Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy humpday and practically Thanksgiving Wednesday, Seminole!

Here’s the pre-holiday update:

🏀 FSU Cruises Past Western Carolina in Dominant Win 🏀
Freshman Daquan Davis shines with a career-high 19 points as the Seminoles secure a commanding 91-57 victory and improve to 7-1.

🏐 Florida State Volleyball Prepares for Crucial Season Finale 🏐
The Seminoles gear up for matches against No. 10 SMU and Wake Forest, with NCAA Tournament seeding and program records on the line.

🏐 Khori Louis Earns AVCA National Player of the Week Honors 🏐
Louis continues her standout season, earning national recognition for her dominant performances in FSU’s wins over Georgia Tech and Clemson.

🏆 FSU Specialists Named Finalists for Prestigious Awards 🏆
Alex Mastromanno and Ryan Fitzgerald are finalists for the Ray Guy and Lou Groza Awards, solidifying their place among the nation’s best.

🏈 FSU Loses Four-Star RB Byron Louis to Florida 🏈
Florida flips Byron Louis from the Seminoles, leaving FSU without a running back in its 2025 recruiting class.

🏈 Zavion Griffin-Haynes Reopens Recruitment After UNC Coaching Change 🏈
The four-star edge rusher decommits from North Carolina and includes FSU among nearly 30 other suitors as his recruitment reopens.

🎯 FSU Offers Rising Four-Star WR Terry Shelton 🎯
Florida State extends an offer to fast-rising wideout Terry Shelton, adding intrigue to the final stretch before Signing Day.

🐔 Kevin Wynn Trending Toward South Carolina Ahead of Signing Day 🐔
Four-star DT Kevin Wynn prepares for a decision next week, with FSU making a final push during his visit to Tallahassee this weekend.

🏀 FSU Cruises Past Western Carolina in Dominant Win 🏀

Freshman Daquan Davis had a breakout performance, scoring a career-high 19 points to lead Florida State (7-1) to a commanding 91-57 victory over Western Carolina. The Seminoles extended their strong start to the season, remaining unbeaten at home in the Donald L. Tucker Center.

🔥 Key Performances:

• Daquan Davis: 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, with 4 rebounds and 6-of-7 free throws.

• Jamir Watkins: 14 points, 4 assists, and a career-high 4 three-pointers, including his 100th career triple.

• Malique Ewin: 12 points and steady interior play.

• Chandler Jackson: 8 points, 3 assists, and a career-high 5 steals, maintaining his turnover-free streak over the last two games.

💪 Team Highlights:

• Wire-to-Wire Dominance: Florida State led from the opening possession, starting with a 16-3 run and maintaining a 26-point lead by halftime.

• Stifling Defense: The Seminoles forced 19 turnovers, tallied 15 steals, and recorded 5 blocks.

• Efficient Offense: FSU shot 57.4% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range while dishing out 19 assists on 31 made baskets.

🌟 Notable Moments:

• Justin Thomas Buzzer-Beater: A clutch 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer gave FSU a commanding 49-29 lead.

• Community Support: Originally scheduled as a neutral-site game in Asheville, N.C., the matchup was moved to Tallahassee to aid recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.

🚨 What’s Next:
The Seminoles travel to Baton Rouge to take on LSU in the ACC/SEC Challenge on December 3.

Read more here.

🏐 Florida State Volleyball Prepares for Crucial Season Finale 🏐

The No. 21 Florida State volleyball team (20-8, 12-6) looks to close out the regular season on a high note with two critical matches this week. The Seminoles will host No. 10 SMU at Tully Gym on Wednesday at noon before traveling to face Wake Forest on Friday at 1:00 PM.

🔑 Key Storylines:

• Big Win Opportunities:

  • FSU will seek its fifth ranked win of the season against SMU, tying a program record for ranked victories in a single season.

  • The Seminoles aim to extend their 17-match win streak over Wake Forest, with their last road loss to the Demon Deacons dating back to 2005.

• Strong Finish: A strong showing this week could improve the Noles’ NCAA Tournament seeding as they currently sit 26th in the RPI rankings.

🌟 Season Milestones:

• Signature Win: FSU snapped an eight-match losing streak to No. 15 Georgia Tech with a thrilling five-set victory last week, marking their highest-ranked win of the season.

• Consistent Excellence: The Seminoles secured their 20th win of the season for the 12th time under head coach Chris Poole, a first since achieving back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2015-16.

🌟 Player Highlights:

• Audrey Koenig:

  • Recorded a career-high 20 kills in a three-set match against Wake Forest earlier this season, along with an astounding eight service aces—the second-most in FSU history for a three-set match.

  • Leads the team with 371 kills and 45 aces, ranking third in the ACC in kills during conference play.

• Khori Louis:

  • Surpassed 1,000 career kills this season, becoming the seventh Nole to achieve this milestone in the rally-scoring era.

  • Ranks second on the team with 299 kills and leads with 120 blocks, boasting a .417 hitting percentage (13th nationally, second in the ACC).

