rising to new challenges, the Seminole spirit remains as vibrant as ever.

tay tuned, because the best is yet to come. Go ‘Noles! 🦅