Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF and Happy Thanksgiving Hangover Day/Black Friday!

All recruiting updates and a little bit on the Florida game tomorrow today:

🏈 FSU Flips 6’7” JUCO Wide Receiver Jordan Scott 🏈
Florida State lands a towering Thanksgiving recruit, flipping JUCO standout Jordan Scott from Arizona State.

🏈 Top247 Edge LaJesse Harrold Decommits from LSU, Eyes FSU 🏈
Tampa's LaJesse Harrold reopens his recruitment, with FSU emerging as the favorite ahead of Signing Day.

🏈 Top 2026 Safety Kaiden Hall Names FSU Among Final 10 Schools 🏈
Milton High’s Kaiden Hall narrows his recruitment, keeping Florida State in his top 10 choices.

🏈 FSU Pushing to Flip Four-Star Edge Rusher Tylon Lee 🏈
FSU aims to sway Ole Miss commit Tylon Lee with a pivotal visit this weekend.

🏈 FSU Prepares for Rivalry Showdown with Florida 🏈
A fierce rivalry meets recruiting stakes as FSU faces Florida under the lights at Doak Campbell.

🏈 FSU Flips 6’7” JUCO Wide Receiver Jordan Scott 🏈

Florida State secured a significant Thanksgiving Day win on the recruiting trail, flipping 6-foot-7 junior college wide receiver Jordan Scott from Arizona State. The Southwest Mississippi Community College standout becomes the only wide receiver commitment in FSU’s 2024 recruiting class.

🌟 Why Scott Chose FSU:
Scott, who visited Tallahassee for the Charleston Southern game, was sold on the Seminoles' culture, coaching staff, and their success with towering wideouts like Johnny Wilson.

• Scott’s Perspective:
  “The culture is great here. Tallahassee is a great college town. Seeing how successful they were with Johnny Wilson made me realize how much success I could have here if I do the right thing.”

• Coach Norvell’s Pitch:
  Head coach Mike Norvell emphasized Scott’s potential to make an immediate impact on the Seminoles' offense, particularly as a dynamic outside receiver.

📊 Scott’s Profile:

• Ranking: No. 12 junior college prospect nationally and No. 2 JUCO wide receiver (247Sports).

• Stats: 20 receptions, 358 yards, and 4 touchdowns in eight games this season.

• High School Accomplishments: Four-time state champion in Virginia, two-time All-Area 1st Team honoree.

🎯 The Johnny Wilson Comparison:
Scott embraces comparisons to former FSU star Johnny Wilson, recognizing how FSU successfully utilized Wilson’s size and skillset in the offense over the past two seasons.

🚨 Recruiting Impact:
Scott’s commitment helps bolster a 2024 class that had previously lost three four-star WR pledges. With three years to play two, Scott’s addition brings much-needed size and potential to the Seminoles' receiving corps.

Read more here and here.

🏈 Top247 Edge LaJesse Harrold Decommits from LSU, Eyes FSU 🏈

Florida State’s recruiting efforts for the 2025 cycle received a significant boost with the news that Tampa Gaither’s LaJesse Harrold, a Top247 edge defender, has decommitted from LSU less than a week before Signing Day.

🔑 The Latest Developments:

• Decommitment Announcement: Harrold, who had been committed to LSU since June, officially reopened his recruitment and confirmed his plans to explore other options.

• FSU Connection: The Seminoles are considered the favorite to land Harrold, with a pivotal official visit to Tallahassee scheduled for this weekend.

🌟 Why Harrold Stands Out:

• Senior Season Stats: 32 tackles, 14 TFLs, 11 sacks, 1 INT, 6 passes defended, and 4 fumble recoveries.

• Scouting Report (Andrew Ivins, 247Sports):

  • A traits-heavy edge defender with elite athleticism and energy.

  • Possesses the ability to redirect and bend while turning the corner, showcasing immense upside.

  • While still developing his technique, his versatility fits both odd and even fronts at the next level.

🎯 Recruiting Impact for FSU:
Landing Harrold would significantly strengthen the Seminoles' defensive class, adding a high-upside pass rusher with NFL potential. His commitment could also create momentum for other top prospects ahead of Signing Day.

Read more here.

🏈 Top 2026 Safety Kaiden Hall Names FSU Among Final 10 Schools 🏈

Milton High School’s standout safety Kaiden Hall, one of the top defensive prospects in the class of 2026, has trimmed his recruitment list to 10 programs. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Top247 talent holds over 20 offers but is now focused on schools that align with his aspirations both on and off the field.

🌟 Final 10 Schools:

• Florida State: Hall’s dream school, where he admires head coach Mike Norvell’s leadership and defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain’s renowned expertise.

• Florida: One of his earliest SEC offers, with consistent attention from Coach Napier and defensive back coach Corey Raymond.

• Tennessee: A program that has made him feel like a priority, amplified by the electric atmosphere he witnessed during the Alabama game.

• Georgia: The gold standard for defense, offering unparalleled coaching and a winning tradition.

• Oklahoma: Known for developing standout defensive backs like Billy Bowman, making it an enticing option for Hall’s future.

