Everything Noles: For Florida State Seminoles Fans

Mike Norvell on first day of full pads for FSU football: There were some good things that we did and there’s some ugly moments, and some really good responses throughout the course of practice"

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0000

Florida State wrapped up the first week of spring camp Friday with its first padded practice, with coach Mike Norvell pointing to several newcomers who have made early impressions on a roster still taking shape.

“There were some good things that we did and there’s some ugly moments, and some really good responses throughout the course of practice,” Norvell said. “Some big plays showed up both sides of the ball.”

We were aggressive in our installations, just trying to force guys with their study, their process, and the application of the things we put in,” he said. “I felt the winter program prepared them.”

The linebacker room drew particular praise. Freshman Noah LaVallee forced a fumble in the opening practice Monday and followed with open-field tackles on Friday. Norvell also mentioned freshmen Karon Maycock and Daylen Green as contributors in the early going. Linebacker Izayia Williams remains sidelined working back from a knee injury but has been present in meetings.

Veteran linebacker Chris Jones said the first day in pads brought a different kind of energy to the group.

“I love to hit, so it was just good to be back in pads for sure,” Jones said. He also credited the group’s “gradership program” under position coach Coach Sims, where upperclassmen are tasked with pulling younger players aside and coaching them up throughout practice: “That one thing you tell him that one time, he can remember that and that’ll make him better.”

On the defensive line, Norvell said Franklin Whitley has shown natural strength despite limited football experience, while Earnest Rankins drew praise Friday after being challenged heading into the padded session. “We’ve got big expectations for him,” Norvell said of Rankins. Norvell also singled out edge rusher Deamontae Diggs, who missed most of last season with an injury, as a standout Friday. “He’s not fully there, but if he keeps taking steps, he’s going to provide a real presence on the edge.”

First-year edge coach Nick Williams also drew praise. “I love his energy,” Norvell said. “He’s going to push guys to an expectation of what it needs to be, and he does that for himself.”

Legacy wide receiver Devin Carter has also caught Norvell’s eye. “He’s a good worker. He really loves the game. You could tell he’s a technician of the game,” Norvell said. “Not everything has gone well for him this week, but even in the moments where it wasn’t a great play, you can feel his urgency to go get better.” Wide receivers Darryon Williams and EJ White have also been seeing reps, with Norvell noting good moments alongside areas still to develop.

In the backfield, Norvell called transfer Tre Wisner “about all the right things that you want,” pointing specifically to his leadership, football IQ and work in pass protection. “He’s smart, he studies, he’s got versatility — protections are something that’s important to him,” Norvell said.

Sophomore Ousmane Kromah was quick to echo the praise, saying that “he really does take care of everybody.” Participating in his first spring camp after arriving last summer as true freshmen, Kromah said Wisner has helped him process the game faster. “My game has grown in majority vision,” Kromah said. Kromah also praised four-star freshman Amari Thomas, saying the room has barely scratched the surface with him. “Just wait till we actually groom him and teach him how to do certain things,” Kromah said. “It’s over.”

At quarterback, Norvell said Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels has produced at least one explosive vertical play in each of the first three practices. “For a guy that has a lot of recognition for his movement skills, he’s been able to locate the ball and put it in good places,” Norvell said. Freshman Jaden O’Neal, out for the season due to injury, has remained active in the meeting room, something Norvell said he’s been pleased with.

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FSU HC Mike Norvell talks first day of 2026 Seminoles spring practice

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:17:00 -0000

FSU football hit the field on Monday for the first day of spring camp, piecing together a practice that head coach Mike Norvell said was “what you want from a first day.”

“I thought it was a very productive first day,” he said. “There were some shots on ball defensively that I liked. I think we were able to jar one free [from] one of our young freshmen offensive players, so that’s something they could definitely learn from. Had a couple hands on ball in the defensive backfield.”

“I thought the quarterbacks really did a really good job, being able to go and have control of what we did today. Located the ball well. I mean, there's a couple explosive plays that showed up down the field. But all in all, I think it felt like it was a team that came with a good understanding of day one and now we get to continue to work on the details of what's necessary and going to get better. Just in helmets, so only, there's very limited contact at all and obviously we'll build up for Friday to see the physical element of it but the guys moved well and moved confident.”

Norvell also confirmed that defensive lineman Jordan Sanders will be out for the spring, defensive end Cam Brooks out until at least mid-season with hopes to get him in action and true freshman quarterback Jaden O’Neal will be out of the season.

When asked about what he’s looking to see from quarterback Ashton Daniels, Norvell told local media that the priorities are locking in his “command and control of the things he’s being asked to do.”

“This is really his fourth offense since he’s been in college he has to learn, and that is a good thing when it comes to a lot of things that you can fall back on,” he said. “There's not much that we're asking him to do that's totally different than something that he's done before, there are some foundational elements that he can pull upon but now it’s how we do it and the finer details — where we want eyes, the locations, reads all those things we kind of work together.”

“I thought he threw the ball really well today. He's able to locate it, you could tell that those guys, receivers, quarterbacks, I mean, for the first day, I mean, you could see the work that they've done on their own. And so it was pretty clean when it came to that. And he had a really good control. I thought he played fast.”

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Gospel of Ham: Tipping off the Luke Loucks era -- Looking at FSU's new staff, team and schedule ahead of season

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 14:35:00 -0000

For the first time in 22 years, Florida State basketball will be led by a new head basketball coach.

Luke Loucks, returning back to his alma mater to replace longtime legend Leonard Hamilton, has hit reset in Tallahassee, bringing in a new staff and essentially an entire new roster as he looks to revitlize a program that’s been stuck in neutral (and reverse, on too many occasions) for the past few seasons.

On the latest episode of The Gospel of Ham (listen, the man earned the podcast title), Matt Minnick and Michael Rogner break down this year’s edition of the Seminoles, ranging from the staff that Loucks has put together, the players that’ll be taking the court this season and the schedule they’ll be going up against.

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What FSU's early success means for 2026 recruiting class

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Florida State had a major summer on the recruiting trail, vaulting into the top 15 of the composite rankings after a slow start following last year's debacle.

It’s easy to build up classes before recruits see games get played, and so heading into August, the question then became whether the Seminoles were going to be able to maintain that momentum once the season rolled around.

A 2-0 start that includes a season-redefining win over Alabama and a record-setting 74-point victory helps answer that.

On the latest episode of the Florida State of Recruiting podcast, the Three Stars (Josh Pick, NoleThruandThru and Tim Alumbaugh) break down how the Seminoles’ on-field success is translating to the trail, which positions remain key priorities, names to watch and more.

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Breaking down FSU's upset win over Alabama: New expectations, players of the game and more

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 01:39:00 -0000

After a dominant Week 1 victory over Alabama, Florida State is riding high and reasserting itself on the national stage. The Seminoles thoroughly defeated the Tide by dominating both lines of scrimmage and being “the aggressor,” in the words of Mike Norvell. In one weekend, the Seminoles went from a question mark to sitting inside the Top 25 with their schedule about to open up.

Listen in today, and every Tuesday throughout the season, as the Seminole Wrap team, Perry Kostidakis, Jacob Smith, and Jordan Silversmith break down FSU’s game over the weekend, along with a host of other topics. In this episode, the team discusses the players of the game, new expectations for FSU heading into the rest of the season, and the cathartic atmosphere inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

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We’re not PBU, we’re DBU:” Norvell pushing FSU defense to “focus on the finish” during Jacksonville road trip -- interview with Norvell, DL Coach Terrance Knighton and DL Deante McCray

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 20:28:00 -0000

Over the last week, a common complaint has found a home amidst head coach Mike Norvell’s practice evaluations — missed opportunities.

Even when complimentary of his team’s mindset, approach, execution and potential, he’s found himself repeatedly expressing disappointment in the lack of fully taking advantage of moments that hold even more weight when the season rolls around, particularly on the defensive side.

“We’ve had some opportunities to to create takeaways defensively, left a few of them out there, really within all three groups,” he said following Thursday’s practice in Jacksonville. “Plenty of people are happy with PBU. We’re not PBU University. We’re DBU University. You got to go make the play. Go finish the play, put yourself in position. You have to be able to finish in those moments — when you’re back there [during a game], the entire stadium when a defensive player is “oh, oh man.” Those are game-changers, ones that absolutely impact the course of all things, so it’s one of the things we’re really emphasizing — the focus to the finish.“

The hope is that the Seminoles’ road trip to Jacksonville, an annual excursion under Norvell, will accelerate both the understanding of expectations and the team-building that occurs in the dog days of summer.

“They understand the opportunity that we have,” Norvell said. “You get an opportunity to come be in a place where it’s just us and our guys know that. Everybody’s got their own unique journey, our own backstories and when you get to spend time together and get to know a little bit more of somebody’s why, when you get to really spend more of that quality time, it just continues to bring you together.”

Defensive line coach Terrance Knighton’s backstory includes Jacksonville, where he spent three years after being selected by the Jaguars in the 2009 NFL Draft, a fact not lost on lineman Deante McCray — himself having spent time in Duval.

“It’s awesome to be in a room like that,” McCray said. “Like he’s been where we’re all trying to get to. So, we’re going to listen to what he says. He’s really relatable. He’s seen it. He’s coached it. He’s seen it all. Like, you know what I’m saying? That’s a guy where you believe everything he says. No question. Like, he wants you to run in a wall 100 miles per hour, you gonna run into a wall 100 miles per hour.”

Knighton has seen his example embraced by his unit, to a degree that they’ve begun emulating his personality. Asked if he brought up any tales from his days in a Jaguars uniform, he said his players beat him to the punch.

“They do it all the time. They give me crap about it,” he joked, saying “they pull up old YouTube videos and things like that — obviously I tell them I was the best ever, so they go and look for film on it. We have a good time with it, they were like, “Oh, coach, you’re back in Jacksonville. Are you going to cry?” And then all you know, all this stuff. But we have a good time, man, you always know your group as a position coach takes on your personality. So, I’m used to the banter and the locker room talk. So, we’re having a lot of fun with it.”

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FSU coaches talk first scrimmage: Mike Norvell, Gus Malzahn, Tony White interviews

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 18:38:00 -0000

Florida State football, with 24 days remaining until the season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide, is in the midst of what head coach Mike Norvell called a “critical, critical week” following Tuesday’s scrimmage.

Strapping up in full pads for the first time this fall, the Seminoles are now hoping to build upon the initial foundation established through six days of camp and chip away at the mental mistakes that Norvell says are keeping the team from fully elevating to the standard he’s seeking.

"You felt guys playing emotional, with energy, excitement,” he said on a post-scrimmage video conference with the media. “There were some things we absolutely gotta get cleaned up, had some foolish penalties that showed up tonight that kind of cost the team in moments. We gotta be more disciplined in some aspects of that, but I thought it was a good first scrimmage. You kind of get a sense of exactly where we are.”

Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and defensive coordinator Tony White, both in their first years in Tallahassee, spoke with the media today to offer their own insight into the scrimmage and what they’ve seen from the team so far.

Tuesday’s scrimmage reportedly featured the offense getting to a hot start, taking advantage of second-chances provided by slip-ups on the defensive side. While they managed to regain their footing as the night continued, White said the self-inflicted issues had a lingering impression on his evaluation of their performance.

“First scrimmages, you’re always going to have some good plays and bad plays,” White said. “I think there are some just the thing that stands out are certain performances, some guys that you thought may play a little bit better did not, and some guys who you didn’t know how they were going to play really perform well.

“And so the biggest disturbing thing was the penalties. I think we had a couple unsportsmanlike penalties, lined up offside a couple times, misalignments, things like that that really bug you. They extend drives. Two of those penalties actually ended up where we stop them, we get a penalty and then they go on to score. So those really those are the things that you need to control, which you can.”

Malzahn said the scrimmage featured the first time that “our 11 guys were out there togther,” alluding to the health issues that plagued the team in the spring and potentially hitting that the depth chart is on its way to being solidified, as well as acknowledging that the early hot start was intentional, saying “the first half was pretty basic with what they did defensively so we could really evaluate our guys.”

“The second half, everybody played football,” he continued. “From a big picture standpoint, it was good for us from an evaluation standpoint to see what guys could do, who’s ready, who’s not, who needs work — just really putting the pieces of the puzzle together. I mean, what are we 23 24 days away? The urgency of putting everything together because the way things went in the spring is really high, so these next six practices are going to be very very important before we really start turning the page for Alabama.”

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FSU football first day of practice interivews: Mike Norvell, Duce Robinson, Luke Petitbon

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 05:06:00 -0000

Florida State kicked off preseason camp on Wednesday, officially kicking off prep for the season opener vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide. A hot day that saw temperatures hit 95, per myself and an embarrassing amount of sweat that will never truly leave me, head coach Mike Norvell was pleased with the intial showing from his squad but is looking for good to become great as kickoff comes closer.

“It was good to see the players get out there, communicate, and work to execute. I thought that was something positive throughout the day. You didn’t see a ton of mistakes from guys who were here in the spring. Some of the older newcomers also did a good job. Some of the summer transfers and young guys showed up and did well. It was good to see them in their first practice.

I do think we’ll see a big step from today to tomorrow. That first day brings a lot of anxiety and excitement. I thought the workflow was good, but there’s definitely a lot of improvement we need from day one to day two.”

Wide receiver Duce Robinson and offensive lineman Luke Petitbon, each offering their vote of confidence in what the offense is capable of this season.

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FSU recruiting: Recapping Seminoles' major month on the trail, what holes remain in 2026 recruiting class and more

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0000

After a tumultuous 2–10 season and major offseason staff turnover, many expected Florida State’s 2025 recruiting class to reflect the chaos.

Instead, the Seminoles have quietly rebounded with a strong summer stretch and currently hold the No. 15-ranked class in the country per the 247Sports Composite.

With 22 commits already in the fold, the Three Stars (Josh Pick, NoleThruandThru and Tim Alumbaugh) are here with another episode of the Florida State of Recruiting podcast to break down the players who have joined FSU’s 2026 recruiting class.

The trio talk the Seminoles’ summer surge as well as taking a look at the class as a whole — what’s improved since last season, where are the hits and misses are and what position groups and players are their favorite.

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FSU softball takes on Texas Tech in Super Regionals: Breakdown, preview, analysis of NCAA Tournament

Wed, 21 May 2025 16:07:00 -0000

Florida State is off to Super Regionals, set to face off against the Texas Tech Red Raiders following a dramatic victory over the Auburn Tigers in two games in Tallahassee to kick off NCAA Tournament competition.

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Brian and Gwyn break down the Seminoles' regionals performance as well as their matchup vs. Texas Tech. The duo review results from the rest of the field -- including some unexpected upsets -- and look at the road to Oklahoma City for the country at large.

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FSU basketball head coach Luke Loucks talks vision for Seminoles, roster approach, team philosophy and more

Thu, 15 May 2025 20:12:00 -0000

New FSU basketball coach Luke Loucks discusses his vision for FSU: a fast, three-point-heavy, NBA-style offense and a top-tier defense, inspired by Steve Kerr and Mike Brown. Speaking in Jacksonville, he talks on JU transfer Robert McCray V and how he brings what Loucks believes to be NBA-level athleticism to the squad, part of his first-year approach of blending portal talent with homegrown players. In addition, he spoke on the ACC’s down year (pushing for more investment to rival the SEC), praises Leonard Hamilton’s Hall of Fame legacy and more.

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Mike Norvell interview: FSU football head coach talks spring, offseason, Tommy Castellanos and more

Thu, 15 May 2025 19:45:00 -0000

After wrapping up the annual trip to Amelia Island for the ACC Spring Meetings, FSU head coach Mike Norvell made a stop in Jacksonville on Thursday for a Seminole Boosters event. Before meeting with fans, he spoke with the media on a variety of topics, including his post-spring thoughts on his squad, what he's seen from new quarterback Tommy Castellanos as well as the rest of his gunslingers, what lessons he's taking from last season and more.

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FSU softball postseason breakdown: What to expect from Tallahassee Regional as Seminoles start championship chase

Wed, 14 May 2025 09:00:00 -0000

The Florida State softball team will open their NCAA Tournament run at home this Friday as the Seminoles host the Tallahassee Regional. The No. 5 overall seed FSU is set to host the Auburn Tigers for the second year in a row, the USF Bulls and the Robert Morris Colonials as the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 seeds for the weekend.

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss the Seminoles draw with this regional, including the unusual path that brought Auburn back to town this year, USF’s strength in the circle and Robert Morris’ potential upset hopes.

They also recap an eventful last two weeks that saw a no-hitter, the announcement of a season-ending injury, clinching an ACC regular season title and a loss in the ACC Tournament Championship Game.

Gwyn and Brian also give their picks for each regional around the country this weekend through Softball America’s World Series Pickem Challenge. And yes, that includes who they expect to be in Tallahassee next weekend for the Super Regionals plus some top-seed upsets around the country.

As we get started on the postseason run, thank you for listening all year long and allowing us to talk softball with you. We’re excited to watch the next month of softball ahead.

Tallahassee Regional: Game schedule, TV info

May 16

Game 1: South Florida vs. Auburn | 12 p.m. | ESPNU
Game 2: Robert Morris vs. No. 5 Florida State | 2:30 p.m. | ACC Network

May 17

Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | 1 p.m. | TV TBD
Game 4: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | 3:30 p.m. | TV TBD*

*Loser eliminated

Game 5: Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 6 p.m. | TV TBD*

*Loser eliminated

May 18

Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 | 12 p.m. | TV TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD | 2:30 p.m. | TV TBD

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FSU softball looks to clinch ACC title: Breakdown of Seminoles' April, preview of series vs. Virginia Tech,

Fri, 02 May 2025 17:21:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles softball team is heading to Virginia Tech this weekend one win away from clinching the ACC regular season championship and the top seed in next week’s ACC Tournament.

For the Noles, it’s been a strong last few weeks as they enter the final week of the regular season 16-2 in conference play, 42-7 overall and currently on the right side of the top-eight national seed bubble.

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin look at the biggest strengths of the team with the large majority of the year in the rearview mirror, the growth to sure up some weak spots, the potential ACC Tournament sleepers and the bracketology outlook for the Noles with just a few games remaining before the NCAA Regionals get underway.

Plus, they look back at this week’s Senior Showcase honoring an outstanding class of seniors who have left a lasting mark on the program and Michaela Edenfield’s Golden Moment.

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FSU head coach Mike Norvell recaps Seminoles spring practice: “Very productive spring.”

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 17:43:00 -0000

With spring camp firmly in the books for Florida State, head coach Mike Norvell met with the media on Wednesday for a post-spring press conference, touching on what he called a “very productive spring.”

“I thought that we really got a great glimpse of the potential of what this team can be,” Norvell said, praising players for “trying to be their best, trying to challenge each other, trying to compete.”

One of the highlights for him was the way the team responded following a lackluster practice towards the end of spring, bouncing back to showcase the execution he had been searching for up to that point: “To see the way that they responded the next two days was really a great opportunity for them to show a little bit of that grit, a little bit of that desire and the edge.”

With spring practice cut two practices short due to the tragic shooting on campus (“I definitely think that was the right decision to be made”), the Seminoles will look to offseason and summer workouts to pick up the work and further establish continuity.

Norvell spoke on the offensive line, which was one of the position groups hardest hit by injuries this spring, saying that “it’s gonna be a group that has great experience… potentially one of the great strengths of what this team can be,” while saying that the attrition in the receiver room was a result of “real conversations” due to being over numbers.

“Nothing’s happened I can say was just absolutely unexpected.....I’m really pleased with some of the newcomers that joined the program in January, and I really believe that the growth of guys that have been here.”

He was especially complimentary of the quarterbacks, saying that watching the group was “one of the highlights of our spring ball.” Florida State added transfer quarterback Jalen King last week, something that excited Norvell as he anticipates King to “hit the ground running....he’s going to be a great addition to the quarterback room. We’ve had the last few years we only had three scholarship quarterbacks… being able to have another talented young man in that room… is gonna provide great depth.”

The head coach also spoke on tight end Markeston Douglas’ decision to remain with the Seminoles after previously announcing his desire to transfer for the second time in three years, saying “I’m grateful that he is here… I think we’ve got a chance to have a really dynamic tight end room… Markeston definitely brings tremendous value and playmaking ability.”

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FSU football: Mike Norvell post-practice interview April 3

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:44:00 -0000

Florida State coaches said before hitting the field for spring practices that the first part of camp would be about installation, familiarity and establishing healthy habits.

Thursday marked the eighth day of spring practice, meaning the Noles are on the back nine of camp — and with the second of three scrimmages looming this coming Saturday, head coach Mike Norvell “wants to see guys take another step.”

He didn’t see it on Thursday, however, saying after practice that he saw the team put together an up-and-down day with “lulls” throughout practice.

“I didn’t think today was a bad practice, I just think there are moments we have to be better...We had two drops that were big play opportunities, and we have to eliminate that.”

The head coach said Saturday’s scrimmage, the only open-media activity of the spring, will “be a little more game-like” with a continued emphasis on situational reps.

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Seminole Softball Wrap: Supporting Coach Alameda, Seminoles win streak, previewing matchup vs. Florida

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 11:19:00 -0000

Fresh off a series sweep of NC State, Florida State softball now heads into a Top 10 matchup against the Florida Gators.

But even during a major season so far for the Seminoles, some things stand out as bigger than sports.

In this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss head coach Lonni Alameda’s recent breast cancer diagnosis, the outpouring of support for her, and her impact on the program.

Switching gears back to the diamond, the duo discuss a big win on the road over a ranked Duke Blue Devils and the continuing to roll against Stetson and NC State. Gwyn offers her insight into the home game against Florida and what the Gators bring to the table, wrapping up with thoughts on the ‘Noles upcoming trip back out West to face a pair of California teams.

Gwyn and Brian also talk about the ongoing Brady Vernon vs. Ellis Family Twitter battle, women’s basketball Sweet 16 and a trip to the ACC Tournament.

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FSU HC Mike Norvell talks first Seminoles practice since scrimmage

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:51:00 -0000

Florida State football held its first practice of April, with Tuesday serving as the seventh day of spring camp.

The Seminoles scrimmaged on Saturday, offering the coaching staff’s first look into the team in situational action and the player’s first opportunity to measure their progress so far.

“We wanted to see a day of response...whether it’s drastic improvement or just a fundamental focus, situational awareness, the different elements that you get coming out of a scrimmage that will show up, especially for a lot of newcomers,” head coach Mike Norvell said. “It was a good test to see the mindset, response.”

Norvell said he liked the energy that the team came with, especially with the staff putting them in situations where a competitive edge was needed — “defined winner-loser” portions where the aim was to build off what was seen on Saturday.

“I thought guys handled it well, it was good physicality, good speed....guys that were given a great opportunity, we’re getting a great perspective of exactly where they are and I think some guys are taking advantage of it.”

Norvell highlighted the performance of several players from the scrimmage — running back Sam Singleton, wide receiver Elijah Moore, defensive back Earl Little and linebacker Omar Graham, who specifically was singled out for continued elevation over the past week, capping it off with a strong showing in the scrimmage.

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FSU football: Mike Norvell, Gus Malzahn and Tony White offer insight into FSU’s first scrimmage of spring

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 21:16:00 -0000

As Florida State football continues to increase its workload, the Seminoles took the field Saturday for their first spring scrimmage. Mike Norvell told reporters in Tallahassee on Thursday that today’s practice would be mostly situational, with a heavy emphasis on the red zone on third down.

Norvell opened his statement by giving specifics for the day’s proceedings. He said the team went “roughly 110-120 plays” with some special-teams work at the beginning of practice. After, he highlighted players who stepped up during the scrimmage.

“I thought Sam Singleton had a couple of big plays, and Roydell has gotten back in the swing, Jaylin Lucas had a TD run. Defensively, we were able to create a couple of takeaways. Earl had an INT, and Ethan Pritchard had a pick-six.”

Norvell also touched on the quarterback room and the moxie from Tommy Castellanos, Brock Glenn, and true freshman Kevin Sperry, who all receive substantial reps.

“QBs, I’ll have a chance to go back and watch. We mixed the three pretty good, Tommy, Brock, and Kevin. For the first scrimmage, I was really impressed with what I saw from Kevin.”

Norvell said he watched the scrimmage from the middle of the field, letting his coordinators run the sidelines and call all the plays. He seemed content with how the day went, and reading between the lines, the defense took the upper hand, although it is almost impossible to tell.

Gus Malzahn took the podium next and, in his head coaching style, provided an opening statement of the day and his side of the ball through six spring practices.

“60 runs, 40 passes, by design. All three QBs played, pretty much equal reps. I learned a lot about our guys individually. It was good to see them respond to success and adversity. Overall, I like our guys’ attitude.”

Malzahn stated that the first part of practice is heavy installation with some more specifics coming later in camp. He mentioned they rotate constantly at all positions, but Luke Petitbon “is off to a great start.” The former UCF head coach singled out QB Kevin Sperry for his work throughout March practice.

“Kevin has got a skill set. He can really run. He’s growing, the moment has never been too big for him, which is unusual for a true freshman. You have to have QBs that are desperate to be all they can be, and I think all three of them are.”

FSU’s first-year defensive coordinator, Tony White, rounded out the day and focused on the group’s mentality more than anything. He repeatedly reiterated that he only cares about what the product on the field looks like over physical measurables and that responding after giving up a play matters more to him than allowing the massive gain.

“We’re trying to create a mindset where you give up a play, ‘so what?’ Play football.”

“We gave up a big play, and Elijah (Herring) chases a guy down 30 or 40 yards, and gets him down at the ten. On the very next play, we get an interception. So, we’ve had a lot of teaching moments.”

Two returners continue to flash on the field, DB Earl Little Jr., and DT Darrell Jackson Jr., and White touched on two moments today where they rose to the occasion.

“D-Jax can literally be the top defensive lineman in the country. He had a great play today. In the red zone period last practice, he missed a call today. Today, I saw him make the corrections and create a tackle for -4 or -5. I said that’s it right there.”

“Earl has had some of the biggest hits and the best plays. Earl is him. He is truly him back there. It is fun to watch him play.”

All coaches mentioned that rewatching the film would be critical to creating a firm takeaway on the outing, but being around their players in the game setting taught them more about their characters than they knew before today.

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FSU HC Mike Norvell talks 5th day of spring football practice: "We've thrown a lot at these guys"

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:39:00 -0000

Florida State football held its fifth practice of the spring on Thursday, the Seminoles now three days into its acclimation back into physicality.

Today’s practice saw Florida State continue to push situational football, emphasizing the ability to continue to do the little things right no matter the circumstance — an elevated challenge given the new offensive and defensive schemes the squad is attempting to master.

“Letting guys see different areas of the field, understanding different thoughts, concepts, couple new schemes that we put in — I thought guys handled it well for the first day of introducing that,” head coach Mike Norvell said. “I thought there was some good plays that showed up — the quarterbacks had a good day — but a couple missed opportunities.”

“We’ve thrown a lot at these guys in the first five practices. Seeing them continue to grow in confidence and what hey’re being asked to do —play faster, line up quicker, make sure they’re understanding assignments and utilizing the techniques that are designed to put them in the best position.”

Norvell offered compliments to Omar Graham Jr. as well as Amaree Williams, who snagged an interception as he continues to get work in at defensive end.

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FSU HC Mike Norvell, quarterbacks Tommy Castellanos and Brock Glenn talk first padded practice for Florida State this spring

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 19:22:00 -0000

Behind closed doors, Florida State football beefed up as the Seminoles put on the pads for the first time in spring after being in helmets the last two days. Take this with a grain of salt, but multiple players put on weight and look more physical from seeing them walk in, including DL Darrell Jackson Jr., RB Kam Davis, and DB Earl Little Jr. Head coach Mike Norvell confirmed how vital seeing physicality is, calling it “one of the most important elements” and something the staff “wants to instill in all positions.”

“We had some explosive plays on both sides, defense was able to punch a couple of balls outs, which I like to see. Offensively, I thought we did a good job, some big runs, some vertical shots. I thought it was back-and-forth.”

Norvell also mentioned this weekend being Legacy Weekend at Florida State, a massive recruiting moment for the staff but a chance to honor those who left their mark in Tallahassee. Alex Mastromanno and Ryan Fitzgerald will receive their All-American bricks this afternoon, and Braden Fiske, Jared Verse, and Jordan Travis, among others, are in town.

“I was really pleased with this being our legacy weekend, we had 12 NFL guys back this weekend. It was great to see them, be present, and have them back...I’m just grateful for that example and how they represent Florida State.”

