Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF Seminole!

We’ve got a huge recruiting flip, a ton of games on the docket, and some coordinator intel:

🎾 Seminoles Shine at NCAA Championships 🎾
Corey Craig, Youcef Rihane, and Alex Bulte bring historic All-American honors to FSU. Craig powers through singles while Rihane and Bulte clinch doubles victories to advance to the quarterfinals.

⚽ FSU Soccer’s Road to Redemption ⚽
The reigning national champions prepare to face Vanderbilt in the NCAA Second Round, led by standout performances from Taylor Huff and Jordynn Dudley.

🏐 FSU Volleyball’s Home Finale 🏐
The Seminoles host No. 15 Georgia Tech and Clemson this weekend. Sunday’s Senior Day honors six athletes, as FSU eyes a fourth ranked win of the season.

🏀 Rivalry on the Court: FSU vs. Florida 🏀
Women’s basketball squares off against the Gators in a marquee matchup. With Ta’Niya Latson and Makayla Timpson leading the nation in scoring and rebounding, the Noles look to dominate.

🏊‍♂️ Swimming and Diving Head to Georgia Tech Invitational 🏊‍♀️
FSU faces top-25 competition in Atlanta, with standout performances expected from Logan Robinson, Samantha Vear, and Mathias Christensen.

🏈 Kevin Sperry Flips to FSU 🏈
The Seminoles secure a major commitment for their 2025 class as four-star quarterback Kevin Sperry flips from Oklahoma, adding excitement to FSU’s recruiting efforts.

🏈 Carter Smith Now Trending Away from FSU 🏈
In a setback for 2025 recruiting, four-star QB Carter Smith appears likely to commit to Wisconsin, signaling another challenge for the Seminoles.

🏈 Zahir Mathis Extends Recruitment Timeline 🏈
Top uncommitted edge rusher Zahir Mathis postpones his signing decision to February, keeping Florida State in the mix alongside several national programs.

🏈 Brennan Marion Leads OC Search; Brad White Joins DC Hot Board 🏈
UNLV’s Brennan Marion emerges as the favorite for FSU’s offensive coordinator role, while Kentucky’s Brad White is added to the defensive coordinator shortlist.

🎾 Rihane, Bulte, and Craig Shine in Historic NCAA Championship Run 🎾

Florida State men’s tennis continues to make waves on the national stage as Youcef Rihane and Alex Bulte secure All-American honors alongside Corey Craig’s heroic victory over a top-15 opponent. The Seminoles now boast five All-Americans in one calendar year—nearly half of the program’s historical total.

Corey Craig’s Grit:

• Craig took down No. 11 Paul Inchauspe in a grueling three-set match, rallying from a tiebreak loss in the first set to dominate the next two (6-2, 6-0).

• With his sixth consecutive three-set victory, Craig advances to the singles quarterfinals, marking his highest-ranked win yet.

Rihane & Bulte’s Breakthrough:

• After dropping an early lead in their doubles match, Rihane and Bulte roared back with an incredible four-game streak to clinch the second set and secure their quarterfinal spot.

• They become FSU’s 11th and 12th All-Americans in program history.

What’s Next:

• Craig will face No. 26 Dhakshineswar Suresh of Wake Forest in singles.

• Rihane and Bulte will meet Wake Forest’s No. 72 duo, Tacchi and Pow, in the doubles quarterfinals.

Read more here.

⚽ FSU Soccer Preps for NCAA Second Round Clash Against Vanderbilt ⚽

The reigning national champions, No. 1 seeded Florida State, are set to face No. 8 seed Vanderbilt in the NCAA Tournament Second Round this Friday at 5:30 p.m. The Seminoles are poised to extend their dominance with another deep postseason run.

Tournament Details:

• Doubleheader: Penn State and TCU kick off at 2 p.m., with FSU and Vanderbilt following at 5:30 p.m.

• Next Round: Winners from Friday will face off Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

A Legacy of Excellence:

• Four national titles, five championship appearances, and seven College Cup berths since 2014.

• 20th consecutive second-round appearance, with victories in 21 of 23 attempts.

Key Players to Watch:

• Taylor Huff: Leads FSU with 12 goals, 10 assists, and 34 points. Recently named ACC Tournament MVP and All-ACC First Team honoree.

• Jordynn Dudley: Sophomore standout with 27 points, including eight goals and 11 assists. Reigning national freshman of the year and ACC All-Tournament Team selection.

• Defensive Powerhouses: Addie Todd and Heather Gilchrist anchor a defense boasting 10 shutouts.

Freshman Firepower:

• Contributed 77 points, 26 goals, and 25 assists this season—the highest in five years across all metrics.

• Freshmen accounted for all three goals in FSU’s ACC Tournament Championship win.

Match History:

• FSU and Vanderbilt last met in 2018, with the Seminoles claiming a 1-0 victory en route to their second national title.

How to Watch:

• Gates open at 1 p.m., with free admission for the first 100 students with a student ID.

• Stream live on ESPN+ at 5:30 p.m.

FSU’s journey to defend its title continues this weekend, as the Seminoles look to showcase their championship pedigree in front of a home crowd.