• Taylor Head:

  • Third on the team with 275 kills and leads with 301 digs.

  • The Arkansas transfer has eight double-doubles in her last 14 matches, continuing her reputation as one of the nation’s most versatile players.

📊 Team Rankings:

• FSU is third in the ACC and 19th nationally with a .276 hitting percentage.

• The Seminoles have five players with 100+ kills this season, showcasing depth and balance in their offensive approach.

🚨 What’s Next:
The Seminoles hope to solidify their place in the NCAA Tournament with strong performances this week. Tune in to ACCNX for Wednesday’s clash against No. 10 SMU and Friday’s finale against Wake Forest.

Read more here.

🏐 Khori Louis Earns AVCA National Player of the Week Honors 🏐

Florida State’s Khori Louis made history this week, becoming just the second player in program history to be named the AVCA National Player of the Week. She joins Taryn Knuth, who earned the honor in February 2021. This accolade follows Louis’ recognition as the ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, marking an unforgettable stretch for the senior standout.

🌟 A Weekend to Remember:

• Offensive Brilliance: Louis dominated in FSU’s wins over No. 15 Georgia Tech and Clemson, tallying 35 kills on just 53 attempts for a .604 hitting percentage.

  • Against Clemson: Tied her career high with 20 kills on Senior Day.

  • Against Georgia Tech: Notched 15 kills in the upset win over a top-15 opponent.

• Defensive Impact: Contributed nine blocks over the two matches, showcasing her all-around excellence.

📊 Record-Breaking Efficiency:

• Louis leads the Seminoles with a .417 hitting percentage this season, ranking second in the ACC and 13th nationally.

• She is on pace to break FSU’s career hitting percentage record, currently boasting a .380 mark—surpassing the previous record of .371 set by Brianna Barry.

Read more here

🏆 FSU Specialists Named Finalists for Prestigious Awards 🏆

Florida State’s redshirt seniors, punter Alex Mastromanno and kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, have earned national recognition as finalists for the Ray Guy and Lou Groza Awards, respectively. Winners of both awards will be announced on December 12 during ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards.

🌟 A Historic Feat for FSU:

• Florida State is the only school in the country with finalists for both specialist awards this season.

• This marks just the second time an ACC school has achieved this dual honor in a single season.

📌 Alex Mastromanno – Ray Guy Award Finalist:
The Melbourne, Australia native is a back-to-back finalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top punter.

• Impressive Stats: Leads the country with a 49.1-yard punting average, 28 punts of 50+ yards, and just one touchback all season.

• Record-Setting Pace: Mastromanno’s current average is over a yard better than the ACC record of 48.0, set in 2020.

• Notable Highlights:

  • National Punter of the Week against Boston College (52.2-yard average).

  • 17 punts inside the 20-yard line, with a long punt of 65 yards this season.

  • Four-time recipient of Ray’s 8 honors.

📌 Ryan Fitzgerald – Lou Groza Award Finalist:
Fitzgerald earns his first finalist nod for the nation’s top kicker award after an impeccable season.

• Perfect Record: 12-for-12 on field goals, including an astounding 5-for-5 from 50+ yards.

• Milestones:

  • Only finalist without a missed field goal.

  • Set a school record with five 50+ yard field goals in a single season.

  • Longest field goal: 59 yards, the second-longest in FSU history and third-longest in ACC history.

• Key Performances:

  • Made 52- and 59-yard field goals in the season opener against Georgia Tech.

  • Hit a 56-yarder against North Carolina, tying the longest field goal in Doak Campbell Stadium history.

  • 3-for-3 at Duke, including a 53-yard kick.

🚨 FSU’s Legacy of Excellence:

• Florida State boasts four previous Lou Groza Award winners, the most in the nation, including legends Sebastian Janikowski (1998, 1999), Graham Gano (2008), and Roberto Aguayo (2013).

Read more here

🏈 FSU Loses Four-Star RB Byron Louis to Florida 🏈

Florida State’s 2025 recruiting class took a significant hit as four-star running back Byron Louis flipped his commitment to rival Florida on Tuesday morning. The Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage standout announced his decision on social media after back-to-back visits to Gainesville.

🔑 Key Developments:

• Gators Gain Momentum: Louis first visited Gainesville for an unofficial trip during Florida’s game against LSU and followed up with an official visit during the Ole Miss game this past weekend.

• Previously Committed to FSU: Louis initially chose the Seminoles over Wisconsin, Miami, and Georgia in September, but the recent visits shifted his loyalty.

📉 Impact on FSU’s Recruiting Class:

• FSU’s 2025 class now ranks No. 46 nationally, dropping from No. 34 after Louis’ flip.

• The Seminoles are left without a running back commit in their 2025 recruiting class, which includes just 12 prospects.

🚨 What’s Next for FSU:

• New Targets: FSU remains active with four-star Georgia running back commit Ousmane Kromah.

• Transfer Portal Options: The Seminoles may turn to the transfer portal for running back additions in December.