The quarterbacks also spoke to the press for the first time this spring, with Tommy Castellanos and Brock Glenn. The signal callers touched on how vital spring football is and the bonds created on and off the field. Castellanos and Glenn are taking the opportunity to lead a team devoid of them from a season ago but are pushing each other through the first few days of spring. Just by hearing their interviews, they understand the maturity needed for the quarterback position, saying all the right things.

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Seminoles softball set for series vs. Duke: Recapping last two weeks of FSU play, looking forward to matchups vs. Duke and NC State

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 18:08:00 -0000

Fresh off a win at Alabama over the Crimson Tide, the Florida State softball team travels to Duke for an early big series in the race for the ACC championship.

In this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin look ahead to the contests with Duke as well as NC State while looking back at the last two weeks of softball, dating back to the games in Jacksonville. That includes the matchups with Jacksonville, North Florida, Oregon State, Oregon, Portland State, Pitt and Alabama.

Gwyn took the trip to Eugene and Portland, spending time with the team through their travels to Nike and beyond. We’ll recap the games and discuss her time around the team over that long weekend.

Plus, the Noles earned a much-needed big win over a ranked opponent on the road as they rallied to come from behind and knock off Alabama in Tuscaloosa — a win that can give FSU a confidence boost they can use.

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FSU football: Mike Norvell speaks on second day of spring practice

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:55:00 -0000

Florida State continued its spring camp journey on Thursday, hitting the field for the second of 15 practices aimed at laying the foundation for this year’s edition of FSU football.

It was another helmets-only day for the Seminoles as acclimation to on-field action continued, offering an opportunity for the squad to refine the finer details ahead of the first padded practice of the spring on Saturday.

“[It was a] great opportunity to clean up on some of the finer details of what we put in yesterday. You had a little bit of new installation, but really with a lot of new faces, also some new terminology, new alignments, different things that we’re looking at on both sides of the ball,” head coach Mike Norvell said Thursday evening.

“Day one, it’s about: ‘Can you get communication? Can you get aligned?’ You go back and watch the film, the communication was good, but we’re off on some of the alignments. You want to see guys be able to take the coaching, be able to apply it, and be better today, and I thought that was the case.”

Defensive linemen Darrell Jackson Jr. and James Williams, who also spoke with the media following practice, earned praise from Norvell for the way they’ve carried themselves through the early days of spring.

“You feel their ownership. ... Those are two guys that you challenge in the room because they both do have experience and high ceilings. [Jackson Jr.] made the choice to come back and I told him, ‘You better not even think about coming back unless you plan on being a top 10 pick,’ that’s the expectation now.”

Norvell also complimented receivers Jalen Brown and Hykeem Williams, saying they have risen to the occasion after being challenged this offseason.

“[They’re] two guys that made the choice that they want to fight for it. And I’m grateful for that and I’m trying to push them on a play-to-play basis for them to continue to elevate to what I believe that they can be. I’ve seen both of them in the first two days make plays that get me excited.”

Defensively, Norvell discussed what he’s seen early from Earl Little, Ashlynd Barker, Max Redmond and the unit as a whole, saying, “Obviously not a whole lot of contact ... but you felt the burst, you felt the guys taking better angles to the ball. Excited about Saturday being the first padded day to start to showcase some of the physicality that these guys have been working to develop.”

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FSU head coach Mike Norvell talks first day of Florida State football practice

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 04:36:00 -0000

Florida State football returned to the practice field for the first time in 2025 on Wednesday, kicking off spring camp and the process of acclimating the team — which includes 32 newcomers — to a new offensive and defensive scheme.

“I thought the guys really did a nice job of understanding the structure of what we want practice to look like,” head coach Mike Norvell said. “Great speed, energy, being able to move around from place to place.

“I thought the coaches did a good job preparing the players and what to expect. And obviously new installation. We’ve tried to maximize the walk-through time, the meeting time that we’ve had leading up to this. And I thought the guys did a good job for that to translate out to the field.”

With practice closed to the media, the program has opted to share clips from the day with the media:

2025 FSU football spring notes

- Florida State enters spring practice with 32 newcomers, including 19 transfers and 13 true freshmen.- Of the 19 transfers, 16 come from Division I programs.- Included in the transfer group is quarterback Tommy Castellanos, wide receivers Duce Robinson and Squirrel White, and linebackers Elijah Herring, Stefon Thompson, and Caleb LaVallee.- Four transfer offensive linemen — Gunnar Hansen from Vanderbilt, Adrian Medley from UCF, Luke Petitbon from Wake Forest, and Micah Pettus from Ole Miss — have combined to play in 131 career games with 105 starts.- In total, FSU added 15 newcomers on the offensive and defensive lines.- Florida State’s 16 Division I transfers have appeared in 489 games with 244 starts prior to their time at FSU, bringing:— 297 completions for 3,689 yards and 33 passing touchdowns— 1,438 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns— 249 receptions for 3,361 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns— 573 tackles, 69.5 tackles for loss for 345 yards— 39.0 sacks for 269 yards— 13 pass breakups, three interceptions, nine forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries— 11 punt returns for 155 yards to Tallahassee- FSU’s transfer class was ranked 5th nationally and 1st in the ACC by 247Sports.- 247Sports ranked Florida State’s overall class (signees and transfers) 2nd in the conference.- Florida State hired six new assistant coaches this offseason, including offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and defensive coordinator Tony White, along with new position coaches: OL coach Herb Hand, passing game coordinator and WR coach Tim Harris Jr., DL coach Terrance Knighton, and safeties coach Evan Cooper.- Malzahn (head coach) and Hand (OL) were both at UCF from 2021-24 and produced a top-10 rushing offense and top-20 total offense each of their last three years together; UCF had the nation’s 3rd-highest cumulative rushing total from 2021-24 behind only Air Force and Army.- Malzahn’s offenses have averaged 447.7 yards per game in his 19 seasons as an offensive coordinator or head coach.- White has produced a top-25 defense each of the last four seasons at two different programs (Syracuse and Nebraska); in the last two seasons (24 games), his defense held opponents to 20 points or fewer 15 times.- His 2024 defense was the first in the country since 2021 to not allow a rushing touchdown at home.- At Tulsa in 2007 — the first year Mike Norvell, Malzahn, and Hand were on the same coaching staff — they produced the only season in NCAA history with a 5,000-yard passer, three 1,000-yard receivers, and a 1,000-yard rusher.- Norvell has coached 114 all-conference players and 14 All-Americans and ranks 4th among active head coaches with four conference championship game appearances.- Castellanos, who spent his freshman season at UCF under Malzahn, comes to Florida State after accounting for 4,921 yards of total offense in 21 games played during the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Boston College.

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FSU football: Mike Norvell previews Seminoles spring camp

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:57:00 -0000

Two days out from the first Florida State football practice of the spring, head coach Mike Norvell took to the podium to offer some initial insight into this year’s team.

The biggest news came in the form of confirmation that the Seminoles would be without three defenders this spring — defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins as well as safeties Conrad Hussey and Shyheim Brown. Jenkins, who confirmed his unavailability earlier this month, is expected to miss the entirety of camp while Brown and Hussey have a “chance” to participate in the final practices of spring.

“[Outside of them] we have some guys that might be limited just probably that first week,” he said. “We’ll see how it goes. Guys coming off-season, maybe off-season injuries, or working themselves back in will have some of them limited, but I’m excited about where we are from a health standpoint and the work guys have put in preparing for what’s ahead for spring ball.”

The team has spent the early part of 2025 participating in Florida State’s offseason conditioning program, Tour of Duty, as it lays the building blocks for the season.

“Really, the on-the-field aspect of it with our Tour of Duty was something I was proud of. It was a challenging workload that we put in front of our guys. I thought they really took a lot of ownership in the work that was being done, but also just the accountability that was necessary to try to hit the standard of what we’re looking to see on a daily basis.

I think it’s a group that is filled with great personalities: guys that are outgoing, engaging, supportive, and challenging. I’ve seen players taking some ownership in that realm. It’s just something that is an absolute necessity, something that you need to see within a team.

It’s something that I’ve been encouraged with through these first two months. I mean, you can talk about a lot of things, but you actually have to go do it. As we get ready for spring practice, we’ve got 15 days to really continue to forge and develop the identity of what this team’s going to be.”

Norvell also spoke on what he’s seen from new quarterback Tommy Castellanos, how new coaches have fit into what FSU is looking to put together, approaches to recruiting and more.

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Celebrating Leonard Hamilton’s Florida State legacy, breaking down what’s next for Seminoles basketball

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0000

For the final time in his Florida State career, Leonard Hamilton is set to take the court in the Donald L. Tucker Center as the head coach of the Seminoles.

As he prepares to coach his final home game this Saturday at 4 p.m. against SMU, Matt Minnick and Michael Rogner take the time on the latest episode of Gospel of Ham to look back and appropriately commemorate the legendary coach’s transformative tenure.

From iconic moments like the 2012 ACC Tournament to crafting their all-time “finishing five” lineups while spotlighting underappreciated, the duo reflect on what Hamilton built at Florida State.

It’s not all just nostalgia, as the second half of the episode takes a look ahead to the future as well. Discussion includes what the recent settlement between FSU and the ACC could mean for Florida State basketball, debating coaching candidates like Luke Loucks and Sam Cassell and more.

2024-2025 Reflection, Final Game Preview [01:42 - 06:58]

Leonard Hamilton’s FSU Legacy [06:58 - 29:56]

Florida State Basketball’s All-Time Finishing Five [07:48 - 13:52]
Memorable FSU Basketball Teams & Moments [13:52 - 21:16]
Underrated Seminoles Basketball Players [21:16 - 29:56]

Post-Hamilton Era [30:20 - 51:36]

ACC Settlement Discussion, Revenue Implications [30:20 - 33:12]
Potential New Coaches and Recruiting Challenges [36:45 - 51:36]

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FSU softball early season breakdown: What we've seen from the Seminoles so far in 2025

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 21:01:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles softball team has largely been taking care of business when they step inside the lines this season. Four weeks into the year, the Noles are 16-3 with 12 run-rule victories — 10 in their last 14 games.

In that stretch, many of those run rules have come against mid-major competition, but that does include dominant performances against Missouri and Ohio State. Sandwiched in the middle is a pair of losses to Texas A&M in a doubleheader to close out the JoAnne Graf Classic.

So what do we know about Team 42 as we start March?

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin break down the year to this point, what’s worked, who’s impressed and what areas are still unknowns. Plus, we look ahead to the weekend in Oregon against the Ducks, Beavers and Portland State plus the start of conference play and why Gwyn believes there should be a three-way tie for the No. 1 spot in the polls.

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FSU softball starts season 4-1: What did we learn from opening games?

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State softball team was back in action this weekend as Team 42 traveled to Mexico for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

FSU’s opening slate featured five games, highlighted by two highly anticipated matchups against top-five Oklahoma State—billed as the biggest showdown in college softball over the weekend. When the dust settled, the Seminoles finished with a strong 4-1 record, sweeping Northern Colorado and LA Tech while splitting their series with the Cowboys.

So, what did we learn from the first five games of 2025? Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin break it all down, including:

Puerto Vallarta takeaways – key highlights and lingering concerns
Work in progress – areas where FSU still needs to improve
Offensive standouts – who made an impact at the plate and how that could shape the lineup moving forward
Pitching depth – how the staff powered through the final four games
Defensive question marks – what adjustments could help solidify FSU’s fielding

Plus, we look ahead to Clearwater, FSU’s first home weekend in Tallahassee, and other notable news from around college softball.

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Seminole Softball Wrap: Breaking down 2025 FSU roster

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 10:30:00 -0000

The 2025 Florida State softball season is nearly here, and with the return to the field comes the return of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast. Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin will get you ready for the year ahead, taking you to and through Team 42’s postseason run.

In our first episode of the new year, Brian and Gwyn focus on the Florida State roster. What are the strengths? What are the questions that need to be answered? And how can the incoming freshman and transfer class make an impact for a team looking to get back to OKC?

The podcast discusses:

The best left side of the infield in college softball - Jaysoni Beachum & Isa Torres
What to expect from Amaya Ross as full-time first base
Who takes the mantle at second base?
How can Michaela Edenfield cap off an outstanding FSU career?
Can anyone push the incumbents for starts in the outfield?
What does FSU need from their new faces to get consistency in the circle for 2025?

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College Football Playoff Semifinals: Breaking down Penn State vs. Notre Dame, Texas vs. Ohio State

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 00:37:00 -0000

Breaking down Penn State vs. Notre Dame, Texas vs. Ohio State with picks and DFS lineup tips

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College Football Playoff Picks, Predictions, DFS Lineup Tips: Indiana at Notre Dame, SMU at Penn State, Clemson at Texas, Tennessee at Ohio State.

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:11:00 -0000

The first-ever 12-team college football playoff is here -- and Sharpen the Point is here to break down the matchups like nobody else, including tips and picks for putting together a DFS lineup for the action.

First round (Dec. 20-21)

Friday, Dec. 20: No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame | 8 p.m. | ABC/ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State | 12 p.m. | TNT/MAX
Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas | 4 p.m. | TNT/MAX
Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State | 8 p.m. | ABC/ESPN

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FSU recruiting: What names, positions should Seminoles prioritize in transfer portal? Plus, breaking down addition of quarterback Thomas Castellanos

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

The transfer portal giveth, the transfer portal taketh away.

With the winter window opening last week, we’ve seen a flurry of movement for Florida State football in the transfer portal. At the moment, it’s mainly been departures — including a major surprise in quarterback Luke Kromenhoek — but the Seminoles also hit the portal for the second straight year to bring in a passer, this time former Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos.

In this episode of the Florida State of Recruiting, Tomahawk Nation’s Three Stars (Tim Alumbaugh, Josh Pick and NoleThruandThru) break down FSU’s quarterback changes as well as who Florida State needs to be targeting in the trenches and across the board in order to fulfill Mike Norvell’s promise of an immediate turnaround.

Offensive player additions

Offensive player subtractions

Defensive player additions

Defensive player subtractions

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FSU football recruiting: Breaking down Florida State's 2025 Early Signing Period finish, analysis of Seminoles signees

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

As a nightmare season unfolded for Florida State, the Seminoles saw their top 10 recruiting class fall apart.

Heading into the start of the Early Signing Period with the 53rd-ranked class in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, FSU rallied for a strong finish that featured several major flips to move to No. 20.

While it doesn’t make up fully for the season that just went down in Tallahassee nor the players lost throughout it, it was an unprecedented finish that felt like the first breath of positivity for the program in months.

Fuzzy feelings aside, just how impactful was the finish for Mike Norvell and his staff as they look to right the ship in Tallahassee? What is there to make of the players that made up #Tribe25? The Three Stars — Tim Alumbaugh, Josh Pick and NoleThruandThru — break it down in the latest episode of the Florida State of Recruiting podcast.

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College Football Conference Championship Weekend Picks, Predictions, DFS Lineup Tips: Clemson vs. SMU, Penn State vs. Oregon, Georgia vs. Texas, UNLV vs. Boise State, Iowa State vs. Arizona State and more

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:23:57 -0000

FRIDAY: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (+3.5) at Jacksonville State Gamecocks, 7 p.m. ET, CBSSN

I’m just guessing here.

Brian’s Pick: Jacksonville State -3.5

Jordan’s Pick: JSU -3.5

FRIDAY: No. 20 UNLV Rebels (+4.5) at No. 10 Boise State Broncos, 8 p.m. ET, FOX

Boise seems to be slowing down. Ashton Jeanty is Heisman-worthy but banged up. UNLV could steal this CFP bid with a win.

Brian’s Pick: UNLV +4.5

Jordan’s Pick: BSU -4.5

FRIDAY: Tulane Green Wave (-4.5) at No. 24 Army Black Knights, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Tulane blew their CFP chances last week but should rebound here as their defense limits Army’s ground game.

Brian’s Pick: Tulane -4.5

Jordan’s Pick: Tulane -4.5

No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones (+2.5) vs. No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils (Arlington, TX), Noon ET, ABC

Iowa State is set to circle back into CFP contention. Arizona State missing Jordyn Tyson strengthens ISU’s chances.

Brian’s Pick: Iowa State +2.5

Jordan’s Pick: ASU -2.5

Ohio Bobcats (+3.5) vs. Miami (OH) Redhawks (Detroit, MI), Noon ET, ESPN

Guessing again.

Brian’s Pick: Ohio +3.5

Jordan’s Pick: Miami (OH) -3.5

No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (+2.5) vs. No. 2 Texas Longhorns (Atlanta, GA), 4:00 p.m. ET, ABC

Texas has improved their run game and trenches, but it’s hard to doubt Georgia in Atlanta.

Brian’s Pick: Georgia +2.5

Jordan’s Pick: Texas -2.5

Marshall Thundering Herd (+5.5) at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Louisiana should win at home despite coaching distractions.

Brian’s Pick: Louisiana -5.5

Jordan’s Pick: UL -5.5

No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions (+3.5) at No. 1 Oregon Ducks (Indianapolis, IN), 8:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Oregon is the best team but could be vulnerable. I’m taking Penn State for the upset.

Brian’s Pick: Penn State +3.5

Jordan’s Pick: Oregon -3.5

No. 17 Clemson Tigers (+2.5) at No. 8 SMU Mustangs (Charlotte, NC), 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC

Clemson could pull off an upset after gaining experience from last week’s matchup.

Brian’s Pick: Clemson +2.5

Jordan’s Pick: SMU -2.5

DK Saturday Main Slate DFS Picks

Record Year to Date: 24 Wins 28 Ties 31 Losses

Quarterback

Cade Klubnik, Clemson ($9,000) – Klubnik’s dual-threat ability makes him a strong play against SMU’s defense, which has struggled against top-tier QBs like Shough and Hoover.

Rocco Becht, Iowa State ($7,600) – Becht is reliable as Iowa State continues to rely on the pass. Pair him with Jayden Higgins or Jaylin Noel for upside.

Running Back

Bill Davis, ULL ($4,900) – The freshman has been productive, finding the end zone consistently. He’s a great value against Marshall’s porous run defense.

Cam Skattebo, Arizona State ($10,300) – Skattebo’s workload and versatility make him a must-play, especially with Tyson out. Iowa State’s run defense struggles against explosive runners.

Wide Receiver

Gunnar Helm, Texas ($4,000) – Helm has delivered in big games, posting solid lines against top opponents. He’s a steal at this price.

Bryant Wesco Jr, Clemson ($3,400) – Wesco’s role is growing, and he’s primed for a breakout. His downfield ability and SMU’s pass defense set him up for a strong outing.

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Week 14 College Football Picks, DFS Lineup Tips: FSU vs. Florida, Clemson vs. South Carolina, Syracuse vs. Miami, Ohio State vs. Michigan, Colorado vs. Oklahoma State, Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, USC vs. Notre Dame, Alabama vs. Auburn and more

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 09:29:25 -0000

FRIDAY: Oregon State Beavers (+19.5) at No. 11 Boise State Broncos, Noon ET, FOX

Oregon State impressed me last week—not great, but better than expected. Boise relies on Ashton Jeanty, and this is his Heisman moment. The Broncos have slowed, and the Beavers need this for bowl eligibility.

Pick: Oregon State +19.5

FRIDAY: Oklahoma State Cowboys (+16.5) at No. 25 Colorado Buffaloes, Noon ET, ABC

Travis Hunter’s Heisman case feels secure unless disaster strikes. Oklahoma State’s defense is porous, and Hunter should dominate.

Pick: Colorado -16.5

FRIDAY: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+19.5) at No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Georgia Tech’s keepaway approach could give them life, especially if Carson Beck commits an early mistake.

Pick: Georgia Tech +19.5

No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks (+2.5) at No. 12 Clemson Tigers, Noon ET, ESPN

South Carolina is playoff-worthy. Their defensive line and offense are formidable enough to secure a road win.

Pick: South Carolina +2.5

Michigan Wolverines (+20.5) at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, Noon ET, FOX

Ohio State’s offensive line issues could finally catch up, and Michigan’s defensive front may exploit them.

Pick: Michigan +20.5

No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers (-11.5) at Vanderbilt Commodores, Noon ET, ABC

Nico’s success has come against weak teams. Vanderbilt won’t win but should keep it closer than expected.

Pick: Vanderbilt +11.5

No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-7.5) at USC Trojans, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Notre Dame’s offense is clicking, and their defense will overwhelm USC. The Irish are CFP-ready.

Pick: Notre Dame -7.5

No. 6 Miami Hurricanes (-10.5) at Syracuse Orange, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

This feels like a trap game for Miami. Syracuse has enough firepower to pull off the upset in a shootout.

Pick: Syracuse +10.5

Auburn Tigers (+11.5) at No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Auburn’s reliance on Cam Coleman and Jarquez Hunter is clicking. They can exploit Alabama’s vulnerabilities.

Pick: Auburn +11.5

No. 16 Arizona State (-9.5) at Arizona Wildcats, 3:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Arizona State has been dominant, but Arizona can challenge them in this rivalry.

Pick: Arizona +9.5

Florida Gators (-15.5) at Florida State Seminoles, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Florida has been the team of the moment and should carry their momentum to cover here.

Pick: Florida -15.5

Washington Huskies (+18.5) at No. 1 Oregon Ducks, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Oregon is better in every aspect and should win comfortably at home.

Pick: Oregon -18.5

No. 3 Texas Longhorns (-5.5) at No. 20 Texas A&M Aggies, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

This rivalry means everything. A&M’s defense and home field give them an edge in a low-scoring battle.

Pick: Texas A&M +5.5

No. 24 Kansas State Wildcats (+2.5) at No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones, 7:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Iowa State seems destined to sneak into the Big 12 title. They should handle Kansas State at home.

Pick: Iowa State -2.5

Nevada Wolf Pack (+17.5) at No. 22 UNLV Rebels, 8:00 p.m. ET, CBSSN

Nevada has no chance against UNLV’s dominant offense at home.

Pick: UNLV -17.5

DK Saturday Main Slate DFS Picks

Record Year to Date: 21 Wins 28 Ties 28 Losses

Quarterback

Kevin Jennings, SMU ($7,000) – Jennings has been consistent, with near-300-yard games and multiple TDs. SMU will lean on him against Cal’s defense.

Brady Cook, Missouri ($4,900) – Cook’s low price is a steal on senior day. Expect fireworks with Luther Burden’s final home game.

Running Back

Cam Skattebo, Arizona State ($10,100) – Skattebo’s workload and versatility make him a must-play against Arizona’s weak defense.

Jahiem White, West Virginia ($4,300) – White offers consistent production and should excel against Texas Tech’s struggling run defense.

Wide Receiver

Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse ($5,200) – In a potential shootout with Miami, Gadsden is Syracuse’s best chance to stay competitive.

Ashtyn Hawkins, Baylor ($3,600) – Hawkins offers value against Kansas’s poor slot coverage in a high-scoring game.

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Week 13 College Football Picks, DFS Lineup Tips: Ohio State vs. Indiana, Florida vs. Ole Miss, Virginia vs. SMU, Minnesota vs. Penn State, Kansas vs. Colorado, Army vs. Notre Dame, Oklahoma vs. Alabama, Auburn vs. Texas A&M

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0000

No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers (+12.5) at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, Noon ET, FOX

I’m doing a 180 on Indiana. I’ve doubted them before, but their perfect season has me more nervous about how they’ll perform as favorites rather than underdogs. Still, they have enough fight to stay within a dozen points.

Pick: Indiana +12.5

No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels (-10.5) at Florida Gators, Noon ET, ABC

The Gators capitalized on LSU mistakes last week, but DJ Lagway’s health and decision-making remain questionable. Ole Miss, with their consistent execution, should handle Florida comfortably.

Pick: Ole Miss -10.5

No. 13 SMU Mustangs (-9.5) at Virginia Cavaliers, Noon ET, ESPN2

Virginia’s push for bowl eligibility adds intrigue, but SMU has consistently won by multiple scores this season. They’re a playoff dark horse and should continue their dominance here.

Pick: SMU -9.5

No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions (-12.5) at Minnesota Golden Gophers, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Penn State is solid but not spectacular, and this matchup feels low-scoring. Minnesota’s defense should help them cover this sizable spread.

Pick: Minnesota +12.5

No. 14 BYU Cougars (+3.5) at No. 21 Arizona State Sun Devils, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

BYU’s luck ran out last week, while Arizona State controls its Big 12 fate. With home-field advantage and a rising trajectory, the Sun Devils should prevail.

Pick: Arizona State -3.5

No. 16 Colorado Buffaloes (-3.5) at Kansas Jayhawks, 3:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Kansas delivered last week, and with a healthy Jalon Daniels, they can score with anyone. Expect another upset bid against Colorado.

Pick: Kansas +3.5

No. 19 Army Black Knights (+14.5) vs. No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Yankee Stadium), 7:00 p.m. ET, NBC

Notre Dame has been dominant, but Army’s top-ranked scoring defense should make this a low-scoring, closer-than-expected contest.

Pick: Army +14.5

No. 12 Boise State Broncos (-23.5) at Wyoming Cowboys, 7:00 p.m. ET, CBSSN

Boise State is rolling, led by Jeanty’s dominance. Wyoming isn’t built to keep up with a top-tier team like this.

Pick: Boise State -23.5

No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide (-14.5) at Oklahoma Sooners, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Oklahoma’s postseason hopes depend on an upset. However, Alabama and Jalen Milroe present too much firepower for the Sooners to handle this week.

Pick: Alabama -14.5

No. 15 Texas A&M Aggies (-2.5) at Auburn Tigers, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

This line is puzzling, but Auburn at home in a potential lookahead spot for Texas A&M makes them worth the pick.

Pick: Auburn +2.5

DK Saturday Main Slate DFS Picks

Record Year to Date: 19 Wins 25 Ties 21 Losses

Quarterback

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame ($9,500) – Leonard is a dual-threat QB with a high floor and ceiling against Virginia’s porous pass defense. He’s a great anchor for lineups with rushing TD upside.

Cade Klubnik, Clemson ($8,600) – Klubnik has rebounded nicely, with three TDs against Virginia Tech. Facing Pitt’s struggling secondary, he’s a safe pick with rushing upside.

Running Back

Isaac Brown, Louisville ($6,700) – Brown is mispriced for his role, averaging 24+ fantasy points. He thrives in Louisville’s run-heavy scheme and is a must-play against Stanford’s poor run defense.

Kaytron Allen, Penn State ($4,900) – If Nick Singleton sits, Allen becomes a lock for volume against Purdue. If Singleton plays, Allen still offers value but with limited exposure.

Wide Receiver

Will Sheppard, Colorado ($3,600) – Sheppard benefits from Colorado’s pass-heavy attack and has emerged as a value option with consistent targets and scoring potential.

TJ Moore, Clemson ($3,200) – Moore’s consistency and low price make him an ideal salary saver. He’s shown increased involvement and could be due for a breakout game.

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Week 12 College Football Picks, DFS Lineup Tips: Arkansas vs. Texas, Pitt vs. Clemson, Colorado vs. Utah, Notre Dame vs. Virginia, SMU vs. Boston College, South Carolina vs. Missouri, Wisconsin vs. Oregon, Georgia vs. Tennessee, BYU vs. Kansas

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 19:32:51 -0000

No. 3 Texas Longhorns (-12.5) at Arkansas Razorbacks, Noon ET, ABC

Texas hasn’t had a dominant win yet, though their schedule hasn’t challenged them much. Arkansas, coming off a bye, has been struggling but won’t roll over at home. They could keep it close or even pull off an upset.

Pick: Arkansas +12.5

No. 20 Clemson Tigers (-11.5) at Pitt Panthers, Noon ET, ESPN

Pitt has struggled recently, but Clemson hasn’t been flawless either. While logic points to Clemson, Pitt’s home advantage and potential to rebound make them worth the points.

Pick: Pitt +11.5

Utah Utes (+11.5) at No. 17 Colorado Buffaloes, Noon ET, FOX

Colorado has improved on both sides of the ball, but Utah’s gritty, close-game style could challenge them. Kyle Whittingham may have something up his sleeve for this one.

Pick: Utah +11.5

Virginia Cavaliers (+23.5) at No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Notre Dame has been dominant recently and is one of the best ATS teams under Marcus Freeman. Still, taking Virginia feels like a gamble worth trying.

Pick: Virginia +23.5

Boston College Eagles (+19.5) at No. 14 SMU Mustangs, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

SMU’s path to an ACC title has opened up, and with Thomas Castellanos out for Boston College, SMU should roll.

Pick: SMU -19.5

No. 23 Missouri Tigers (+14.5) at No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks, 4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network

South Carolina’s defense at home should handle a Missouri team that has struggled to replicate last year’s success.

