šŸ¹ October 14th - The Chief Brief šŸ¹

A New Era Dawns: FSU's Fresh Faces Step Up

Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

Which young FSU player are you most excited to see develop this season?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

šŸ¹ Welcome to The Chief Brief! šŸ¹

Happy Monday, Seminole!

Here’s what’s on the docket today:

šŸ FSU Volleyball Triumphs Over Notre Dame šŸ
The No. 21 Seminoles (12-4) clinched a four-set victory at Tully Gym, with standout performances from Audrey Koenig, Taylor Head, and a strong finish in sets three and four. Now, they head out on a four-game road trip, starting with Boston College.

šŸŽ° FSU Faces Historic Challenge as Underdogs at Duke šŸŽ°
For the first time, FSU (1-5) enters as 1-point underdogs in Durham against Duke (5-1). The Seminoles are hoping to preserve their 22-0 record against the Blue Devils, who are on a five-game winning streak under new coach Manny Diaz.

šŸˆ QB Commit Tramell Jones Jr. Stays Steadfast šŸˆ
2025 QB commit Tramell Jones Jr. shared his loyalty to FSU despite a tough season, along with updates on his injury rehab and positive insights on the program’s future.

šŸ“ˆ FSU Offers Versatile Ohio Prospect Chaz Coleman šŸ“ˆ
FSU’s recruiting efforts expand with an offer to Ohio’s Chaz Coleman, a 6'5" athlete being recruited as a defensive end. Coleman plans to make his final decision in February, leaving room for future visits, potentially including FSU.

šŸ““ Midseason Reset: Key Takeaways for FSU’s 2024 Season šŸ““
With a challenging 1-5 start, FSU pivots toward valuable opportunities for development. From assessing young QBs to restoring offensive identity and building leadership, the second half of the season remains crucial for FSU’s future.

šŸˆ Youth Movement Sparks Hope for FSU šŸˆ
Freshmen like Amaree Williams and Landen Thomas are stepping up, showing the promise of FSU’s younger lineup. Norvell and his staff emphasized youth development throughout the bye week, preparing talent for Friday’s matchup with Duke.

šŸ” Brock Glenn’s Debut as Starting QB Brings Optimism šŸ”
Brock Glenn’s decisive, accurate performance against Clemson displayed qualities of a leader and playmaker, bringing a fresh energy to the offense as FSU evaluates future quarterback options.

šŸ No. 21 FSU Volleyball Triumphs Over Notre Dame in Four Sets šŸ

The No. 21 Seminoles (12-4, 4-2) showcased grit and energy in a four-set victory (25-23, 22-25, 25-18, 25-16) against Notre Dame (9-6, 2-3) at Tully Gym.

Match Highlights:

  • Set 1: After trailing most of the set, FSU rallied late, securing the win with a key block from Khori Louis and Audrey Koenig.

  • Set 2: Notre Dame capitalized on FSU errors to tie the match, taking the set 25-22.

  • Sets 3 & 4: FSU regained control with a strong offense and tightened defense, finishing the match with scores of 25-18 and 25-16.

Top Performers:

  • Audrey Koenig: Led with 16 kills and 13 digs.

  • Taylor Head: Added 11 kills and a season-high 23 digs.

  • Khori Louis & Maddie Snider: Each chipped in seven kills, balancing the Seminole attack.

FSU now heads on a four-game road trip, beginning with Boston College on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, airing on ACCNX.

šŸŽ° FSU Faces Historic Challenge as Underdogs at Duke šŸŽ° 

Florida State (1-5) heads to Durham on Friday night to take on Duke (5-1) as underdogs—a rare role in this series, where FSU holds a commanding 22-0 record over the Blue Devils. Despite their undefeated history, the Seminoles are one-point underdogs according to Circa Sportsbook, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

Game Preview:

  • Blue Devils’ Surge: Duke, under new head coach Manny Diaz, has made an impressive 5-1 start. QB Maalik Murphy, a Texas transfer, has bolstered the offense.

  • Shifting Rosters: Underperforming so far in the 2024 season, the Noles are hoping the recent youth movement help it to find its footing.

  • Series Stakes: The Seminoles seek to defend their perfect record, while Duke looks to capitalize on their momentum and make program history.

Can FSU pull off a road victory and keep their unbeaten streak alive? Friday’s game could rewrite the series story.

