Yesterday’s Poll Results:

Today’s Poll:

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Here's what's inside this edition:

🏆 Kevin Knowles II Semifinalist for Jason Witten Man of the Year Award – Celebrating Kevin Knowles II's nomination and his outstanding leadership both on and off the field.

🎾 Parra Romero and Bissett Advance in ITA All-American Championships – Highlights of Maria Juliana Parra Romero and Millie Bissett's impressive performances at the championships.

🏃 FSU Cross Country Teams Compete at Nuttycombe Invitational – Overview of the cross country teams' achievements and upcoming competitions at the Nuttycombe Invitational.

🏀 Leonard Hamilton Sets FSU Men's Basketball for 2024-25 Season – Insights into Coach Leonard Hamilton's strategies and team preparations for the upcoming basketball season.

🏐 FSU vs. Miami Volleyball Match Rescheduled – Update on the rescheduled volleyball match between Florida State and Miami due to inclement weather.

⚾ FSU Baseball Kicks Off Fall Ball with Successful Scrimmages – Recap of the baseball team's fall practices, pitcher performances, and preparations for the Bedford Cup.

🏈 Shyheim Brown Faces Court Appearance After DUI Arrest – Details on safety Shyheim Brown's legal situation and his contributions on the field despite recent challenges.

🏈 FSU Extends Offer to Three-Star DT Caleb Bell – Information on Florida State's recruitment efforts targeting defensive tackle Caleb Bell and his potential impact.

🏈 Ousmane Kromah Decision Delayed, FSU Remains a Top Option – Update on running back Ousmane Kromah's recruitment status and Florida State's continued interest.

⚖️ FSU Schedules Virtual Hearing with ACC Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings – Details on the upcoming virtual hearing between Florida State and the ACC regarding FSU's motion to stay.

🏆 Kevin Knowles II Semifinalist for Jason Witten Man of the Year Award 🏆

Senior defensive back Kevin Knowles II has been named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Man of the Year Award, which honors exceptional leadership both on and off the field.

A native of Hollywood, Florida, Knowles has actively participated in community initiatives with organizations like Hope to Dream and Boys Town.

On the field, Knowles has started all four games this season and was a key member of FSU's defensive secondary, which led the nation in pass defense in 2023.

Twenty semifinalists will be announced on October 22, with three finalists selected on December 16. The award winner will be unveiled at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 12, 2025.

Read More Here

🎾 Parra Romero and Bissett Advance in ITA All-American Championships 🎾

Maria Juliana Parra Romero and Millie Bissett, ranked 34th, showcased their talents at the ITA All-American Championships in Cary, North Carolina.

The duo secured victories in the qualifying doubles rounds, advancing to the main draw.

Additionally, Parra Romero achieved her first singles win by defeating Valeria Ray of Vanderbilt.

The Seminoles are set to compete next at the Bedford Cup from October 4th to 6th in Fort Myers.

Highlights:

• Doubles Success:

  • Defeated No. 51 Anet Koskel/Grace O'Donnell (7-5, 2-6, 1-0 [5]).

  • Won against Lindsay Zink/Susanna Maltby (2-6, 6-1, 1-0 [3]).

  • Triumphed over No. 23 Elza Tomase/Catherine Aulia (7-6 [6], 0-6, 1-0 [7]).

• Singles Achievement:

  • Parra Romero defeated Valeria Ray (6-4, 4-6, 6-4).

Read More Here

🏃 FSU Cross Country Teams Compete at Nuttycombe Invitational 🏃

Florida State's cross country teams are gearing up for the Nuttycombe Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin, taking place Friday at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.

The women's "A" 6K will start at 1:20 p.m., followed by the men's 8K at 2:00 p.m., with live timing available.

Highlights:

• Team Achievements:

  • Lily Guinn won her first collegiate race at the UCF Invitational with a time of 17:16.4, earning ACC Freshman of the Week.

  • The men's team secured their first win by taking the top three spots in the 5K, led by Kidus Misgina with a time of 14:32.4.

• Coaches' Remarks:

  • Cody Halsey expressed excitement for the upcoming meet, highlighting the hard work and readiness of the women's team.

  • Ian Frazier emphasized the Nuttycombe Invitational as a key opportunity to gauge the season's progress and prepare for future competitions.

FSU will return to Fort Myers for the Bedford Cup from October 4th to 6th.

