🏹 September 17th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Turning the Tide: FSU Gears Up for Key Matchups and Crucial Decisions

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The Chief
September 17, 2024

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Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

We’ve got a lot of updates on the docket for you today:

🏆 Gray Albright Honored with Golden Torch Award 🏆
Graduate golfer Gray Albright continues to excel in academics and athletics, earning the 2024 Golden Torch Award.

🏐 FSU Volleyball Prepares for Rival Florida Showdown 🏐
The Seminoles head to Gainesville to take on the Gators in a top-20 rivalry match.

🔥 Top 2026 LB Thomas Davis Jr. Focuses on Key Visits 🔥
Thomas Davis Jr. plans pivotal recruiting trips to Penn State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.

🏈 WR CJ Wiley Reaffirms FSU Commitment 🏈
Despite FSU's 0-3 start, CJ Wiley remains solid on his commitment.

🏈 Four-Star Safety Ladarian Clardy Nears Decision 🏈
Clardy, a top safety prospect, will announce his decision on Sept. 21 amid interest from LSU and Ole Miss

🏈 Running Back Ousmane Kromah Nears Decision 🏈
Top FSU target Ousmane Kromah is set to choose between Auburn, Georgia, and FSU on Sept. 28.

🏈 FSU Opens as 3-Point Favorite Against Cal 🏈
The Seminoles host undefeated Cal this weekend, looking to secure their first win of the season.

🏈 FSU to Face SMU in First-Ever Matchup 🏈
FSU travels to Dallas for SMU's inaugural ACC game on Sept. 28.

🏥 Mike Norvell Provides Injury Update 🏥
Norvell shared updates on key players ahead of FSU's matchup against Cal.

📝 FSU Releases Depth Chart for Cal Matchup 📝
The Seminoles’ depth chart remains mostly unchanged as they prepare for Saturday's game.

🏆 Gray Albright Honored with Golden Torch Award for Men's Golf 🏆

Graduate student Gray Albright was recognized with the 2024 Golden Torch Award for his outstanding academic achievements and athletic success.

Pursuing a second degree in social science, Albright continues to balance his studies with a stellar golf career.

He’s been named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll three years in a row and earned All-ACC honors for the 2023-2024 season.

With individual championships and a top-25 PGA Tour ranking, Albright remains a shining example of a student-athlete excelling in both academics and athletics.

🏐 Florida State Volleyball Set to Face Rival Florida in Gainesville 🏐

The No. 18 Florida State volleyball team will take on No. 16 Florida Gators on Tuesday night in a highly anticipated rivalry match.

With FSU aiming for its first win over the Gators in Gainesville since 2016, the stakes are high as both teams are ranked in the top 20.

The Seminoles have started the season strong with a 7-1 record, led by key players like Audrey Koenig and Khori Louis. This match will also air live on ESPN at 7 p.m.

🔥 Top 2026 Linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. Eyes Key Visits 🔥

Thomas Davis Jr., a highly coveted 2026 linebacker from Matthews (NC), is taking pivotal visits this fall that could shift his recruitment.

The 6'2", 205-pound prospect, ranked No. 7 nationally at his position, holds over 30 offers from elite programs.

He plans to visit Penn State on November 2 for their game against Ohio State, Notre Dame on November 9 for their matchup with Florida State, and Ohio State on November 30 for the Michigan game. Notre Dame is currently leading in his recruitment.

🏈 Four-Star WR CJ Wiley Reaffirms Commitment to FSU Amid Pursuit from Other Schools 🏈

Top247 wide receiver CJ Wiley, committed to Florida State since June, continues to stand firm despite FSU's rocky 0-3 start.

Wiley, who picked the Seminoles over Georgia, LSU, and others, confirmed his commitment after the 20-12 loss to Memphis.

However, UGA and LSU are still in pursuit, with Wiley hearing from UGA almost daily. Standing at 6'4" with a rare blend of size and speed, Wiley remains a top prospect with tremendous upside, projecting as a future NFL draft candidate.

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🏈 Four-Star Safety Ladarian Clardy Nears Decision Amid Late LSU Offer 🏈

With just five days left until his announcement, four-star safety Ladarian Clardy received a late offer from LSU, adding intrigue to his recruitment.

Despite this, Ole Miss remains the favorite, with 247Sports analysts predicting the Rebels will land the Pensacola native.

Clardy has visited Ole Miss multiple times and expressed admiration for Lane Kiffin’s coaching style and the atmosphere in Oxford.

He will make his decision on Sept. 21, in honor of his late brother’s birthday.

🏈 Top FSU Running Back Target Ousmane Kromah Nears College Decision 🏈

Ousmane Kromah, a four-star running back and key FSU target, is closing in on his college decision, set for Sept. 28.

Auburn and Georgia are seen as the frontrunners, but Kromah maintains strong ties with Florida State, despite their rocky start to the season.

He plans to attend FSU’s November game against North Carolina to watch his friend Kam Davis play. Kromah also praised FSU running backs coach David "Coach YAC" Johnson for his mentorship and genuine approach.

