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Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Labor Day, Seminole!

Florida State’s 31–17 beatdown of Alabama sent shockwaves through college football—and the ripple effects are still rolling. From blue-chip recruits locking in and reconsidering their futures, to depth chart dominance, to coordinators mapping out the next step, Doak was the epicenter of a program-shifting weekend.

Here’s what’s inside today’s Brief:

🏈 2028 WR Lamar Garrison Commits — A rising Florida playmaker makes his pledge right after the Bama win.

🏈 5⭐ QB Kavian Bryant Impressed — One of the top QBs in the 2027 class puts FSU in his top five after soaking in the Doak atmosphere.

🏈 5⭐ Edge DJ Jacobs Fired Up — The No. 1 edge in 2027 calls FSU’s defense “on it” and hints at a return visit.

🏈 ‘Bama Commit Chicken Garror Eyes FSU — An Alabama pledge admits his recruitment is open and says FSU feels like a “second home.”

🏈 Noles Roll 2-Deep — 25 defenders, 23 with double-digit snaps, show FSU’s rotation is built for the grind.

🏈 Coordinators React — Gus Malzahn and Tony White break down the win, highlight growth areas, and praise young standouts.

🏈 10 Noles Who Shined — From Earl Little Jr. to the OL, a full-team effort turned a possible upset into a definitive statement.

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🏈 2028 WR Lamar Garrison Commits to FSU 🏈

Florida State’s win over Alabama wasn’t the only victory this weekend—Leesburg (Fla.) wideout Lamar Garrison (2028) locked in his pledge to the Seminoles right after the game.

🔥 Why FSU?

• “You know I had to,” Garrison said, confirming his commitment.

• The 6’0, 165-pound receiver already holds more than a dozen early offers, including LSU, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and USF.

• What sealed it? “The love they show me every time I come up there was like no other college,” he explained.

📈 Relationship Built

• FSU offered in January after Junior Day.

• He’s been a repeat visitor: April, June, and now the season opener vs. Bama.

• Each trip solidified the bond, making Saturday night feel like the right time to pull the trigger.

Why It Matters: Locking down a playmaker this early in the 2028 class shows just how magnetic FSU’s momentum is with recruits right now.

👉️ Read more on Garrison’s commitment

🏈 5⭐ QB Kavian Bryant Impressed by FSU Atmosphere 🏈

The biggest visitor for Florida State’s season-opening win over Alabama wasn’t from the 2025 or 2026 classes—it was 2027 five-star quarterback Kavian Bryant out of Palestine, Texas.

🔥 A Front-Row Seat

• Ranked No. 2 QB and No. 35 overall prospect nationally, Bryant gave FSU a serious look this weekend.

• “Great atmosphere. Great offensive coordinator calling the plays. It was a good game,” he said after watching the Noles carve up Bama.

• He was especially locked in on how FSU’s offense handled the Crimson Tide defense—and came away impressed.

📈 Scheme Fit

• “Gus [Malzahn] has done it before with Cam Newton, great players like that. Just being able to watch it in person felt right.”

• As a dual-threat QB, Bryant sees himself fitting “very well” in Malzahn’s run-heavy system.

🤝 Building Bonds

• Bryant spent the weekend around Malzahn and QB coach Tony Tokarz, continuing to build relationships.

• His visit extended into Sunday, with more time on campus and with the staff.

• “Them getting me out here, it shows love and that they really want me. If they keep pushing we’re going to see how it turns out.”

Why It Matters: Landing Bryant would be program-shifting—FSU is in his top five, alongside heavyweights like Texas, and they just put their best foot forward in front of one of the nation’s most coveted quarterbacks.

👉️ Read more on Bryant’s visit

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🏈 5⭐ Edge DJ Jacobs Fired Up After FSU’s Win 🏈

Florida State’s dominant showing against Alabama made a serious impression on DJ Jacobs, the No. 1 edge rusher in the 2027 class and No. 3 overall prospect nationally.

🔥 First Impressions

• “I knew Florida State was coming with something but I didn’t know what it was. It was a good performance. Shocked everyone I would probably say,” Jacobs said.

• The 6’5, 220-pounder called the Doak atmosphere “amazing” and “crazy,” praising the Noles’ locked-in focus.

