🏹 September 30th - The Chief Brief 🏹

From MLB Postseason to Miami Showdown

Author

The Chief
September 30, 2025

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Tuesday, Seminole!

Here’s what’s on deck in today’s edition:

🏈 Noon vs. Pitt Locked In — FSU’s October 11 matchup is set, with Doak hosting the annual Cancer Awareness Game.

⚾ Noles in October — From Cal Raleigh’s 60-HR season to Parker Messick’s rookie breakout, seven former Seminoles headline the MLB Postseason.

🔥 Norvell’s Reset — After the sting of Virginia, Norvell demands urgency with Miami week looming.

🏈 Scouting the Canes — A closer look at Miami’s stifling defense, balanced offense, and key playmakers ahead of Saturday’s primetime clash.

🌟 Friday Night Noles — The 2026 class is already flashing: Judah Daniels’ sack surge, Efrem White’s dual-threat show, and more.

🔒 Flip Watch — Oregon DB commit Xavier Lherisse will be inside Doak for the Miami game — and FSU has momentum.

🧠 New Offer Alert — Ponte Vedra LB Jacob Curry is rising fast, with blueblood offers stacking up before his official visit to Tallahassee.

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We’re giving away 2 extra tickets to Miami @ Florida State — but only the first 50 Season Pass sign ups will be entered. Just 18 spots remain.

🏈 FSU–Pitt Set for Noon Kick 🏈


The ACC has slotted Florida State’s matchup with Pitt for Saturday, October 11 at noon inside Doak Campbell Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

🎗 Cancer Awareness Game

  • FSU will designate the Pitt contest as its Cancer Awareness game, part of the program’s annual initiative.

  • Tickets are on sale now through Seminoles.com.

🔥 Next Up Before Then

  • First comes Miami: FSU hosts the No. 3 Hurricanes this Saturday, October 4, under the primetime lights at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.

  • Tickets for Miami are already sold out, though resale options are still live on SeatGeek.

📊 By the Numbers

  • Florida State sits at 3–1 on the season.

  • The Seminoles boast the nation’s top offense, averaging 600 yards and 53 points per game.

⚾ Noles in the MLB Postseason ⚾


Seven former Seminoles will be part of October baseball this year — headlined by record-shattering catcher Cal Raleigh. Here’s how each ‘Nole stacks up heading into the postseason:

💣 Cal Raleigh (Mariners)

  • Historic 60 HR season — most ever by a catcher, switch-hitter, and Mariner.

  • Led the AL with 125 RBI, posted .948 OPS.

  • All-Star Game starter + Home Run Derby champ.

  • Mariners: AL West champs for first time in 24 years, hosting ALDS vs. DET/CLE starting Saturday.

🔥 Parker Messick (Guardians)

  • Rookie lefty debuted Aug. 20, logged 2.72 ERA over 39.2 IP.

  • 38 Ks to just 6 walks.

  • Helped spark CLE’s run to the AL Central crown.

  • Faces DET in Wild Card (Tue–Thu, 1:08 p.m. ET, ESPN).

💪 Tyler Holton (Tigers)

  • Workhorse with 70 appearances, 78.2 IP, 3.66 ERA, 1.04 WHIP.

  • Will battle Messick’s Guardians in Wild Card round.

🧱 Luke Weaver (Yankees)

  • 10-year vet posted 3.62 ERA, 1.02 WHIP over 64 outings.

  • Career-high 8 saves for NYY.

  • Yankees host BOS in Wild Card (Tue–Thu, 6:08 p.m. ET, ESPN).

🌟 Cam Smith (Astros)

  • Rookie season: 134 games, .236 AVG, 9 HR, 51 RBI, 1.9 WAR.

  • Transitioned to full-time RF at age 22.

🔄 Taylor Walls (Rays)

  • Played 101 games, hitting .220 with career-high 38 RBI.

  • Posted a 2.6 WAR, best of his career.

⚡ Cole Sands (Twins)

  • 69 outings, 72 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP.

  • Notched 3 saves while striking out 64.