Pick: South Carolina -14.5

No. 1 Oregon Ducks (-13.5) at Wisconsin Badgers, 7:00 p.m. ET, NBC

Oregon faces a tough road test in Madison. The Badgers, fresh off a blowout loss to Iowa, could make this closer than expected. November challenges like this can define champions.

Pick: Wisconsin +13.5

No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (+9.5) at No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Georgia has the edge, but Tennessee’s uncertainty, especially with Nico’s post-concussion play, makes this a tricky pick. Still, Georgia seems better positioned to cover.

Pick: Georgia -9.5

UAB Blazers (+15.5) at Memphis Tigers, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Memphis has been inconsistent, while UAB can score. This could be closer than expected and is a more entertaining watch than the Georgia game.

Pick: UAB +15.5

Kansas Jayhawks (+2.5) at No. 6 BYU Cougars, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

BYU has lived on the edge this season, but Kansas feels primed for an upset. The line suggests this could be their week.

Pick: Kansas +2.5

DK Saturday Main Slate DFS Picks

Record Year to Date: 19 Wins 25 Ties 21 Losses

Quarterback

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame ($9,500) – Leonard checks every box this week: mobile QB, home favorite, and facing a weak Virginia pass defense. With 13 rushing touchdowns this season and a 35+ point team total, Leonard has slate-breaking potential.

Cade Klubnik, Clemson ($8,600) – Klubnik has been consistent, with three or more TDs in six of nine games. Facing Pitt’s struggling secondary, he’s a reliable play, bolstered by Clemson’s emerging young receivers.

Running Back

Isaac Brown, Louisville ($6,700) – Brown is a lock, averaging 24+ fantasy points per game since taking over six weeks ago. Louisville’s run-heavy offense and a favorable matchup make him a must-play.

Kaytron Allen, Penn State ($4,900) – With Nick Singleton possibly limited or out, Allen becomes a high-volume play. If Singleton sits, Allen is a lock for 20+ carries at a great value.

Wide Receiver

Will Sheppard, Colorado ($3,600) – Sheppard has stepped up in Colorado’s pass-heavy offense, especially after Jimmy Horn’s injury. With touchdowns in four of five games, he’s the best value option.

TJ Moore, Clemson ($3,200) – Moore has emerged as a consistent target in Clemson’s offense, with two touchdowns and strong yardage in recent games. His low price and upside make him an excellent salary saver.

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Week 11 College Football Picks, DFS Lineup Tips: FSU vs. Notre Dame, Miami vs. Georgia Tech, Florida vs. Texas, Georgia vs. Ole Miss, Clemson vs. Virginia Tech, Colorado vs. Texas Tech, Alabama vs. LSU and more

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0000

No. 4 Miami Hurricanes (-10.5) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Noon ET, ESPN

Miami often starts slow, then flips a switch to dominate. Georgia Tech, coming off a bye, hopes to be the team to finally take down Miami. They bring physicality and home-field advantage, but Miami’s offensive firepower is hard to overlook.

Pick: Miami -10.5

Florida Gators (+21.5) at No. 5 Texas Longhorns, Noon ET, ABC

The Gators surprised against Georgia, even after losing freshman QB DJ Lagway. With Texas on the rise, it’s hard to see Florida staying within three scores.

Pick: Texas -21.5

Purdue Boilermakers (+38.5) at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, Noon ET, FOX

The Spoilermakers get another shot against a top team. They’re struggling, but Ohio State hasn’t looked like a definitive No. 2. I’ll take Purdue to keep it within 35.

Pick: Purdue +38.5

No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (-2.5) at No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Georgia still wins big but not as dominantly as in past seasons. Ole Miss could upset, but history favors Georgia in big games.

Pick: Georgia -2.5

Michigan Wolverines (+14.5) at No. 8 Indiana Hoosiers, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Michigan’s defense holds opponents to the mid-20s, but this high-powered Indiana offense will be a challenge. I’ll take Michigan to cover the 14.5.

Pick: Michigan +14.5

No. 23 Clemson Tigers (-6.5) at Virginia Tech Hokies, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Clemson’s bubble burst recently, and with uncertainties about VT’s key players, this one depends on health.

Pick: Virginia Tech +6.5

No. 20 Colorado Buffaloes (-3.5) at Texas Tech Red Raiders, 4:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Texas Tech delivered last week, and I’ll stick with them in what promises to be a high-scoring “Fantasy Carnival.”

Pick: Texas Tech +3.5

Florida State Seminoles (+26.5) at No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC

No need to overthink this one.

Pick: Notre Dame +26.5

No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (-2.5) at No. 15 LSU Tigers, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

As an LSU grad, I’ve been torn. Jalen Milroe’s playmaking favors Alabama, but LSU’s night home-field magic pulls me the other way. I’ll hedge emotionally.

Pick: LSU +2.5

No. 9 BYU Cougars (-4.5) at Utah Utes, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

Utah’s season hasn’t gone well, but this rivalry game in Salt Lake City gives them the edge.

Pick: Utah +4.5

DK Saturday Main Slate DFS Picks

Record Year to Date: 19 Wins 22 Ties 18 Losses

Quarterback

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado ($8,900) – Texas Tech’s porous pass defense (280+ yards allowed per game) offers a great setup for Sanders, who should easily hit 300 yards and 3 TDs. Stack him with his pass catchers for high upside.

Thomas Castellanos, Boston College ($6,600) – With his rushing attempts increasing, Castellanos brings upside. Syracuse’s defense struggles, making Castellanos a solid dual-threat pick.

Running Back

Quintrevion Wisner, Texas ($5,000) – Wisner’s workload in Texas’s high-scoring offense is undervalued. Florida’s banged-up defense should give him opportunities to score.

Kanye Udoh, Army ($5,900) – Udoh’s performance hinges on QB Daily’s status. If Daily sits, Udoh becomes a must-play against North Texas’s weak run defense.

Wide Receiver

LaJohntay Wester, Colorado ($5,200) – Wester is consistently undervalued and has a strong role in Colorado’s offense. His red-zone presence makes him a high-floor play.

Tony Johnson, Cincinnati ($3,600) – Johnson’s recent performances make him a value option against a pass-funnel West Virginia defense, with consistent targets from Sorsby.

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Week 10 College Football Picks, DFS Lineup Tips: FSU vs. UNC, Ohio State at Penn State, Duke at Miami, Oregon at Michigan, Florida vs. Georgia, Texas A&M at South Carolina, Louisville at Clemson, Pitt at SMU and more

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes (-3.5) at No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions, Noon ET, FOX

Ohio State being favored here is surprising; I expected it closer to a pick-em. Both teams are contenders but feel one step from disappointment. In a close matchup like this, taking the home team with points seems smart.

Pick: Penn State +3.5

Duke Blue Devils (+20.5) at No. 5 Miami Hurricanes, Noon ET, ABC

A big spread, but Duke is still Duke. Coach Manny Diaz is motivated to win, but Miami’s talent gap is clear. I’ll take Duke plus 20 points.

Pick: Duke +20.5

No. 1 Oregon Ducks (-15.5) at Michigan Wolverines, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Michigan’s struggles are evident, and Oregon looks title-bound. While Michigan’s defense is solid, Oregon’s firepower on both sides likely proves too much.

Pick: Oregon -15.5

Florida Gators (+16.5) vs. No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Florida has turned things around after a rough start and could still reach bowl eligibility. Freshman QB DJ Lagway offers high potential, but Georgia’s strength will likely overpower them.

Pick: Georgia -16.5

Texas Tech Red Raiders (+14.5) at No. 11 Iowa State Cyclones, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Could this be the year Matt Campbell makes a CFP push? Despite Iowa State’s Big 12 co-favorite status, I’m skeptical of their Cinderella story and will take Texas Tech with the points.

Pick: Texas Tech +14.5

No. 13 Indiana Hoosiers (-7.5) at Michigan State Spartans, 3:30 p.m. ET, Peacock

Indiana is optimistic about QB Kurtis Rourke’s return and will try to keep their momentum going. I think they’ll pull off a win over Michigan State.

Pick: Michigan State +7.5

North Carolina Tar Heels (-2.5) at Florida State Seminoles, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACCN

Here’s the game for those still following.

Pick: Florida State +2.5

No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies (-2.5) at South Carolina Gamecocks, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Texas A&M’s playoff path looks clear, but South Carolina’s unpredictability could pose a challenge. After a rough start, A&M rallied, but South Carolina’s home advantage may keep it close.

Pick: South Carolina +2.5

Louisville Cardinals (+10.5) at No. 11 Clemson Tigers, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Clemson feels vulnerable, and while Louisville may not hand them a loss, they could expose some weaknesses.

Pick: Louisville +10.5

No. 18 Pitt Panthers (+7.5) at SMU Mustangs, 8:00 p.m. ET, ACCN

Sticking with Pitt, even without recent game experience.

Pick: Pitt +7.5

DK Saturday Main Slate DFS Picks

Record Year to Date: 18 Wins 20 Ties 16 Losses

Quarterback

Rocco Becht, Iowa State ($6,500) – Becht is an under-the-radar play, leading Iowa State to a top-10 rank. Though they focus on the run, Becht’s rushing and passing skills make him a strong pick against Texas Tech’s weak defense, which allows almost 34 points per game.

Bryson Daily, Army ($9,200) – Service academy QBs like Daily have high ceilings. Facing Air Force, who struggles against the run, Daily is set for a big game with potential help from Kanye Udoh.

Running Back

Trevor Etienne, Georgia ($6,500) – Etienne’s recent performance makes him a top pick in Georgia’s depleted backfield. With Florida’s weak run defense, Etienne should see increased carries as Georgia likely pulls away.

Mario Anderson, Memphis ($7,800) – Anderson thrives in Memphis’s high-paced offense and faces a UTSA defense that’s struggled against competent run teams. There’s some risk of Memphis relying on the pass, but Anderson’s volume makes him valuable.

Wide Receiver

Tez Johnson, Oregon ($7,700) – Johnson’s high target count and Oregon’s offensive strength make him a strong play. Michigan’s secondary struggles, and Johnson’s consistent performances offer a solid floor and ceiling.

Chris Carpenter, UTSA ($3,700) – With WR1 McCuin out, Carpenter has been heavily targeted and is a great value in this high-scoring game.

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College Football DFS Picks, Full Lineup Prediction: Week 9 tips, player projections

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 18:08:20 -0000

Welcome to a special DFS-only episode of Sharpen the Point with your host, Chris Tyndall. flying solo today. No betting insights this time—Chris is focusing on what he knows best: Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) strategy and player picks.

We've been scoring big tournament wins. Over the last two weeks, he's been 20-maxing tournaments on DK, with 15 and 14 entries cashing—a high yield right now. Player pools have been tight and crisp. We’re going to break down every game on the Week 9 college football main slate and highlight the best plays.

Record Year to Date: 15 Wins, 18 Ties, 15 Losses

Record is based on a player's value using points per dollar. A win is more than 4 times, a tie is 3-4 times, and a loss below 3 times. Example: Oronde Gadsden costs $3,500 and scores 26.8 points for a 7.66 value rating and a win.

Quarterback

Josh Hoover, TCU ($8,500) – With two high-scoring games in Tulane/North Texas and Texas Tech/TCU, focusing on these matchups is crucial. Each team is expected to score over thirty, setting the stage for Hoover, who leads a TCU offense struggling on the ground and therefore passing more than 60% of the time—a top-ten rate nationally. Texas Tech's pass defense remains vulnerable, giving up nearly 270 yards per game, as evidenced by last week’s 274/5 performance against Sawyer Robertson. Hoover, combined with Savion Williams and Tahj Brooks, offers a great lineup core.

Will Howard, Ohio State ($7,900) – Howard's last outing, a close road game against Oregon, showcased his playmaking. While Ohio State’s title hopes are still alive, the team’s path forward has narrowed. After the bye, an explosive performance is expected against a Nebraska team coming off a rough outing against Indiana. Ohio State may emphasize the pass here, especially if they want to minimize carries for Quinshon Judkins, who recently underwent hand surgery, and increase Trey’Veon Henderson's workload.

Running Back

Makhi Hughes, Tulane ($7,400) – Hughes was a no-brainer pick due to his role and the ideal matchup. Tulane’s run-heavy offense (about two-thirds of plays) features Hughes as the main back, a trend head coach Jon Sumrall brought over from Troy. With North Texas’s strong offense, Tulane’s best strategy is ball control, leaning on Hughes to exploit a defense that gives up 175 rushing yards per game. Hughes has hit multiple touchdowns in three straight games, and he’s a strong pick to repeat that with 100+ yards and touchdowns.

Quintrevion Wisner, Texas ($4,800) – The Texas backfield has seen turnover, with CJ Baxter initially leading before injury, followed by Jaydon Blue, who fumbled his way down the depth chart. Wisner has now taken the lead, outperforming Blue in touches by 14 over the last two games. Vanderbilt’s run defense has allowed backs to reach big numbers, with Nate Noel nearly hitting 200 yards. Texas should deliver scoring opportunities for Wisner, making him a great value in a Sarkisian-led offense.

Wide Receiver

Daniel Jackson, Minnesota ($4,500) – Wide receivers abound in this slate, making the right combo crucial for payouts. Jackson, a star last season for Minnesota with four 100+ yard games and eight touchdowns, continues to see nearly nine targets per game. Facing a Maryland defense ranked near last in passing yards allowed (288 per game), Jackson has a prime opportunity to break out and deliver a high-impact performance.

DT Sheffield, North Texas ($7,000) – Sheffield caps the slate as a consistent performer in a North Texas offense that’s among the fastest in the country, passing 60% of the time. Averaging 7 catches, 94 yards, and 1.5 touchdowns per game, Sheffield is priced attractively for his role. In cash games, Sheffield feels essential, but for tournaments, Tulane’s ability to control the clock could keep Sheffield off the field, opening leverage options like Josh Kelly, Tez Johnson, or Ohio State's playmakers.

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FSU vs. Miami: Preview, analysis, prediction feat. Adam Lichtenstein of the Sun Sentinel -- Seminoles playing for pride, Hurricanes playing for national championship and Heisman hopes

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:08:00 -0000

Each year, there are two games circled on the Florida State football schedule, both intrastate rivalries that have established themselves as important parts of college football’s tapestry.

While FSU-UF had its heyday during its fierce battles between Bobby Bowden and Steve Spurrier, the series between Florida State and the Miami Hurricanes has maintained its edge and prestige even when one team falters and the national stakes of the matchup fall to the wayside. Seven of the last ten matchups (18 of the last 25!) have been decided by one score, with the series sitting at 35-33 in Miami’s favor.

The history and importance of this game isn’t lost on either side, especially as the memory of Florida State’s 2022 win in Hard Rock Stadium is still fresh in Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal’s mind. In his first year leading the program, he saw FSU put together a 45-3 win, the largest road victory in the history of the two schools. After pushing the Seminoles to the edge last year in an upset bid, making a statement is going to be on the forefront of his and Miami’s mind.

With No. 6 Miami boasting a 7-0 (3-0 ACC) record and a Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Cam Ward, it would be a tall task for Florida State in a normal year — in 2024, with FSU fielding one of the country’s worst offenses as the defense still tries to acclimate, it’ll be a major challenge avoiding a repeat of 2020’s matchup, when Miami scored the most points in series history en route to a 42-point win of its own (52-10).

What does Miami bring to the table outside of quarterback? On this week’s Line of Scrimmage, we’re joined by our friend Adam Lichtenstein of the Sun Sentinel to talk about the Hurricanes run this year, what they’re fielding on each side of the ball and how he thinks the game will go on Saturday night.

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2024-2025 FSU basketball preseason roster, schedule preview: What to expect from Seminoles offense, defense

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles are just weeks away from tipping off their 2024-25 basketball season, looking to continue an upward trajectory after a major year-to-year jump from 2022-2023 (205th to 79th in KenPom).

Roster turnover and a tough ACC schedule will make that even more of a challenge heading into the 22nd year of head coach Leonard Hamilton’s tenure — the final of his current contract. We’ve already broken down the roster in full article form (available here, in case you missed it) but for those of you finding for a new episode of the Gospel of Ham Florida State basketball podcast, we’ve got a fresh one on deck breaking down the players on this year’s squad, the schedule that awaits them and more:

1:45 - Opening discussion on Tony Bennett retiring and the NIL/Portal landscape

I feel like if you’ve been paying attention to the world of college basketball for the last two, three, four years, it wasn’t like this is coming out of nowhere. And quite honestly, basketball is often at the forefront of some of this before football. I wouldn’t be shocked if some of this starts to happen in football too. He didn’t love the system. I can’t blame him. I am in favor of players getting paid, I’m in favor of players having the ability to move around, but there’s gotta be some rules to it that kind of make sense.It makes me wonder if sometimes, not we, you and me, but we, the general public, underestimate Leonard Hamilton’s pure competitive fire and passion for the game of basketball, because the entire landscape is so different from when he first started coaching.

15:00 - 2024-25 Roster

For the first time since the year before the Scottie Barnes year, I think the coaching staff finally decided, okay, if we’re going to run this defense and stuff, the system that we want to run, we need to have some players. that just 1 through 12 fit the system.The high-end talent of, of multiple lottery picks — FSU doesn’t have that. They might have four G League players on this roster. But what they do have is, I really don’t know that there’s a big difference between the fourth-best player and the ninth-best player.And they’re all about 6-foot-7. They’re all fairly, at least on film laterally quick. And if you think to yourself that, well, if Jamir gets you 20 a game, I really don’t care if anyone else averages more than 10 or 11, because you’re gonna create a lot of steals. You’re going to have a lot of lobs and you’re going to create a lot of just like kind of chaos out there with a bunch of 6-7 guys.And maybe, maybe that can work

19:10 - The Jamir Watkins Offense

I would love to see this just be like Jamir’s team. Just give him the ball, get out of the way. Watkins had 28.2% usage rate last year — that means that the possession either ended with Jameer shooting, rebounding, or turning it over.Toney Douglas, in 2009, was 27.6. So actually, last year, Jamir was already At the same usage rate as Toney Douglas. I mean, how, how high can you ratchet it up?

31:00 - So about the defense...

What is Ham gonna do with the defense? 10 new faces out there — you know this defense that takes two or three years to really understand.

42:00 - The Schedule

If they’re not 3-0 heading into the Florida game, we’re already going to have some red flags raised.... get through Florida, say three and one, then who knows? The rest of the rest of the out of conference schedule is not that tough.20 ACC games — is it a top three league this year? Who’s gonna win it?

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FSU vs. Duke preview, prediction, analysis: Can Blue Devils beat Seminoles for first time ever? feat. Donald Wine from the Duke Basketball Roundup

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0000

In 2024, Duke has defied most expectations after losing head coach Mike Elko to the Texas A&M Aggies, off to a strong 5-1 start under new head coach Manny Diaz — a familiar face to the Seminoles who has managed to keep the Blue Devils rolling up until suffering their first loss of the season to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

While Duke wasn’t given much credit for its 5-0 start, failing to crack the Top 25, the team still has a chance to snap the program’s always-beaten streak against Florida State. Diaz has brought his signature defensive aggressiveness, with Duke’s defense recording 18 sacks, 13 of which come from a deep defensive line led by Vincent Anthony Jr. and defensive tackles Aaron Hall and Kendy Charles. At quarterback, Texas transfer Maalik Murphy has logged thrown for multiple touchdowns in five of six games, while Star Thomas, a transfer from New Mexico State, has emerged as the lead back in a room capable of putting up yards against an FSU defense still trying to find consistency.

This week on the Line of Scrimmage podcast, we connected with Donald Wine from the Duke Basketball Roundup to get the inside scoop on the Blue Devils, including:

How Manny Diaz has kept things rolling so far in his first year at Duke
An inside look at Murphy’s game
How Thomas rose up as the Blue Devil’s lead back
What to expect from Duke’s offensive line against Florida State’s defensive front
The impact of Duke’s three-headed linebacker attack featuring Alex Howard, Tre Freeman, and Ozzie Nicholas

...and more.

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College Football Week 6 Picks, DFS & Podcast: FSU-Clemson, UCF-Florida, Miami-Cal, Louisville-SMU, Washington-Michigan and more

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 23:39:42 -0000

October is here, and for the fifth time in the last seven years, Florida State’s season is basically over.

What does that mean for us? It’s time to hate, hate, hate and roll in some schadenfreude as the rest of the year unfolds.

We’ve got plenty of opportunities on deck this week, mainly UCF-Florida. It’s a battle of the smarmy vs. the insecure, with either the Gators about to have to endure the latest painful point in Billy Napier’s tenure or the Knights getting the “you’re not quite a Power program” treatment. I mentioned on this week’s podcast that it’s like watching two cousins fight in embarrassing fashion at Thanksgiving while you’re sloshed due to the fact you’re in crippling debt and everybody knows it, and I stand by that.

As for Miami, the Hurricanes managed to avoid a collapse at home against Virginia Tech last week, getting lucky that the non-catch that was called a catch on the field was reversed to being a non-catch even though rules dictate that it should have been a catch (which again, it was not). Cal has lost a bit of faith on my end in its ability to pull off the upset given the fact the Golden Bears have done something nobody else has done this season (lose to Florida State) but Berkley is about to be bopping for the program’s first-ever College Gameday matchup. Are we going to see Cam Ward do another sorta-Jekyll-mainly-Hyde performance that has Miami on the ropes in a late-night matchup? That’s what Cal (and of course, the haters) will be hoping for.

There aren’t too many stakes-heavy matchups on this week’s slate, but boy howdy, are they appealing on paper. We’ve got 10 pinpointed for you this week — and yes, a confirmed 10 for you faithful degen since somebody who is unable to count and only had nine games last week.

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FSU vs. Clemson preview: Analysis, breakdown, prediction as Seminoles host No. 15 Tigers

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 18:40:00 -0000

To say the least, the first month of the 2024 season was rough for the Florida State Seminoles (1-4, 1-3 ACC).

And now, to start off October, FSU will face off against its first ranked opponent of the season — the No. 15 Clemson Tigers (4-1, 2-0 ACC). After a disappointing showing vs. the Georgia Bulldogs to open the year, Clemson has bounced back to put its season on track and enters into the matchup vs. the Seminoles as 14.5-point favorites (per FanDuel).

The offense is anchored by junior quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has shown significant growth this season, and is supported by a powerful rushing attack led by Phil Mafah, averaging 8 yards per carry.

On defense, Clemson’s front seven is as dangerous as ever, led by defensive end TJ Parker, who already has three sacks this season. The linebacker duo of Wade Woodaz and Barrett Carter brings experience and athleticism, while the secondary, led by safety RJ Mickens, has only allowed five touchdowns all season.

What will the Tigers be bringing to the table when they make the trek to Tallahassee? On this episode of the Line of Scrimmage podcast, we’re joined by Matt Goldin of our SB Nation sister site Shakin’ the Southland to get the breakdown on Clemson, including:

Clemson’s transfer portal approach
Klubnik’s growth this season
Tigers rushing attack
Clemson’s receiver group
Why the Tigers’ linebackers have excelled
How the secondary has fared
Game prediction

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College Football Week 5 Picks, DFS & Podcast: FSU-SMU, Georgia-Alabama, Louisville-Notre Dame and more

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:25:36 -0000

As we enter week five of the 2024 college football season, we’re finally into “multiple games with plenty of storylines” territory, and boy does it feel good to live in the era of the four-box YouTube TV setup.

First, the game of the week: Georgia, shunted from its perch atop the AP rankings, has finally gotten the “they don’t believe in us!!!” motivation that Kirby Smart has previously had to pull out of thin air in an effort to keep them invested. Alabama has had the Bulldogs number in year’s past, but Nick Saban ain’t walking through that door — Jalen Milroe, however, is. The Crimson Tide haven’t looked anywhere near what people perceive Alabama to be (though, last year, that didn’t stop the committee from....I’m sorry, I’m sorry), and Georgia is much more capable of taking advantage of opportunities than Wisconsin and USF.

Then, we’ve got FSU, with an albatross of an offense dangling around its neck as the defense tries to claw its way from the depths. There’s a chance that they can shake things off and find some production for the first time this season, but combine the lack of evidence this offense is capable with the soft factor angle of SMU coming to the table eager to prove it deserves its spot in a power conference after being specifically targeted in lawsuits showing why the ACC can’t be taken seriously, and it’s hard to see things going pretty there.

In Louisville and Notre Dame, it’s a chance for Marcus Freeman to shake off the perception that Notre Dame isn’t built to contend under his leadership while Jeff Brohm is looking to build off an impressive win against Georgia Tech and elevate Louisville to actual threat from potential. The same goes for Penn State, who has a chance to prove itself a legitimate contender in the Big 10 while facing off against an Illinois team riding the high of last week’s Nebraska win.

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FSU, SMU set to meet for first time ever — how do the Mustangs stack up with the Seminoles? Preview, prediction, analysis feat. Dean Ralsky of On the Pony Express

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Florida State (1-3, 1-2 ACC) will once again serve as an opponent’s first-ever ACC matchup, this time doing so on the road vs. the SMU Mustangs.

SMU (3-1) heads into the game having bounced back from a close loss to No. 22 BYU with a dominant 66-42 win over the TCU Horned Frogs. The Mustangs, who ponied up plenty of cash to be able to prove themselves as worthy of power conference status, will be looking to make a statement in a primetime matchup (8 p.m. ET, ACC Network).

In this week’s episode of the Line of Scrimmage, we speak with Dean Ralsky of On the Pony Express, an On3 SMU site. to get all the details on what SMU brings to the table, including:

How Lashlee’s offensive system has evolved in his third year as head coach
The confidence level in quarterback Kevin Jennings after his breakout game against TCU
Brashard Smith’s impact as a converted running back and his explosive start to the season
The strengths and potential weaknesses of SMU’s revamped offensive line
A veteran-laden defensive line and how Elijah Roberts has led the charge

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College Football Week 4 Picks, DFS: FSU vs. Cal, Miami vs. USF, Florida vs. Mississippi State, Tennessee vs. Oklahoma and more

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:06:21 -0000

No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini (+8.5) at No. 22 Nebraska Cornhuskers — Friday, 8 p.m., FOX

Illinois has a nice upset over Kansas and plays great defense. Nebraska’s big win was a blowout of Colorado, but freshman QB Dylan Raiola has had it too easy so far. I expect a grind-it-out Big Ten game. I’ll take Illinois and the points.

Brian’s Pick: Illinois +8.5

Florida Gators (-6.5) at Mississippi State Bulldogs — Noon, ESPN

This has to be Billy Napier’s first win of the season, or he’s in real trouble. Mississippi State is dreadful, and they were quickly dominated by Toledo last week. If Florida doesn’t win this, it’s over for Napier.

Brian’s Pick: Florida -6.5

NC State Wolf Pack (+20.5) at No. 21 Clemson Tigers — Noon, ABC

With Grayson McCall out for NC State and true freshman CJ Bailey starting at Clemson, it’s a tough spot for the Wolf Pack. I don’t want to bet on a true freshman in this environment.

Brian’s Pick: Clemson -20.5

No. 11 USC Trojans (-5.5) at No. 18 Michigan Wolverines — 3:30 p.m., CBS

Michigan being a 5.5-point underdog at home shows the lack of confidence in the defending champs. I’ve been down on Michigan, but this line feels bigger than expected. I think Michigan could pull off a surprise win.

Brian’s Pick: Michigan +5.5

UCLA Bruins (+24.5) at No. 16 LSU Tigers — 3:30 p.m., ABC

UCLA has struggled to score, even against Hawaii. LSU has shown some vulnerabilities, but at home, in the Louisiana heat, they’ll be too much for UCLA to handle.

Brian’s Pick: LSU -24.5

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+10.5) at No. 19 Louisville Cardinals — 3:30 p.m., ESPN2

Louisville has had an easy schedule so far, but I’m not sold on them. Georgia Tech’s physical run game should keep this one close.

Brian’s Pick: Georgia Tech +10.5

No. 12 Utah Utes (+1.5) at No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys — 4:00 p.m., FOX

The big question is Cam Rising’s health. If he’s not 100%, I’ll take Oklahoma State and their ground game at home.

Brian’s Pick: Oklahoma State -1.5

No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (-16.5) at USF Bulls — 7:00 p.m., ESPN

USF nearly upset Alabama a couple of weeks ago, and while they might make this interesting, their passing attack isn’t enough to overcome Miami.

Brian’s Pick: Miami -16.5

Cal Golden Bears (+2.5) at Florida State Seminoles — 7:00 p.m., ESPN2

Cal’s defense, especially the linebackers, has been tough. Florida State continues to struggle to find offensive rhythm, and I’ll take Cal as the more consistent team.