Read more here.

⚡ FSU Volleyball Hosts Ranked Georgia Tech and Senior Day Showdown ⚡

Florida State volleyball (18-8, 10-6) is gearing up for an electrifying weekend at Tully Gym, hosting No. 15 Georgia Tech on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Clemson on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. With Senior Day celebrations and a chance to secure their fourth ranked win of the season, the stakes are high for the Seminoles.

🏐 Weekend Highlights:

• Chasing History: A win over Georgia Tech would mark the most ranked victories in a season for FSU since 2014.

• Senior Day Spotlight: Six seniors, including standouts Emery Dupes and Khori Louis, will be honored for their contributions to the program.

🔥 Key Players to Watch:

• Audrey Koenig: Reigning ACC Co-Player of the Year, leading the team with 343 kills and 43 aces. Her recent eight-ace performance against Wake Forest was the second-best in FSU history.

• Khori Louis: Tallahassee native and middle blocker, recently reaching 1,000 career kills while boasting a .398 hitting percentage, ranking second in the ACC.

• Taylor Head: A dynamic transfer from Arkansas with 245 kills and 268 digs, bringing veteran leadership to the squad.

💪 Offensive Powerhouse:

FSU’s offense ranks 21st nationally in hitting percentage (.272) with three players exceeding 200 kills this season. Koenig, Louis, and Head lead a well-rounded attack that thrives under pressure.

📊 Climbing the Rankings:

The Seminoles have been ranked in the AVCA Coaches Poll for 15 consecutive weeks, their longest streak since 2017. Currently sitting at No. 23, FSU looks to make a statement as postseason play approaches.

📺 How to Watch:

Catch the action live on ACCNX as the Seminoles look to finish their home schedule strong and build momentum heading into the ACC Tournament.

Read more here

🏀 FSU Women’s Basketball Set for Rivalry Clash Against Florida 🏀

The Florida State women’s basketball team (4-1) wraps up its home stand with a marquee matchup against in-state rival Florida (3-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Donald L. Tucker Center. Fans are encouraged to wear white, with white pom-poms distributed while supplies last, as the Seminoles look to extend their dominance in the rivalry.

🌟 What’s at Stake:

• National Spotlight: The Seminoles lead the nation in scoring (101.2 PPG), with star Ta’Niya Latson topping the charts at 27.3 points per game and Makayla Timpson reigning in rebounds with 13.8 RPG.

• Rivalry Edge: FSU has won 10 of the last 12 meetings against the Gators, narrowing the all-time series gap to 40-45.

💬 From Coach Brooke Wyckoff:

“This game brings a lot of excitement. It’s not just a rivalry but a test at the Power 4 level with postseason implications. It’s another opportunity to measure ourselves against top competition.”

🔥 Last Time Out:

• Record-Setting Night: FSU tied its program scoring record with a 119-57 victory over NC Central.

• Latson’s Dominance: Scored 34 points and notched her first career double-double with 10 assists.

• Supporting Stars: Carla Viegas hit a career-high six three-pointers (18 points), and O’Mariah Gordon added 21 points, shooting perfectly from beyond the arc and the free-throw line.

📺 How to Watch:

• TV: ACC Network

• Radio: 96.5 The Spear, Seminoles.com, Sirius XM channel 210 or 193

Read more here

🏊‍♂️ FSU Swimming and Diving Set for Georgia Tech Invitational 🏊‍♀️

The No. 24/RV Florida State swimming and diving team heads to Atlanta for the Georgia Tech Invitational, facing off against a stacked field of top-25 opponents from November 22-24 at Georgia Tech's McAuley Aquatic Center.

🌊 What to Expect:

• Elite Competition: The Seminoles will battle No. 19 Georgia Tech, No. 11/17 Michigan, and No. 15/18 Auburn across three days of action.

• Schedule:

  • Prelims: 10 a.m. ET

  • Finals: 5 p.m. ET

  • Live Coverage: Watch on ACCNX or follow updates on Meet Mobile and FSU’s social channels.

💬 From Head Coach Neal Studd:
"Our athletes are ready to go. I’m excited to see them push for postseason cuts this weekend!"

🔥 Recent Highlights:

• Logan Robinson: The freshman broke into FSU’s record books with the third-fastest 200 butterfly in program history and added a runner-up finish.

• Mathias Christensen: Posted a top-10 school time in the 200 breaststroke, finishing third.

• Team Wins: Graduate Samantha Vear and junior Tommaso Baravelli also claimed victories in their events at Alabama and LSU.

🌟 Season Snapshot:

• Rankings:

  • Men: No. 24 in the CSCAA Coaches Poll, maintaining a top-25 presence all season.

  • Women: Receiving votes, just outside the top 25.

• Records: Women are 3-3, while the men are seeking their first win at 0-4.

Read more here

🏈 FSU Secures Flip from Four-Star QB Kevin Sperry 🏈

Florida State has landed a major commitment for its 2025 class, flipping four-star quarterback Kevin Sperry from Oklahoma. The Denton (Tex.) Guyer standout becomes a key piece in the Seminoles’ recruiting efforts.