💪 Defense Stands Out

• Jacobs was dialed in on FSU’s defensive line—and he liked what he saw.

• “Defense was on it. D-line was back there the whole time,” he said.

• He noticed a clear difference from last year: more passion, more energy, and sharper execution under the new staff.

👀 What’s Next

• Jacobs says his recruitment is still neutral, but Saturday pushed FSU up his list.

• A return visit to Tallahassee this season is likely.

• He wasn’t alone—his younger brother, 2028 DE Dawson Jacobs (4⭐), also made the trip.

Why It Matters: Jacobs is the nation’s top edge in 2027, and his glowing review of FSU’s defense shows just how far the Seminoles have come under the new coaching staff.

👉️ Read more on Jacobs’ visit

🏈 ‘Bama Commit Jabarrius “Chicken” Garror Eyes FSU 🏈

One of the most intriguing names in Doak for FSU’s 31-17 takedown of Alabama was four-star edge Jabarrius Garror—better known as “Chicken.” The twist? He’s currently committed to the Crimson Tide.

🔥 Visit Impressions

• Garror started his visit Saturday and returned Sunday for more time with Mike Norvell and staff.

• “I loved the visit. The intensity was high. I just love the energy Florida State came out with,” he said.

• Watching FSU’s defense work Alabama over left a mark: “That’s a defense I could play for.”

💪 Scheme Fit

• Defensive coordinator Tony White and DL coach Terrance Knighton have pitched him as a perfect JACK in their scheme.

• Garror agrees: “I can see myself playing the JACK position, rushing off the edge, dropping into coverage. That defense is dominant.”

👀 Recruitment Status

• Though pledged to Alabama, Garror insists his recruitment is “open.”

• “Florida State is in my top list. I love Florida State. They’re at the top.”

• He plans to keep building relationships and making return trips to Tallahassee: “Florida has turned into a second home.”

📊 The Numbers

• Ranked No. 39 overall and No. 7 edge in the 2027 class.

• Put up monster junior-year stats at Mobile (Ala.) Vigor: 104 tackles, 56 TFL, 21.5 sacks, 37 QB hurries, 5 PBUs, 4 forced fumbles.

Why It Matters: Flipping a blue-chip Alabama commit like Garror would be seismic—especially with how openly he’s embracing FSU as a “second home.”

👉️ Read more on Garror’s visit

🏈 FSU Rolls 2-Deep Against Bama 🏈

Florida State didn’t just beat Alabama—they wore them down with depth. Tony White deployed 25 defenders, with 23 logging double-digit snaps, showing off a true two-deep rotation in the 31–17 win.

🔥 Balanced Workload

• QB: Tommy Castellanos led the offense with 63 snaps.

• RBs: Roydell Williams (27), Jaylin Lucas (20), and Gavin Sawchuk (18) carried the load, with Ousmane Kromah (10) and Caziah Holmes (4) sprinkled in.

• WRs: Duce Robinson paced the group (60), joined by Jayvan Boggs (30), Squirrel White (27), and freshman Micahi Danzy (14).

• TEs: Randy Pittman Jr. was nearly every-down (60), backed by Markeston Douglas (36).

💪 Trenches Dominate

• OL: The starting five—Petitbon, Leonard, Medley, Hansen, Pettus—all went wire-to-wire (63 snaps each).

• DL: Darrell Jackson Jr. (54) and Daniel Lyons (44) led a wave of nine linemen with double-digit reps, including Mandrell Desir (29) and Jayson Jenkins (24).

🔒 Defense on Display

• LBs: Elijah Herring (57) and Justin Cryer (50) anchored the middle, while Blake Nichelson (26) and Omar Graham Jr. (21) rotated in.

• Secondary: Earl Little Jr. (64) and Ashlynd Barker (60) rarely left the field, with Edwin Joseph (55) close behind. Corner Jerry Wilson logged every snap (63).

Why It Matters: FSU didn’t just win with stars—they smothered Alabama with fresh legs, depth, and trust across the roster. That kind of rotation pays off big when the season grind sets in.

👉️ Full snap count breakdown here

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🏈 Malzahn & White Break Down Bama Win 🏈

FSU’s coordinators, Gus Malzahn (offense) and Tony White (defense), sat down postgame to dissect the 31–17 win over Alabama. Both praised the fight but emphasized there’s plenty of room to grow.