Brian’s Pick: Cal +2.5

No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers (-7.5) at No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners — 7:30 p.m., ABC

This is the game of the day. Tennessee’s offense has been unstoppable with Nico at QB, but the key will be how their defense can get the ball back in good positions. If they do that, Tennessee wins.

Brian’s Pick: Tennessee -7.5

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FSU vs. Cal: Preview, breakdown, analysis of how Seminoles, Golden Bears matchup feat. Nick Kranz

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 09:48:42 -0000

As Florida State continues to navigate its early-season struggles, Cal (3-0) comes to Tallahassee, riding its best start since 2019 under head coach Justin Wilcox.

For Florida State, this game represents a critical opportunity to find momentum after an underwhelming start, while Cal will look to prove itself as a legitimate contender in its new conference home.

What should FSU fans expect from Cal when the Golden Bears make their first trip to Tallahassee? As part of our Line of Scrimmage series, we connected with Nick Kranz from Write for California to get the inside scoop on the Bears, including:

How has Justin Wilcox utilized the transfer portal to build Cal's most complete team yet?
What’s been the key to quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s growth in Year 2?
Can Cal’s trio of running backs, led by Jaydn Ott, continue to carry the offense?
Will Cal’s offensive line hold up against a hungry Florida State defensive front?
How has Teddy Buchanan emerged as the leader of a stout Cal linebacker corps?

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College Football Week 3 Picks, DFS Plays: Memphis vs. Florida State, Alabama vs. Wisconsin, LSU vs. South Carolina, Boston College vs. Missouri, Oregon vs. Oregon State, Colorado vs. Colorado State and more

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Memphis Tigers (+6.5) at Florida State Seminoles — Noon, ESPN

Brian: I’ve had this one marked as a potential upset since the preseason. Memphis has been a contender for the Group of 5 playoff spot, and Florida State hasn’t impressed me enough to change my mind. I need to see more from FSU to believe in them.

Brian’s Pick: Memphis +6.5

Jordan’s Pick: Memphis +6.5

No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (-15.5) at Wisconsin Badgers — Noon, FOX

Brian: This spread is bigger than I expected. Last week’s close call with USF might scare some off Alabama, but USF troubled them last year, too. I think Alabama dominates because Wisconsin won’t contain Jalen Milroe.

Brian’s Pick: Alabama -15.5

Jordan’s Pick: Alabama -15.5

No. 16 LSU Tigers (-7.5) at South Carolina Gamecocks — Noon, ABC

Brian: I’m surprised this game is hosting College Gameday. South Carolina shocked Kentucky, but I wasn’t high on the Wildcats to begin with. South Carolina has a strong pass rush, but LSU is more talented, and I like betting on talent.

Brian’s Pick: LSU -7.5

Jordan’s Pick: LSU -7.5

No. 24 Boston College Eagles (+17.5) at No. 6 Missouri Tigers — Noon, SEC Network

Brian: I didn’t expect BC to be ranked this season, but here we are. Missouri can score, but BC showed they can hang with top teams, and Bill O’Brien has proven he can coach. BC keeps this close.

Brian’s Pick: Boston College +17.5

Jordan’s Pick: Boston College +17.5

No. 9 Oregon Ducks (-16.5) at Oregon State Beavers — 3:30 p.m., FOX

Jordan: I trusted Dan Lanning to figure things out last week, but I’m doubling down on Oregon here. The talent gap will show in this rivalry game.

Jordan’s Pick: Oregon -16.5

Brian’s Pick: Oregon -16.5

Tulane Green Wave (+13.5) at No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners — 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Jordan: OU looked shaky, and Tulane performed well last week. With Tennessee coming up next for Oklahoma, this could be a trap game, but I’m taking the Sooners.

Jordan’s Pick: Oklahoma -13.5

Brian: Tulane impressed me last week, and Oklahoma struggled with Houston. I think Tulane keeps it close.

Brian’s Pick: Tulane +13.5

Texas A&M Aggies (-4.5) at Florida Gators — 3:30 p.m., ABC

Jordan: Florida’s QB situation could cause confusion, while Texas A&M is better on both lines. I’m taking the Aggies.

Jordan’s Pick: Texas A&M -4.5

Brian’s Pick: Texas A&M -4.5

West Virginia Mountaineers (-3.5) at Pitt Panthers — 3:30 p.m., ESPN2

Brian: Dez Reid has transformed Pitt’s offense, and I expect them to keep rising.

Brian’s Pick: Pitt +3.5

Jordan’s Pick: Pitt +3.5

Washington State Cougars (+5.5) at Washington Huskies — 3:30 p.m., Peacock

Jordan: WSU’s offense is clicking, and UW hasn’t been tested. The Cougars could pull off an upset.

Jordan’s Pick: Washington State +5.5

Brian’s Pick: Washington State +5.5

Colorado Buffaloes (-7.5) at Colorado State Rams — 7:30 p.m., CBS

Jordan: Colorado is a mess, and losing Shilo hurts. I’m taking CSU with Fort Collins fired up.

Jordan’s Pick: Colorado State +7.5

Brian’s Pick: Colorado State +7.5

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FSU vs. Memphis: Preview, breakdown, prediction feat. Steve Helwick of Underdog Dynasty -- How do Tigers stack up with FSU?

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 09:16:43 -0000

2024 hasn’t shaken out the way most anticipated it would for Florida State football, with the Seminoles still searching for their first win of the year after an 0-2 start.

After a bye week, the team that stands in the Seminoles’ way of turning their season around is head coach Mike Norvell’s former squad — the Memphis Tigers (2-0).

For Florida State, this game is about salvaging momentum before the season slips away, while Memphis will look to continue its strong start, earn a program-defining win and further establish itself as a contender in the AAC this season.

What will Memphis bring to the table when it makes the trip to Tallahassee? As part of our Line of Scrimmage series, we connected with Steve Helwick of Underdog Dynasty to get the inside scoop on the Tigers, including:

How has Ryan Silverfield shaped Memphis in his own way?
What makes Seth Henigan a dangerous quarterback?
Why FSU shouldn’t overlook Memphis’s WR/TE group
Memphis’s experienced O-line’s outlook in trenches against FSU
Who has emerged as the leader in Memphis’s secondary?

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Week 2 College Football Picks, Daily Fantasy Plays: Breaking down major matchups including Michigan vs. Texas, Tennessee vs. NC State and more

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 17:57:23 -0000

So... a bye week is cool, right?

Feels like we could all kinda use one and luckily this one comes with some pretty great nonconference games. I mean an SEC sleeper in Tennessee travels to Charlotte to take on NC State. We’ve got a couple Group of 5 playoff hopefuls heading to some serious power five schools — Clemson and Oregon — looking to get a gold star on their resume. We’ve got another in Tulane hosting a Power Four conference title contender in Kansas State. Deion and Colorado face freshman phenom Dylan Raiola and Nebraska. It’s a doozy.

And let’s not forget the big one in the Big House. One of the SEC’s newest and brightest teams Texas faces defending national champion Michigan.

It’s a menu with bangers in each window that I think will allow a bit of a pallet cleanser before returning to the home team next weekend.

Without further delay, let’s get to the business.

If you’re new to the program, I provide 10 games for us to watch this weekend that I think are the most impactful. You can join in the fun by picking those same 10 games in the comment section against me. Unfortunately, the only prize is me adding you to our Comment Section Hall of Fame in my next edition. No cash prizes awarded.

I had an excellent Week 1 — though it was at the risk of my own emotional wellbeing with the LSU and FSU losses. A 7-3 start against the spread gets our season rolling on a very positive note. Hoping to keep that rolling this week.

But I wasn’t alone. Two people matched my 7 win start. Yapo.SD and Jason Kuruvilla each missed three games and to make it fun, they acutally missed none of the same games. One other fun nugget is Yapo.SD was one of our Week 1 winners a year ago. Congratulations and welcome back to the Comment Section Hall of Fame! Let’s keep this hot streak going this week.

Comment Section Hall of Fame

Week One: Yapo.SD and Jason Kuruvilla (7-3)

Could you be the next Comment Section Champion of the season? Leave your picks to the 10 games below in the comment section at the bottom of the page. You have to pick the 10 games I provided to be eligible for the Hall as those are the only ones I grab. Most correct is our winner.

My co-host Chris Tyndall and I also talk Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) for the weekend ahead, which gives us a chance to look at the matchups and players that matter in those games. It’ll get you more familiar with the names making big impacts each weekend as well.

If you want to get in on those picks, listen to the Sharpen the Point podcast, where we talk in-depth on those game picks as well as the Daily Fantasy Sports contests on DraftKings each weekend. New to DFS? We can help you through the thought process of building a team.

AS ALWAYS, we are just two guys with keyboards and microphones, not gambling professionals, so follow at your own risk and play responsibly.

All lines and DFS pricing from our friends at DraftKings.

Brian’s Against The Spread Game Picks

No. 3 Texas Longhorns (-7.5) at No. 10 Michigan Wolverines — Noon, FOX

Brian’s Pick: Texas -7.5

Arkansas Razorbacks (+7.5) at No. 16 Oklahoma State Cowboys — Noon, ABC

Brian’s Pick: Oklahoma State -7.5

No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats (-9.5) at Tulane Green Wave — Noon, ESPN

Brian’s Pick: Kansas State -9.5

Baylor Bears (+14.5) at No. 11 Utah Utes — 3:30 p.m., FOX

Brian’s Pick: Utah -14.5

Iowa State Cyclones (+2.5) at No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes, — 3:30 p.m., CBS

Brian’s Pick: Iowa -2.5

California Golden Bears (+13.5) at Auburn Tigers — 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Brian’s Pick: Auburn -13.5

No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers (-7.5) vs. No. 24 NC State Wolfpack (Charlotte) — 7:30 p.m., ABC

Brian’s Pick: NC State +7.5

Colorado Buffaloes (+7.5) at Nebraska Cornhuskers, 7:30 p.m., NBC

Brian’s Pick: Colorado +7.5

App State Mountaineers (+17.5) at No. 25 Clemson Tigers — 7:30 p.m., ACC Network

Brian’s Pick: Clemson -17.5

Boise State Broncos (+18.5) at No. 7 Oregon Ducks — 10:30 p.m. Peacock

Brian’s Pick: Oregon -18.5

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College Football Week 1 Picks, DFS & Podcast: Georgia-Clemson, Miami-Florida, Penn State-West Virginia, Notre Dame-Texas A&M and more

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 20:31:35 -0000

Did you miss it?

I’m sure last weekend’s result may skew your answer to that. But I know deep down in that Guiness-filled, jet-lagged gut of yours, the answer to that question is still yes.

I know I sure did. Seven months of trying to connect the dots of where people are playing, who’s coaching where and what conference all these teams are in. We did preview pods on Sharpen the Point for each of them — and there’s still time for you to check them all out on the podcast feed! But the reality is none of it matters when the games are played.

If you’re new to the program, I provide 10 games for us to watch this weekend that I think are the most impactful.

It’s pageantry and passion you don’t see anywhere else in sports in this country. And win or fly across the pond to lose, we all share it this time of year... no matter how much everything has changed.

Saturday

No. 14 Clemson Tigers (+13.5) vs. No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (Atlanta) — Noon, ABC

Brian’s Pick: Georgia -13.5

No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions (-8.5) at West Virginia Mountaineers — Noon, FOX

Brian’s Pick: West Virginia +8.5

Virginia Tech Hokies (-13.5) at Vanderbilt Commodores — Noon, ESPN

Brian’s Pick: Virginia Tech -13.5

No. 19 Miami Hurricanes (-2.5) at Florida Gators — 3:30 p.m., ABC

Brian’s Pick: Miami -2.5

Colorado State Rams (+32.5) at No. 4 Texas Longhorns, — 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Brian’s Pick: Texas -32.5

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (+31.5) at No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide — 7:00 p.m., ESPN

Brian’s Pick: Alabama -31.5

No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+3.5) at No. 20 Texas A&M Aggies — 7:30 p.m., ABC

Brian’s Pick: Notre Dame +3.5

Fresno State Bulldogs (+21.5) at No. 9 Michigan Wolverines, 7:30 p.m., NBC

Brian’s Pick: Fresno State +21.5

Sunday

No. 23 USC Trojans (+4.5) vs. No. 13 LSU Tigers (Las Vegas) — 7:30 p.m., ABC

Brian’s Pick: LSU -4.5

Monday

Boston College Eagles (+17.5) at No. 10 Florida State Seminoles — 7:30 p.m. ESPN

Brian’s Pick: Boston College +17.5

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FSU vs. Boston College: How do Eagles matchup with Seminoles? Preview, analysis, breakdown with Curtis Flannery of BCInterruption -- Florida State Seminoles favored by 16.5 over Boston College Eagles in home opener

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 08:59:26 -0000

A historic trip to Ireland to play Florida State’s first-ever international game ended in embarrassing fashion, with the Seminoles having been upset on a last-second field goal with plenty of televisions around the country tuned in.

It’s safe to assume a good bulk of the homes in Massachusetts were also set to ESPN last Saturday, with the Boston College Eagles now looking to join the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets as early-season spoilers.

What will the Seminoles be facing when Boston College makes the trek down to Tallahassee?

For the third year in a row, we’re lucky to be joined by Curtis Flannery of BCInterruption, who gives us an inside look at the Eagles, touching on Boston College’s:

New start under Bill O’Brien
Capabilites with quarterback Thomas Castellanos
Running back room
Potential pass game threats
Defensive questions

...and more.

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FSU vs. Georgia Tech preview: Prediction, analysis, breakdown of Seminoles vs. Yellow Jackets featuring Jack Purdy of From the Rumble Seat.

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Welcome to another season of the Line of Scrimmage podcast, where we dive into Florida State’s matchup with their upcoming opponent. Each week, we’ll preview what fans can expect to see from the team that lines up against the Seminoles.

Up first, it’s a season opening showdown across the pond. Florida State starts the 2024 season in Dublin, Ireland against the George Tech Yellow Jackets. To help our fans get to know the Yellow Jackets better, we sat down with Jack Purdy of our SBNation sister site, From the Rumble Seat.

The Jackets finished their 2023 season with a 7-6 record and a win in the Gasparilla Bowl. Georgia Tech’s program appears to be headed in a new direction under the leadership of head coach Brent Key. The Ramblin’ Wreck was able to hold onto several key players in the offseason and returns much of their offense. The defense is not as assured with several key spots being filled by new faces in Atlanta.

In this episode, we discuss Key’s success and what sets him apart from his predecessors. Is the excitement and hype coming out of Georgia Tech legit or will the Jackets stumble against their tough schedule? Some of the questions discussed:

What to expect from year two of Haynes King?
Which receiver stands out among the rest?
What offensive unit will drive the success of Georgia Tech?
Did the Yellow Jackets address their defensive line woes from last season?
Which player is the defensive leader for Tech?

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ACC Preview: Can anyone challenge Florida State for the conference championship?

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 16:09:00 -0000

We are in the final stretch of the countdown to Florida State and Georgia Tech’s season opener in Ireland.

On this episode of Sharpen the Point, a college football gambling and daily fantasy sports podcast on the Everything Noles podcast channel, Brian Pellerin, Chris Tyndall and special gues Jordan Silversmith break down the ACC and the Noles-Bees game one.

With a 12-team playoff and remade conferences, more, teams, games and players will be in FSU’s path to and through the College Football Playoff either as ACC champ or contending for an at-large bid.

So far, they’ve covered the top Group of 5 playoff contenders, the ultra-competitive Big 12, took a look at the expanded SEC and new-look Big Ten to see who could be standing in the way come December.

On today’s preview, they take a deep look into the ACC’s conference title and playoff contenders. Can Clemson’s unique approach to roster construction and another year with Garrett Riley calling plays put them back in the ACC’s pole position? Are Georgia Tech or Louisville ready to take another step forward or slide back to the pack? What can Cal, Stanford and SMU bring to the conference race? Miami has a roster ready to contend for a playoff spot, but can they overcome their head coach’s in-game blunders and deliver on the hype? Will FSU’s remade offense deliver often enough to repeat as ACC champions? Can NC State and Virginia Tech make dark horse runs to have their name called on Selection Sunday?

Start the college football season today and subscribe to the Sharpen the Point podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you listen to your shows.

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Sharpen the Point conference previews: Big 10, Part 2 -- Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks, Penn State Nittany Lions, Purdue Boilermakers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans, Washington Huskies, Wisconsin Badgers

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Just one week away from college football being back in our lives.

As the countdown continues, Sharpen the Point is back with another entry in our conference preview series.

On the second half of today’s Big Ten preview, hosts Brian Pellerin and Chris Tyndall dive into the second half of the Big Ten alphabetically — Ohio State through Wisconsin. Can Ryan Day get back over the Michigan hurdle and deliver on an aggressive offseason for Ohio State? Can Oregon make a splash in their first season in the Big Ten after a busy offseason as well? Will Penn State shake their big game blues? Can Washington and USC keep the momentum from recent seasons going with serious turnover?

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Sharpen the Point conference previews: Big 10, Part 1 -- Illinois Fighting Illini, Indiana Hoosiers, Iowa Hawkeyes, Maryland Terrapins, Michigan State Spartans, Michigan Wolverines, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Northwestern Wildcats

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 18:26:00 -0000

We’re closing in on Florida State opening the new college football season in Ireland and the hosts of Sharpen the Point, a college football gambling and daily fantasy sports podcast on the Everything Noles podcast channel, are getting you set for the year ahead.

Expanded playoffs and conference realignment puts more teams, more games and more players in FSU’s path to the College Football Playoff. As ACC champ or contending for an at-large bid, the Noles will face some of the best of the rest to get back to the top of college football. Leading up to the start of the year, Brian Pellerin and Chris Tyndall preview the group of five and each conference’s CFP contenders with a Florida State lens in mind. It’s a lot to keep track of, but we’re helping consolidate it all in one place for you.

So far, they’ve covered the top Group of 5 playoff contenders, including the Seminoles’ Sept. 14 opponent — the Memphis Tigers, broke down the ultra-competitive Big 12 and took a look at the SEC to see who could be standing in the way come December.

On today’s Big Ten preview, the first of two parts, they take a deep look into the first half of the Big Ten alphabetically — Illinois through Northwestern. Can Michigan weather the loss of Jim Harbaugh, Blake Corum and J.J. McCarthy through a tumultuous offseason to make the College Football Playoff once again? Can Nebraska turnaround their close losses from a year ago and be a dark horse for the Big Ten title game?

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Sharpen the Point: SEC Preview Pt. 2 — Missouri Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Ole Miss Rebels, South Carolina Gamecocks, Tennessee Volunteers, Texas A&M Aggies, Texas Longhorns, Vanderbilt Commodores

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0000

So far, they’ve covered the top Group of 5 playoff contenders, including the Seminoles’ Sept. 14 opponent — the Memphis Tigers, broke down the ultra-competitive Big 12 and took a look at the first half of the SEC to see who could be standing in the way come December.

On today’s preview of the SEC, they take a deep look into the second eight SEC schools alphabetically — Missouri through Vanderbilt. Can Missouri or Tennessee make a run at their first College Football Playoff bids? How will Texas and Oklahoma adjust to life after being the big fish in the Big 12 for so long? Can Texas A&M be a surprise SEC Championship Game contender post-Jimbo Fisher? Are Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss ready make their first trip to Atlanta?

The previews continue this weekend with a look at the Big Ten before moving on to the ACC as well as Florida State’s Week Zero opener in Ireland.

Start the college football season today and subscribe to the Sharpen the Point podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you listen to your shows.

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Sharpen the Point: SEC Preview Pt. 1 —Alabama Crimson Tide, Arkansas Razorbacks, Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats, LSU Tigers, Mississippi State Bulldogs

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:22:00 -0000

We’re less than two weeks from Florida State opening the new college football season in Ireland and the hosts of Sharpen the Point, a college football gambling and daily fantasy sports podcast on the Everything Noles podcast channel, are getting you set for all the action across the country.

Expanded playoffs and conference realignment makes more teams than ever before important to FSU’s College Football Playoff hopes. Leading up to the start of the year, Brian Pellerin and Chris Tyndall preview the group of five and each conference’s CFP contenders with a Florida State lens in mind. It’s a lot to keep track of, but we’re helping consolidate it all in one place for you.

So far, they’ve covered the top Group of 5 teams that could see themselves in the playoff this winter, including the Seminoles’ Sept. 14 opponent — the Memphis Tigers. Plus they broke down the ultra-competitive Big 12. Are Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes serious competitors for a playoff spot in 2024?`

On today’s preview of the SEC, they take a deep look into the first eight SEC schools alphabetically — Alabama through Mississippi State. Are the Crimson Tide capable of staying on top of the college football landscape post-Nick Saban? Can anybody slow down Georgia’s dominant run as the new premier program in the SEC? Is LSU capable of replacing a Heisman-winning offense and elevating a below average defense to title level? And what can Billy Napier do to make it through Florida’s daunting schedule?

The previews continue later this week with a look at the rest of the SEC before moving on to the Big Ten and then the ACC as well as Florida State’s Week Zero opener in Ireland.

Start the college football season today and subscribe to the Sharpen the Point podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you listen to your shows.

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2024 College Football Preview: Big 12 breakdown, potential playoff contenders

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 20:08:48 -0000

A new college football season is on the horizon and the hosts of Sharpen the Point, a college football gambling and daily fantasy sports podcast on the Everything Noles podcast channel are getting you ready for the year ahead.

Over the next four weeks, Brian Pellerin and Chris Tyndall will preview the group of five and each conference’s College Football Playoff contenders — of course with a Florida State lens in mind.

This season with expanded playoffs and conference realignment, we get an even better chance to look at teams coast to coast because anybody and everybody has the potentially to matter as an FSU opponent, fellow CFP contender or even CFP opponent. It’s a lot to keep track of, but we’re helping consolidate it all in one place for you.

Last time out, on our Group of 5 preview, the crew looked at the handful of teams that are vying for the G5 bid to the playoffs, including Florida State’s Sept. 14 non-conference opponent — the Memphis Tigers.

On today’s preview of the Big 12, they broke down the 10(!!) schools that have a realistic shot at claiming this ultra-competitive conference. Where does Deion Sanders and Colorado fall in that group? What about UCF’s CFP potential? Or could another recent addition to the conference stand head and shoulders above the rest?

The previews continue next week with a look at the SEC before moving on to the Big Ten and then the ACC as well as Florida State’s Week Zero opener in Ireland.

Start the college football season today and subscribe to the Sharpen the Point podcast now wherever you get your podcasts.

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2024 College Football Preview: Group of 5 playoff contenders, conference realignment recap rundown

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0000

College football keeps creepin’ closer.

And that means the Sharpen the Point podcast, where Tomahawk Nation’s Brian Pellerin talks with his friend and avid daily fantasy player Chris Tyndall in-depth about the greater college football landscape and FSU football, is back.

With the 2024 season comes expanded playoffs and a new pecking order via conference realignment. The duo dive into a rundown of all that has gone down with team movement, then jump into their first conference preview with a look at potential Group of 5 playoff contenders ranging from Boise State to Tulane, to Liberty and FSU opponent Memphis.

There’s also a look back at last year’s success rate, a quick preseason overview of the Seminoles and some insight into what you can expect from the pods preview schedule moving forward.

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FSU at ACC Kickoff: Recap, thoughts on commissioner's targeted words towards Florida State and Clemson and more

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 09:11:55 -0000

With today marking the final day of player and coach interviews the 2024 ACC Kickoff has nearly come and gone.

Florida State received the honor of being one of the first teams to take the stage in Charlotte this week, with defensive linemen Patrick Payton and Joshua Farmer as well as offensive lineman Darius Washington being the trio chosen to represent the Seminoles alongside head coach Mike Norvell.

What takeaways are there from FSU’s time at the mic? On this episode of Seminole Wrap, we run through what the four Florida State reps had to say, as well as ACC commissioner Jim Phillips’ targeted comments towards the school (and Clemson) as well as other preseason thoughts.

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Seminole Softball Wrap: FSU softball's Allison Royalty on journey through change, growth and perseverance

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0000

The Seminole Softball Wrap podcast is back with its first episode of the 2024-2025 offseason. This time hosts Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin are joined by a special guest — former Florida State pitcher Allison Royalty.

In her two years in garnet and gold, Royalty held a 2.70 ERA across 55 appearances, totalling 15 wins. In the early parts of the 2024 season, the Arizona State transfer rose to an ace role before her season and college career were ultimately cut short due to injuries.

In this interview, Allison shares stories from her time in Tallahassee including:

The injury that forced her to end her the year early, when she knew it was time to stop and how long she pitched through pain.
Her perspective on what allowed FSU’s freshmen to find so much success this season and why she expects the growth from the team this year to propel the Noles back to OKC in 2025.
Her experience in the transfer portal from entering her name to taking visits and eventyally picking a school and why the Florida State coaching staff is what ultimately led her to choose FSU over an in-state rival.
And how Coacha’s guidance both on and off the field helped her grow as a player and person through the challenges of a new school and feeling uncertain of her mechanics.

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Gospel of Ham: FSU basketball roster starting to take shape, breaking down recently-announced tournament matchups

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 15:20:40 -0000

Summer break? Not for the Tomahawk Nation basketball boys.

In the latest episode of The Gospel of Ham, our FSU basketball-focused podcast, hosts Matt Minnick and Michael Rogner cover the major roster changes, including the departure of key players like Primo Spears, Darin Green Jr., and Jalen Warley while also tackling the pleasant surprise found in the return of last year’s leading rebounder and scorer Jamir Watkins after his flirtation with the NBA Draft and transfer portal.

The hosts also highlight the potential of incoming freshmen and transfers while stressing the need for improved defensive rebounding and reduced fouling.

Minnick and Rogner also offer some speculation and insight on who might fill the vacant assistant coach position and discuss the latest updates to the Seminoles’ schedule, including matchups in the James Naismith Classic and the SEC/ACC Challenge against LSU.

A brief rundown of some timestamps:

03:00 Florida State Basketball Roster Changes
06:17 Key Returning Players
10:19 New Additions to the Team
20:19 Defensive Strategies and Expectations
32:41 Coaching Staff Changes
38:51 Upcoming Tournaments and Matches

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Seminole Softball Wrap: FSU’s season ends in Super Regionals — looking back at 2024 and NCAA Tournament run, looking ahead to 2025

Thu, 30 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

For the second straight season, the Florida State softball year ended at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners -- this time in the Super Regionals. The 2-0 sweep was a mixed bag for the short-staffed Seminoles as they were quickly run-ruled in Game 1 but were able to keep Game 2 tight with some mixing and matching in the circle.

On this week’s episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss each game, the challenges Florida State faced as well as the return of Makenna Reid from the stress fracture in her back that kept her out for more than a month.

Plus, they look at the shape of the roster heading into the offseason, what they’re losing in this senior class and what they need to add to return to title contention in 2025.

Note: After we recorded the podcast, news broke that Madi Balk entered the transfer portal. This news will be discussed on the next episode.

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Seminoles softball: FSU wins Tallahassee Regional but pitching questions surround Florida State ahead of series vs. Oklahoma -- Super Regionals preview, predictions, analysis

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

A familiar face is on deck for Florida State softball to face off against at the Super Regional stage.

After sweeping through the Tallahassee Regional this past weekend, the Seminoles’ quest to return to the Women’s College World Series brings them to Norman Super Regional for a rematch of last season’s championship series with the Oklahoma Sooners.

While these Sooners aren’t the same as last year’s 61-1 team, they’re just as dangerous with a lineup that ranks third in the country in scoring, averaging north of 8 runs per game, and a pitching staff headlined by Oklahoma State transfer Kelly Maxwell.

It’s a tough combination for a Seminoles team that lost Allison Royalty for the season to an injury suffered during the Tallahassee Regional championship and still faces questions about the availability of Makenna Reid who hasn’t hit the circle for FSU in more than a month.

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss the impact of Royalty’s injury, the team’s impressive regional sweep, their history against Kelly Maxwell during her time in Stillwater and the challenge ahead from OU.

Plus, we recap Gwyn’s regional picks and have her break down the Super Regional action.

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FSU softball: Breaking down the Seminoles' NCAA Tournament path in the Tallahassee Regional, ACC Tournament recap

Tue, 14 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

For the 10th year in a row, Florida State softball and Tallahassee will play host to the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

After a second-place finish in the ACC Tournament last weekend, the Seminoles earned the No. 15 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and will host the Tallahassee Regional at Joanne Graf Field this weekend. The Seminoles will play host to the two-seeded Auburn Tigers, three-seeded UCF Knights and four-seeded Chattanooga Mocs.