Why It Matters:
From Raleigh’s historic power surge to Messick’s breakout rookie stretch, FSU’s MLB pipeline is thriving — and Seminoles will have fingerprints all over this year’s postseason storylines.

🏈 Norvell Turns the Page After Virginia Loss 🏈


FSU’s double-OT heartbreak at Virginia left players, coaches, and fans gutted — but Mike Norvell says the focus shifted quickly to Saturday’s primetime rivalry clash with No. 3 Miami at Doak.

🎤 Norvell’s Message

  • “The buttons have been pressed,” Norvell said, noting every player and coach felt the sting on the plane ride home.

  • He emphasized urgency: mistakes must be corrected “OR … that OR will not be good.”

  • Despite the loss, Norvell stressed belief in the team’s progress and the opportunity still in front of them.

📈 Big Picture

  • At 3–1, FSU still controls its own destiny: win out, and a trip to Charlotte and a CFP shot remain in play.

  • Saturday night provides a sold-out stage to “show this team who we are, what we’re about, and the response that we’re going to have.”

⚠️ Lessons Learned

  • Defense played too hesitant at times.

  • Missed offensive tracks cost potential touchdowns.

  • Players didn’t always manage emotions in adversity.

  • “We earned that loss,” Norvell admitted. “Now, what do you do with it?”

🩺 Injury Watch

  • RB Roydell Williams (out since Alabama opener) is back on the depth chart.

  • S Ashlynd Barker (missed Virginia) also listed.

  • Both remain questionable heading into Thursday’s injury report.

Why It Matters:
FSU’s margin for error is gone, and Norvell is demanding sharper execution and stronger resolve — with Miami waiting under the lights, the response will define the season’s trajectory.

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🏈 Rivalry Week: Scouting the Canes 🏈


It’s primetime in Tallahassee as No. 18 FSU (3–1) hosts No. 3 Miami (4–0) on Saturday night at Doak (7:30 p.m., ABC).

🔥 The Setup

  • Miami comes in fresh off a bye after opening with wins over No. 6 Notre Dame, Bethune-Cookman, No. 18 USF, and Florida.

  • Cristobal is 26–16 at Miami, 88–76 overall.

  • Series: Canes lead 36–33, but FSU has taken 3 of the last 4.

📊 Strength on Strength

  • Defense: ACC’s best — just 244.5 yards allowed/game, 11.5 PPG (9th nationally).

    • Opponents: 24% on 3rd down (7th nationally).

    • Only 5 TDs allowed all season.

  • Offense: Efficient and balanced — 450 YPG, 36.8 PPG.

    • 94% red zone scoring, with 14 TDs in 18 trips.

    • Own the ball: 33:38 TOP (12th nationally).

👀 Players to Watch – Offense

  • QB Carson Beck: Georgia transfer, 73% completions, 972 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT.

  • RB Mark Fletcher Jr.: 388 yards, 5 TDs, 97 YPG (2nd in ACC).

  • WR Malachi Toney: Freshman spark — 22 catches, 268 yards, 1 TD.

  • WR CJ Daniels: Liberty/LSU transfer, 3 TDs on 18 grabs.

💪 Players to Watch – Defense

  • DE Rueben Bain Jr.: Disruptive everywhere — 22 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 INT.

  • DE Akheem Mesidor: 17 tackles, 2.5 sacks.

  • LB Mohamed Toure: Rutgers transfer, 18 tackles.

  • Nickel Keionte Scott: Auburn transfer, 3.5 TFL, 2 PBUs.

📌 Other Notes

  • Canes outscored foes 83–16 in 1st halves.

  • OL has allowed just 5 sacks all year.

  • Special teams: Kicker Carter Davis perfect (5/5 FGs, long 53).

  • Turnover margin: +0.75 (leads ACC).

Why It Matters:
Miami’s defense is elite, its QB efficient, and its run game punishing — but Doak at night with everything on the line will test whether the Canes can handle the fire.

🌟 Friday Night Noles: 2026 Class Check-In 🌟


FSU’s 2026 recruiting class is deep into their senior seasons — and several commits are already flashing big-time production ahead of their Tallahassee arrivals.