🔥 Malzahn on the Offense

• New Faces, Big Test: 11 new starters, little continuity—but the unit answered the bell against Bama’s defense. “I was real impressed with our physicality,” Malzahn said.

• QB1 Debut: Freshman QB Tommy Castellanos handled his first start with poise. “The moment’s not too big for him. He thrives in moments like that.”

• Ground Game Smash: Highlighted Gavin Sawchuk’s late TD run as “smash football”—a push led by both RB effort and OL grit.

• Improvement Areas: Execution and consistency. “The best offenses I’ve been a part of improve most from Week 1 to Week 2. That’s what we have to do.”

🔒 White on the Defense

• Physical Identity: “That was a good first step,” White said of the defense’s aggression. “But there’s a lot to clean up.”

• Rotation Pays Off: 25 defenders played, 23 with double-digit snaps. White called it part of Norvell’s plan to keep players fresh, build morale, and fuel competition.

• Young Standouts:

  • Blake Nichelson: Flashed his speed and physicality—pushing for more snaps.

  • Desir twins: “If they keep this up, they’ll be freshman All-Americans.”

  • Daniel Lyons: “The sky’s the limit… 6’5, 300 pounds, twitchy, intelligent. Now’s his time.”

• Veteran Moments: Justin “Juice” Cryer’s recognition on a critical third/fourth down stop was “big-time football.” Earl Little Jr. was praised for his fearless physicality: “A 190-pound DB trying to knock someone’s soul out every play.”

• Process Mindset: White stressed film review and corrections over celebration: “Reflection day. Say, ‘I could’ve, should’ve, will do better.’ That’s how you get 1% better.”

🌟 The Atmosphere
White called the Doak environment “special” and “humbling”: “From the bus to the walk to the war chant—it was magic. We all won yesterday—the fans, boosters, president, recruits, students.”

Why It Matters: The coordinators loved the grit but made it clear—this team is still just scratching the surface. With youth flashing, veterans stepping up, and a full roster rotation, FSU has the foundation for a sustained run.

👉️ Watch the full coordinator Q&A

🏈 10 Noles Who Shined in Bama Beatdown 🏈

Florida State didn’t just beat Alabama—they dominated, 31–17, in a way nobody predicted. And it took contributions from everywhere to make it happen. Here are 10 standouts who set the tone:

🔥 Game Ball (Defense): Earl Little Jr.

• Team-high 9 tackles + TFL.

• Physical, fearless tone-setter who never stopped attacking.

• Earned an 82.2 PFF grade despite playing through a knock.

🔥 Game Ball (Offense): Tommy Castellanos

• Efficient passing with chunk plays to Squirrel White and Jaylin Lucas.

• Smart, controlled scrambles + 4 forced missed tackles.

• Calm and clutch in his first start against a Top 10 defense.

💪 Other Defensive Standouts

• Ashlynd Barker: JUCO-to-starter story; 3 tackles + 2 PBUs in 60 snaps.

• Justin Cryer: Top LB on the day with 7 tackles, including a huge 4th & 5 stop.

• Blake Nichelson: 26 snaps, but delivered a TFL, PBU, and QB hurry.

• Mandrell Desir: True freshman flashed with early pressure + stout run defense.

• Deante McCray: Unsung hero with a 74.5 PFF grade as a reliable run-stopper.

⚡ Offensive X-Factors

• Micahi Danzy: Track speed unleashed—runs of 26 & 32 yards on sweeps.

• Ousmane Kromah: True freshman RB forced 3 missed tackles on 7 carries.

• The OL: Dominated the trenches—1.58 yards before contact per rush and gave Castellanos 3.13 seconds average to throw, the best vs. an SEC defense this weekend.

Why It Matters: This wasn’t a one-man upset—it was a total team statement. From true freshmen to veterans, FSU’s depth and physicality overwhelmed Alabama in a way few thought possible.

👉️ Full breakdown + highlights here

And that’s a wrap!

What a weekend, Chief. A 31–17 win over Alabama, recruits flooding in with rave reviews, and a roster showing true two-deep strength—it all points to something bigger brewing in Tallahassee.

If this is Week 1, imagine where the Noles can be by November.

Until tomorrow, keep the war chant loud and the spear high. 🍢