🚨 Quick Hits:

• Big Get: Sperry, ranked No. 263 overall and the No. 24 quarterback nationally by 247Sports Composite Rankings, had been committed to Oklahoma for over a year before making the switch.

• Tallahassee Familiarity: Although his name hadn’t surfaced in FSU discussions recently, Sperry has visited campus three times, all in 2022.

📊 Sperry’s Stats:

• 2024 Senior Season:

  • Passing: 131 completions on 234 attempts for 2,026 yards, 21 TDs, and 7 INTs.

  • Rushing: 642 yards and 2 TDs.

  • Latest Win: Led Guyer to a 52-30 victory in the first round of the UIL Texas Football State Championships.

• 2023 Junior Season:

  • Passing: 131 completions on 191 attempts for 31 TDs and 4 INTs.

  • Rushing: 563 yards and 11 TDs.

Read more here

🏈 Recruiting Shake-Up: Carter Smith Now Trending Away from FSU 🏈

Florida State’s 2025 recruiting efforts have hit another snag as four-star quarterback Carter Smith, once heavily linked to the Seminoles, is now trending toward Wisconsin.

🚨 Key Developments:

• Recent Visits: Smith recently visited Wisconsin and appears to have been swayed by the Badgers’ program, despite FSU being the presumed favorite just last week.

• Recruiting Momentum Shift: On3 national analyst Steve Wiltfong, who initially predicted Smith to FSU, has now changed his projection to Wisconsin.

• Concerns Over Class Stability: Sources indicate Smith has reservations about FSU’s 2025 recruiting class, which has faced multiple decommitments and uncertainty.

📅 Timeline:

• Smith was expected to visit Tallahassee for one of FSU’s final home games and potentially commit before the early signing period on Dec. 4.

• With National Signing Day just weeks away, FSU faces mounting challenges to stabilize its recruiting efforts.

Read more here

🏈 Zahir Mathis Keeps Options Open as Recruitment Reignites 🏈

Philadelphia Imhotep standout Zahir Mathis, one of the top uncommitted edge rushers in the 2025 class, is taking a deliberate approach to his recruitment after decommitting from Ohio State earlier this week.

🔑 Key Updates:

• No Early Signing: Mathis has decided to forgo the early signing period (Dec. 4-6), opting to explore his options through official visits in December and January.

• Programs in the Mix: Schools vying for Mathis include Michigan, Florida State, Miami, USC, Penn State, and Oregon, with others likely to enter the race as the transfer portal activity ramps up.

• Recruitment Reset: Mathis, who initially committed to Ohio State in January, has already visited Penn State and Ohio State officially but plans to expand his horizons with visits to new schools.

🚨 What’s Next?

• Extended Timeline: Mathis’s decision to sign on Feb. 5 gives him time to evaluate his options without affecting his timeline for college enrollment, as Imhotep doesn’t permit early graduation.

• Campus Visits: While plans are still forming, Mathis’s openness to multiple programs indicates the recruitment battle will heat up, particularly with schools like Texas, South Carolina, and Tennessee expressing interest.

Read more here

🏈 Norvell’s Coordinator Search: Brennan Marion Leads, Brad White Emerges 🏈

Florida State’s hunt for new offensive and defensive coordinators continues, with UNLV’s Brennan Marion emerging as the front-runner for the offensive coordinator role. Meanwhile, Brad White of Kentucky has surfaced as a potential addition to the defensive coordinator shortlist.

🔑 Offensive Coordinator Search:

• Brennan Marion in the Lead:
  Marion, currently UNLV’s offensive coordinator, has a strong connection to Mike Norvell, having worked with him at Arizona State and played under him at Tulsa. Marion’s innovative offensive strategies and familiarity with Norvell’s system make him a natural fit.

• Potential Hurdles:
  Marion is being considered for head coaching roles at schools like Temple, UMass, and FAU, which may delay FSU’s ability to secure him.

• Fading Contenders:

  • Ben Arbuckle (Washington State OC)

  • Joe Craddock (Tulane OC)

• Surprise Candidate:

  • Gus Malzahn: The UCF head coach has unexpectedly risen from a long shot to a legitimate candidate, though his candidacy is speculative at this stage.

🔑 Defensive Coordinator Update:

• Brad White Enters the Conversation:
  White, Kentucky’s defensive coordinator, has a strong resume that includes success in the SEC and NFL coaching experience with the Indianapolis Colts (2012-17). His potential interest in leading a defense independently could make FSU an attractive opportunity.

• Status of the Search:
  While the pool of candidates for defensive coordinator remains broad, White’s emergence adds a high-profile name to the mix.

🚨 What’s Next?

• Marion’s Decision Timeline: FSU may need to wait for Marion to conclude head coaching interviews before making progress on his potential hire.

• Defensive Coordinator Focus: Expect more clarity on defensive coordinator options as Norvell continues to vet and interview candidates.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

From historic All-American honors to thrilling recruiting flips, this week showcased Florida State’s resilience and drive for excellence.

As soccer continues its title defense, volleyball gears up for an electrifying Senior Day, and basketball battles their rivals, the Seminoles are making waves across the board.

Go Noles!