Forwarded this email from a friend? Subscribe at the button below

Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

Here’s what we’re serving up for you today:

⛳ Weaver Leads England to Bronze ⛳
FSU junior Tyler Weaver capped off a remarkable international stretch by helping England earn bronze at the World Amateur Team Championship in Singapore — adding to a summer that already included the Walker Cup, Arnold Palmer Cup, and a U.S. Open appearance.

🎾 Tennis Team Takes Over Gainesville 🎾
The men’s squad dominated the ITA Southeast Regional, with Luis Felipe Miguel and Erik Schiessl sweeping singles and doubles titles to secure NCAA qualifying spots.

🏀 Hoops Schedule Brings Heavyweights 🏀
The AP Preseason Top 25 dropped — and FSU’s slate is loaded. Matchups include No. 2 Houston, No. 3 Florida, and No. 6 Duke, giving Leonard Hamilton’s retooled roster an early measuring stick.

📉 Defensive Slide Continues 📉
Once a Top-25 unit, FSU’s defense has cratered toward the national middle tier. Explosive offense (44.2 PPG) keeps the Noles competitive, but porous third-down coverage and soft pass defense have become major liabilities.

📋 Depth Chart Shake-Up Before Stanford 📋
New co-starters and position shifts define this week’s updated chart — including James Williams elevated at DE and Shyheim Brown moved to Rover backup. The Seminoles are searching for chemistry ahead of a crucial West Coast trip.

🏹 Norvell Under the Microscope 🏹
Following three straight losses, Mike Norvell struck a mix of frustration and fight in his Monday presser. Analysts say his $50M buyout keeps him safe (for now), but his eighth straight ACC loss and thin recruiting trenches keep pressure high.

💪 Commit Class Holding Strong 💪
Despite the skid, FSU’s 2025 class (No. 14) remains unified. Recruits reaffirmed loyalty, 2027 RB Jerry Beard left Tallahassee buzzing, and 2028 QB Grayson Clary plus 2027 S Davion Jones headline an encouraging visitor list.

Buying Cannabis Online Is Now Legal, And Incredibly Convenient

Thanks to changing laws buying THC online is now 100% federally legal.

And when it comes to quality, reliability and ultimate convenience, Mood is leading the way…

Because, instead of memorizing confusing strain names – you simply choose how you want to feel: Creative, Social, Focused, Relaxed, Happy, Aroused, and more.

20% OFF your first order!

⛳ Tyler Weaver Shines on World Stage with England ⛳

Florida State junior Tyler Weaver capped off a remarkable international run by leading England to a bronze medal at the 2025 World Amateur Team Championship in Singapore.

🔥 Elite Company
England finished 19-under, just two strokes shy of Australia and ten behind champion South Africa. Weaver tied for 17th individually at 5-under (283) with rounds of 73–69–68–73, anchoring England’s top European finish.

🌍 A Summer to Remember
Weaver’s bronze caps an elite stretch that includes:

• Representing Ireland & Great Britain at the 50th Walker Cup

• Earning bronze at the European Team Championships

• Advancing to match play at the U.S. Amateur and finishing 4th among amateurs at the U.S. Open

• Winning the Arnold Palmer Cup with Team International

📅 Up Next
The No. 22 Seminoles wrap up their fall slate at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate (Oct. 24–26) in Alpharetta.

👉 Full results via Seminoles.com

🎾 FSU Tennis Dominates ITA Southeast Regional 🎾

The Florida State men’s tennis team wrapped up a stellar weekend in Gainesville, earning two NCAA Championship qualifying spots after standout performances from Luis Felipe Miguel and Erik Schiessl.

🔥 Regional Champions Crowned

• Luis Felipe Miguel shared the singles co-champion title.

• Miguel and Schiessl captured the regional doubles championship, defeating FAU’s Marek Pazdera and Mark Havlicke 7–6 (2), 6–0 in the finals.

💪 Seminoles Shine in Singles and Doubles
FSU sent nine players to Regionals, going a perfect 5–0 in the Round of 32. Schiessl delivered the tournament’s biggest upset — a straight-set win over No. 45 Jeremy Jin of Florida.

📅 Next Up
The Seminoles head to Tuscaloosa for the Crimson Tide Fall Challenge starting Friday, continuing a strong fall campaign.

👉 Full results via Seminoles.com

🏀 FSU Set for Stacked Hoops Slate vs. Top-25 Powerhouses 🏀

The Associated Press Preseason Top 25 is out — and Florida State’s 2025–26 men’s basketball schedule features several national contenders, including three teams ranked in the Top 11.