On this episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin take a look back at the past two weeks — Florida State’s pursuit of the ACC regular season crown, wild extra-inning affair against the Florida Gators and the ACC Tournament run — and look ahead to the Tallahassee Regional as well as the regional action coming across the country.

Auburn (27-19-1, 19-11-1 SEC, 5-8 on the road)

Two-seed Auburn brings to the table one of the best pitchers in the country in Maddie Penta. The senior star has tallied 230 strikeouts in 182.1 IP to go with her sparkling 1.77 ERA. Shelby Lowe and Annabelle Widra are next on the team with 70 and 40 innings respectively.

The Tigers lack a major strength in the lineup, but the pitching staff is strong enough to make them a serious threat.

UCF (30-23, 12-15 Big 12)

The calling card for the three-seeded Knights is depth — both in the circle and on the lineup card. The hitters lack power, but they feature five hitters with at least 98 at bats that hit over .300. They also feature seven pitchers who have made 10 or more apperances this season. Sarah Willis leads the way with 27 and the only one over 100 innings with 120.1.

Their first year in the Big 12 brought plenty of tough matchups with softball elite like Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas, but they went 0-9 in those matchups. Plus 0-5 in nonconference matchips with South Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Missouri and Mississippi State.

Chattanooga (42-14, 16-5 SoCon)

The four seed, Chattanooga, enters this regional as the SoCon champions with their greatest strength being their pitching staff. It’s a trio with 75+ innings and 20+ appearances, all with sub 3.00 ERAs and a total .223 batting average against this season. Peja Goold leads the way with 121 strikeouts across 112 innings, Alyssa Lavdis punched out 86 in 108 IP and, perhaps most impressively, Taylor Long struck out 107 in only 77.1 IP.

Their lineup is headlined by Kalli Phillips who is slugging .800 with 30 extra base hits including 15 homers. Four other regular starters are hitting over .300. They also had 68 sacrifice hits this season so they’re not afraid to use their outs to move runners.

But their schedule leaves plenty of questions as the only ranked opponent was Lafayette on the first two days of the season and Cal was the only power five opponent. The Mocs lost all four of those games.

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FSU softball: Seminoles have won 19 of last 20 games, earning first place in ACC standings

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0000

After losing four out of five games in top 25 matchupvs vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide, Duke Blue Devils and Texas Longhorns, Florida State Seminoles softball has won 19 out of their last 20 games.

The cherry on top of the turnaround? That 19th win came via run-rule over the Florida Gators in Gainesville, earning FSU a school-record sixth-straight win in the series.

On the latest episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, hosts Brian Pellerin and Gwyn Rhodes discuss the recent success of FSU’s softball team, highlighting an impressive run which has seen Florida State take first place in the ACC. They delve into the team’s significant victories, including that blowout win over Florida, which puts them in a good position to potentially host a regional.

The episode also touches on the team’s depth, coaching, and player development, speaking on how the bounceback after the tough start to the season underscores the team’s resilience, adaptability, and the strong culture within FSU softball.

(Editor’s note: Also, this is Brian’s first episode as a dad. Everybody say congrats!)

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Seminoles spring football evaluation: What did we learn from showcase? Where does FSU sit after camp? Biggest strengths, weaknesses

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:31:42 -0000

Florida State spring football is over -- but the Seminole Wrap is back.

Perry Kostidakis takes up hosting duty with fearless leader Brian Pellerin out on paternity leave, joined by staff writer Jordan Silversmith who has been up-close and in the trenches all spring long.

After a quick recap of everything in the FSU sports world, Jordan shares his answers to some burning questions after Florida State’s Spring Showcase, including:

What was there to like the most from Saturday’s showcase?
Who was an expected stand out that lived up to the hype? Who was a surprise?
What position groups to feel the most confident and most concerned about at this point
What has been seen throughout spring that wasn’t on display Saturday?
Offensive and defensive spring MVPs

The two also discuss the way that the annual spring exhibition has been held under Mike Norvell, while Jordan shares some thoughts on the NFL Draft and the upcoming week in FSU baseball.

All that and more on the Seminole Wrap podcast.

----------

00:00 Introduction

00:13 Quick Recap of Florida State Sports

02:03 Deep Dive into Spring Showcase

02:57 Defensive Standouts and Potential Improvements

06:17 Offensive Analysis: Progress and Concerns

12:10 Transfer Portal Speculations and Team Needs

16:52 Spring MVPs and Standout Performers

20:59 Final Takeaways from Spring Football

26:35 The Spring Game Debate: Showcase vs. Traditional Game

39:22 NFL Draft Prospects and Predictions

45:49 FSU Baseball’s Challenging Week and Outlook

49:36 Wrapping Up: Host Reflections and Audience Engagement

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FSU football: Mike Norvell interview after April 18 practice -- Seminoles set for Spring Showcase on Saturday

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:53:39 -0000

“I told (the team) after practice, I’m a head coach going into my ninth year, and you get a pretty good sense of a team by how the practice before the spring showcase or game (goes) and what their approach to it is.”

Mike Norvell appreciated the effort exemplified by his players on Thursday.

Florida State had its last “physical” practice of the spring today before the gates of Doak Cambell Stadium open, and the public gets to see what the team looks like. The Seminoles went out with a bang with explosive plays, competitive situations, and a couple of emotional moments that crossed the line.

Although the headman did not admit it, the defense won the final practice. Poor offensive execution, mainly drops, helped Adam Fuller’s unit stay in front, as the offense did not know where to go with the ball most of the day. The key to success came from the stout secondary play that suffocated the wide receivers. Patrick Surtain stapled Azareye’h Thomas and Fentrell Cypress to the field, and they delivered with sticky coverage and pass break-ups. As Mike Norvell mentioned in his press conference, the offense worked heavily on the short passing game and screens, which meant Jaylin Lucas played a featured role.

As noted, the Seminoles will suit up inside Doak Cambell Stadium for the first time in 2024 at 4 P.M. on Saturday.

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“Explosive plays on both sides...you felt the speed:” FSU HC Mike Norvell interview after Seminoles battle in a physical practice

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 02:45:03 -0000

Usually, Florida State football takes center stage in Tallahassee.

Not today.

As the football team started doing their outside work, the baseball team began batting practice. At the same time, Lottie Woad started doing an interview about her accomplishments at Augusta National this past weekend.

Of course, Mike Norvell does not care about the outside noise, and he guided his team to one of their cleanest practices of the spring. Both sides of the ball focused on fundamentals in the early portion of practice, such as blocking and tackling.

The offense and defense battled competitively throughout the day, each taking turns and winning consistent reps. The day started with the defense dominating, as they only allowed one positive play during 11-on-11 in the first portion of practice. However, the offense responded, and their receivers later led the charge. Momentum swung when Lawayne McCoy caught a pass over the middle, and instantly, AZ Thomas drilled him into the ground. He held on, and it sparked the group. A few plays later, Hykeem Williams found himself wide open as his corner route busted the defense’s zone, drawing praise from Mike Norvell. One of the keys to the resurgence came from the offensive line.

Today felt like one of their most consistent days, as they picked up blitzes nicely and gave the quarterbacks a clean pocket to throw in. Of course, the defensive line did what they do during run-blocking drills, but Alex Atkins seems pleased with the group's progress. With positives all around, it felt like the scrimmage on Saturday could be a catalyst for the rest of the spring.

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FSU football: HC Mike Norvell offers insight into second FSU scrimmage

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 19:23:26 -0000

Florida State football held its second spring of the scrimmage on Saturday, April 6, with the offense in particular putting on a performance that head coach Mike Norvell was excited to see after an up-and-down week.

Some really good moments defensively, a couple big stops, a couple created takeaways — but I thought overall, the offense did a nice job in how they executed.”

“The quarterback play was really good: DJ had a couple long, extended drives [and the] offense had some explosive plays put in there...I thought today was his best day. He’s had some good days in spring practice, but today he operated at a very, very high level. You saw the confidence of the ball getting out [and] where it’s going, even on a couple throwaways — you could tell he was in control.”

[Brock also] had some good plays, moments. Obviously any time in spring scrimmages, we keep the quarterbacks in tag mode so there are some times where maybe they would get out, maybe they wouldn’t — but it’s still opportunities to have to react to whatever the situation calls for.”

“I thought the receivers did a good job, because there had been some missed opportunities throughout the week and I thought they really rose up...It was definitely good to see guys take advantage of those balls coming their way. Lawayne McCoy had a big play, Camdon Frier had a big explosive play.”

“[The tight ends] made some tough catches. Brian Courtney had a couple, Landen Thomas continues to show he’s on the fast track. Jackson West had a really big play, explosive pass and Kyle [Morlock]...has really taken a step in who he is. I thought he had a great week of practice this week. I think that group, they’re really about the right things.”

While the offense seemed to carry the momentum of the day, he still had plenty of praise for the defense, specifically offering compliments to the defensive front, who said continue to showcase their explosiveness “especially when we get into longer situations,” where “you see those guys pin their ears back.”

“Marvin Jones, you saw him, Sione [Lolohea], Tomy [Durojaiye] even had a couple really good plays.”

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FSU football: Mike Norvell shares injury updates, talks Seminoles spring ball after April 4 practice

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 14:46:28 -0000

Mike Norvell rarely makes definite statements during his media availability after practice. Today, he changed his tune.

“I thought the defense was definitely the winner today.”

After a mistake-filled practice on Tuesday, Adam Fuller’s group wanted to respond on Thursday. An interception from Justin Cryer on the first snaps of 11-on-11 work sent them in the right direction. All three levels worked in tandem together and wreaked havoc for the offense. The defensive line dominated as they squeezed the pocket against the pass and exploded into the backfield against the run. The linebacking core, led by DJ Lundy, communicated more effectively today than last practice and put all the players on the same page. With everything smooth in front of them, the secondary did its thing as the QBs were frequently forced to pull the ball down, and coaches needed to blow the play dead from coverage sacks.

The day was not all bad for the offense as their young freshman stepped up and made plays. Luke Kromehoek, Kam Davis, and Camdon Frier impressed and will be written about later. The coaching staff wants to continue to give their young guns more run, and they trust the work they have put in. Specifically, the Luke-Camdon connection grows every day in practice, and they hooked up for a couple of nice throws and catches during the 1-on-1 portion of practice.

After the day ended, Mike Norvell announced Destyn Hill and Jerrale Powers would be out for the rest of spring.

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FSU softball: Seminoles on streak, log second straight sweep while outscoring opponents 64-22

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0000

The start of conference play came with a rather tough week for the Florida State softball team. In one week, the Noles played five games against three ranked opponents — the Alabama Crimson Tide, Duke Blue Devils and Texas Longhorns. By week’s end, the Noles found themselves going 1-4 with a 10-0 run-rule loss to Texas as the exclamation point of it all.

But since then, the Noles have looked like the dominant force we’re accustomed to seeing.

Across the following two ACC series. the Noles swept both the Pitt Panthers and NC State Wolf Pack, run-ruling four of six games and outscoring their opponents 64-22 in that stretch.

In this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss the rough week before and rebound that followed.

Which version of the Seminoles is the real deal?
Who has stepped up to help this team find its stride?
How does FSU’s upcoming schedule set them up for the close to the season?

All that and plus Gwyn shares some of her FSU memorabilia haul from the First Pitch Party when FSU opened the year.

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FSU basketball: Reflecting on Seminoles' season, roster evaluation, overall NCAA Tournament discussion

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 14:56:17 -0000

The boys are back.

Not the Florida State Seminoles men’s basketball team, who are missing from the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row, but rather Matt Minnick and Michael Rogner, hosts of The Gospel of Ham.

In this episode, Minnick and Rogner reflect on Florida State’s 2023-2024 basketball season — an inconsistent and frustrating year from the Seminoles that the duo attributes to a lack of competitiveness and defensive issues.

The two also talk about the ACC’s performance in the tournament, noting the conference’s overachievement relative to seeding and discussing reasons behind this trend, such as the ACC being undervalued by metrics and poor conference scheduling: a reflection of ACC leadership’s strategies and the conference’s overall management, especially in comparison to other conferences.

They also discuss FSU’s roster, from the impact of departing players (De’Ante Green, Baba Miller and Primo Spears) to potential transfers and recruits for Florida State, emphasizing the need for experienced players from winning programs to improve the team’s competitiveness and toughness.

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FSU football: Mike Norvell talks first scrimmage of Florida State spring camp

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 23:34:47 -0000

Florida State switched things up with its first scrimmage of the spring on Thursday, giving head coach Mike Norvell and his staff an early glimpse into where the team sits after putting four practices in the books.

“I thought it was a good opportunity for guys to see exactly where they are,” he said following the scrimmage, noting that it was the earliest he’s held one in spring.

“No coaches, no extra assistance, having to go out there and communicate, operate, understand the play that you have but also know the details and fundamentals.”

“For the most part, I thought the guys did a really good job of understanding. It was a lot better than what I really expected.”

With ACC referees in attendance to emphasize a need for mindful reps, the coach said “there a few focus penalties, things that showed up” that will be targeted as the team moves to a more cohesive place.

“In the understanding of what to do, we’ve got to continue to improve on how to do. The techniques and the fundamentals, some things with our footwork, our eyes — those are all things that we get an opportunity go and get better.”

The offense, in Norvell’s eyes, missed a few opportunities (“throws we’d definitely like to have back, missed opportunities where we had a chance to finish a play but didn’t”) but still managed to execute on some big plays, saying running back Kam Davis and wide receiver Malik Benson both found the endzone while also namedropping running back Caziah Holmes.

The offensive line, in Norvell’s eyes, did a solid job while the staff mixed things up with a variety of personnel groupings. Speaking on his quarterback room, he offered some high praise for early-enrollee Luke Kromenhoek, calling his performance “outstanding” for a first-time out.

Speaking on the defense, Norvell said the linebackers have “been one of the pleasant surprises to start the spring,” complimenting DJ Lundy for looking “like what we needed him to look like” in a veteran role.

Byron Turner, Sione Lolohea, Marvin Jones Jr., Tomiwa Durojaiye, Darrell Jackson and Pat Payton, who had a sack, were pinpointed when talking about the defensive front, who Norvell said “did a really solid job” while making the same caveat that there are fundamentals and finer details still deserving of polishing.

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FSU softball: How have Seminoles performed through early part of season? Feat. Sydney Supple, former Northwestern star and current ACC Network broadcaster

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 22:29:00 -0000

The Seminole Softball Wrap and hosts Brian Pellerin and Gwen Rhodes are back, chatting about why they took a little break (hint: Perry got married, got lazy and forgot to upload the last pod.)

The duo jump right into the thick of Florida State softball's early season performances, including the games in Clearwater, how the weather messed with the Oregon tournament, some key wins, and finally, looking forward to the big game against Alabama.

Joining them this time is Sydney Supple, a former Northwestern pitcher currently diving into journalism, covering college softball for big names like ACC Network and ESPN Plus. Sydney adds a ton of great insight into what's going on with FSU softball, specifically calling out the team's solid offense, the evolving pitching strategies, and giving a shoutout to some of the newer players who are stepping up in big ways.

The conversation takes a deeper dive into specifics like how disciplined FSU is at the plate, the potential for the pitching staff to shape up as the season progresses, and highlighting a few players who have made a significant impact. It's not just about praising the good stuff, though. They also get into areas the team is working on, like finding the right mix in the pitching rotation and getting the batting lineup just right.

Sydney expresses optimism for the pitching staff, calling out some fresh faces that have been promising, and everyone weighs in on how the team is shaping up as they head deeper into the season. They also touch on how FSU's team dynamics play into their strengths and areas for growth, emphasizing the team's work ethic and the culture within FSU softball.

Wrapping up, they look forward to FSU's upcoming matchups and the crucial learning opportunities these high-stakes games represent.

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FSU softball breakdown: Freshmen shine bright on Opening Weekend as Florida State Seminoles go 4-1 to start the year

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles softball season is officially underway after Team 41 hosted the JoAnne Graf Classic this weekend in Tallahassee.

The Noles got off to a disappointing start with a 5-6 extra-inning loss to Charlotte but quickly rebounded to finish the rest of the weekend 4-0, blowing out their opponents in three games by a total of 28-2 and a walk-off win over Texas Tech in the other.

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin recap the weekend that was and look ahead to what’s to come to this weekend in Clearwater.

What did we learn from not just the performance but also the usage of the pitchers over the five-game slate?
The freshmen across the roster — especially Jaysoni Beachum and Isa Torres — made a strong impression in their first weekend wearing garnet and gold. What could that mean for the pitching staff and this already deep lineup? Gwyn is already looking for help with nicknaming one freshman’s home runs.
The defensive puzzle pieces begin their shuffle. Torres appears to lay claim to shortstop, but third, first and the corner outfield spots could have some hot competition throughout the season.
Plus, a big weekend coming in Clearwater. What can fans expect in ranked matchups with Stanford, UCLA, Georgia and Tennessee?

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Florida State baseball: Can the Seminoles bounce back after last year’s tough season? Previewing the 2024 FSU season with Brett Nevitt

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 11:19:00 -0000

It’s been a tough last year for the Florida State Seminoles baseball team.

Coach Link Jarrett’s first year at the helm in Tallahassee saw a postseason streak end, a losing record, coaching turnover, and most recently, the loss of the legendary Mike Martin Sr.

In his first season, Jarrett and the staff suffered at the hands of bad timing as their arrival at Florida State was late in the transfer portal season. The result was poor depth in the rotation and an inability to target problem areas in the lineup.

Still, the Seminoles started out strong before falling into multi-game losing streaks at several points in the season. The staff struggled to make it deep into games and the lineup looked lost at times.

To combat last year’s struggles, Florida State revamped the staff with coaches Micah Posey and Ty Megahee. On the field, the pitching staff added seven arms from the transfer portal including likely weekend starter Cam Leiter. The Seminoles also bolstered the bats with six transfers including a pair of slugging middle infielders in Alex Lodise and Drew Faurot. These additions along with the returns of Cam Smith, Jaime Ferrer, and James Tibbs should improve an offense that slumped last year.

With all the new faces, just how will the Seminoles handle the 2024 season? We’ll discuss this with Noles247’s Brett Nevitt.

The former Tomahawk Nation contributor is the best on the beat when it comes to Florida State Baseball. Nevitt will break down which arms to expect in the rotation, which names will make an impact, how the lineup will look, and more.

All this and more in our special preview podcast.

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2024 Florida State softball roster preview: What to expect from Team 41

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State softball team is less than three weeks away from opening their season in the JoAnne Graf Classic in Tallahassee against Charlotte. With Team 40 finishing as the Women’s College World Series runner-up, the expectations for Team 41 remain high.

This week, Brian Pellerin and Gwyn Rhodes of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast wrap up their pre-season previews with a look at the Seminoles' roster as they head into 2024.

With the loss of star senior Kat Sandercock in the circle and the return of seven top offensive players from the 2023 lineup, the offense figures to be the strong suit of this roster. But they’re not without their options in the pitching staff.

In this episode:

How does this lineup compare to last year’s? Can they replicate the success of 2023?
Where does the lineup still need to improve?
Who could step up to fill the spaces vacated by Josie Muffley and Mack Leonard?
How will Makenna Reid step into the ace role?
Who else could we see step up to add depth to the rest of the staff?

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FSU recruiting: Breaking down Florida State's transfer portal pickups on defense -- what are Seminoles getting in latest crop of defensive players?

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 17:19:00 -0000

Tuesday, we looked at Florida State football’s transfer portal additions on the offensive side of the ball. Today, we switch over to defense, where the Seminoles have seemingly plugged quite a few holes, although some questions remain heading into spring.

DE Marvin Jones Jr.
DE Sione Lolohea
DL Tomiwa Durojaiye
DT Grady Kelly
LB Shawn Murphy
LB DJ Lundy
DB Earl Little Jr.
DB Davonte Brown

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FSU football recruiting: Breaking down Florida State's transfer portal haul on offense -- what do new Seminoles bring to the table?

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:26:00 -0000

The Three Stars are back!

On today’s episode, we discuss each offensive addition from the transfer portal and where we think Florida State football could still use some help after spring on that side of the ball.

QB DJ Uiagalelei:

Measures 6’4 250 pounds. Began his college career for the Clemson Tigers, before transferring to Oregon State and playing in 12 games for the Beavers this past season, completing 57% of his passes, while throwing for 2638 yards (220 yds/game) on a career-high 8.4 yards per attempt and 21 touchdowns (against 7 interceptions). He also added 219 yards on the ground along with 6 touchdowns.He has an incredibly strong arm and should be an asset with his legs in short-yardage situations, as well.

RB Roydell Williams:

Brings a ton of experience with him to Tallahassee. He played in 45 career games for Alabama over four seasons, both as part of the Crimson Tide’s stacked running back rotation and on special teams. He totaled 234 rushes for 1,165 yards and 11 touchdowns, good for a career average of 5.0 yards per attempt. He also caught 21 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

ATH Jaylin Lucas:

Makes his impact in the return game.In his true freshman season in 2022, Lucas earned first-team All-America kick returner honors from numerous outlets after returning 22 kicks for 591 yards and two touchdowns. This year, he returned another 22 kicks for 572 yards and a touchdown.

WR Jalen Brown:

From NT&T when Brown was being recruited by FSU out of high school:

The first thing you notice about Brown is his advanced footwork and ability to change direction on a dime. Though he’s still a raw talent, this skillset will help him greatly with mastering routes and improvising when the quarterback scrambles. He’s able to make over-the-shoulder catches look routine and has great spatial awareness when using the sideline against defenders. His confidence is a blast to watch because he often backs up smack talk, and he has the potential to develop into a dependable starter who can break big plays every game.

WR Malik Benson:

His 247Sports projection out of JUCO:

Standout high school track athlete running as low as the 10.4’s in the 100-meter dash. Also had great marks in the 200-meter dash and the long-jump. Is not just a track athlete playing football though. He showed in high school and two seasons of junior college that he can be productive on the gridiron. Uses his explosiveness and top end to take a top off the defense and is also a threat to score on short passes. Is not just fast, but is a slippery open field runner who shows he can break tackles and has good balance. Sudden on double moves and has improved a lot in his route running craft. Adequate size and physical strength but a special athlete who has major big-play ability. Shows he can make contested catches when need be, but remains to be seen if he can consistently do that against Power Five competition. But he projects as a high-impact guy at a major program and has clear NFL early-round upside.

IOL Terrance Ferguson

Played in 11 games for Alabama over three seasons due to the Crimson Tide’s extensive depth in the OL room. He was considered a prime candidate to become a starter next season for Alabama. Heading into his redshirt-junior season with two years of eligibility remaining, Ferguson has the versatility to play either guard or center and will be a welcome and talented addition to the offensive line unit.

IOL Richie Leonard

Started all 12 games at left guard for the Gators in 2023, leading the offensive line in snaps with 755 and grading at 65.9 per PFF. He played in 31 total games for UF over three seasons. Heading into his Senior season, Leonard will slot into the rotation at guard and has a ceiling of a starting role, with a floor of bringing experience to the offensive line room.

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FSU basketball: Seminoles on win streak -- can Florida State Seminoles take down Miami Hurricanes, Clemson Tigers? Gospel of Ham, Ep. 56

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 19:12:20 -0000

Yes, you’re reading this correctly — Florida State is on a four-game win streak, now 10-6 on the season and 4-1 on the ACC just a month after dropping a buy game to Lipscomb.

With the resurgence of the Seminoles, its only fitting to drop a new episode of the Gospel of Ham — the only Florida State basketball-focused podcast around.

On the latest show, Matt Minnick and Michael Rogner recap everything that’s happened with the Noles since they last spoke — from disappointing losses via blown leads to a newfound spark within the squad buoyed by the defense.

In a detailed breakdown, they analyze FSU’s rise in KenPom rankings, scrutinizing the team’s struggle in December and its subsequent upturn in January — as well FSU’s chances of making the NCAA tournament. The conversation also centers around key players like Primo Spears, Baba Miller, Jaylen Gainey, and Bol Bowen, discussing their pivotal roles in the team’s improvement.

In addition, the duo breaks down FSU’s next two opponents: the Miami Hurricanes and Clemson Tigers, the latter of which sees Matt calling his shot for the Seminoles to upset the Tigers by 10.

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Florida State of Recruiting: FSU football latest -- Mike Norvell spurns Alabama, Seminoles receive NCAA sanctions, #Tribe24 updates and more

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 20:53:36 -0000

The boys are back in town.

Since the Three Stars last convened in the aftermath of the Early Signing Period, there’s been a ton going on in the world of Florida State football — and there’s more to come.

From Mike Norvell’s new FSU contract after spurning the Alabama Crimson Tide in the wake of Nick Saban’s retirement to the sanctions that were announced by the NCAA against the Seminole football program in the wake of the Amarius Mims (Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle) recruitment last offseason and updates on a couple prospects the Noles might add to round out the prep signings for Tribe 24, we’ve got a chock-full Florida State of Recruiting podcast for you.

Topics covered today include:

Florida State, under the leadership of President Richard McCullough, and especially Athletic Director Mike Alford, were able to hold off Alabama for Mike Norvell after Nick Saban’s retirement. What does it mean on and off the field for FSU going forward?
What do the NCAA sanctions mean for the FSU football program and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins?
Update on the recruitment of four-star defensive end prospect Amaree Williams.
Update on a new name at quarterback: four-star signal-caller and former Ole Miss Rebels commit Trever Jackson has received some crystal balls in FSU’s favor.

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Seminoles softball preview: Breaking down FSU’s non-conference schedule

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0000

With the opener about one month away, the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast continues its Florida State softball season previews with a look at the Seminoles non-conference schedule.

Trips to Clearwater, Fort Myers and Eugene, Oregon headline the non-conference schedule for FSU, but they also host two tournaments and have some marquee, midweek SEC matchups.

Four of the seven other teams that played in the Women’s College World Series — the Washington Huskies, Stanford Cardinals, Tennessee Lady Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide — are on the schedule this year plus the Oregon Ducks, UCLA Bruins, Florida Gators, McNeese Cowgirls, Charlotte 49ers and Texas Longhorns, who all made the tournament a year ago with the Ducks and Longhorns losing in the Super Regionals.

Will they all still be as good heading into the 2024 season? Who could surprise from the teams not mentioned? And which tournament stands out the most for the Noles?

Brian Pellerin and Gwyn Rhodes discuss on this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast.

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FSU football: 2023 recap, 2024 lookahead -- DJ Uiagalelei, Orange Bowl, transfer portal and more

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 11:49:37 -0000

It was a busy holiday season for the Florida State Seminoles football program.

An appearance in the Orange Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs didn’t go very well. Plus, a wild transfer portal carousel at the quarterback position that had a handful of options spinning around ended with former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei joining Mike Norvell’s team.

On the first off-season episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson will dive into what we learned from the Noles mostly reserve roster getting beat up by the two-time defending champs.

And what can the FSU faithful expect from DJU? After three years with the rival Tigers in the ACC, many weren’t very impressed with the former blue-chip prospect. But did the year in Corvallis with the overperforming Beavers change our perspective on Uiagalelei’s potential?

All that on this episode of the Seminole Wrap.

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FSU sues ACC: Florida State files legal action against conference, first step in exiting -- Full Board of Trustees meeting

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:19:00 -0000

Florida State’s Board of Trustees took the first step of leaving the ACC today, with members voting unanimously to legally challenge the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Grant of Right agreement.

“Today we’ve reached a crossroad in our relationship with the ACC,” FSU Board of Trustees chair Peter Collins said. “I believe this board has been left no choice but to challenge the legitimacy of the ACC grant of rights and its severe withdrawal penalties”

FSU outside council David Ashburn laid out what FSU will argue to challenge the Grant of Rights, among them:

The ACC’s exit fees and Grant of Rights penalty violate Florida antitrust law
The GOR presents an unenforceable penalty
Breach of contract
Breach of fiduciary duty
Violation of Public Policy
Fundamental failure of contractual purpose

Several new bombshell pieces of information came to light during today’s meeting

The ACC is not guaranteed any television revenue after 2027 — something that was unable to be known unless members took the time to fly to Charlotte and review the locked-down contract. ESPN has a unilateral right to extend the ACC’s media deal after 2027 but hasn’t exercised that option yet. The ACC also extended the window for ESPN to pick up that option until 2025 without a vote of the schools or conference directors as was required by the conference bylaws.
Ashburn stated that FSU signed the 2016 Grant of Rights agreement because ESPN gave an ultimatum that it would not enter into any additional media agreements unless the GOR was extended through 2036. He immediately followed that with “We don’t believe that holds water.”