Read More Here

🏀 Leonard Hamilton Sets FSU Men's Basketball for 2024-25 Season 🏀

Florida State men's basketball head coach Leonard Hamilton is gearing up for the 2024-25 season by focusing on perimeter shooting, rim protection, and building team depth with nine new players.

As Hamilton begins his 23rd season, the Seminoles are preparing for a challenging 31-game schedule starting against Northern Kentucky on November 4, followed by their ACC opener against NC State on December 7.

Highlights:

• Coaching Strategy:

  • Emphasizing perimeter shooting, rim protection, and team depth.

  • Integrating nine new players into the Seminoles' system.

• Key Returning Players:

  • Jamir Watkins: Leads the team in scoring (15.6 ppg), rebounding (6.0 rpg), and steals (1.9 spg).

  • Taylor Bol Bowen and Chandler Jackson: All-ACC caliber players returning to bolster the roster.

• Newcomers to Watch:

  • Malique Ewin: Versatile forward named First-Team junior college All-American.

  • Daquan Davis: Dynamic guard averaging 17.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.

  • Additional talents include Bostyn Holt, Jerry Deng, AJ Swinton, and Alier Maluk.

• Season Outlook:

  • First ACC game against defending champion NC State.

  • Focus on establishing a consistent rotation and maintaining high energy throughout games.

Coach Hamilton remains optimistic about the team's direction, highlighting the blend of experienced leaders and talented newcomers as key to returning to the Seminoles' elite performance levels.

Read More Here

🏐 FSU vs. Miami Volleyball Match Rescheduled 🏐

The volleyball match between Florida State and Miami, originally set for 5 p.m. Saturday in Coral Gables, Fla., has been moved to Noon Sunday due to inclement weather in the Tallahassee area. Fans can watch the match live on ACCNX.

⚾ FSU Baseball Kicks Off Fall Ball with Successful Scrimmages ⚾

Florida State baseball began its 2024 fall season with three productive practices, including two four-inning scrimmages. Despite the impending Hurricane Helene, the team adapted by moving sessions to Tuesday and Wednesday, allowing 16 pitchers to showcase their skills.

Highlights:

• Pitcher Performances:

  • John Abraham: Threw 14 of 20 pitches for strikes, striking out the last three batters with a consistent fastball (90-92 MPH) and a sharp knuckle curve.

  • Evan Chrest: Generated a strikeout and two ground balls with a diverse pitch mix, including a four-seam and two-seam fastball, cutter, slider, and changeup.

  • Payton Manca: Made his mound debut, commanding a 90 MPH fastball and showcasing effective curveballs and breakers.

  • Jacob Marlowe: Increased velocity to 89-91 MPH, demonstrating excellent pitch execution and control with his changeup.

  • Matt Hoag: Displayed effective sinkers and a tight slider, generating ground balls and strikeouts despite initial zone struggles.

• New Additions:

  • Wes Mendes: Ole Miss transfer impresses with a fastball up to 95 MPH and a strong changeup, attracting attention from scouts.

  • Joey Volini: USF transfer shows promising strike zone control with a solid fastball and effective breaking balls.

  • Nick Greaney: JUCO addition excels with a sinking fastball and sweeping slider, securing strikeouts against tough hitters.

• Team Adaptation:

  • Adjusted practice schedule to accommodate Hurricane Helene.

  • Focused on integrating nine new pitchers into the rotation, emphasizing consistency and pitch variety.

• Upcoming Events:

  • Bedford Cup: FSU baseball will compete from October 4th to 6th in Fort Myers, continuing their preparation for the season.

Read More Here

🏈 Shyheim Brown Faces Court Appearance After DUI Arrest 🏈

Florida State standout safety Shyheim Brown is scheduled for a court appearance in early October following his summer arrest on DUI and speeding charges. Brown was suspended for the Seminoles' home opener against Memphis due to internal discipline related to the July incident.

Highlights:

• Arrest Details:

  • Pulled over for driving 117 mph in a 70-mph zone on Interstate-10.

  • Detected strong odor of alcohol; nearly empty tequila bottle found.

  • Failed field sobriety tests with BAC readings of .203 and .199.

• Legal Proceedings:

  • Posted a $500 bond and entered not guilty pleas for both DUI and speeding charges.