🏈 FSU Opens as 3-Point Favorite Against Cal 🏈

Florida State, still searching for their first win of the season at 0-3, enters Saturday’s home game against Cal as a three-point favorite.

The Golden Bears come in with a 3-0 record, including an impressive road win against Auburn.

Despite their star running back Jaydn Ott’s injury, Cal has found success in their rushing game behind Jaivian Thomas, who’s averaged 8.2 yards per carry over the last two games.

The game marks Cal’s first ACC matchup and will air on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.

🏈 FSU to Face SMU in First-Ever Matchup on September 28 🏈

Florida State will travel to Dallas, Texas, to face SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Saturday, September 28th, marking the first-ever ACC game for the Mustangs.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on the ACC Network. This will be the first meeting between FSU and SMU, adding another layer of excitement to SMU’s family weekend festivities.

FSU enters the matchup 0-3 and hosts Cal this weekend, while SMU currently stands at 2-1 after a close loss to BYU.

🏥 Mike Norvell Provides Injury Update Ahead of FSU’s Matchup Against Cal 🏥

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell offered injury updates on key players during his Monday press conference.

Both starting offensive tackles, Jeremiah Byers and Darius Washington, missed last week’s game against Memphis.

Norvell mentioned that Byers’ status will be evaluated as the week progresses, while Washington’s situation remains uncertain.

On the defensive side, safety Shyheim Brown is expected to return this week, while wide receiver Jalen Brown and linebacker Cam Riley are being monitored.

📝 FSU Releases Depth Chart Ahead of Cal Matchup 📝

Florida State released its official depth chart in preparation for Saturday’s game against Cal. There were no significant changes from last week’s lineup.

DJ Uiagalelei remains the starting quarterback, with Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek listed as backups.

The offensive line is still dealing with injuries, but Darius Washington and Jeremiah Byers are listed as potential starters. Key positions on defense, including Patrick Payton at defensive end and Joshua Farmer at defensive tackle, remain unchanged.

🔊 Norvell, FSU Coaching Staff Address 0-3 Start 🔊

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell, along with coordinators Adam Fuller and John Papuchis, spoke to the media on Monday following the team's 0-3 start. Norvell acknowledged the team’s frustrating performance in their loss to Memphis and emphasized that everything is under evaluation as they prepare for Saturday’s matchup against Cal.

Norvell highlighted improvements on the defensive front, noting the strong play of Joshua Farmer and the resilience of younger players like Justin Cryer and K.J. Kirkland. Despite holding Memphis to fewer rushing yards, the defense was often put in difficult positions due to three first-half turnovers from the offense.

Injury Updates
Norvell addressed the availability of key players, particularly offensive tackles Jeremiah Byers and Darius Washington, whose absence contributed to FSU’s offensive struggles. While Byers’ progress is promising, Washington's status is uncertain after his unexpected injury during warmups. The return of safety Shyheim Brown is expected, while linebacker Cam Riley and wide receiver Jalen Brown remain in wait-and-see mode as they recover from injuries sustained in the Memphis game.

Offensive Challenges
Offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, who was absent due to an NCAA suspension, will return to the sidelines for Saturday’s game. Norvell discussed the continued need to address poor third-down execution and the offense’s lack of rhythm. He mentioned quarterback DJ Uiagalelei’s preparation and some bright moments but stressed that the entire offense needs to perform better as a unit.

Special Teams Issues
Norvell was also candid about the challenges on special teams, calling the performance "awful" after mistakes such as a fumbled punt return and a controversial offside penalty that extended a key Memphis drive.

Looking ahead, Norvell emphasized that the team is working hard to create sparks on offense while ensuring that each player is held accountable for their preparation and performance.

📰 Florida State Hosts Cal in Landmark ACC Showdown 📰

Florida State (0-3) will welcome an undefeated Cal (3-0) to Doak Campbell Stadium for a Saturday night matchup, marking Cal’s first-ever ACC game. Led by coach Justin Wilcox, Cal boasts an impressive turnover margin (+2.67), ranking second nationally, with standout defensive performances from senior DB Nohl Williams and sophomore LB Cade Uluave. Offensively, Cal’s QB Fernando Mendoza has completed over 70% of his passes, while RB Jaivian Thomas leads the ground attack with 7.77 yards per carry. FSU will seek its first win against Cal’s balanced and disciplined squad.

Key Stats to Watch
Cal’s defense excels at takeaways, with 10 turnovers gained this season, including a nation's-best nine interceptions. On offense, redshirt freshman WR Nyziah Hunter leads Cal with four receiving touchdowns. However, penalties have been an issue for the Bears, as they average 9.33 penalties per game, one of the highest rates in the nation.

With both teams heading into pivotal parts of their season, FSU will look to rebound against a well-rounded Cal team that hasn't allowed more than 14 points in a game this season.

And that’s a wrap!

We’ve got an exciting week ahead with critical matchups and decisions that could shape the future of Florida State’s programs.

Stay tuned as the Seminoles look to rebound and make strides in both athletics and recruiting.

Don’t forget to catch the FSU vs. Cal game this Saturday and our next edition for all the updates! Until next time—Go Noles!

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