Speculation began stirring when reports surfaced earlier this week about FSU exploring its future in the ACC. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Florida State will likely partner with Sixth Street Partners to help fund the ACC exit.

Florida State’s relationship with the conference has become increasingly strained over the last year. Florida State Athletic Director Michael Alford gave a presentation to the FSU Board of Trustees last February outlining the growing financial gap ACC schools will be facing compared to those in the Big Ten and SEC. Alford gave a blunt summation of the situation with “Something has to change.”

Just prior to the annual ACC meetings in May 2023 news of the “Magnificent Seven” in the ACC sent shock waves across the college football landscape. It became known that Florida State, Clemson, Miami, UNC, NC State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech had explored possible avenues to leave the conference.

The ACC then undertook a controversial western expansion adding Cal, Stanford, and SMU despite objections from Florida State, UNC, and Clemson. This was speculated to be a move to act as a buffer against future defections.

Florida State’s snub from the College Football Playoff was the straw that broke the camel’s back. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips was largely absent while SEC commissioner Greg Sankey was on ESPN constantly lobbying for a spot for his conference. FSU becoming the first undefeated Power 5 conference champion to be left out of the playoffs confirmed the ACC’s spot as a 2nd tier league going forward.

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FSU recruiting: Favorite signees, player projections, biggest misses and overall thoughts on 2024 Florida State Seminoles signing class

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Florida State has the No. 9 ranked class in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, while ranking No. 11 in the On3 Industry Rankings.

Although many wanted to act like the sky was falling for FSU on National Signing Day, on the whole, the Noles had a really solid class with a blue-chip ratio of 68% according to 247Sports and 59% according to On3.

However, there were two major flips on the day: five-star safety KJ Bolden to the Georgia Bulldogs (fairly unexpected) and five-star defensive lineman Armondo Blount to the Miami Hurricanes (100% expected) — echoing a trend that we’ve seen two years prior of high-profile flips (Travis Hunter and Keldric Faulk) when it’s time to seal the deal.

In the latest episode of the Florida State of Recruiting, the Three Stars break down overall thoughts on the class, as well as:

Favorite offensive and defensive players
Who has the highest NFL potential
Which overlooked player fans should get familiar with
Who sees the field the quickest

Signees:

Flips

5-star defensive back commit KJ Bolden (switched commitment to Georgia Bulldogs)
5-star defensive line commit Armondo Blount (switched commitment to Miami)\

247Sports Composite Rankings

No. 1: Georgia Bulldogs, 28 Commits, 93.58 Avg, 315.22 Points (4 five stars, 20 four stars)
No. 2: Alabama Crimson Tide, 25 Commits, 92.82 Avg, 300.75 Points (3 five stars, 17 four stars)
No. 3: Miami Hurricanes, 27 Commits, 90.78 Avg, 289.44 Points (2 five stars, 11 four stars)
No. 4: Ohio State Buckeyes, 21 Commits, 92.92 Avg, 288.81 Points (5 five stars, 12 four stars)
No. 5: Oregon Ducks, 25 Commits, 91.91 Avg, 285.80 Points (0 five stars, 20 four stars)
No. 6: Texas Longhorns, 21 Commits, 92.33 Avg, 285.57 Points (4 five stars, 14 four stars)
No. 7: Auburn Tigers, 20 Commits, 92.20 Avg, 277.33 Points (2 five stars, 13 four stars)
No. 8: Oklahoma Sooners, 28 Commits, 90.81 Avg, 276.39 Points (1 five star, 18 four stars)
No. 9: Florida State Seminoles, 22 Commits, 91.07 Avg, 274.63 Points (0 five stars, 15 four stars)
No. 10: Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 23 Commits, 91.41 Avg, 274.44 Points (1 five star, 15 four stars)

On3 Industry Rankings

No. 1: Georgia Bulldogs, 28 Commits, 92.20 Avg, 94.513 Score (3 five stars, 19 four stars)
No. 2: Alabama Crimson Tide, 25 Commits, 91.98 Avg, 93.657 Score (3 five stars, 16 four stars)
No. 3: Ohio State Buckeyes, 20 Commits, 91.81 Avg, 92.708 Score (4 five stars, 10 four stars)
No. 4: Miami Hurricanes, 27 Commits, 90.08 Avg, 92.650 Score (2 five stars, 11 four stars)
No. 5: Texas Longhorns, 21 Commits, 91.43 Avg, 92.582 Score (3 five stars, 14 four stars)
No. 6: Oregon Ducks, 25 Commits, 91.08 Avg, 92.546 Score (0 five stars, 18 four stars)
No. 7: Auburn Tigers, 20 Commits, 91.46 Avg, 92.125 Score (2 five stars, 11 four stars)
No. 8: Oklahoma Sooners, 27 Commits, 90.34 Avg, 91.864 Score (1 five star, 15 four stars)
No. 9: Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 23 Commits, 90.77 Avg, 91.764 Score (1 five star, 12 four stars)
No. 10: LSU Tigers, 27 Commits, 90.04 Avg, 91.707 Score (0 five stars, 17 four stars)
No. 11: Florida State Seminoles, 22 Commits, 89.96 Avg, 91.593 Score (0 five stars, 13 four stars)

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FSU softball: Previewing Florida State Seminoles ACC schedule, part 2 -- North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles softball team are just over 50 days from beginning their quest to return to Oklahoma City after last year’s ACC Championship and WCWS finalist season.

Brian Pellerin and Gwyn Rhodes are previewing each ACC team as part of their offseason podcast series. This time, they’re looking at the second half of the conference’s offseason changes ahead of the 2024 season.

This episode starts with Boston College, they talk about where the Eagles finished last season and the new additions added. Last time, they covered Boston College through NC State.

This time, they’re covering North Carolina through Virginia Tech.

Starting with the Tar Heels and their new coach. Megan Smith Lyon left Marshall to join her alma mater in Chapel Hill. She had a program-record 45 wins a year ago.

She had four key losses to replace in her first offseason in charge.

Two are out of eligibility in All-ACC First Team infielder Abby Settlemyre and outfielder Bri Stubbs, who led the team in runs. The other two are a pair of All-ACC Second Team players to the transfer market in shortstop Alex Brown, who led the team in hits, batting average and OBP, to Clemson and pitcher Lilli Backes, who posted a 2.79 ERA in 180.2 innings, to Georgia.

The Backes transfer is a bit of a pseudo-trade as the Tar Heels are getting a UGA transfer pitcher in to replace Backes in Britton Rogers, who posted a 4.75 ERA in 125.1 innings a year ago, Their new head coach also brought over two 2023 Sun Belt first-teamers from Marshall in Autumn Owen — the winner of the Sun Belt triple crown last season — and Alex Coleman — the conference leader in hits.

Next is Notre Dame, who lost Joley Mitchell to Texas in the transfer portal as well as Leea Hanks, Lexi Orozco and Payton Tidd. But it comes with two big additions — Princeton’s Alexis Laudenslager and freshman Christina Willemssen.

Laudenslager is a two-time Ivy League pitcher of the year while Willemssen was a member of the USA Softball 18U team.

Pitt’s offseason came with some big changes, starting with the coaching staff. Jenny Allard, the head coach at Harvard joins the Panthers after 28 seasons as the Ivy League’s longest tenured and winningest coach. With a 342-130-1 career record, she’s also a member of the NFCA Hall of Fame.

The new staff also brings big changes to the roster. There were two transfers out — Dani Drogemueller to Duke and Bailey Drapola to USF — as well as EC Taylor, Sarah Seamans and Yvonne Whaley. Coming in to the program are four transfers and four freshman.

Syracuse had a much less eventful roster turnover. Two key losses in Ryan Starr to Ole Miss in the portal and Kaia Oliver. They had one transfer in Julianna Verni of Purdue and one key freshman addition in top 50 catcher Taylor Davison.

Virginia made their additions through their freshman class bringing in five top 100 players in infielders Brie Biddle (100), Macee Eaton (31) and Bella Cabral (51), catcher Melissa Carr (60) and pitcher Julia Cuozzo (23). They lost three players to the transfer portal — Molly Grube to James Madison, Gabby Baylog to Florida Atlantic and Mikaela Fox to Southern Miss — and two others in Tori Gilbert and Jenny Bressler.

Finally, Virginia Tech’s biggest addition comes to the coaching staff as they go from no pitching coach to one of the best in the country in Josh Johnson from Mississippi St. In his four years in Starkville, he reduced the Bulldogs era from 3.36 to 2.66.

After previewing those teams, Brian and Gwyn discuss Gwyn’s visit to one of the meccas of college sports, the Kibbie Dome!

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FSU football mailbag: Answering questions about Florida State Seminoles after 13-0 season, College Football Playoff snub -- Orange Bowl outlook, transfer portal, roster and more

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 11:14:38 -0000

One week after Florida State’s undefeated season ended with them being left out of the College Football Playoff, the Seminole Wrap crew reunite to answer some of your questions about what’s next for Mike Norvell and the Seminoles.

Tomahawk Nation beat writer Jordan Silversmith joins usual hosts Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson to discuss topics from his recent mailbag article on topics such as the impact on the transfer portal and recruiting and the timeline for FSU’s exit from the ACC.

Plus, what did we see from Tate Rodemaker and Brock Glenn under center in the last two games. Should Mike Norvell look to the transfer portal and add to the offseason QB competition?

And what should we do with the Orange Bowl? How much interest can we have in Florida State’s New Year’s Six bowl game battle with the Georgia Bulldogs in Miami.

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FSU left out of playoff despite 13-0, ACC title: Florida State first undefeated team in modern era to be denied chance at a national title -- Fury at the Playoff Committee’s inconsistent and nonsensical ruling

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 03:57:49 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles shut down the No. 15 Louisville Cardinals 16-6 on Saturday night to earn the program’s 16th conference title. FSU was led by an incredible defensive performance and did just enough on offense despite being forced to start their third-string freshman Brock Glenn at quarterback.

But none of that mattered to the College Football Playoff Committee, as on Sunday afternoon they made the unconscionable and logically inconsistent argument to leave out 13-0 Florida State — one of just three undefeated teams — in favor of one-loss Texas and one-loss Alabama. That decision made FSU the first ever undefeated power conference champion to ever be left out of a chance to win the national title.

This week on the Seminole Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin, Ben Meyerson, and Jon Marchant discuss the Playoff Committee’s decision, their abhorrent justification for it, and the ramifications the decision is sure to have both for Florida State but also across the college football landscape. The group also discusses the team, its legacy, what this season has meant for fans and the program and its players, and last but not least, head coach Mike Norvell.

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13-0, ACC Champions: Mike Norvell interview after Florida State beats Louisville to claim first conference championship since 2014

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 06:24:00 -0000

13-0 and it feels so good.

For the first time since 2014, Florida State has claimed a conference championship, riding an elite performance from its defense to secure a 16-6 win over the Louisville Cardinals.

The win came despite a gameday announcement that true freshman Brock Glenn would be starting in relief of Tate Rodemaker at quarterback.

Florida State utilized a Wildcat attack to offset any lack of familiarity for the frosh, with a 73-yard rush from Lawrance Toafili setting up a 2-yard touchdown rush from the back the next play.

With the victory, Florida State has positioned itself well for a spot in the 2023 College Football Playoff — No. 2 Michigan beat Iowa and No. 3 Washington took down Oregon while No. 1 Georgia lost for the first time in 29 games with a slip-up vs. Alabama.

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College Football Championship Week Predictions, Daily Fantasy Plays: FSU vs. Louisville, Oregon vs. Washington, Texas vs. Oklahoma State, Georgia vs. Alabama, Michigan vs. Iowa, AAC, Sun Belt, Mountain West, MAC, Conference USA

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

It’s championship weekend in college football and somehow that means fewer trophies will be handed out this week than last week. That may not make sense to many non-college football fans, but the diehards know there’s nothing quite like battling your rival for a chance to hoist a five-foot Paul Bunyan or a pair of boots that are somehow related to Howard Schnellenberger.

Regardless of how you celebrate championship weekend, the fact is the college football season is nearly over and that sucks.

Gone are the big rivalry games.

Gone are the coaches on the hot seat.

Gone are the full Saturday slates.

All that’s left is the boring part... crowning a champion and we’ll take a big step in doing that this week.

Ten games over Friday and Saturday with five of them having some impact on who the final four teams are when they announce the College Football Playoffs on Sunday at noon. So with a condensed slate we’ll do things on the Sharpen the Point podcast differently this week. No review of last week. All focus on the 10 games with notes on the game and matchup implications of all 10 from both Brian Pellerin and Chris Tyndall.

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FSU vs. Louisville breakdown, preview: How do Seminoles and Cardinals matchup? ACC Championship preview feat. John Powell of Card Chronicle

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles football team survived the regular season with a perfect 12-0 record. On Saturday, they’ll head to Charlotte for a matchup with the Louisville Cardinals to see who will take the ACC Championship. The Seminoles and Cardinals dominated the All-ACC team with a combined 40 players selected for the 2023 season.

Each week, as part of our Line of Scrimmage series, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best.

To help the fans get to know the Louisville Cardinals better, we’ll catch up with John Powell of the CardChronicle.

Louisville currently sits at 10-2 with just one blemish on their ACC record. After the departure of coach Scott Satterfield last year, first year head coach Brian Brohm has taken the Cardinals up a level with a potent running game and a lock-down defense. The Cardinals will be making a run at their first ever ACC football championship.

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FSU is 12-0: Florida State completes perfect regular season, with eyes ACC title and playoff spot -- can Seminoles beat Louisville?

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 11:56:11 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles rallied to overcome an early 12-0 deficit and claim the victory over their Florida Gators on Saturday, polishing off their seventh perfect season in program history. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but the Noles found enough plays espoecially in the run game to pull away late and allow the defense to once again close out their opponent.

Now, the Noles sit just one game away from an undefeated ACC championship season with only the Louisville Cardinals standing in the way.

This week on the Seminole Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin, Ben Meyerson and Jon Marchant discuss what led to the early struggles, what helped them turn it around, how they ensure a better performance next week and what we can expect from Louisville after the Cardinals suffered a loss to their 7-5 rival Kentucky Wildcats this past weekend.

Plus, the Noles win gave Florida its third losing season in a row. What does this mean for Florida State’s chief rival — both the head coach and the program — going forward?

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FSU beats Gators, finishes regular season undefeated: Mike Norvell talks after Florida State Seminoles advance to 12-0

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 05:23:23 -0000

It was a first quarter to forget for Florida State, who had just -7 total yards and a single drive over the first 15 minutes.

But there are four of them in a football game and in the end, FSU managed to take care of business, covering the spread and beating the Florida Gators 24-15 to finish the regular season perfect.

The second quarter didn’t start off any better, as Florida was able to ride third down conversion after third down conversion to take a 10-0 lead (its first touchdown coming after an extremely questionable unnecessary roughness call), making up for lost points on a missed field goal by taking down Tate Rodemaker for a safety.

Anchored down by penalties and poor field position, FSU failed to find any offensive momentum until its final drive of the second quarter — a 10-play, 90-yard drive that saw the Seminoles earn their first points of the game.

Florida State, starting off with the ball in the third quarter, took its first lead of the game after Trey Benson ripped off a 36-yard rush. Florida would immediately drive down the field and retake the lead off a field goal, making things 15-14.

That score would hold until midway through the fourth when, after two teams traded off pairs of punts, FSU took advantage of a major punt return from Keon Coleman and a big fourth down catch from Ja’Khi Douglas to end up in goal-to-go distance. The Seminoles were unable to punch it in, however, and settled for a 19-yard field goal to go up 17-15.

FSU’s defense stepped up on the Gators’ next drive, forcing a third straight three-and-out to get the Seminoles the ball back with 5:37 on the clock. Facing third and 17 from the Florida State 42-yard line, Rodemaker took off to try and convert and, while sliding, was hit in the helmet by two separate Gators and forced to leave the game.

True freshman Brock Glenn was forced into action with 3:44 in the game, tasked with preserving the Seminoles' lead.

The result? Another ridiculous, grown man run from Benson — this time, a 26-yarder to push Florida State’s lead to 24-15 with 2:48 to go.

With its final chance at closing the gap, Florida was unable to get anything going as Jared Verse snagged two sacks to force a fourth and 20, where Kalen DeLoach picked off Brown to solidify the win.

Florida State, 12-0 and undefeated in the regular season, will now face off against the Louisville Cardinals in the ACC Championship.

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College Football Week 13 Picks, Daily Fantasy Plays: FSU-UF, Michigan-Ohio State, Oregon-Oregon State, Washington-Washington State and more

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 21:16:43 -0000

Rivalry weekend is one of if not the best tradition in the college football.

For the large part, it’s in-state schools in a battle built completely on dislike, disdain or just pure uncut hatred. And every year brings a brand new twist to the rivalry.

For some like Florida, it’s a chance to ruin your rival’s dream season. For teams like Ohio State and Michigan, it’s the only chance either team has to play a team that is worth anything so it’s for all the who knows how good either team is marbles.

This year though, we’ve got an added twist to it all and not one we see very often.

Oregon State-Oregon and Washington State-Washington are two rivalry games potentially for eternal bragging rights. In both of those games, Washington and Oregon have left their in-state counterpart, their most bitter rival on an island alone to rot.

This summer, the Huskies and Ducks followed the Los Angeles schools to the Big Ten while the rest of the conference dipped to the Big 12. Left alone? The pair noww affectionately known as 2-Pac — Washington State and Oregon State.

Think that has some bad blood for this week?

And let’s not forget that, as I write this, these four schools have said they discussed continuing their respective rivalries but nothing definitive has been announced yet. So this could be one final opportunity to hold bragging rights for today, tomorrow and every tomorrow after that.

Do you have enough hate your heart to weather that storm?

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FSU basketball: Seminoles are 4-1 after Top 25 win over Colorado — buy or sell Florida State?

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 17:25:49 -0000

Facing off against its first ranked opponent of the 2023-24 season, Florida State took on the No. 18 Colorado Buffaloes in the championship round of the Sunshine Slam in Daytona Beach on Tuesday.

FSU, having taken down UNLV the night before, battled with the Buffaloes over the course of a tight 40-minute matchup. It was another huge night from Jamir Watkins, who had a dynamic night for the Seminoles with a double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds). He was joined by Jalen Warley (19 points) and De’Ante Green (10) as double-digit scorers, with Darin Green Jr. (12) also hitting a trio of timely threes.

Florida State trailed 30-27 at half but never trailed by more than four points, with its defensive attack effective in shutting down a lethal Colorado offense. In the second half, it was the Seminoles who managed to separate at first, leading by as much as 10 before the Buffaloes found a groove near the 13-minute mark of the game.

FSU separated things once again after Warley had a dynamic back-to-back bucket sequence, putting the Seminoles up 55-49 with 6:47 to go, but Colorado managed to storm back and grab a three-point lead with 2:51 in the game. Watkins hit a jumper to cut the lead to one and then a free throw by Warley tied things up with 1:11 left.

Neither team scored a bucket for the rest of regulation, with the Seminoles having a chance at a final shot but a messy sequence saw Watkins turning the ball over to send things to overtime in the World’s Most Famous Beach.

With 38 seconds to play Colorado managed to hit a jumper but a fast break dunk by Warley again pushed FSU’s lead up to seven with 32 seconds to play. Colorado would get a basket in the aftermath, but forced to foul with 20 seconds to go, allowed the Seminoles return trips to the charity stripe to push it to 75-69 with 14 seconds.

Warley, who missed two free throws but hit one, committed a shooting foul — Colorado hit both shots, with the score now sitting at 75-71. With nine seconds left, Green Jr. hit both of his free throw attempts to separate the Seminoles by six, a margin that would hold up after Colorado missed a desperation three in the closing seconds.

It was an impressive defensive performance from start to finish against a Colorado team that fields one of the top offenses in the country — the Buffaloes, entering into the game, averaged 85 points per game (No. 28 in the country) and were shooting 48.6% from 3 (No. 3). On Tuesday night, Colorado shot just 35% from the field and 25% (5-20) from beyond the arc.

With the win, the Seminoles have now won each of their overtime decisions since a 101-90 double overtime win over Syracuse on January 13, 2018 in a game played at the Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee — 14 games in a row, an NCAA record.

Next up for Florida State (4-1) is a home matchup vs. the Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday, November 29 as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge.

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Thank you, Jordan Travis: Reflecting on FSU quarterback’s legacy with Seminoles, previewing Florida State's path to College Football Playoff

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:45:52 -0000

A night to celebrate a Florida State senior class that led the abrupt turnaround of the program and the leader that made it all possible ended in an instant.

Star quarterback Jordan Travis, that leader and the guy who is most responsible for this team’s 10-0 start, had the rest of his season and FSU career come to a close before anybody was ready.

On this episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson share their still fresh thoughts on the injury to Travis, his performance this season, his legacy at Florida State and his place among the best to wear garnet and gold.

Plus, they look ahead to what his injury changes — both for the offense with Tate Rodemaker and the defense — to make sure this team finishes off this unbeaten regular season.

And how could this injury impact Florida State’s College Football Playoff chances? Could the Seminoles really be left out if they run the table?

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FSU is 11-0 after win but loses Jordan Travis to injury: Mike Norvell interview following Florida State's win over North Alabma

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 05:25:50 -0000

No. 4 Florida State (11-0, 8-0 ACC) will head into next week’s rivalry showdown against the Florida Gators with a chance to cap off an undefeated regular season after beating North Alabama 58-13.

The matchup, which served as Senior Night and the Seminoles’ home finale, saw Florida State go down 13-0 early then lose quarterback Jordan Travis to a horrific leg injury. Tate Rodemaker entered the game in relief and helped spur an FSU run that saw Florida State score 58-unanswered points to secure the win.

“You know, faced adversity on the field early, had a punt fake that hit us,” head coach Mike Norvell, who is now 29-16 overall as coach of the Seminoles. “They did a good job of running a variety of different plays and formations and were able to get out to an early lead. You know, offensively obviously didn’t start how we wanted, missed some opportunities.

“When Jordan went down, that was something that nobody ever wants to see a player go down. I don’t have any updates on it tonight, so just so everybody is aware, but I was proud of the way our guys responded throughout the course of the game.”

As you sit there and watch a football team come together, I thought our guys did that at a very high level. We knew all three phases we had to continue to rise up. I thought our defense was great basically throughout the rest of the game.”

After the game, Norvell as well as defensive back Jarrian Jones, defensive lineman Dennis Briggs and running backs Lawrance Toafili and Caziah Holmes offered insight into the Seminoles’ win.

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Week 11 College Football Picks, Daily Fantasy: Ranked teams hit the road -- somebody has to lose

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Families are gathering together. Food is being prepared in multitudes. Drinks are being consumed aplenty.

Tis Thanksgiving season.

So allow me to be sentimental for a moment. For starters, thank you to the loyal readers, commenters and listeners for reading, commenting and listening. We couldn’t do this silly little article and podcast without you all.

Second, I want to thank this college football season because what a drunk mess it has been.

Michigan alone has had their head coach suspended two different times for two different cheating scandals and they remain firmly entrenched in the College Football Playoffs at this point.

Texas A&M once again opened the year with tons of expectations and are now once again searching to replace a disappointing head coach. Miami is bragging about closing a gap they haven’t closed since I was in the second grade. Dabo is fighting fans during radio shows before dominating rivals in the midst of a disappointing season. And for most of you, Florida State has had the fun year we were promised all offseason.

It’s truly been a blast of year. But there is one thing we are still missing... the massive upset.

So I present to you all what I’m calling Upsetsgiving. Do you like top-ten teams on the road? Because I’ve got 5 of them for you. And one of them is an underdog.

It’s time, college football gods. Give us the bow on the year we’ve had so far. Let’s deliver this Upsetsgiving to one and all.

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FSU softball: Breaking down Florida State Seminoles' ACC opponents -- Part one

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:46:39 -0000

Florida State softball is coming off of another dominating season, finishing as the national runners up and capturing both the ACC regular season and tournament titles.

Brian and Gwyn are back for another round of fall podcasting, where they dive into the other teams in the conference that FSU Softball will look to go against in the 2024 season. Starting with Boston College, they talk about where the Eagles finished last season and the new additions added.

Following BC, a look into the Clemson Tigers, who FSU will not play in the regular season. The past several season, Clemson has been atop the conference, vying for the top spot. Gwyn talks about how the program will fare as they are looking to make a push for OKC.

Another program that is looking to stay at the top of the ACC is Duke, who has a steady group of returners. An experienced Duke team, who finished in the Durham Super Regional, also look to make their first trip to Oklahoma City for the first time in program history.

Georgia Tech loses some key players, but returns staples in the circle. In terms of offense, they will have to look to transfers and underclassmen to help them make that push into the NCAA Tournament. Last season, they ended 2023 in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals and will need the help of Blake Neleman and an improved offense to get them back into the postseason.

Similar to GT, Louisville also saw key departures, but reloads from the transfer portal. A six person transfer class, all with Division I experience, as well as Power 5, will help the Cardinals get into the top tier of the conference, and push teams like FSU, Clemson and Duke.

Lastly in this episode, Brian and Gwyn discuss NC State. The Wolfpack are in a complete rebuilding year under 1st time Head Coach Lindsey Leftwich. Coming over from LSU, she brings over a decade of experience from a high level. Not only does coach Leftwich bring in a SEC transfer, but adds SEC and B1G experience to her coaching staff.

After previewing the first 6 teams in the ACC, Brian and Gwyn catch up on Big Brother, as well as an exciting announcement that could impact Brian’s availability for some of the season!

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FSU football latest -- Florida State wins third straight against Miami, improves to 10-0 on season, plus Jimbo Fisher let go at Texas A&M; what’s his legacy?

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles extended their overall winning streak to 16 games with a 27-20 victory over the Miami Hurricanes. It was their third consecutive win over the Canes.

The return of wide receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson was a welcome sight for the Noles as Wilson led the team in receptions and receiving yards while Coleman made nice plays on punt return and caught Travis’ lone touchdown. RB Trey Benson added two touchdowns of his own as well. The Noles defense also impressive against the Canes’ freshman QB outside of the one big play bad angle in the second half that resulted in a Miami touchdown.

On this week’s episode, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Ben Meyerson and a returning Jon Marchant — discuss what went right and some continued struggles in the Noles rivalry win.

Plus, former Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher has been fired from Texas A&M after another mediocre season in College Station. What happened from 10 years ago’s peak of college football to now where Jimbo finds himself cast aside? And what is Jimbo’s legacy in college football and at Florida State?

All that and more on the Seminole Wrap podcast.

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FSU basketball: Reviewing Seminoles season-opening win, Central Michigan and Florida preview

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 09:32:56 -0000

Last year Florida State opened the season by trailing Stetson for nearly 40 minutes in a 83-74 home loss, ultimately not winning their first game until their 5th attempt.

This is not last season.

The Seminoles jumped on the Kennesaw State Owls from the get-go, playing with significantly more pace on offense and purpose on defense to dismantle the defending Atlantic Sun Conference champs 94-67.

Michael Rogner and Matt Minnick break down Florida State's 1-0 start to the season plus upcoming matchups against Central Michigan and the Florida Gators.

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FSU beats Miami, moves to 10-0: Mike Norvell interview after Florida State Seminoles beat Hurricanes for third year in a row

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 04:28:26 -0000

It’s a cliche that comes true far too often — in rivalry games, forget the records and matchup on paper.

No. 4 Florida State came into Saturday’s game against Miami as a 14.5-point favorite at kickoff, riding a two-game win streak in the series against the Hurricanes and on a 15-game win streak overall.

FSU took a 10-point lead early, effectively shutting down Miami for the bulk of the first quarter outside two explosive pass plays but the Hurricanes stormed back in the second, holding the Seminoles to just one yard while racking up 129 yards and 10 points to tie things up.

Things remained locked even over most of the third, with the two teams exchanging field goals, but fantastic punting by Alex Mastromanno set Miami up deep in its own territory on multiple drives and the Florida State defense took advantage, forcing five straight punts.

Trey Benson once again had a huge scoring run for the Seminoles, reeling off a 38-yarder to put the Seminoles up 20-13. Two drives later, at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Keon Coleman reeled in his 10th touchdown of the year right after logging a massive 57-yard punt return.

Trailing 27-13, Miami found new life off of a huge connection from freshman quarterback Emory Williams (starting in place for the benched Tyler Van Dyke) to Jacolby George for 85 yards to tighten things up to a single-touchdown lead for the Seminoles.

