🏹 October 22nd - The Chief Brief 🏹

🎯 Rivalry Week, Recruiting Challenges, and Rising Stars: FSU Prepares for Miami 🎯

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The Chief
October 22, 2024

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Today’s Poll

Will FSU score more than 20 points against Miami?

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

🏀 FSU Basketball Honors Aubry Boyd’s Legacy 🏀
Florida State basketball will pay tribute to former player Aubry Boyd during their exhibition against St. Leo, aiming to raise $15,000 for his foundation.

⛳ FSU Golf Teams Compete in Jackson T. Stephens Cup ⛳
Both the men’s and women’s teams are battling tough competition at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup, with Tyler Weaver and Lottie Woad leading the way.

🏆 Samuel Singleton Jr. Named ACC Specialist of the Week 🏆
Singleton’s 95-yard kickoff return earns him well-deserved ACC honors after his standout performance at Duke.

📉 Recruiting Setbacks for FSU Football 📉
Two wide receiver decommitments leave the Seminoles regrouping, but new offers are out for top talents in the 2025 class.

🏈 Depth Chart Released Ahead of Miami Showdown 🏈
FSU’s latest depth chart is out as the team prepares for its crucial rivalry game against Miami this Friday.

🏈 Practice Report: Energy Builds, Execution Needs Sharpening 🏈
FSU continues to prep for Miami, with standout performances from Luke Kromenhoek and the return of LB Blake Nichelson.

🏀 FSU Basketball Honors Aubry Boyd’s Legacy 🏀

Florida State basketball will honor the legacy of former player Aubry Boyd during their exhibition game against St. Leo on Thursday at 7 p.m. Boyd, who suffered a life-changing injury in 1995, has received years of support through the Aubry Boyd Foundation, which helps him live independently.

The goal of the event is to raise $15,000 for the foundation. Fans can meet FSU student-athletes from 6-7 p.m. in the Tucker Center lobby, with tax-deductible donations accepted on-site.

⛳ FSU Golf Team Fights Back at Jackson T. Stephens Cup ⛳

The No. 12 Florida State men’s golf team opened play at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup in Oklahoma City, with Tyler Weaver leading the Seminoles, sitting tied for third place at 2-over par. Weaver shot a 3-under 67 in the first round, putting him just three strokes behind the leader.

Other Seminoles in the field:

  • Luke Clanton: Tied for 12th at 5-over.

  • Jack Bigham: 21st at 7-over.

  • Gray Albright: 34th at 15-over.

  • Michael Mays: 35th at 16-over.

FSU sits in fifth place (+29), trailing SMU (+8), Oklahoma State (+10), and Oklahoma (+16). Coach Trey Jones emphasized the importance of responding, not reacting, as the Noles look to improve in Tuesday's final 18 holes, which begin at 12:20 p.m.

The tournament wraps up with match play on Wednesday, with live coverage on the Golf Channel from 4-6 p.m.

⛳ Lottie Woad Shines as FSU Women's Golf Battles at Jackson T. Stephens Cup ⛳

Junior All-American Lottie Woad leads the No. 9 ranked Florida State women’s golf team, currently in third place individually at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup in Oklahoma City. Woad, the No. 1 ranked amateur player in the world, has three holes left to play in her second round and is just four strokes away from second place as she aims for her fourth collegiate individual championship.

Team Standings:

  • Florida State is tied for fourth place alongside Oklahoma State.

  • South Carolina holds the lead, followed by Oregon and Arkansas.

  • FSU is looking to finish in the top four after Tuesday’s final round of stroke play to advance to Wednesday’s match play.

Senior Kaylah Williams is in 10th place individually after rounds of 72 and 76, while three FSU freshmen are gaining valuable experience as they round out the lineup. Woad and her teammates will complete their final 18 holes on Tuesday, with a chance to push FSU into the top spots for the final day.

🏆 Samuel Singleton Jr. Named ACC Specialist of the Week After Career Game 🏆

Florida State redshirt freshman Samuel Singleton Jr. has been named ACC Specialist of the Week following his breakout performance against Duke. Singleton, hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, returned four kickoffs for 165 yards, including a spectacular 95-yard touchdown to open the second half.

🏈 Key Highlights:

  • The 95-yard return was tied for the 19th-longest in FSU history and was Singleton’s first career touchdown.

  • His 165 kickoff return yards rank seventh in FSU history and are the third-most in the nation this season.

  • Singleton became the first FSU freshman to return a kickoff for a touchdown since Kermit Whitfield did it twice in 2013.

Singleton’s impressive performance marks the second time an FSU player has earned ACC Specialist of the Week honors this season, following kicker Ryan Fitzgerald’s recognition against Georgia Tech. Singleton is now the only Power 4 freshman with a kickoff return touchdown this season.

📉 FSU Faces Recruiting Challenges as Two Wide Receiver Commits Decommit 📉

Florida State's 2025 recruiting class took a hit recently with the decommitments of two four-star wide receivers: Malik Clark, who flipped to South Carolina, and Daylan McCutcheon, who committed to Texas. With their departures, the Seminoles are left with one wide receiver commit, CJ Wiley.

💪 Can FSU Hold on to Four-Star WR CJ Wiley? 💪

Wiley, a four-star prospect from Milton (Ga.), shocked many with his summer commitment to FSU, choosing the Seminoles over heavyweights like Georgia and LSU. However, Georgia continues to pursue him aggressively, and with FSU’s football season faltering, the Bulldogs might be gaining ground. Despite Wiley’s public loyalty to FSU, it’s hard to discount Georgia’s persistent interest.

