🏹 November 26th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Rivalry Week, Rising Stars & a Program at a Turning Point

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The Chief
November 26, 2025

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy hump day, Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve got before Turkey day:

🏀 Noles Turn Tucker into a Trap 🏀
FSU hoops stayed perfect at home with an 89–59 beatdown of CSU Bakersfield — four in double figures, 40 points off turnovers, and a second-half three-point avalanche that sets the tone for Friday’s Texas A&M test.

🏐 Bubble Week, Big Swings & Henke’s Pro Jump 🏐
Volleyball enters a make-or-break RPI week at No. 8 SMU and vs. Clemson while Iane Henke finishes one of the best seasons in program history — and punches her ticket to the pro ranks with the Orlando Valkyries.

🎓 Brains, Blocks & Boards: Olympic Noles Flex 🎓
Six soccer standouts max out FSU’s Academic All-District slots, Kayleigh Clark grabs her third ACC Diver of the Week, and multiple programs quietly stack national-level credentials while football steals the headlines.

⭐ 2026 Class: Rankings Rise & Early Birds Flock In ⭐
Izayia Williams surges into Top-50 territory, Amari Thomas and Earnest Rankins climb, and an eye-popping 23 of 28 commits plan to enroll in January — giving FSU a spring practice roster that looks more like a two-deep than a freshman class.

🏗️ Keeping Norvell: Vision, Risk & a $60M Question 🏗️
From George Henshaw’s “head coach isn’t the core problem” stance to CBS’ skepticism, we break down why FSU chose structural overhaul over a mega buyout, and what it really means for staff changes, QB hunting, and the next 12 months.

🐊 Swamp Math: Flawed Gators, No Margin for Error 🐊
Florida brings a turnover-prone QB, a workhorse back chasing 1,000 yards, and a defense that’s just good enough to ruin your season — we lay out exactly how FSU can bottle up Baugh, rattle Lagway, and turn a rivalry knife fight into bowl eligibility.

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🏀 Seminoles Smash CSU Bakersfield, Stay Perfect at Home 🏀

FSU rolled to an 89–59 blowout, moving to 5–1 and extending its home winning streak to five straight.

🔥 Balanced Scoring Blitz

  • Chauncey Wiggins led all scorers with 17 points, tying his season high in made threes (3).

  • Martin Somerville & Robert McCray V chipped in 14 points each, giving FSU four double-digit scorers.

  • Senior Alex Steen delivered his first career double-double: 13 points, 10 rebounds.

💣 Second-Half Explosion

  • All 8 made threes came after halftime.

  • A 22–4 run ballooned the lead to 69–40.

  • Somerville scored 14 of the 22, including three straight threes.

🛡️ Defense = Domination

  • FSU forced 28 turnovers — a season high.

  • Scored 40 points off turnovers, breaking the previous mark of 33.

  • Kobe MaGee set a career-high 5 steals, the most by any player in the game.

🧠 Milestones & Firsts

  • Freshman Cam Miles posted a career-best 7 assists.

  • Steen crossed 200 career blocks.

  • Wiggins led FSU in scoring for the second time this season.

📍 Up Next

Texas A&M
Friday • 5 PM ET
Tampa — Benchmark International Arena
Broadcast: ESPN2

🧠 Why It Matters

FSU displayed a lot in this game. They overwhelmed, defended, and showcased depth. Momentum is peaking right on schedule for Friday’s biggest test yet.

🎓 Six Noles Earn Academic All-District Honors 🎓

Florida State maxed out the national ballot, landing all six allowed spots on the Academic All-District Team — the highest possible total for any school.

🌟 The Honorees

  • Heather Gilchrist (Sr.) — Second career selection; 4 goals, 3 game-winners; 1,555 minutes; Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List.

  • Sophia Nguyen (Sr.) — 18 games, 17 starts; All-ACC Academic veteran.

  • Yuna McCormack (Jr.) — 5 goals, 3 assists; 13 points; All-Freshman ACC alum.

  • Peyton McGovern (So.) — 19 games, 15 starts; first major career accolade.

  • Janet Okeke (So.) — ACC Defender of the Week; 1,552 minutes; first season at FSU.

  • Solai Washington (So.) — 2 goals (both game-winners), 2 assists; All-Freshman honoree in 2024.

🧠 What the Award Means

Recognizes top student-athletes on the field AND in the classroom — and all six are now eligible for Academic All-America.

⚽ Fueling a Deep Tournament Run

This academic powerhouse group has helped drive FSU to the NCAA Quarterfinals, hosting Ohio State Friday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. ET.

🧠 Why It Matters

This team is elite at winning and at developing complete student-athletes, setting the standard nationally on and off the pitch.