• Michigan: Despite a down year, Hall sees promise in the Wolverines’ push for dominance, especially after landing QB Bryce Underwood.

• Texas A&M: A recent offer from a program building momentum with a fresh coaching staff and a new energy.

• LSU: A legacy program for elite defensive backs, supported by standout coaches like Raymond and Olsen.

• Alabama: A powerhouse program offering development at both linebacker and safety, ensuring Hall maximizes his potential.

• Clemson: A family atmosphere and selective recruiting process that emphasizes Hall’s value as a top target.

📊 Why Kaiden Hall Matters:

• Rankings: No. 238 overall player, No. 20 safety, and No. 34 prospect in Florida for the 2026 class (per 247Sports).

• Versatility: Hall’s size and skillset make him a hybrid threat capable of excelling in multiple defensive roles.

🚨 What’s Next:
With his top 10 schools locked in, Hall will likely intensify his visits and conversations to find the best fit. Florida State, with its strong coaching staff and legacy appeal, stands out as a serious contender in this competitive recruitment.

Read more here.

🏈 FSU Pushing to Flip Four-Star Edge Rusher Tylon Lee 🏈

Florida State is making a strong late push to flip four-star edge rusher Tylon Lee, currently committed to Ole Miss, ahead of next week’s Signing Day. The Milton (Fla.) standout is set to take an official visit to Tallahassee this weekend, marking a pivotal moment in his recruitment.

🌟 Recruitment Snapshot:

• Current Status: Committed to Ole Miss but open to a potential flip.

• Relationship with FSU: Lee has been visiting FSU since his sophomore year and has built a strong rapport with defensive ends coach John Papuchis and head coach Mike Norvell.

• Priority Target: FSU’s coaching staff has emphasized Lee’s value as a crucial addition to their defensive line.

📊 Player Profile:

• Height/Weight: 6’4”, 245 pounds.

• Rankings: No. 287 overall prospect and No. 30 defensive lineman (247Sports Composite).

• Senior Season Stats: 87 tackles, 40 TFLs, and 6 sacks in 11 games.

🎙️ What Lee is Saying:

• On His Commitment: “I'm committed to Ole Miss still, but like I said, anything can change. It's good to always have your home school in the backend.”

• On FSU’s Message: “They need somebody like me coming off the edge. I look good, and I can fit in and add on to what they're building for the program.”

• On the Visit: “I just want to see them get after it. See them win one. Just enjoy it.”

🚨 Why This Weekend Matters:
FSU’s ability to secure a flip may hinge on the impression made during Lee’s official visit. The Seminoles are leveraging their proximity to Lee’s hometown of Dothan, Alabama, and their vision for him as a cornerstone of their defensive line.

📅 What’s Next:
Lee plans to sign during the Early Signing Period in December and enroll in January, leaving little time for FSU to finalize its pitch.

Read more here.

🏈 FSU Prepares for Rivalry Showdown with Florida 🏈

As Florida State gears up for its final regular-season game, the stakes are high both on the field and in the recruiting landscape. The Seminoles face the Florida Gators in a highly anticipated matchup under the lights at Doak Campbell Stadium.

📅 Game Details:

• Date: Saturday, November 30

• Time: 7 PM ET

• TV: ESPN2

• Radio: Seminoles Radio Network (CH. 161/194/SXM App)

• Spread: Florida -16.5

🌟 Key Matchup Notes:

• Rivalry History: This marks the 68th meeting between the two programs, with the series tied 14-14-1 in Tallahassee. FSU won the last home matchup, 45-38, in 2022.

• Underdog Status: The Seminoles started the week as 14.5-point underdogs, but the spread has widened to 16.5 points.

💥 FSU’s Standout Performances in 2024:

• Special Teams Excellence: FSU ranks first nationally in ESPN's Special Teams Efficiency and boasts the country's best punter in Alex Mastromanno (49.1 yards per punt).

• Kicker Perfection: Ryan Fitzgerald remains perfect on field goals this season (12-for-12) and leads the nation with five field goals from beyond 52 yards.

• Blocked Kicks: The Seminoles have blocked five kicks this season, tied for third nationally, with contributions against four P4 conference opponents.

🔥 Players to Watch:

• Luke Kromenhoek: The true freshman QB made an impressive first start last week, throwing three touchdowns and earning a 71-yard TD pass—the longest by a freshman since 1976.

• Samuel Singleton Jr.: Extended FSU's streak to three consecutive seasons with a kickoff return touchdown.

📊 Key Stats:

• FSU ranks 7th nationally in 4th-down conversions (19) and has started nine different offensive line combinations this season—the most in the country.

• The Seminoles’ schedule is ranked as the fifth-toughest in the nation, with opponents posting a .678 cumulative winning percentage.

🚨 What’s at Stake:
Beyond rivalry bragging rights, this game serves as a critical showcase for FSU’s recruiting efforts ahead of Signing Day next week.

Read more here.

And that’s a wrap!

The Seminoles are making every moment count as they push to secure top talent before Signing Day. With a critical rivalry game on the horizon and high-profile recruits visiting, FSU is ready to close the season strong both on and off the field.

Stay tuned, keep the spirit alive, and as always—Go Noles! 🍢