The Hurricanes got the ball back with just over four minutes left on the clock. Facing fourth and 2 with just under three minutes left, Williams converted by taking off and rushing for it, with the play standing after review.

He was injured on the play, hurting his arm as he fell and being put in a cast. Van Dyke entered the game with just over two minutes left in the game. Facing 3rd and 12, he hit Colbie Young first for a 14-yard catch and then for a 15-yard gain, setting up the Hurricanes on their own 49-yard line.

After three straight incompletions, Miami faced a 4th and 10 with 48 seconds on the clock — a last ditch effort by Van Dyke was picked off by Jarrian Jones, ending the game and Miami’s upset hopes.

FSU has 10 wins for the second straight year under Mike Norvell and wraps up ACC play unbeaten heading into non-conference matchups vs. North Alabama and Florida to end the season.

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College Football Week 11 Predictions, Daily Fantasy Plays: Seminoles vs. Hurricanes, Michigan vs. Penn State, Ole Miss vs. Georgia and more

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 12:28:49 -0000

Believe it or not, it is still hurricane season in the Atlantic region even though by this time of the year things are really winding down.

That of course is a pattern for the meteorological hurricane season, but it also applies to the Miami Hurricanes of late. Look out in August and September, you never know what to expect in October and things go back to largely quiet in November.

This year, the slide comes from the injuries and loss of confidence from QB Tyler Van Dyke.

Most hurricanes are drawn to the poles (or polls in this football analogy), but the Canes largely offensive struggles have left them in a steering current destined for something like Gator Bowl.

Now, don’t get me wrong. They’re certainly an overall better football team than the one that Florida State devoured in Miami Gardens last season. And they will be hungry looking for a win that they can plant their double red flags on this season. But if FSU’s offensive weapons are healthy, these Canes will be just a standard fish storm — in pictures, they look great in pictures but really they’re nothing more than flash that won’t threaten much of anything.

No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (-5.5) at No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions (Noon ET, FOX)

No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (-11.5) at Kentucky Wildcats (Noon ET, ESPN)

Miami Hurricanes (+14.5) at No. 4 Florida State Seminoles (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

No. 13 Tennessee Volunteers (-1.5) at No. 14 Missouri Tigers (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)

No. 18 Utah Utes (+9.5) at No. 5 Washington Huskies (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX)

No. 15 Oklahoma State Cowboys (-2.5) at UCF Knights (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels (+10.5) at No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)

No. 7 Texas Longhorns (-11.5) at TCU Horned Frogs (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

Duke Blue Devils (+14.5) at No. 24 North Carolina Tar Heels (8:00 p.m. ET, ACCN)

USC Trojans (+15.5) at No. 6 Oregon Ducks (10:15 p.m. ET, FOX)

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Does Miami have a shot at upsetting FSU? Breakdown, analysis, prediction of Florida State Seminoles vs. Hurricanes with Adam Lichtenstein of the Sun Sentinel

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles have remained perfect through their first nine game of the season. After securing the win Saturday over Pittsburgh, the Seminoles immediately turned their attention to their next opponent, their rivals from down south, the Miami Hurricanes.

Each week, as part of our Line of Scrimmage series, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best.

To help fans get to know the 2023 version of the ‘Canes, we’ll breakdown the Miami roster and season with Adam Lichtenstein of the Sun Sentinel.

The Hurricanes have already improved from last season with six wins on the year. Last week, saw Miami stumble in a slugfest with the NC State Wolfpack. Miami will be coming into Saturday’s matchup looking to end the Seminole’s perfect season. And the Hurricanes certainly have talent on both sides of the ball to pull off the upset.

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FSU handles business, clinches spot in ACC Championship ahead of showdown with Hurricanes -- will Seminoles face off against Louisville Cardinals in title game? Pitt win recap, Miami preview and more

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:33:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles are heading back to the ACC Championship Game for the first time since 2014 after their 24-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers.

The Noles were able to handle business against an outmatched Pitt team without their top two offensive weapons in wide receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, both missing the game. Even without those stars, Jordan Travis utilized Ja’Khi Douglas and the tight ends.

This week, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin and Ben Meyerson without the still vacationing Jon Marchant — discuss the victory, its impact on Jordan’s pursuit of the Heisman Trophy and an early preview of potential ACC Championship Game opponents as Louisville grabbed control of second place.

Plus, Brian and Ben react to the first College Football Playoff rankings released last week and what it could mean for Florida State’s path to the final four — and, of course, what can we expect from the Miami Hurricanes in this week’s rivalry game.

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College Football Week 10: Picks, predictions and daily fantasy plays as Playoff race tightens

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:00:00 -0000

Have you or a loved one fallen victim to emotional frustration, confusion or exasperation at the hand of the latest College Football Playoff rankings?

On Tuesday when the rankings came out, as they revealed Oklahoma behind Alabama at No. 9 and 8 respectively I didn’t bat an eye.

Then, they revealed Texas ahead of Alabama at No. 7 and the ESPN panelists began talking about how great of a job the committee did a superb job because Texas beat Bama head-to-head. But nobody had a problem with Oklahoma being two spots behind Texas who they beat?

I got frustrated with the hypocrisy of it all and the complete sham all of it is and then I remembered a simple fact — How often have we thought at the end of the year the committee truly got it wrong?

More or less, it all works out in the end.

I mean at this point, we haven’t played the first weekend of November yet. There’s more than a month of meaningful football to go before we even make it to the conference championship games.

It always finds a way to sort itself out.

At the end of the day, this year will too.

We’ve seen plenty of examples this year that teams with holes are finding losses (UNC, namely, but others too). We’ve got plenty of opportunities for teams to find more losses starting this weekend with multiple top-ten teams on the road — two of them facing ranked teams themselves.

Don’t fret. We’ll all find the four best teams in December. Until then, enjoy the greatest sport in the world.

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FSU vs. Pitt breakdown: Inside look at Panthers as Seminoles look to clinch spot in ACC Championship

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 09:13:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles sit at a perfect 8-0 on the season after their victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons this past Saturday. The Seminoles jumped out early before cruising to an easy 41-16 win.

This weekend, FSU heads north for a showdown with the Pittsburgh Panthers. It’s been a rough season for the Panthers and head coach Pat Narduzzi. After opening the season with a victory, the Panthers have struggled to only one additional win on the season. Heading into Saturday, Pitt stands at a record of 2-6 with a tough four game stretch (including Florida State) to finish the season. Can the Panthers turn their season around on Saturday with a win over the Seminoles? We’ll discuss that more with Corey Cohen of the Pitt Talk Network.

Each week, as part of our Line of Scrimmage series, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best.

Entering this season Pat Narduzzi had compiled a 62-41 record at Pitt, with his worst season being 6-5 in 2020. The Panthers came in as a possible dark horse for the ACC championship game but this season has been far from successful. Phil Jurkovec went from NFL draft prospect just two-three years ago to demotion, the Panthers are 2-6. High level, what has gone wrong for Pitt?

Let’s focus on the quarterback position (if not covered already). Jurkovec transfers in from Boston College and was rather abysmal with a 50% completion percentage. He was moved to tight end and Christian Veilleux has been behind center since the Louisville game. What happened to Jurkovec and tell the fans what to expect from Veilleux?

The backfield is a two-headed monster in C’Bo Flemister and Rodney Hammond Jr. The two backs are pretty close in carries and yards but do they have similar styles on the field?

The Panthers have a pair of talented wide receivers in Konata Mumpfield and Bub Means. But for the first time this year, I think FSU is facing a pretty legitimate tight end receiving threat as well in Gavin Bartholomew. How might we see Pitt get these three involved on Saturday?

Finally on offense, let’s take a look at the line. The big guys have allowed 16 sacks on the season and only allowed the Panther to average 3.5 yards on the ground. It’s a young offensive line with four underclass men and one senior. Where has this line struggled and is there an area they’ve been successful?

Flipping over to defense, it’s a defensive line that has accounted for 14 of the team’s 23 sacks. The Panthers appear to have a decent rotation on the inside with David Green, Deandre Jules and others while Dayon Hayes and freshman Samuel Okunlola are the names to know on the ends. What has allowed this group to have success in the backfield and is there an area teams have found success against this defensive line?

Solomon DeShields leads this linebacking corp. On paper, this has shown to be a solid group stats wise and PFF grades wise. How would this group grade so far?

Let’s jump back to the secondary. Donovan McMillon is the safety that flies over the field making the tackles while Phillip O’Brien and MJ Devonshire have split four interceptions on the season at cornerback. This appears to be a solid group. How will they stack up against Keon Coleman and the talented Seminole receivers?

And finally, thoughts on how Saturday plays out

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FSU basketball 2023-24 preview: The Gospel of Ham is Born -- breaking down Florida State Seminoles basketball ahead of season (Ep. 53)

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 23:01:00 -0000

Most Florida State fans are locked in on the rebirth of FSU football, and rightfully so. However, the oppressive humidity of Tallahassee summer being replaced by trees glowing with garnet and gold signals the return of another sport on campus, this one played on a hardcourt. Basketball is back, baby!

To get you ready for the action, let’s take a look at:

What happened last year?

Who did FSU lose?

Who’s new?

What will the starting lineup look like?

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FSU blows out Wake Forest: Was that Florida State's best performance of 2023? Breaking down Seminoles win, playoff outlook, Heisman race

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Another week, another win for the Florida State Seminoles.

The Noles have put in some strong efforts this season, but Saturday’s road victory may have been their best this year. Quarterback Jordan Travis put on a show with more than 300 total yards — 273 passing and 38 rushing — and 4 total touchdowns in the first half. Travis’ first half was more than the FSU defense allowed the Demon Deacons in the entire game.

Overall, it was a dominant effort for Florida State on the road against an overmatched team.

On this week’s episode, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin and Ben Meyerson with a guest appearance from Perry Kostidakis in Jon’s place — discuss Jordan Travis announcing himself in the Heisman conversation, the early signs of Trey Benson’s resurgence and Adam Fuller’s defense looking the best they have in the Mike Norvell era.

Plus, we look at the big games impacting the ACC Championship and College Football Playoff picture. The Noles now have a clear shot to Charlotte and likely to the CFP if they run the table.

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FSU is 8-0: Mike Norvell interview after Florida State Seminoles win big over Wake Forest

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 22:17:33 -0000

No. 4 Florida State, despite a dominant defensive performance in the first quarter, found themselves ahead just 10-7 at the start of the second.

By halftime, that lead had exploded to 34-7.

The Seminoles' defense didn’t buckle for the bulk of the first half, effectively forcing garbage time by the third quarter because of how effectively Florida State was able to shut down what Wake Forest was attempting to do. The Demon Deacons got 70 yards on two plays — and then 11 on all others.

Florida State came right out and scored to start off the game on offense, with Jordan Travis finishing things off on the ground with his 30th rushing touchdown all-time for FSU, but stalled for two straight drives before converting a field goal towards the end of the first and finding paydirt in the second via a Travis to Keon Coleman reception.

After one more punt, Florida State reeled off three straight scores — an 80-yard screen to Trey Benson, another wild catch by Coleman and a field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald — to effectively put the game away heading into halftime.

The third quarter was relatively quiet for both teams, with Wake Forest adding on a field goal in addition to getting a penalty-aided 80-yard drive to earn another touchdown while Florida State tacked another touchdown on the board by way of Benson.

The starters were able to sub out midway through the fourth, with the game out of reach at 41-16.

FSU 41, Wake Forest 16

Total Yards:

Florida State: 508

Wake Forest: 210

Pass Yards:

Florida State: 382

Wake Forest: 82

Rush Yards:

Florida State: 126

Wake Forest: 128

Penalties:

Florida State: 9-115

Wake Forest: 5-44

1st Downs:

Florida State: 20

Wake Forest: 15

3rd Downs:

Florida State: 7-14

Wake Forest: 3-14

4th Downs:

Florida State: 0-0

Wake Forest: 0-1

Total Plays:

Florida State: 66

Wake Forest: 65

Avg Yds/Play:

Florida State: 7.7

Wake Forest: 3.2

Avg Yds/Completion:

Florida State: 16.6

Wake Forest: 13.7

Avg Yds/Rush:

Florida State: 4.2

Wake Forest: 2.6

Sack-Adj Rush Yd(Avg):

Florida State: 138 (4.8)

Wake Forest: 155 (3.5)

Red Zone:

Florida State: 4-5

Wake Forest: 3-3

Time of Possession:

Florida State: 30:36

Wake Forest: 29:24

Turnovers (Def Pts Off):

Florida State: 0 (0)

Wake Forest: 0 (0)

Fumbles-Lost:

Florida State: 1-0

Wake Forest: 0-0

Sacks (Def Yds):

Florida State: 5 (27)

Wake Forest: 1 (12)

TFL (Def Yds):

Florida State: 10 (35)

Wake Forest: 4 (22)

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College Football Week 9 Picks, DFS Plays & Podcast: FSU-Wake, Utah-Oregon, Duke-Louisville lead battle for conference positioning

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The Pac-12 is the gift that keeps on giving this year.

They’re absolutely stacked with fun teams that seem to all play completely different styles and this week. Everybody has varying degrees of the same strengths and the same weaknesses. Almost all of them are really good offenses with terrible to above average defenses.

Then there’s Utah. The Utes are missing their starting quarterback Cam Rising who seems destined to take this year as a medical redshirt as he works his way back from a torn ACL in last season’s Rose Bowl. And yet, they keep winning.

Why? The defense is elite.

So elite they were able to bring along former Utah pig farmer Bryson Barnes to a pretty decent QB. Safety Sione Vake has become a star RB the last two weeks and they’re right there in the mix for the Pac-12 title game and a playoff spot.

In their way this week is perhaps the only other Pac-12 defense I trust in Oregon. The Ducks aren’t quite Utah good on defense, but they make up for it with an offense that isn’t quite Washington good but pretty close.

Elsewhere, the Pac-12 also treats us to Colorado at UCLA and Oregon State at Arizona as wonderfully fun contests to feed us football late into the night.

Thank you to our west coast friends for taking this last season together with a bang. Us east coast college football sickos appreciate it more than we can ever show.

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FSU vs. Wake Forest breakdown: How do Florida State Seminoles, Wake Forest Demon Deacons matchup? feat. Cam Lemons

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:23:49 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles have started a perfect 7-0 on the season after their primetime win over the Duke Blue Devils. This Saturday, the Seminoles will travel to Winston-Salem to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Each week, as part of our Line of Scrimmage series, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best.

Wake Forest is coming off a victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers that snapped a three-game losing streak. Through the first seven games, the Demon Deacons have battled injuries and experience to notch out a 4-3 record. Similar to last week’s matchup with Duke, Wake Forest has question marks of their own at quarterback headed into Saturday’s game as both starter Mitch Griffis and backup Michael Kearn missed the last week with injuries. Can the Demon Deacon offense control the pace of the game and keep this one close? We’ll discuss this and more with Cam Lemons of the Demon Deacons Digest.

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FSU remains undefeated after comeback win vs. Duke -- more reasons to panic or be confident in Florida State Seminoles football after the win?

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:13:00 -0000

With a dominant second half, the Florida State Seminoles survived a scare from a banged-up Riley Leonard and a stout Duke Blue Devils defense to remain unbeaten on the season.

From failed fourth-down attempts early in the game to a dominant fourth quarter, the Seminoles played a contest filled with ups and downs on both sides of the ball. The defense pitched a second-half shutout but had issues containing the Duke run game early. The offense struggled on their designed run game but found success with the legs of Jordan Travis.

So were there more reasons to panic or be confident in FSU after the win?

The Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Ben Meyerson and Jon Marchant — discuss that and how important the injury to Riley Leonard was to the ultimate result of the game. Plus with UNC’s loss to Virginia, is Florida State destined to be playing in the ACC Championship Game?

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FSU FLIPS FIVE-STAR FROM MIAMI: What does blue-chip defensive lineman Armondo Blount’s commitment mean for Florida State Seminoles?

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 01:44:39 -0000

Sunday evening brought news that 5-star defensive lineman Armondo Blount has flipped from the Miami Hurricanes to the Florida State Seminoles and will be reclassifying to the 2024 cycle.

Assuming Blount retains his status as a 5-star in the reclassification, Mike Norvell’s staff becomes the fifth team in the nation to hold commitments from multiple composite 5-star prospects.

Tomahawk Nation’s Three Stars are here to break down what it all means for the Tribe. Josh Pick was busy making kale smoothies tonight, so Tim Alumbaugh and David Stout discuss this significant recruiting victory and touch on the following questions:

What is FSU getting in Armondo Blount?
How important is this commitment for FSU’s defensive line recruiting efforts?
Why is he so highly thought of by recruiting analysts?
Where might he line up to start at FSU?
Where might he be ranked once reclassified into the 2024 cycle?

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FSU beats Duke in dramatic fashion: Mike Norvell interview after Florida State Seminoles move to 7-0 on the season

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 04:56:20 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles took everything the Duke Blue Devils could give them tonight and prevailed with the 38-20 win to improve to 7-0 on the season.

Duke took control early on the back of strong play in the trenches and just enough playmaking from QB Riley Leonard, whose availability was a big question heading into the game. The Blue Devils held the lead from the game’s first score through the early 4th quarter.

At that point, FSU QB Jordan Travis took over with his legs and led the Noles on back-to-back TD drives capped off by a 2-yard run and 21-yard screen pass from Travis to push the Noles from down 3 to up 11 and they never looked back.

Travis finished the game with 268 yards through the air, 62 yards on the ground and 3 total touchdowns. That effort also made him Florida State’s all-time yardage leader.

The Noles closed on a 31-3 run after trailing 17-7 in the early going.

FSU miscues were the story of the early portion of the game. Florida State’s first two drives both ended in turnovers on downs, resulting in a 10-0 lead for Duke.

The Noles were able to respond with a 13-play, 85-yard drive where Jordan Travis was nearly perfect. He capped off the drive with a 7-yard TD on a swing pass to Caziah Holmes in the flat.

The score held at 10-7 until another Florida State mistake, this time from Travis. Backed up near his own goalline, he tried to hit Keon Coleman near the sticks on a 3rd down and long, but the ball gets popped up in the air, picked and run back for a Duke touchdown to widen the Blue Devils lead to 17-7.

But the lead didn’t stay that way for long.

Deuce Spann went deuces to the Duke kickoff coverage unit to get FSU back within 3 at 17-14.

The two teams traded field goals before half to make it 20-17 at the break.

Duke had the first chance to score in the second half as they had a long drive get them inside the FSU 5, but a sack of Riley Leonard earlier in the drive reaggravated his ankle injury, forcing backup QB Henry Belin IV in for the final set of downs of the drive. The Blue Devils ran it three straight times to set up a 4th and 3 from the 5, but Belin’s pass fell incomplete.

The following drive was the 96-yard, 14-play contest that gave FSU its first lead of the contest. Jordan Travis using his legs was responsible for 40 of the 96 yards including the go-ahead 2-yard TD run.

Running backs Lawrance Toafili and Rodney Hill added touchdowns late to pad that lead to 38-20.

With UNC’s loss to Virginia, Florida State now stands alone atop the ACC standings.

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Week 8 Picks and College Football DFS Plays: B1G matchup in Columbus between Ohio State and Penn State, ranked showdown in Tallahassee between Florida State Seminioles and Duke

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

There’s always one matchup on the college football slate that can save a weekend. This week, that’s Ohio State-Penn State.

Sure, Florida State-Duke is also on the slate, but the spread there is quite a bit larger. Plus, Riley Leonard’s potential limitations push that game out of the must-watch category for non-FSU fans (though most of you are so watch you heart out. I’ll be right there with you).

But the rest of the CFB world will zero in on Columbus.

Ryan Day was plenty happy to crown his team as the hardest working in the country and wage war against whatever’s left of Lou Holtz at this point after his team survived against ten Notre Dame players a few weeks back. But for those not staring through whatever lens has you shouting “It’s always been Ohio vs. the world” into microphones on national TV, this team appears to be Marvin Harrison Jr. and a bunch of guys.

And Penn State is equipped as well as anyone to take away that weapon. But to do so, they’ve got to overcome their own coaching staff’s limitations.

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FSU vs. Duke preview: Can Duke upset FSU? Seminoles vs. Blue Devils breakdown, analysis with Donald Wine of Duke Basketball Report

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 11:44:18 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles head into Saturday’s matchup at a perfect 6-0 following a blowout of the Syracuse Orange.

This weekend, the Seminoles will host the Duke Blue Devils under the lights in a primetime showdown at Doak Campbell.

Each week, as part of our Line of Scrimmage series, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best.

Duke comes into town sitting at 5-1, their best start since 2018. The Blue Devils are led by quarterback Riley Leonard, who is currently day-to-day with a high ankle sprain. Head coach Mike Elko has Duke playing at a high level, which could spell trouble for the Seminoles if Jordan Travis and the offense come out of the gates slow. We’ll dive into what to expect from this veteran-led squad with Donald Wine of Duke Basketball Report.

Well, if we’re going to talk Duke football, we got to start with the reigning ACC coach of the year, Mike Elko. After leading the Blue Devils to a 9-4 record his first season, he has Duke at 5-1, with just one heart breaking loss to Sam Hartman and Notre Dame. What’s been the secret with Elko? We knew he was a great defensive coordinator, but this is largely the same team that was 3-9 just two years ago right? There wasn’t a secret Colorado-esque roster overhaul that everyone ignored?

Let’s start on offense and with the signal caller, by now we’ve all seen that Riley Leonard can dunk, but the kid does a great job leading this Kevin Johns schemed offense. But Leonard is also coming off the ankle injury so we need to also talk Henry Belin IV. Where do each of these signal callers stand out and where might they struggle on Saturday night?

This running game is led by Jordan Waters but that number is a little deceiving as prior to the injury, it was quarterback Riley Leonard as the rushing leader. Overall, Duke is averaging a shade under 200 yards on the ground each game. What type of back is Waters and what can FSU fans expect from this running game this weekend?

Jalon Calhoun and Jordan Moore both had successful 2022 seasons and they’ve picked up right where they left off halfway through this year. They’ve combined for 49 receptions and nearly 700 yards through the first six games. Just looking at the bios, these aren’t the tall targets like the Seminoles have, where has this duo found success these last two years?

The offensive line is anchored by stud left tackle Graham Barton. But it’s not Barton and everyone else. This is an experienced group with four grad transfers. Tell us about this veteran line.

Let’s flip over to defense, specifically the defensive line. Another experienced group of two grad students and two redshirt seniors. FSU offensive coordinator Alex Atkins specifically mentioned defensive tackle Ja’Mion Franklin. But just like the offensive line, it’s not just Franklin, this is an impressive unit with I believe 11.5 sacks among the defensive line. Where has this group excelled and is there an area that the Seminoles could potentially have an advantage?

Onto the second line, Tre Freeman is the team leader in tackles. He and Dorian Mausi both have an interception. This is another experienced unit. How have you felt the backers have performed so far this year?

Finally, an area that really interests me, the Duke secondary. So much attention has been placed on Florida State receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson. How do you expect this secondary to hand out the assignments and which of these guys stand out the most for you?

What are your thoughts on how Saturday plays out?

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FSU continues best start since 2015: Did Florida State take a step forward in blowout win over Syracuse? How do Seminoles match up with Duke?

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:07:32 -0000

In its 41-3 win over Syracuse on Saturday, the Florida State Seminoles arguably played their most dominant game of the season on both sides of the ball.

The offense ran through Keon Coleman with his 9 catches, 140 yards, 1 touchdown, and incredible one-handed catch. Jaheim Bell was the ‘Noles next leading receiver with 87 yards after only playing 7 snaps the week prior.

Their defense allowed only 3 points against Syracuse matching their best performances of the last 2 seasons (Syracuse and Miami last season).

The Seminoles Wrap crew (without Brian Pellerin) — Ben Meyerson and Jon Marchant dive into why the defense is playing so well and if the Seminoles rushing offense has turned the corner.

Mike Norvell had some questionable moments in play calling and the offense still has more room for growth. They examine how the offense has shown more in the last two games and if they can continue that.

Jordan Travis also looked visibly frustrated in this game in a way that we have not seen from him, for a player who is so often collected and calm it was surprising to see.

There is still a lot of season left for growth with the offense, but the defense seems to be finding form at the right time.

They also discuss why Duke could be the worst matchup this season for FSU (depending on Riley Leonard’s health) and how that game will shake out in Tallahassee.

According to DraftKings, FSU is currently favored by 14 over Duke with the over/under set at 49.

We also look ahead to the rest of the Seminoles' schedule with Miami and how the ACC will play out this season behind Florida State.

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FSU is 6-0: Mike Norvell interview after Florida State Seminoles beat Syracuse Orange 41-3

Sat, 14 Oct 2023 20:51:30 -0000

No. 4 Florida State extended its winning streak dating back to last season to 12 games on Saturday, taking down the Syracuse Orange 41-3.

It was a game highlighted by a dominant performance from Keon Coleman, who logged 247 all-purpose yards (140 yards through the air, 107 on punt return) with impressive play after impressive play.

His 58-yard touchdown reception was a career-long, as well as his 72-yard punt return that fell just short of the end zone.

The Florida State defense had an impressive day of its own, with the starters holding the Orange to just three points before the game shifted to garbage time.

FSU now has a four-game win streak over Syracuse, leading the all-time series 14-2.

Next up for Florida State is a home matchup vs. the No. 17 Duke Blue Devils (4-1, 1-0 ACC). Duke faces off against the NC State Wolfpack (4-2, 1-1 ACC).

Florida State 41, Syracuse 3: Final Stats

Florida State Passing:

Jordan Travis: 23-37, 284 yards, 1 TD

Tate Rodemaker: 2-2, 60 yards, 1 TD

Florida State Rushing:

Lawrance Toafili: 7 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD

Trey Benson: 14 carries, 74 yards

Caziah Holmes: 2 carries, 11 yards

Deuce Spann: 1 carry, 1 yard

Jaheim Bell: 1 carry, 0 yards

Team: 1 carry, -2 yards

Jordan Travis: 7 carries, -5 yards, 2 TDs

Florida State Receiving:

Keon Coleman: 9 receptions, 140 yards, 1 TD

Jaheim Bell: 4 receptions, 87 yards

Destyn Hill: 3 receptions, 10 yards

Darion Williamson: 2 receptions, 23 yards

Markestson Douglas: 2 receptions, 5 yards

Hykeem Williams: 1 reception, 44 yards, 1 TD

Caziah Holmes: 1 reception, 16 yards

Lawrance Toafili: 1 reception, 11 yards

Trey Benson: 1 reception, 6 yards

Kyle Morlock: 1 reception, 2 yards

Total Yds

Syracuse: 261

Florida State: 535

Pass Yds

Syracuse: 137

Florida State: 344

Rush Yds

Syracuse: 124

Florida State: 191

Penalties

Syracuse: 2-8

Florida State: 6-50

1st Downs

Syracuse: 12

Florida State: 22

3rd Downs

Syracuse: 6-19

Florida State: 9-17

4th Downs

Syracuse: 1-2

Florida State: 0-2

Total Plays

Syracuse: 67

Florida State: 73

Avg Yds/Play

Syracuse: 3.9

Florida State: 7.3

Avg Yds/Completion

Syracuse: 11.4

Florida State: 13.8

Avg Yds/Rush

Syracuse: 3.4

Florida State: 5.6

Sack-Adj Rush Yd(Avg)

Syracuse: 145 (4.4)

Florida State: 206 (6.4)

Red Zone

Syracuse: 1-2

Florida State: 3-4

Time of Poss

Syracuse: 32:59

Florida State: 27:01

Turnovers (Def Pts Off)

Syracuse: 2 (0)

Florida State: 0 (0)

Fumbles-Lost

Syracuse: 2-1

Florida State: 3-0

Sacks (Def Yds)

Syracuse: 2 (15)

Florida State: 3 (20)

TFL (Def Yds)

Syracuse: 4 (19)

Florida State: 6 (27)

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College Football Picks, DFS Plays: Making predictions and picks for Week 7 of the 2023 College Football Season

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 10:04:25 -0000

Syracuse Orange (+17.5) vs. No. 4 Florida State Seminoles (Noon ET, ABC)

No. 8 Oregon Ducks (+3.5) at No. 7 Washington Huskies (3:30pm ET, ABC)

Texas A&M Aggies (+3.5) at No. 19 Tennessee Volunteers (3:30pm ET, CBS)

No. 23 Kansas Jayhawks (-3.5) at Oklahoma State Cowboys (3:30pm ET, FS1)

Auburn Tigers (+11.5) at No. 22 LSU Tigers (7:00pm ET, ESPN)

No. 25 Miami Hurricanes (+3.5) at No. 12 North Carolina Tar Heels (7:30pm ET, ABC)

No. 10 USC Trojans (+2.5) at No. 21 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7:30pm ET, NBC)

Missouri Tigers (+2.5) at No. 24 Kentucky Wildcats (7:30pm ET, SECN)

No. 18 UCLA Bruins (+4.5) at No. 15 Oregon State Beavers (8:00pm ET, FOX)

NC State Wolf Pack (+3.5) at No. 17 Duke Blue Devils (8:00pm ET, ACCN)

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FSU vs. Syracuse breakdown: How does Syracuse’s offense, defense match up with Florida State? Can the Orange upset the Seminoles in Tallahassee? with Christian De Guzman of NunesMagician

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles reached 5-0 on the season after a win over the Virginia Tech Hokies.