🤿 Kayleigh Clark Earns Third ACC Diver of the Week 🤿

Redshirt senior Kayleigh Clark just cemented herself in FSU history, becoming the first Seminole woman since 2013-14 to earn three ACC Diver of the Week honors in a single season.

🔥 Dominant at the Georgia Invitational

Against five top-20 programs, Clark delivered:

  • 1st on Platform — 314.70

  • 3rd on 3-Meter — 309.00

  • 4th on 1-Meter — 274.45

All three finishes came vs. #18 Georgia, #16 Alabama, #7 Florida, #11 LSU, and Georgia Tech.

📈 A Season of Consistency

  • Honors on Oct. 21, Nov. 4, and now Nov. 18–21

  • First FSU women’s diver with 3 weekly ACC awards in one season since Kelsey Goodman (2013–14)

  • Contributes to FSU’s sixth ACC weekly honor of the fall — the most since 2022

🗓️ What’s Next

FSU hosts Villanova on Jan. 6 at Morcom Aquatics Center to kick off the spring campaign.

🧠 Why It Matters

Clark is winning and she’s elevating the entire program’s national profile heading into 2025.

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🏐 FSU Volleyball Enters Final Week Fighting for NCAA Bid 🏐

The Noles close the regular season with two massive matches — and a postseason berth on the line.

🔥 The Stakes

  • FSU RPI: 57th

  • Chasing their 16th NCAA Tournament in 17 years

  • Two-match week could make — or break — the résumé

🆚 The Schedule

Wednesday @ No. 8 SMU (23–5)

  • Huge RPI opportunity

  • SMU beat FSU on Oct. 10

  • FSU was without Iane Henke in that match

Friday vs. Clemson (16–14)

  • FSU has won 20 straight vs. Clemson

  • Last meeting: FSU 3–1, Henke 20 kills

Both at 2 p.m. on ACCNX

🎓 Senior Day Friday

FSU will honor:

  • Iane Henke

  • Nellie Stevenson

  • Mio Yamamoto

All three have been major contributors this season.

🌟 Henke’s Historic Season

  • 4.43 kills/set (4th ACC)

  • 5.10 points/set (15th nationally)

  • 21 straight double-digit kill matches

  • First in program history with 20+ kills in 4 straight matches

  • 7 service aces vs UIC — tied 4th-most in FSU history

  • Drafted 24th overall by the Orlando Valkyries (MLV)

FSU is 13–7 with Henke, 1–4 without her.

🧠 Why It Matters

Beat SMU or handle business vs. Clemson and the Noles stay firmly in the NCAA conversation.

⭐ New Rivals300 Update: Major Moves for FSU Targets ⭐

The latest 2026 Rivals/On3 Top 300 rankings dropped — and several key Florida State targets saw big shifts.

✅ Ranking We Love: 4⭐ LB Izayia Williams (FSU Commit)

  • Climbed from No. 81 → No. 44 nationally

  • Despite missing most of the season with injury, still viewed as a high-impact college talent

  • Reaffirmed he’s locked in with FSU and plans to sign in December

✅ More Risers

4⭐ RB Amari Thomas

  • Recently flipped back to FSU

  • Ranked No. 177

  • Only Rivals lists him as a Top-200 prospect

4⭐ DL Earnest Rankins

  • Jumped No. 160 → No. 125

  • Trending toward Top-100 territory

❌ Ranking We Hate: 4⭐ WR/Ath EJ White

  • Listed at No. 267

  • Massive production at Vero Beach:

    • 23 passing TDs

    • 700+ rushing yards

    • 16 rushing TDs

  • Explosive after the catch; versatility should translate at the college level

  • FSU still in a strong spot with Norvell returning

🤔 Ranking We’re Unsure About: 4⭐ DB Chauncey Kennon (FSU Commit)

  • Still a Top-100 recruit

  • Versatile at corner/nickel

  • Projects well, but hasn’t shown enough to rise higher yet

  • Evaluation in all-star settings could clarify ceiling

👀 Names to Watch

4⭐ DB Darryll Bell (FSU Commit)

  • Viewed as undervalued nationally

  • Strong upside at both safety and corner

3⭐ OL Jakobe Green (FSU Commit)

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🚀 Early Enrollees Dominate FSU’s 2026 Class 🚀

The newest recruiting trend is now the norm in Tallahassee and Florida State is leaning all the way in.

🔥 The New Reality: Skip High School, Start College Early

More prospects nationwide are forgoing the end of their senior year to enroll in January, chasing:

  • College strength & conditioning

  • Early playbook installs

  • Winter workouts & spring ball reps

  • Faster path to the field

FSU is no exception — in fact, it's leading the charge.