🎯 New Offers at Wide Receiver 🎯

In response to recent decommitments, FSU has sent out new offers at the wide receiver position:

  • Jayvan Boggs: A four-star receiver from Cocoa (Fla.) currently committed to UCF, Boggs has an intriguing recruiting history. He previously decommitted from Ohio State and Missouri before landing at UCF. FSU has recently entered his recruitment but is still evaluating their standing.

  • Tae’shaun Gelsey: A 6-foot-4 wideout from Jacksonville, currently committed to Florida. FSU has shown interest in Gelsey as a potential tight end but extended an offer for him to remain at wide receiver. Gelsey has visited FSU several times, and there is legitimate interest from his camp.

  • Malachi Toney: A four-star receiver from American Heritage (Fla.), Toney recently reclassified to the 2025 class and decommitted from Miami. FSU remains a top contender, and he recently visited Tallahassee for a home game.

  • Donovan Murph: Another four-star prospect, Murph recently reclassified from the 2026 to the 2025 class. South Carolina is the favorite to land him, with Clemson also heavily involved. FSU’s chances here are slim as Murph is likely to stay in-state.

FSU will need to push hard to secure wide receiver commitments as they face fierce competition for top prospects.

🔄 FSU Keeps Tabs on Four-Star Linebacker Tavion Wallace Despite Arkansas Commitment 🔄

Florida State has continued to stay in touch with four-star linebacker Tavion Wallace, even after the Baxley, Ga. standout committed to Arkansas in July. Wallace’s decision to choose the Razorbacks over the Seminoles surprised many, as FSU had been his public leader leading up to his summer commitment.

👥 Ongoing Communication with FSU Coaches 👥

Despite his pledge to Arkansas, Wallace maintains a close relationship with Florida State’s coaching staff, particularly linebackers coach Randy Shannon and head coach Mike Norvell. Wallace shared that Shannon calls his mother frequently, which has helped keep the Seminoles in the mix. A potential return visit to Tallahassee during the season is not out of the question for Wallace.

🏈 Georgia Emerging as a Contender 🏈

While Arkansas remains Wallace’s current commitment, Georgia has also been gaining traction. Wallace has made multiple gameday trips to Athens and has built a strong bond with Georgia’s linebacker room, adding another layer of competition to his recruitment.

With FSU continuing to stay involved, the race for Wallace is far from over.

🏈 Top 247 Recruits: Where FSU Stands in the 2025 Recruiting Class 🏈

As the early signing period for the 2025 recruiting class approaches on December 4, Florida State is one of the teams vying for top talent across the country. Currently, FSU holds six Top247 commitments, putting them in a competitive position alongside Michigan, Oklahoma, and Penn State.

While schools like LSU and Auburn lead the way with 16 and 15 Top247 commits, respectively, the Seminoles will need to continue building their roster to stay in the mix. With blue-chip prospects often becoming key contributors, FSU’s ability to secure these elite recruits will be crucial for future success on the field.

Stay tuned as the Seminoles look to add more top-tier talent and solidify their 2025 recruiting class.

🏈 Florida State Releases Depth Chart Ahead of Miami Showdown 🏈

As Florida State prepares for their highly anticipated matchup against Miami this Friday, the Seminoles have released their official depth chart for the game. There were no significant changes from last week's lineup, keeping the key positions consistent as they look to bounce back after their tough loss to Duke.

Key Positions:

  • Quarterback: Brock Glenn continues to be the starter, with Luke Kromenhoek as the backup.

  • Running Backs: Kam Davis leads the way with Caziah Holmes as his backup, while Lawrance Toafili and Samuel Singleton also remain key players.

  • Wide Receivers: Hykeem Williams, Malik Benson, and Ja'Khi Douglas maintain their starting spots.

Special Teams:

  • Kickoff Returner: Samuel Singleton Jr., fresh off his ACC Specialist of the Week honors, will continue in his role, with freshman Micahi Danzy backing him up.

  • Punt Return: Malik Benson shares the starting spot with freshman Lawayne McCoy.

Florida State faces a challenging task this week as they head to Hard Rock Stadium to take on undefeated Miami. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.

🏈 Practice Report: Florida State Preps for Miami, Nichelson Set to Return 🏈

Florida State hit the practice field on Monday for a Tuesday-style session ahead of this week’s rivalry showdown against Miami. Head coach Mike Norvell emphasized the energy of the team, noting that the players practiced fast, but overall execution seemed to lag behind the intensity needed for a rivalry game.

Key Observations:

  • Luke Kromenhoek had a solid day at quarterback, impressing with deep passes and his ability to change arm slots. He connected on multiple deep throws, including a standout 50-55-yard pass to Lawayne McCoy. However, he did throw a pick during team drills.

  • Brock Glenn played it safe, avoiding costly throws and connecting well on a few deep shots, keeping the offense out of harm's way.

  • Wide Receivers: Lawayne McCoy, BJ Gibson, and Elijah Moore had notable moments in Pass Skelly, showing their athleticism and coordination. However, Hykeem Williams had an up-and-down day, with a missed opportunity on a deep throw.

  • Defensive Standouts: Quindarrius Jones, Edwin Joseph, and Ja’Bril Rawls made strong defensive plays, including physical coverage and forced turnovers.

  • Blake Nichelson is expected to return for Saturday’s game after missing the Duke contest, adding depth to the linebacker unit.

While the energy was there, the execution and focus were inconsistent. Pre-snap penalties were a concern as the team prepares for a critical rivalry game. All eyes are now on how the Seminoles will respond as they head into a high-stakes matchup against Miami.

And that’s a wrap!

That’s all for today, Seminoles! As we head into rivalry week, let’s rally behind our teams and embrace the highs and lows. Whether it’s on the court, the field, or the course, FSU athletes are giving it their all. Let’s do the same with our support!

Until next time, keep the spirit alive and stay gold, Seminoles! 🌟

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