šŸˆ FSU QB Commit Tramell Jones Jr. Steadfast Amid Tough Season šŸˆ

In a recent interview with Noles 247, Florida State’s 2025 quarterback commit, Tramell Jones Jr., said he remains fully committed to FSU, even as the Seminoles face challenges this season. Despite a 1-5 start, the Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin standout expressed unwavering support for head coach Mike Norvell and the team’s vision. Recently recovering from an injury, Jones shared his thoughts on FSU’s season, his own progress, and what’s ahead for FSU’s recruiting class.

Injury Update & Rehab Progress:
Jones has been diligent about his rehab, with plans to be at full strength by December when he arrives in Tallahassee. ā€œWhen I start walking, that’s when the recovery process really begins,ā€ he explained. ā€œI should be 100% ready to start running and cutting by December.ā€ Until then, he’s staying involved with his high school team, guiding the freshman quarterback and focusing on upper body workouts.

Observations from the Clemson Game:
Jones attended the Clemson game, where he saw resilience in FSU’s defense and potential in freshman QB Brock Glenn. ā€œYou saw a spark with Brock… his playmaking ability, especially on third down,ā€ Jones noted, impressed by Glenn’s passing and ability to handle game pressure. ā€œYou can just see the spark with him when he runs the offense.ā€

Staying Strong with FSU’s Coaching Staff:
Jones values the transparency from FSU’s coaching staff during this difficult season. He shared that Norvell emphasized loyalty: ā€œThey’re really asking who’s going to stay, who’s going to buy into the program when things aren’t at their best.ā€ The reassurance from the staff only strengthens Jones' confidence in his choice.

Confidence in FSU’s 2025 Class:
Jones is optimistic about FSU’s future and the 2025 recruiting class, despite recent decommitments. He mentioned a solid bond with receivers like CJ Wiley and believes the class is close-knit and committed. ā€œWe’ve been in communication a lot more with the class,ā€ Jones added, feeling confident about the group’s potential and loyalty to the program.

Looking ahead, Jones hopes to see FSU ā€œfight backā€ and give younger players valuable game experience. His steadfast support and confidence are a testament to his investment in the Seminoles' future.

šŸ“ˆ FSU Extends Offer to Versatile Ohio Athlete Chaz Coleman šŸ“ˆ

Florida State’s recruiting efforts on the defensive line took another step forward this Sunday, as they extended an offer to Chaz Coleman, a unique 6'5", 225-pound prospect out of Warren, Ohio. Known for his versatility, Coleman has played multiple positions, including quarterback, but FSU’s defensive ends coach John Papuchis sees his potential at defensive end.

ā€œCoach JP said he liked my film,ā€ Coleman shared, expressing his comfort with playing wherever he’s needed. Coleman’s stock has risen rapidly this fall, with offers from top programs like Ole Miss, Kentucky, Penn State, Illinois, Michigan State, and now FSU. He’s already made campus visits to Kentucky, Ohio State, and Michigan State and confirmed he’s open to an FSU visit in the future.

In a strategic twist, Coleman plans to wait until February’s National Signing Day to make his final decision, leaving time for January campus visits, possibly giving FSU an advantage in his recruitment.

šŸ““ Midseason Reset: Salvaging Key Takeaways from FSU’s 2024 Season šŸ““ 

With a challenging 1-5 record, Florida State’s preseason goals for an ACC Championship or College Football Playoff spot have slipped out of reach. Yet, the second half of the season remains a valuable period for development and recalibration, beginning with a road game against Duke. The Osceola dove into three things the Noles can salvage moving forward.

1. Evaluating the Future QB: Is the 2025 Starter Already on the Roster?
This season’s transfer-based quarterback strategy with DJ Uiagalelei hasn’t delivered as hoped. With Uiagalelei sidelined, redshirt freshman Brock Glenn got his first start against Clemson, demonstrating solid potential with his mobility, play-extension, and vision. If he can build consistency in the remaining games, Glenn may solidify his claim to the starting role for 2025.

True freshman Luke Kromenhoek may also see selective action without jeopardizing his redshirt year. The development of either—or both—young quarterbacks could alleviate FSU’s reliance on the portal for 2025, fostering a homegrown talent pipeline instead.

2. Restoring FSU’s Offensive Identity
Once an offensive powerhouse, FSU has recently faced unexpected setbacks, going nine straight games without surpassing 300 total yards. Rushing averages have dropped to just 58.0 yards per game, the lowest among Power Four teams, compounded by struggles in third-down efficiency and receiver drops.

Younger players now have expanded roles, offering FSU a chance to rebuild foundational strengths and find an identity through consistent execution. With defenses like North Carolina and Florida on the horizon, FSU has an opportunity to finish the season on an upward offensive trend.