✅ Early Enrollees (January) — 23 Players

Offense

  • QB: Jaden O’Neal (3⭐)

  • RB: Amari Thomas (3⭐)

  • WR: Jasen Lopez (4⭐), Devin Carter (4⭐), Efrem White (4⭐), Darryon Williams (3⭐)

  • TE: Corbyn Fordham (3⭐)

  • OL: Jakobe Green (3⭐), Luke Francis (3⭐), Michael Ionata (3⭐)

Defense

  • DL: Earnest Rankins (4⭐), Franklin Whitley (4⭐), Wihtlley Cadeau (3⭐)

  • Edge: Chris Carbin (3⭐), Jalen Anderson (3⭐), Damaad Lewis (3⭐)

  • LB: Izayia Williams (4⭐), Daylen Green (3⭐), Karon Maycock (3⭐), Noah LaVallee (3⭐)

  • DB: Chauncey Kennon (4⭐), Darryl Bell III (3⭐), Jordan Crutchfield (3⭐)

☀️ Summer Arrivals — 5 Players

  • WR: Brandon Bennett (3⭐), Jonah Winston (3⭐)

  • TE: Xavier Tiller (4⭐)

  • DL: Judah Daniels (3⭐)

  • DB: Sean Johnson (3⭐)

📊 The Split

  • Early: 23/28 (82.1%)

  • Summer: 5/28 (17.9%)

Trend vs prior classes:

  • 2025: 72.2%

  • 2024: 56.5%

  • 2023: 47.4%

This is FSU’s most aggressive early-enrollee class yet.

🧠 Why It Matters

FSU’s 2026 class will hit campus nearly half a year ahead of most freshmen nationwide — giving the program a massive developmental and depth jump before fall camp.

🏈 Henshaw Weighs In: Stability, Pressure & A Must-Win vs Florida 🏈

Two major voices; former FSU/NFL coach George Henshaw and CBS insiders paint a clear picture: Norvell is staying, the stakes are massive, and the Gators game now defines the moment.

🔒 Norvell Staying Brings Short-Term Stability

  • Henshaw says confirming Norvell’s return is a big positive for players and coaches — removing uncertainty and giving FSU its best chance to beat Florida and reach a bowl.

  • CBS reports FSU wanted to avoid entering the coaching market and a potential $100M+ total cost tied to firing Norvell and replacing staff.

🧨 But Make No Mistake: Big Changes Are Coming

  • Henshaw believes the head coach isn’t the core problem, but staff and structural issues must be addressed — even if it means letting go of long-time allies.

  • CBS insiders say personnel and staff shakeups are “very much in play,” even after coordinator changes last offseason.

🧠 Henshaw’s Warning: Loyalty Can Sink a Program

  • He cites Bobby Bowden’s later years — loyalty to underperforming assistants ultimately hurt the program.

  • His message for Norvell: If they’re not helping you win, they’ve gotta go.

🏟️ The Gators Game: Pride, Bowl Eligibility & Momentum

  • Henshaw calls Florida the most important game of the season — and a physical battle FSU must be mentally tough enough to win.

  • He says both teams are front-runners — whoever starts fast can run away with it.

🏆 The No. 1 Fix? Quarterback.

  • Henshaw says without a big-time QB, nothing else matters: “If you don’t have one, you're wasting time.”

  • He notes FSU hasn’t had a consistent star since Jameis Winston, outside of Jordan Travis.

💸 The Real Reason Behind the Decision

  • CBS reports firing Norvell now would’ve been financially crippling — and FSU would be competing with LSU and Florida for top coaching candidates.

  • The administration moved early to avoid a scenario where a loss to Florida gives boosters more leverage to push him out.

😬 Low Confidence Internally

  • CBS insiders say there’s skepticism that available changes will produce a major turnaround next year.

  • Norvell has pledged fundamental changes, but belief in a dramatic bounce-back is limited.

🧠 Why It Matters

FSU bought time — not certainty — and Saturday vs Florida could determine whether this stability becomes a reset… or just a pause before a bigger reckoning.

👉 Full insights available from both Warchant and CBS reports.

🏈 Scouting the Gators: What FSU Faces in Gainesville 🏈


Florida State heads to Gainesville needing win No. 6 against a flawed but dangerous Florida team with a punchy run game, mistake-prone QB, and quietly solid specialists.

📍 Game Details & Series Context

  • FSU at Florida
    Steve Spurrier–Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)
    Saturday, Nov. 29 • 4:30 p.m. ET • ESPN2

  • Records:
    Florida: 3–8 (2–6 SEC), 3–2 at home, losers of four straight.
    FSU: Playing for bowl eligibility and a rivalry reset.

  • Coaches:
    UF: Interim HC Billy Gonzales (0–4 since replacing Billy Napier).
    FSU: Mike Norvell, 2–2 vs UF at FSU, including a road win in 2023.

  • Series:
    69th meeting overall, 37th in Gainesville.
    Florida leads 38–28–2 overall and 22–13–1 in Gainesville.
    Gators have won 4 of last 6, but FSU has won 5 of last 7 in Gainesville.