🔥 Elite Matchups Ahead

• No. 2 Houston — FSU faces the Cougars on Dec. 6 in the Houston Hoops Showdown at the Toyota Center.

• No. 3 Florida — The annual rivalry tips off Nov. 11 in Gainesville against the defending national champions.

• No. 6 Duke — The Blue Devils visit Tallahassee on Jan. 3, FSU’s highest-ranked home opponent.

📊 Other Key Games

• No. 25 North Carolina — Road showdown in Chapel Hill on Dec. 30.

• NC State — Just outside the Top 25; visits Tallahassee on Jan. 10.

• Virginia — Receiving votes; comes to the Tucker Center on Feb. 10.

🧠 Early Test Run
Before the season officially tips off, the Seminoles face No. 15 Alabama in a preseason exhibition on Oct. 16 in Birmingham.

👉 Full preseason poll via AP.

Melatonin-Free Sleep Support

Cornbread Hemp’s USDA organic CBD Sleep Gummies are formulated with valerian root, chamomile, lavender, and full-spectrum hemp. Best of all, they’re completely melatonin-free for powerful sleep support that doesn’t give you weird dreams or next-day grogginess.

📉 FSU Defense Plummets Toward Bottom Half Nationally 📉

Florida State’s defensive decline has become impossible to ignore. After a 34–31 home loss to Pitt, the Seminoles have dropped from a Top-25 defense to nearly outside the Top 50 in just three weeks.

🔥 Falling Fast

• Yards per play allowed: Up from 4.77 (30th) to 5.12 (45th)

• Points allowed per game: Up from 20.8 (46th) to 23.0 (62nd)

• Yards per pass: Jumped from 6.7 (52nd) to 7.4 (90th) — the biggest red flag

• Third-down defense: Collapsed from 39th (34.3%) to 7th-worst nationally (54.4%)

💥 Bright Spots
The pass rush remains productive — 8.4% sack rate (24th) — and the front seven continues to stop the run effectively, allowing just 3.25 yards per carry (24th).

⚠️ Offense Still Elite, But Undisciplined

• 7.33 yards per play (8th) and 44.2 points per game (5th)

• But turnover margin (-0.33, 93rd) and penalties (27th) remain costly.

💡 Why It Matters
FSU’s offense is still playoff-caliber — its defense is not. Without immediate improvement on third downs and in coverage, the Seminoles risk wasting one of the ACC’s most efficient offenses.

👉 Full stat breakdown via Noles247.

📋 FSU Releases Updated Depth Chart Ahead of Stanford Trip 📋

Florida State (3–3, 0–3 ACC) unveiled its latest depth chart before this weekend’s matchup at Stanford — and several changes stand out as the Seminoles search for answers after three straight losses.

🔥 Offensive Adjustments

• QB: No change — Tommy Castellanos remains the starter, backed by Brock Glenn or Kevin Sperry.

• RB: Roydell Williams and Gavin Sawchuk listed as co-starters; Jaylin Lucas and Ousmane Kromah share the slot role.

• WR: Tae'Shaun Gelsey joins the rotation after earning more snaps last week.

• TE: Randy Pittman returns to the top line, with Douglas, Williams, and Thomas listed as backups.

💥 Defensive Shakeups

• The DE position now lists three co-starters (James Williams, Darryll Desir, Amaree Williams) — signaling uncertainty up front.

• KJ Sampson has been officially removed from the two-deep.

• Shyheim Brown shifts to backup Rover, while Shamar Arnoux moves back to corner and Ricky Knight III slots in at safety.

• Caleb LaVallee makes his first appearance on the depth chart, replacing injured Stefon Thompson.

👉 Full depth chart via Seminoles.com.

🏹 State of the Program: Norvell Under the Microscope

🗣️ Norvell Faces the Noise

Mike Norvell entered Monday’s press conference sounding worn but resolute. His tone balanced accountability and frustration, acknowledging that his team’s issues are fixable — but no longer excusable.

• Execution & Communication: Norvell said the defense played “hesitant,” slowed by over-communication and confusion between levels. The staff plans to simplify calls to help players react faster and “cut it loose.”

• Discipline & Turnovers: Fumbles remain a glaring issue — three different running backs have lost the ball during the three-game skid. Norvell admitted, “If it’s not showing up in the game, that’s on us.”