🔥 Offensive Standouts

  • QB Jaden O’Neal: Limited by injury, but in 2 games went 29/47 (61.7%) for 477 yds, 6 TD, 1 INT.

  • WR Jasen Lopez: Go-to target with 22 catches, 359 yds, 4 TD.

  • WR Efrem White (playing QB): Dual-threat — 806 pass yds (10 TD), 426 rush yds (6 TD).

  • WR Jonah Winston: 27 catches, 234 yds, 2 TD; plus 2 rushing scores.

  • TE Xavier Tiller: Red-zone weapon with 4 TD on 7 grabs.

  • OL Da’Ron Parks: Paving the way for Nitro (WV) to average 170+ rushing yds/game.

  • OL Michael Ionata: Calvary Christian averaging 180 rush yds/game behind him.

💪 Defensive Names to Know

  • DL Judah Daniels: Already up to 7 sacks this fall.

  • DL Tico Crittendon: 20 tackles, 6 TFLs, 1 sack.

  • LB Noah LaVallee: Tackling machine — 88 stops, 3 TFLs, 7 PBUs.

  • DB Darryl Bell III: Two-way playmaker — 267 rec yds, 5 TD plus 16 tackles.

  • DB Chauncey Kennon: 5 rec for 109 yds, 2 TD; added 1 INT defensively.

🩺 Injury Notes

  • WR Brandon Bennett expected back this Friday.

  • LB Izayia Williams sidelined all year (knee).

  • Several commits (Cadeau, Rankins, Timmons, Johnson) without updated stats.

Why It Matters:
From Daniels’ sack surge to White’s dual-threat dominance, FSU’s 2026 class is already making noise — and the group’s ceiling looks sky-high heading into their final high school seasons.

🔒 Flip Watch: DB Target Visiting Doak 🔒


Florida State will have another chance to sway Oregon commit Xavier Lherisse when the three-star defensive back visits Doak Campbell for Saturday’s primetime clash with Miami.

👀 The Prospect

  • 5’10, 185 lbs out of Melbourne (Eau Gallie, Fla.).

  • Ranked the No. 28 safety in the 2026 class (247Sports, grade: 89).

  • Initially hosted only by Oregon for an official in June, but FSU has stayed on him.

🎯 FSU’s Pitch

  • Staff has highlighted how smaller DBs like Earl Little Jr. and Jerry Wilson have thrived in Tony White’s scheme.

  • Seminoles project Lherisse as a safety who’d fit well in their defense.

📊 Senior Season Snapshot

  • Offense: 18/36 passing for 237 yds, 2 TD; 80 rushes for 632 yds, 6 TD.

  • Defense: 11 tackles, 3 INTs (all in one game).

  • Also handles punting and kick returns.

Why It Matters:
Landing Lherisse would mark another head-to-head win over a top program — and Saturday’s atmosphere could be the key to pulling him from Oregon.

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🧠 New Offer: LB Jacob Curry Visiting FSU 🧠


Florida State has quickly moved on Jacob Curry, a rising 2026 defender from Ponte Vedra Beach (Nease HS), and will host him for an official visit Oct. 11 when Pitt comes to Doak.

📈 Stock on the Rise

  • Offered by FSU on Sept. 19, same day Mike Norvell watched him in person.

  • Already added offers from Ohio State (Sept. 15) and visited Oklahoma (Sept. 20).

  • 247Sports: 3-star, No. 79 safety nationally, though FSU envisions him as a linebacker.

🔥 On-Field Production

  • Junior season: 101 tackles, 12 TFLs, 8 sacks, 7 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 FR.

  • Senior year (through 5 games): 42 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FF, 1 blocked punt.

  • Some schools even project him at safety, showing his athletic versatility.

Why It Matters:
Curry’s recruitment is heating up fast — with bluebloods circling — but Norvell and Tony White have positioned FSU to make a strong impression on his upcoming visit.

And that’s a wrap!

And that’s a wrap for today’s Brief. From Miami week under the lights to Noles in the MLB postseason and recruiting battles heating up, there’s no shortage of storylines. Buckle in — October is when seasons are defined.

Go Noles,
—Chief

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