📉 Florida’s Offense: Inefficient & Turnover-Prone

  • Scoring: 19.9 PPG (118th nationally).

  • Yards: 322.4 YPG (108th):

    • 207.9 passing (89th)

    • 124.5 rushing (105th)

  • Money downs:

    • 3rd down: 33.1% (123rd)

    • 4th down: 35.3% (125th)

  • First downs: Just 201 on the year (103rd).

  • One bright spot:

    • Red zone scoring: 90.3% (29th): 28 scores in 31 trips.

    • 19 TDs in the red zone (8 rushing, 11 passing).

🛡️ Defense: “Fine, Not Elite” With Soft Spots

  • Scoring allowed: 24.3 PPG (65th).

  • Yards allowed: 374.1 YPG (69th):

    • 221.4 passing (71st)

    • 152.7 rushing (77th)

  • Money downs:

    • Opponent 3rd down: 43.9% (113th)

    • Opponent 4th down: 68.8% (125th)

  • Red zone defense:

    • 30 scores in 39 trips (76.9%, 20th nationally).

    • 21 TDs allowed (17 rush, 4 pass).

🔄 Turnovers: Big Problem in Orange & Blue

  • Turnover margin: 86th nationally.

  • UF giveaways: 17

    • 13 INTs (123rd)

    • 4 lost fumbles

  • UF takeaways: 15

    • 6 fumble recoveries

    • 9 interceptions

  • Defensive TDs: 1 (37-yard fumble return by S Bryce Thornton).

FSU angle: This is a QB and offense you can rattle if you win early downs and disguise coverages.

🔑 Gators to Know

QB DJ Lagway (So.)

  • 198/313 (63.3%) for 2,096 yards (190.5/game).

  • 13 TD, 13 INT, 6.7 YPA, 10.59 yards/completion.

  • Second on team with 137 rush yards (68 carries), 1 rushing TD, long of 38.

  • Volatile: capable arm, but turnover-prone and inefficient.

RB Jadan Baugh (So.) – UF’s engine

  • 182 carries, 904 yards (5.0 YPC), 6 rushing TDs.

  • Three 100+ yard games; pushing for UF’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2015.

  • 52 missed tackles forced, 601 yards after contact (66.5% of his yards).

  • Also 33 catches for 210 yards and 2 TDs.

  • Averages 106.6 all-purpose YPG (37th nationally).

WR Vernell Brown III (Fr.)

  • 36 catches, 487 yards (13.5 YPC) in just 9 games.

  • No TDs yet, but Lagway’s clear No. 1 target.

  • Primary punt & kick returner (13.9 yards per punt return, long 40).

LB Myles Graham (So.)

  • Team-high 68 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, 6 QB hurries, 4 PBUs.

  • One of UF’s most active defenders.

CB Devin Moore (Sr.)

  • 35 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack.

  • Tied for team lead with 2 INTs, plus 4 PBUs and a forced fumble.

DL Caleb Banks (RS Sr.)

  • Only 2 games due to injury but labeled UF’s most talented defender.

  • Preseason Nagurski & Bednarik watch lists; back on the field vs Tennessee.

  • Second-half fade:

    • Outscored by 40 in 4Q (75–35).

    • Offense much worse in 2H (75 points) than 1H (144 points).

  • OL stability:

    • Same starters almost all season; C Jake Slaughter is elite by PFF:

      • No pressures in 7 of 11 games.

      • Just 4 pressures and 1 sack allowed in 676 snaps (99.3% block rate).

    • UF allows 1.64 sacks/game (52nd) and 5.45 TFLs/game (72nd).

  • Special teams:

    • K Trey Smack: 16/20 FGs (80%), 4/5 from 50+ (long 56).

    • P Tommy Doman: 43.3 average, 11 punts of 50+, solid 40.6 net.

    • Punt returns: 11.23 yards/return (33rd).

    • Kick returns: 15.42 yards/return (123rd).

    • One blocked punt for UF; no blocked kicks allowed.

  • Discipline:

    • 5.09 penalties/game (28th), 43.55 yards/game (26th).

    • Not a wildly sloppy team in flags — the slop shows up more in execution and turnovers.

🧠 Why It Matters

Florida is bad on paper but not harmless: a workhorse back, a big-framed QB who can hurt you if he gets comfortable, and a defense that stiffens in the red zone. For FSU, the path is clear:

  • Bottle up Baugh,

  • Confuse Lagway into mistakes,

  • Start fast against a team that fades late,
    and take the emotion out of The Swamp early.

And that’s a wrap!

Until next time — hydrate, breathe, and remember: nothing ruins Thanksgiving leftovers faster than a loss in Gainesville.

See you after The Swamp. 🍢🏈

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