• Injuries & Adjustments: With Stefon Thompson out this week and Duce Robinson’s status “day-to-day,” FSU’s depth continues to be tested. Norvell praised freshman Micahi Danzy’s growth but emphasized the need for others to “step up and seize the moment.”

• Mindset & Pressure: When asked about outside criticism, Norvell didn’t flinch. “I don’t get caught up in outside messaging… I know what this program stands for. I know my responsibility in that.”

⚠️ The Reality Check

Norvell’s record now stands at 36–30 in his sixth year, including seven separate three-game losing streaks. FSU’s 0–3 ACC start marks just the third time in school history the program has opened conference play winless through three games — two of those under Norvell.

While he points to fight and resilience, the numbers paint a tougher picture: FSU has dropped eight straight conference games, is just 1–10 in its last 11 ACC contests, and has gone 5–13 overall since the end of the 2023 season.

🧩 Recruiting Remains the Underlying Issue

Even with upgraded coordinators and new assistants, recruiting lapses — especially along the defensive and offensive lines — continue to haunt this team.

FSU has yet to sign a high school class ranked higher than No. 12 nationally under Norvell. The 2024 class, built off a 13–0 season, failed to land key blue-chip trench players — a shortfall now reflected in on-field line play.
Reports continue of communication lapses and slow pursuit of local prospects, undermining the momentum created by on-field success.

The current 2026 class (No. 13 nationally) shows moderate improvement but remains light in the trenches, with only one blue-chip lineman committed.

🎙️ The Outside Perspective

Nationally, analysts remain split. CBS Sports called for “a little grace”, citing FSU’s offensive leap from No. 131 to No. 5 nationally and defensive improvement from No. 87 to No. 62 since last year’s 2–10 collapse.
However, others note Norvell’s recurring trend of letting momentum spiral — “Good coaches don’t lose three straight seven different times,” one analyst said.

Most expect FSU to ride out 2025 due to Norvell’s $50 million buyout, but acknowledge 2026 would bring a make-or-break year.

💡 Why It Matters

Florida State’s season now hinges less on talent and more on response. Simplified schemes, ball security, and emotional control will determine whether the Noles salvage a bowl bid — or start another rebuild conversation.

Next up: @ Stanford — a late-night must-win for both the record and the regime.

💪 Commit Class Stays Strong Despite Losses

Even after three straight defeats, FSU’s 2025 recruiting class (No. 14 nationally) remains largely intact. Most current commits reaffirmed their loyalty this week, stressing belief in the program and staff.

• LB Izayia Williams (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️): “I won’t be going to any visit but FSU.”

• DL Tico Crittendon (⭐️⭐️⭐️): “No concern over here. Rocking with the Noles.”

• S Darryl Bell (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️): “Looking forward to making a change in the program when I get there.”

• ATH Darryon Williams (⭐️⭐️⭐️): said his only concern would be a coaching change.

• Only CB Jay Timmons (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) plans additional visits (Ohio State, Penn State).

Even amid on-field frustration, Norvell’s message of accountability appears to be resonating — both inside the locker room and with recruits.

👀 Recruits Still Buying In

Despite Saturday’s loss to Pitt, FSU impressed several visiting prospects.
Top247 RB Jerry Beard (’27) left raving about the atmosphere:

He spent time with RB coach David “YAC” Johnson, who told him “the best back will play — even as a freshman.” Beard cited Ousmane Kromah’s playmaking as something he could envision himself replicating in Garnet and Gold.

Beard added, “The tradition and the fanbase — they’re so committed. You just hope they turn it around soon.”

🧠 Eyes on the Future

FSU will host 2028 QB Grayson Clary (Rabun Gap, GA) on Nov. 1 vs. Wake Forest, marking his first visit to Tallahassee. The highly productive sophomore — 50 total TDs last season — also holds offers from Oregon, Ole Miss, Memphis, and Liberty.

Meanwhile, Top247 safety Davion Jones (’27, Charlotte, NC) included Florida State in his Top 8 alongside Clemson, Georgia, LSU, and others. Jones is known for elite speed and physical tackling, with 8 INTs and 17 PBUs in 21 games.

And that’s a wrap!

The Seminoles are at a crossroads — still talented enough to beat anyone, but undisciplined enough to lose to anyone, too. What happens in Palo Alto will say more about this team’s character than its record.
Win, and FSU steadies the ship. Lose, and the conversation shifts from “what went wrong” to “what’s next.”

See you tomorrow, Chief ⚔️