  • Court dates set for Oct. 8 (DUI) and Oct. 11 (speeding).

• Athletic Performance:

  • Despite suspension, Brown recorded a team-high 11 tackles in the win against California.

  • Leads FSU with 32 total tackles this season, including 19 solo stops.

  • Earned Third Team All-ACC honors last season.

Looking Ahead: Florida State travels to Dallas to face ACC newcomer SMU on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET. Brown, a three-star recruit from Lake City, Fla., remains a key player as the Seminoles strive to improve their 1-3 record.

Read More Here

🏈 FSU Extends Offer to Three-Star DT Caleb Bell 🏈

Florida State is actively recruiting three-star defensive tackle Caleb Bell from Alpharetta, Georgia. An Arkansas commit, Bell received an offer from the Seminoles on September 23 and is considering attending FSU’s upcoming game against Clemson on October 5.

Highlights:

• Recruitment Status:

  • Offered by FSU on September 23.

  • Aiming to attend the Clemson game to explore FSU further.

• Player Profile:

  • Caleb Bell: 6'3", 270 lbs

  • Junior Season: 75 tackles, 10 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 INT

  • Senior Season (5 games): 30 tackles, 6 sacks, 5.5 TFLs

  • Ranked No. 67 DL nationally and No. 74 overall in Georgia

• Recruitment Insights:

  • Other interested programs include Texas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and NC State.

  • Bell is open to exploring the best fit for his collegiate career.

• Family Background:

  • Son of former NFL linebacker Kendrell Bell, Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2001.

Looking Ahead: FSU’s defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins is in contact with Bell as the Seminoles hope to integrate him into their defensive line depth.

Read More Here

🏈 Ousmane Kromah Decision Delayed, FSU Remains a Top Option 🏈

Florida State continues to strengthen its recruitment efforts with Ousmane Kromah, a highly-rated four-star running back from Lee County, Georgia. Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene, Kromah has postponed his commitment decision to October 5, keeping FSU firmly in the running.

Highlights:

• Recruitment Status:

  • Offer Extended: FSU offered Kromah on September 23.

  • Decision Delay: Kromah rescheduled his commitment announcement to October 5 to attend FSU’s Clemson game.

• Player Profile:

  • Ousmane Kromah: 4-star RB, ranked No. 67 DL nationally and No. 74 overall in Georgia.

  • Junior Season Stats: 75 tackles, 10 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 1 PBU, and 1 INT.

  • Senior Season (5 games): 30 tackles, 6 sacks, and 5.5 TFLs.

• FSU's Recruitment Efforts:

  • Engagement: Coaching staff, including defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins, actively communicating with Kromah.

  • Upcoming Visit: Kromah plans to attend the Clemson game on October 5 to further evaluate FSU’s program.

• Competitive Landscape:

  • Other Top Options: Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and NC State are also in the mix.

  • Influence of Family Legacy: Son of former NFL linebacker Kendrell Bell, adding to his football pedigree.

Looking Ahead:

FSU aims to showcase its strong program, supportive coaching staff, and opportunities for growth to secure Kromah’s commitment. Attending the Clemson game will provide Kromah with firsthand experience of Seminoles' culture and team dynamics, potentially tipping the scales in favor of FSU.

Read More Here

⚖️ FSU Schedules Virtual Hearing with ACC Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings ⚖️

Florida State University is preparing for a pivotal virtual hearing with the Atlantic Coast Conference on October 11, 2024, overseen by Judge John C. Cooper. This hearing addresses FSU's motion to stay pending appellate review, a significant development in the ongoing legal discussions between the university and the ACC.

Highlights:

• Hearing Details:

  • Date: October 11, 2024

  • Format: Virtual

  • Judge: John C. Cooper

  • Location: 1st District Court of Appeal, Leon County

• Legal Context:

  • The hearing will consider FSU's request to pause the proceedings while awaiting the outcome of an appellate review.

  • Previous hearings focused on jurisdictional authority of the Leon County court over the matter.

• Implications for FSU:

  • The decision could influence FSU's future interactions and standing within the ACC.

  • Ongoing legal matters may have repercussions for FSU's athletic programs and administrative operations.

Read More Here

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you for joining us in this edition of The Chief Brief.

Stay tuned for more updates and continue to support our Seminoles as we navigate a challenging season together.

Remember to stay dry today and stay vigilant of Helene.