3. Building a New Leadership Core
FSU’s current void in player-led leadership has hindered cohesion and morale. Developing a resilient leadership structure within the young roster is critical for future success. As sophomores and freshmen step up on the field, identifying those who can guide teammates is paramount. Retaining these emerging leaders through intentional development will lay the groundwork for continuity, avoiding similar challenges in 2025.

šŸˆ FSU's Youth Movement Sparks Hope on Offense šŸˆ

Florida State’s renewed focus on developing its younger talent is starting to show positive results on the field. Freshman tight end Amaree Williams, for instance, showcased his potential last week with a leaping touchdown catch against Clemson — a play that marked his first career reception. Fellow freshman Landen Thomas also led the way with a career-high seven catches for 80 yards, underscoring FSU's shift towards a younger lineup in the season’s second half.

During the bye week, this youth movement gained traction in practice, with the Seminoles’ younger players given nearly an hour each day to run drills and scrimmages under the full attention of the coaching staff. Freshmen like running back Micahi Danzy and wideouts Elijah Moore, Lawayne McCoy, and BJ Gibson seized the moment, executing impressive plays across different routes. ā€œWe’ve got very talented young players,ā€ head coach Mike Norvell said. ā€œI’m excited about where they can be. They’ve got to go and trust the work and the process.ā€

As FSU readies for Friday night’s matchup at Duke, Norvell clarified that these expanded roles are not simply about giving younger players experience but reflect their hard-earned readiness to perform. ā€œYou’ve got to go earn it,ā€ Norvell emphasized. ā€œWe’ve got to know it’s putting us in the best position to be able to have success.ā€

šŸ” Analysis: Brock Glenn’s Performance Sparks FSU’s Hope for Future šŸ”

Noles247 recently took a deep dive into Brock Glenn’s first start of 2024. Though the Seminoles’ offensive stats remained similar with Brock Glenn at quarterback, there’s a new, undeniable energy in their play, marking a pivotal shift for FSU as it evaluates its quarterback options for the future. In his first start against a top-ranked Clemson defense, Glenn demonstrated traits that FSU can build on, providing fans with reasons to be optimistic.

Decisiveness and Confidence
Glenn showed notable decisiveness, releasing the ball faster than FSU’s previous QB despite taking more downfield shots. His Time to Throw (2.89 seconds) and Time to Pressure (2.35 seconds) were both improvements. ā€œHe came out and absolutely ripped it,ā€ said coach Mike Norvell, who lauded Glenn for his energy and poise against a strong defense. Glenn’s quick decision-making and assertive throws set a foundation for a more dynamic offense in the coming weeks.

Accuracy and Efficiency
FSU’s passing grade of 81.0 with Glenn was its highest this season, indicating a better level of precision and placement on his throws. This accuracy allowed receivers to generate yards after the catch (114 YAC), surpassing FSU’s season average. Glenn’s ball placement against Clemson helped address the issues of catchable throws that have plagued FSU this season, bringing out the best in his receivers and creating momentum on critical drives.

Natural Leadership on Display
Teammates’ reactions to Glenn showed the impact of his leadership. Norvell observed the energy he brought, noting, ā€œHe definitely brought a great deal of energy.ā€ Even after missteps, such as an interception, Glenn took responsibility, showing accountability that resonated with the team. WR Hykeem Williams stated, ā€œHe brought that energy like, ā€˜Hey, we got this,ā€™ā€ underscoring Glenn’s leadership in high-pressure situations.

Mobility and Playmaking Ability
Glenn’s mobility added a new dimension to FSU’s offense. He scrambled for 25 yards, exceeding half of FSU’s previous season total in one game. In one pivotal 4th-and-9 play, Glenn dodged multiple defenders to secure a first down, a testament to his athleticism and game awareness.

As FSU progresses into the latter half of the season, Glenn’s skills present an opportunity for FSU to develop a more effective and resilient offense, offering a glimpse of what could come with him — or fellow freshman Luke Kromenhoek — leading the way.

And that’s a wrap!

As the Seminoles enter the season’s second half, there’s a renewed sense of possibility in the air.

From volleyball’s strong run and football’s youth movement across the board to the glimpses of promise from new QB leadership, the ā€˜Noles are pushing forward with energy and resilience.

Be sure to tune in Friday as FSU heads to Duke, aiming to defend its flawless record against the Blue Devils. Thanks for following along, and as always — Go ā€˜Noles! šŸ¢ 

How'd we do?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.