Read more here.

🏈 Zavion Griffin-Haynes Reopens Recruitment After UNC Coaching Change 🏈

Rolesville (NC) High four-star edge rusher Zavion Griffin-Haynes, one of the top prospects in the 2026 class, has decommitted from North Carolina following the dismissal of head coach Mack Brown. Griffin-Haynes originally pledged to the Tar Heels on September 8.

🔑 Key Factors Behind the Decommitment:

• Coaching Connection: Griffin-Haynes highlighted his strong relationship with Mack Brown as a major reason for his initial commitment.

• Trust Factor: "He was a person I could trust without my mom being there," Griffin-Haynes told 247Sports.

📊 Recruitment Landscape:

• Griffin-Haynes boasts nearly 30 offers from top programs, including Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and Miami.

• He visited Ohio State this past weekend, a school he called his leader over the summer. The Buckeyes remain a significant contender if their staff decides to make a strong push.

• The talented edge rusher has also taken trips to Georgia, Tennessee, and Michigan earlier this fall.

🚨 What’s Next:
Griffin-Haynes plans to take his time with this decision, making additional visits before committing again. He emphasized wanting to ensure his next choice is final.

📈 Prospect Rankings:

• No. 24 Edge Rusher in the nation (2026 class).

• No. 15 Player in North Carolina (2026 class).

Read more here.

🎯 FSU Offers Rising Four-Star WR Terry Shelton 🎯

With Signing Day just around the corner, Florida State is making bold moves to bolster its 2025 recruiting class. On Tuesday evening, the Seminoles extended an offer to Terry Shelton, a fast-rising wide receiver out of Carrollton (Tex.) Ranchview.

📈 Shelton’s Rise in the Rankings:

• Entered his senior season ranked No. 423 nationally; now ranks No. 71 overall and is the No. 12 wide receiver in the country.

• The 6’4”, 200-pound playmaker has drawn comparisons to Arizona Wildcats’ star receiver Tetairoa McMillan due to his athleticism and ability to dominate in the air.

🏈 Senior Season Stats:

• Receptions: 55

• Yards: 924

• Touchdowns: 14

📊 Recruitment Snapshot:

• Previous Commitments: Originally pledged to Arizona before flipping to TCU this fall.

• Current Commitment: TCU.

• Visit Plans: No visit to Tallahassee is currently scheduled, per 247Sports.

🛠 Scouting Report:
According to Greg Biggins:

• Frame & Speed: Shelton boasts a prototypical 6’4”, 200-pound build and possesses elite speed that allows him to outrun defenders.

• Athleticism: A multi-sport athlete, Shelton excels in basketball, playing above the rim and showcasing his explosive ability.

• Development Needs: While his raw talent is undeniable, he’s still polishing his route running and overall skill set.

Read more here

🐔 Kevin Wynn Trending Toward South Carolina Ahead of Signing Day 🐔

The recruitment of Kevin Wynn, a four-star defensive tackle from Greensboro (Ga.) Greene County, is heating up as the 6’2”, 320-pounder prepares to make his final decision next week. Wynn, ranked as the No. 10 defensive tackle nationally and the No. 10 overall player in Georgia, has been the focus of a fierce battle between Florida State, South Carolina, and other top programs.

🔍 The Latest Developments:

• Crystal Ball Predictions: Recruiting analysts, including J.C. Shurburtt, are leaning toward Wynn flipping his commitment from Florida State to South Carolina.

• Upcoming Visits:

  • Friday: A final visit to Georgia.

  • Saturday: In Tallahassee to watch FSU’s rivalry game against Florida.

🛠 South Carolina’s Pitch:

• Immediate Impact: Defensive coach Travian Robertson has emphasized Wynn’s potential to play early, citing significant turnover on the Gamecocks’ defensive line.

• Connection to Scheme: Wynn has been impressed by South Carolina’s defensive system and believes his style of play aligns well with the Gamecocks’ approach.

• Recruitment Effort: Robertson has made Wynn feel like a top priority, a factor that has resonated deeply with the Georgia native.

🏈 Key Factors to Watch:

• Wynn’s decision will likely hinge on the impressions left by his final visits to Georgia and Florida State.

• South Carolina’s ability to fend off last-minute pushes from the Bulldogs and Seminoles will be crucial.

🚨 What’s Next:
Wynn is expected to make his decision in the coming days, with the opportunity to sign as early as next Wednesday during the Early Signing Period. The Seminoles will have one last chance to sway Wynn during his visit to Tallahassee this weekend, but the momentum appears to be with South Carolina.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

As the Seminoles gear up for a pivotal week across football, basketball, and volleyball, the stakes couldn’t be higher. From standout performances on the court to nail-biting recruiting battles, FSU is setting the stage for a thrilling finish to 2024.

Whether it’s sealing the deal on recruits, clinching NCAA Tournament seeding, or adding more hardware to the trophy case, this is the time to rally behind the Garnet and Gold. Stay tuned and keep the spirit high, Noles!