This weekend, they’ll host the Syracuse Orange in an attempt to reach bowl eligibility.

Each week, as part of our Line of Scrimmage series, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best.

The Syracuse season started off hot with a 4-0 record but will be headed into Tallahassee after back-to-back losses. To help us catch up on the up and down season for the Orange, we’ll be joined by Christian De Guzman of SBNation’s NunesMagician, who tackled the following questions:

Let’s start with head coach Dino Babers. I like Babers, I could start each day watching his locker room speech after the Virginia Tech upset. He’s 4-2 on the season, after a 7-6 record last year. What’s the overall feelings with Babers at the helm for Syracuse? Are you happy with where he has the program?
While last year saw quarterback Garrett Shrader and the Orange struggle against Florida State, it was a different story in 2021 when Shrader shredded the Seminoles with 137 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. This year, he ran wild against Purdue but has been pretty contained, at least on the ground, in the other games. Where do you feel Shrader has improved overall this year? And where does he still struggle?
Sticking to the backfield, Sean Tucker is gone and in his place is LeQuint Allen. The sophomore is averaging just over 4.5 yards per carry this season. Is Allen the big bruising back or the speedy/shifty type? Also, any other names to know from the backfield?
As far as receiving, Shrader appears to have spread the ball around pretty well so far with eight players catching at least six passes. Who are the names to know at receiver or tight end? And has the group taken any steps back with the Oronde Gadsden injury?
Last question on offense, Shrader has been sacked 14 times this season and the offensive line has suffered it’s fair share of injuries with the loss of David Wohlabaugh and Kalan Ellis. What’s your thoughts on the big guys up front?
Flipping over to defense, through the first four games, the Orange defense held up well before allowing 31 to Clemson and 40 to North Carolina. Would you put that on just the step up in competition or has the defense taken a step back overall?
Let’s go front to back on defense. Caleb Okechukwu is following up his breakout season of seven sacks with two so far this season. He’s joined by Terry Lockett, Kevon Darton, and others on this defensive front. What does this line do well? And is there an area where it has struggled this year?
I love a good linebacker name and Marlowe Wax is a fantastic one. What’s the defensive junior backer bring to this team? And how have you felt the second line has performed this year?
Finally, the secondary. The Orange saw quite a bit of transition in the off-season in this position group. Garrett Williams is in the NFL, Duce Chestnut is at LSU, Ja’Had Carter is at Ohio State. How has Syracuse handled the secondary turnover?

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Recapping Virginia Tech blowout, previewing Florida State vs. Syracuse: Have Seminoles figured out problem areas?

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles rushing attack looked a lot more to what was envisioned in the preseason as they rolled through Virginia Tech en route to a 39-17 victory.

The Noles certainly appeared to use the bye week to work on and improve on some of their struggles — first and foremost that run game. Trey Benson easily cleared their previous season-high of 79 yards when he posted 200 yards on just 11 carries.

His 18.2 yards per rush was the highest-ever mark for a Florida State back, according to ESPN Stats and Info.

This week, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson — looks at some of those adjustments made to get the wheels churning for the offense.

The other main question mark was the defense’s ability to get off the field on third down and, again, they appeared to have made the necessary adjustments over the bye week as they held VT to 2 of 13 on third.

Have the Seminoles figured out those problem areas for good or was it more a product of Virginia Tech’s limitations?

Plus, we look ahead to next week’s contest with Syracuse — what challenges could the Orange present for FSU and where can the Noles take advantage of some Syracuse weak spots?

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FSU moves to 5-0: Mike Norvell postgame interview after Florida State Seminoles beat Virginia Tech Hokies 39-17

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 00:50:39 -0000

No. 5 Florida State returned to Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday after two road games and a bye, taking on the Virginia Tech Hokies in an ACC matchup.

The Seminoles stormed out to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter, the most points to start a game this season. It was the performance expected after a week off, with FSU only allowing the Hokies to gain 9 yards through 15 minutes of play.

Virginia Tech managed to put together two scoring drives in the second quarter while FSU only had two possessions to close out the first half, making the score 22-10 at half.

The Hokies then came out swinging to start the third, scoring on kickoff to make it a one-score game (the first kickoff returned on the Seminoles since 2004.)

Florida State quickly negated that score with a touchdown of its own, a 62-yard dash by Trey Benson — which stood as his career-high for about quarter and a half.

FSU added on a Ryan Fitzgerald field goal to round out the fourth, making things 32-17 as the Hokies continued to try and find a spark. A key drive saw them nearly convert on a 4th-and-22 situation, but Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones fell one-yard short and on the next play, Benson hit an 85-yard run to put Florida State up by 22.

With the game in hand Jordan Travis left the game with just over five minutes in the fourth, finishing with a statline of 18 of 24 completions for 170 yards and two touchdowns, both to Johnny Wilson.

Virginia Tech, threatening to score in the final minutes of the game, fumbled after a 31-yard gain, giving Tate Rodemaker a chance to kneel the game out and solidify the 39-17 win.

With the win, Florida State is now 5-0 for the first time under Mike Norvell and overall since 2015.

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College Football Week 6 Picks, Daily Fantasy Plays: Time for contenders to stand out in major matchups

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 09:30:00 -0000

Welcome to spooky season.

Obviously, the calendar flip to October brings the ghosts and ghouls out the woodwork as everyone decorates for Halloween, but they’re also around the college football world.

If your team is riding high after September, you’ve likely got some scary spots on the horizon. Can you survive those frights, find the exit and make it to November still intact? That’s what every contender is hoping for this month.

With more teams entering the meat of conference play, that’s not possible. At some point, our two foolish mortals will meet in the scary zone and only one can walk out.

This week we’ve got plenty of those battles that could leave one team’s title hopes six feet under.

No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners (+6.5) vs. No. 3 Texas Longhorns in Dallas (Noon ET, ABC)

No. 23 LSU Tigers (-6.5) at No. 21 Missouri Tigers (Noon ET, ESPN)

Maryland Terrapins (+19.5) at No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes (Noon ET, FOX)

No. 13 Washington State Cougars (+3.5) at UCLA Bruins (3:00pm ET, Pac12 Network)

Virginia Tech Hokies (+24.5) at No. 5 Florida State Seminoles (3:30pm ET, ABC)

No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (-2.5) at Texas A&M Aggies (3:30pm ET, CBS)

Syracuse Orange (+8.5) at No. 14 North Carolina Tar Heels (3:30pm ET, ESPN)

No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats (+14.5) at No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (7:00pm ET, ESPN)

No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (-19.5) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (7:30pm ET, NBC)

No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-6.5) at No. 25 Louisville Cardinals (7:30pm ET, ABC)

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Seminoles football: FSU HC Mike Norvell interview after October 4 practice ahead of Florida State vs .Virginia Tech

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 19:14:14 -0000

The clock read 0:48 seconds, and Maurice Smith snapped the ball to Jordan Travis on the 35-yard line.

No, this is not the ending to the 2021 Miami game — it was October 4, 2023, part of Florida State’s designated “situation Wednesday,” when the team focuses its attention on the areas of the game that serve as the difference between winning and losing.

Practice started with the offense needing a field goal with less than a minute remaining. Travis led a marvelous drive down the field, ending with a 32-yard Ryan Fitzgerald miss (he made the rest of his kicks on the day). Since the season began, this was the farthest the offense moved the ball in this drill: a sight for sore eyes.

Both phases of the ball battled back and forth throughout the day on third down work and red zone plays, with the offense ending with the slight upper hand. Norvell seemed pleased with the day but knew the Seminoles could have executed at a higher level.

“We are really pushing our guys this week — getting a little bit more of the speed work, and I like the way guys responded. Wednesday practice working third down stuff, obviously that is a huge emphasis for us.”

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FSU football: Mike Norvell interview after October 3 practice ahead of Florida State Seminoles vs. Virginia Tech

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 01:36:57 -0000

“Oh yeah!”

Mike Norvell was in his element as the first drills of practice got underway Tuesday morning — as mentioned yesterday, there may not be another person on the planet more excited for FSU to take the field after being off for 14 days.

The Seminoles matched the coach’s energy at practice, one Norvell described as “energetic... the speed we practiced with was good.” The offense and defense each produced up and down moments during the day as the offense looked better in 11 on 11 drills earlier, with the defense finding its stride as practice wore on.

During an up-tempo practice, three themes stood out above the rest.

Maurice Smith

To start the year, Maurice Smith is in the running for the unsung hero of this FSU football team. Throughout the last week, the coaching staff mentioned how vital he is for their offensive line, reflected in 0 false starts on the road against Clemson. Alex Atkins, yesterday during his media availability, said of Smith, “ he tries to keep me positive, that’s his job.” It is safe to say that the Seminole Center takes the room's pulse and has its respect simultaneously.

Smith constantly talks to his teammates for being on the reserved side, and he put that on display Tuesday. After each rep, #53 could be seen communicating to his fellow offensive linemen even before the coaching staff spoke. He encouraged each player after each rep and gave them pointers as if he were working and playing. When Smith was called into action, he proved why he earned the starting job two years in a row, twice dispatching Malcolm Ray during 1-on-1s and doing an admirable job checking protection with Jordan Travis. With the injury concerns primarily behind him, the Miami native looks to spark the offensive line for the stretch run.

Johnny Wilson

After taking a detour to start the season, the Johnny Wilson bandwagon will be coming full steam ahead after the bye week. On Tuesday, every time I turned my head, Wilson scored a touchdown or made an acrobatic catch, putting his 6’7 frame constantly on display. The Arizona State transfer practiced today with the best energy I felt he has shown since the season began, which translated to the field. During 11 on 11 work, he first caught a short out route from Jordan Travis as an appetizer and then made a back shoulder reception as he launched over Renardo Green, plucking the ball out of the air for the main course.

Johnny Wilson was no match against the scout team towards the end of practice as I counted three touchdowns, each thrown in the air over 30 yards. His ability to get off the press and win on the outside are strengths, but how Norvell moves him into the slot has been ingenious. In the game against Boston College, the Seminoles’ playcaller constantly moved Wilson inside, and this caused mismatches throughout the day. Mike Norvell continued with that trend on Tuesday, and no defense has an answer for a towering 6’7 receiver standing in the slot. Johnny Wilson seems to refound his grove, which should only open up the “downfield shots” Alex Atkins wants to keep taking.

Fentrell Cypress

After practice Tuesday, the Virginia transfer met with the media and gave insight into what the defense will be keying in on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s going to be a physical game. We need to tackle and cover our guys just like every other game, but it’s going to be a dogfight. We know they like to run the ball, and we need to come up and tackle.”

One of the weaknesses in the secondary to start the year includes their tackling ability, but Cypress has been a bright spot through the first month. According to PFF, the cornerback produced a 76.1 run grade through four games, which outpaces his pass grade. To start the year, Florida State struggled against running quarterbacks, and they will need their veteran secondary members to get hats to the ball and make plays when they are presented.

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FSU vs. Virginia Tech: Mike Norvell, FSU coordinators offer updates after Florida State bye week and preview Seminoles’ matchup vs. Virginia Tech

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 18:56:00 -0000

Coming out of the bye-week, the Florida State coaching staff took the microphone Monday morning. Mike Norvell and company previewed the matchup with Virginia Tech while discussing the improvements made during their stretch of no-game action.

No one may be more excited for the game to start this weekend than Mike Norvell. He came into the press conference with a joyful energy for game week and even mentioned that he “missed (the press).” During his lengthy opening statement, he reiterated that the team will continue to try and improve on third downs coming out of the bye. He went in-depth with the team's injury situation, saying that Robert Scott is “getting close” and feeling “more confident” about him playing this weekend.

“Guys came back last night. We gave them a few days off, got good rest, got good treatment. We think we’re going to have a chance to get a couple guys back here this week.”

As the head coach finished his comments, he highlighted Kyron Drones, the Virginia Tech quarterback, and his running ability as a critical focus in the game. Norvell was complementary of Drones, saying he is “ A tough runner...looking to run you over.”

Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins took over the stand next and dove head-first into the areas that needed fixing in the run game. The offensive coordinator felt that “getting guys back healthy should get us back to the normal rotation,” which will create continuity up front. Atkins also felt that running backs have been missing holes and, “When we get the runs blocked up, we need to hit them.”

Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller took over and had his questions to answer from the media. He mentioned that during the bye week, the defense had a “big personnel meeting” to discuss where the young guys are in their game and how they can continue to improve. The defensive coordinator mentioned that he needs his group to play their best when their backs are “not close to the wall” instead of playing to their potential only when they need a stop.

Finally, defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator John Papuchis rounded out the day by praising Jared Verse. The special teams coordinator said the All-American played his “most impactful game since he has been here.” JP continued with an upbeat tone, saying how his punter and kicker have been lights out since the season began, and he expects to see the same consistency as the season wears on.

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FSU football: How would you grade Florida State's early season performance? What could the ACC Championship Game look like?

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 10:21:28 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles enter October in a perfect spot — unbeaten with their toughest games behind them and room to improve.

This week on a bye week episode of the Seminole Wrap, Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson discuss their grades for FSU’s start to the season, what’s worked and what they’re hoping to see when Florida State comes out next week.

Some of the main areas of improvement they’re looking for: the running game, blown coverages and easier throws for Jordan Travis to find a rhythm.

Plus, what can we take away from the first month of the season in the ACC? Duke has impressed, but now they’ll likely have to move forward without quarterback Riley Leonard for the foreseeable future. Otherwise, Florida State, Louisville, UNC, Virginia Tech and Miami (FL) are currently unscathed in the conference.

Who has the best path to being in Charlotte? Turns out, almost all of them.

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FSU football breakdown: Are the Seminoles a College Football Playoff contender? What have we learned about Florida State after 4-0 start?

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 16:05:33 -0000

A top-5 ranking for the Florida State football team, an undefeated season, a win over Clemson— by most measures it’s been a perfect start to the 2023 season for the Seminoles. But are there some cracks in the armor? The bye week hit at just the right spot for FSU to regroup, get healthy, and address any areas of concern. And that’s just what we’ll be doing as well on this week’s Line of Scrimmage podcast.

Each week, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best. This week, we’ve brought in one of our own, Tomahawk Nation’s Jon Marchant.

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College Football Week 5 Picks and DFS Plays: Home underdogs, from Colorado to Kentucky to Syracuse and more, look to make noise

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

From a weekend that provide us with the pinnacle of college football teams going head-to-head to one that may provide us college football at its best.

Look, I greatly enjoyed last week’s clash of the titans. How can you not get excited for six ranked matchups plus a top 5 Florida State slaying their boogeyman at Clemson? It’s awesome!

But where college football really stands apart from the NFL is in the upset.

Normally, there’s no better time for an upset than with some home underdogs and, as Deion Sanders’s hoodie says in the picture, this week, they ain’t hard to find.

Deion and Colorado are one hosting No. 8 USC. Syracuse hosts Clemson. Auburn hosts No. 1 Georgia. Nebraska hosts No. 2 Michigan. Ole Miss hosts No. 13 LSU. Duke hosts No. 11 Notre Dame. Mississippi State hosts No. 12 Alabama. Arizona hosts No. 7 Washington.

Somebody’s going down. The question is who.

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FSU football: Mike Norvell interview after first Florida State Seminoles practice of bye week

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 18:49:15 -0000

Florida State does not play an opponent this week but do not let Mike Norvell know.

Even during a bye week, the Seminoles came out with their usual energy and intensity in their first action since defeating Clemson on Saturday. There were no black jerseys on the scout team today, and practice finished earlier than usual; even with the importance of keeping focus and energy high, this week is essential for the Seminoles to get the chance to rest up and get their legs back underneath them.

A visibly pleased Norvell met with the media after saying he felt today “was a really good day...proud of players... they worked at a really high level.” It would be easy for the Seminoles to loaf through the first practice after an emotional win, but that word is not in the team dictionary.

On a shorter day, three themes stood out above the rest.

Fundamentals

Florida State can reassess where the team needs work during the bye week. No surprise here; the Seminole coaching staff wanted to get back to the basics and work on technique for the beginning part of practice. The wide receivers worked on blocking, the secondary worked on tackling, and the big uglies practiced recovering fumbles.

When adversity rises up in a football game, often, fundamentals fail the players. The coaching staff knows that the easy tasks become hard without the baseline, and the challenging tasks become impossible.

After the first round of drills, the usual focus on turnovers took over the Dunlap practice facility. The defensive backs looked to rip the ball out of the offensive player’s hands while the staff reminded those under siege to keep the ball high and dry. After a game where the decisive stat was the turnovers on each side, the players’ understanding of its importance rose to a new level. The coaching staff identified the turnover battle as a way to take the squad to the next level, and no matter what week of the year it is, they will be a focus.

Johnny Wilson

Norvell yells “respond” almost more than he screams anything else. Johnny Wilson heard the coach’s message loud and clear.

After the Southern Mississippi low point, Wilson, throughout practice, has brought a new level of focus and intensity. Wilson never sat still in any training session in the last two weeks, including today. He constantly receives pass-catching work or has multiple tennis balls thrown his way at one time. The work produced sparkling results in the last two games, and he soared in practice Tuesday morning. The one-on-one portion of practice turned into a Johnny Wilson pat on the back tour. He went over Fentrell Cypress multiple times, high-pointing the ball and using strong hands to come down with the pass. Mike Norvell loved every second of his 6’7 receiver finally returning to his own. Wilson carried over his play into 11 on 11 work, grabbing the ball over the middle to break the FSU zone defense as he lined up in the slot. With two physical stars on the outside, the Seminoles create an advantage that few teams can match.

Winston Wright and Destyn Hill

Usually, I like to highlight players individually, but if the FSU depth chart uses an OR, why can’t I?

Both slot receivers have inspiring stories that even brought them back to the football field, but the results are not where they expected coming into the season. They each compete incredibly hard daily, and today’s rainy practice was no different. The receivers took turns in the slot, constantly turning defenders and leaving them in the dust. Destyn Hill ran the silkiest route of the day, an in-and-out route that left Kevin Knowles stranded after the play. These two playmakers need to get involved in the offense more as the season wears on. With defenses most likely requiring a double team on Johnny and Keon, the middle of the field should be wide open. The shifty pass catchers need to benefit from the matchups and take advantage.

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FSU football is 4-0 after win over Clemson Tigers: Florida State’s overtime win puts Seminoles in driver’s seat of ACC

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 22:04:57 -0000

It wasn’t pretty and it certainly wasn’t easy, but the Florida State Seminoles have ended their losing streak against the Clemson Tigers with a 31-24 OT win on the road.

This week, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson — taped an instant reaction pod immediately following the Noles’ rivalry victory.

Loads to talk about from the gutsy win:

Jordan Travis & Keon Coleman come through on the clutch OT touchdown
Kalen DeLoach rescuing the game with a strip sack, fumble recovery TD
The FSU defense’s issues in man defense continue, especially over the middle
The rushing attack still trying to find its footing

The Noles now head into the bye week with a 4-0 record (2-0 in ACC play) with every one of their goals still in front of them, but with plenty of room to grow and improve through the bye week.

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College Football Week 4 Picks, DFS: FSU/Clemson, Notre Dame/Ohio State, Alabama/Ole Miss, Colorado/Oregon makes for big weekend

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 09:17:50 -0000

Florida State vs. Clemson. Notre Dame vs. Ohio State. Ole Miss vs. Alabama. Colorado vs. Oregon.

A Mount Rushmore of big-time matchups and I’m barely scratching the surface.

We’ve got six (6!!!) head-to-head ranked matchups this week. Two games with ranked teams favored on the road against unranked opponents. Plus, two more really fun matchups for my household (and I get to choose the slate so we all get to have fun with them as well).

Any one of these games would’ve been the best game of the slate last week. Instead, they join forces together as an infinity stone gauntlet of a college football weekend.

If you’ve got plans this weekend outside of football, cancel them. Gender reveal party? College friend visiting from across the country? Sister’s wedding? Shame on them. Last week was right there for the taking. Gotta check the schedule before you try to ruin a football weekend.

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FSU football: Jordan Travis, Mike Norvell interviews ahead of Florida State Seminoles vs. Clemson Tigers

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:09:31 -0000

No. 4 Florida State (3-0, 1-0 ACC), after sneaking past Boston College in a near-upset, is set to take on the Clemson Tigers (2-1, 0-1 ACC) on the road in what’s been pinpointed as one of the marquee matchups of the season.

Even with the game losing a little bit of luster following the Tigers upset loss to Duke to start the season, it should still play a major part in shaping the race for spots in the ACC Championship game.

According to DraftKings, Florida State is a 1.5-point favorite over Clemson heading into game week.

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FSU vs. Clemson preview, prediction, analysis: Breaking down Seminoles vs. Tigers with Ryan Kantor of Shakin the Southland

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The No. 4 Florida State Seminoles football team will be on the road again this weekend, this time in Death Valley against the Clemson Tigers.

After a close call at Boston College last week, the Seminoles (3-0, 1-0 ACC) will look to bounce back against the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference champion Tigers. Is Clemson (2-1, 0-1 ACC) vulnerable after the early season loss to Duke or will they be more than the Seminoles can handle this Saturday?

We’ll break down what to expect on this episode of the Line of Scrimmage podcast.

Each week, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best. This week, we’ll talking shop with Ryan Kantor of Shakin the Southland.

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FSU kicks off Clemson week: Mike Norvell, Alex Atkins, Adam Fuller, John Papuchis look back on Florida State Seminoles' win over Boston College, preview major matchup vs. Clemson Tigers

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 18:48:43 -0000

Florida State kicks off one of the season's most anticipated matchups at noon on Saturday against Clemson. Mike Norvell and his staff met with the media to offer final thoughts on Boston College and discuss matchups and game plans they expect to see against Clemson.

Mike Norvell, as usual, was the first to speak and did not disappoint in his opening statements. In one of his more extended monologues, the Seminole coach mentioned his team” did not play to the best of our ability for 60 minutes of that game” while taking the blame for the miscues, including the squib kick. He did not come off as a coach concerned or panicked over his team but knows they got away with one.

“There were some really positive moments, but ultimately just too much inconsistency,” he said. “Didn’t start the way we wanted to start defensively, gave up a couple of big plays, had a couple of communication issues, things that we worked, things that had been right in practice, and ultimately in the moment did not execute. We’ve got to continue to improve there.”

Mike Norvell assessed all three phases and said he heard “ownership yesterday” from his team during their meetings. Regarding the injury front, Norvell is “not worried about (Jordan Travis’) health here moving forward.”

Alex Atkins brought his patented insight on the run game, noting that FSU still lacks consistency while running the ball and, as a team, “we need to find creative ways to do that.” When asked about Keon Coleman not recording a catch on Saturday, the offensive coordinator noted that different players stepped up for the Seminoles in different weeks but that great players will not be kept down for long. Adam Fuller answered questions mainly on the communication breakdowns and busts in coverages. Fuller said the Seminole stoppers have had “some really poor eyes on some of these scramble situations” and that lessons are being learned the “hard way” on defense. Most of the errors he felt were fixable, and this week provided them with great teaching moments. John Papuchis’ went last as he gave insight into the blunders that plagued the team Saturday. JP said Keon Coleman got “ caught in that in-between mode” about the punt at the end of the game and that he would “love to have that play back” when discussing the squib kick.

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What went right, wrong for FSU football vs. Boston College in near upset? Can Florida State Seminoles snap losing streak to Clemson?

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles got pushed to the limit by the Boston College Eagles last weekend in Chestnut Hill, but they didn’t break. The 31-29 victory left a lot to be desired as the Noles were able to put away a 21-point lead in the final 20 minutes.

At the end of the day, the most important aspect was a victory and opening conference play unblemished.

Now, they need to shake their issues from last week and be ready to put out their best effort of the season against a team that’s been a thorn in their side for the last 7 years in the Clemson Tigers on the road.

The Seminole Wrap boys — Brian Pellerin, Ben Meyerson and Jon Marchant — take a deeper look into the problems that plagued Florida State down the stretch against BC, what they can do to fix them, what Clemson can do to expose them, how FSU can exploit Clemson after their less than stellar start to the year and, of course, our predictions for the big game.

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College Football Week 3 Game Picks, Daily Fantasy Plays: Deion and Colorado take center stage during a boring slate of games

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

All roads of college football this week lead to Boulder, Colorado.

Big Noon Saturday, who owns the rights to most of the Colorado games, is live in Boulder for the second straight week and at Deion’s game for the third time in three weeks. College Gameday packed up their yin-yang (RIP Big & Rich’s theme song. We will always be comin’ to your citaaaay.) and joined them.

And look, it makes all the sense in the world. They’ve got a huge rivalry game this week against the 0-1 Colorado State Rams.

The slate is terrible, but obviously this choice has nothing to do with the competition itself. Deion has quickly made Colorado matter. Whether they win or lose the rest of the way (and yes I think there will be plenty of losing starting next week), they matter.

It’s appointment TV each week. This week is no different.

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FSU HC Mike Norvell interview: Florida State Seminoles practice ahead of ACC opener vs. Boston College Eagles

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 19:34:24 -0000

It felt like Christmas morning.

Florida State practicing for the first time this season in glistening white helmets produced an uptick in energy amongst the players and staff. A switch-up in gear raises eyebrows, and the team warmed up a little harder than usual as they broke them out.

Mike Norvell mentioned that in the last two Wednesday practices, the team had a lot of “inconsistencies” but felt that they were up to the task yesterday and today. Florida State went for longer today than usual as the coaching staff wants to get the players back on the “ normal routine” since last week was a shorter week. The head coach did not offer an update on possible changes from Hurricane Lee, and it sounds like the ACC will take that one down to the wire.

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FSU vs. Boston College breakdown with Curtis Flannery of BCInterruption -- Florida State Seminoles favored by 28.5 over Boston College Eagles in Noles ACC opener

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles football team hits the road this weekend after a blowout win over the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Up next? Another team of Eagles, this time of the Boston College flavor. The Seminoles will potentially battle the Eagles and the weather, as Hurricane Lee looms off the eastern coastline. We’ll discuss what to expect from the Eagles and the weather on this episode of the Line of Scrimmage podcast.

Each week, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting all the details from those who know those teams best. This week, we’ll connect with Curtis Flannery of BCInterruption. Are there areas that the Boston College Eagles can get the upper hand on Saturday? Will the BC defensive line shut down the Seminole offense?

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FSU has one of best practices of year: Mike Norvell interview as Florida State Seminoles prep to take on Boston College Eagles

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:23:36 -0000

Tuesday looked to be Florida State’s most consistent practice since the beginning of fall camp. Mike Norvell did not mention any up-and-down moments during his press conference. The phrase missed opportunities was not spoken either. The Seminoles seem to be sharpening their skills, and the improvements are apparent week to week. The Florida State head coach seemed calm by Mike Norvell's standards, mentioning there was a lot of “good on good work” and “saw some guys really responding.” Johnny Wilson answered the bell today at practice along with the defensive tackles and young linebackers who were today's stars.

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FSU is 2-0: Breaking down Florida State Seminoles football's blowout win over Southern Miss, early look at race to ACC Championship

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:54:23 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles rolled through the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, 66-13, on Saturday to move to 2-0 to start this season. The blowout win nearly doubled the pre-game spread of 30.5 points from DraftKings as the Noles were able to make light work of the group of five opponent.

This week on the Seminole Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin, Ben Meyerson and Jon Marchant share their biggest takeaways from the games, including the FSU depth that got to play and play well in their time as well as a couple potential long-term concerns that need to be cleaned up going forward.

Plus, the crew took a look at the rest of the ACC through two weeks.

With FSU’s blowout of LSU, a big win from Miami over Texas A&M, a narrow double-overtime victory from UNC against App State and the early Duke demolition of Clemson, who stands out as the top contenders for ACC title game?

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FSU beats Southern Miss 66-13: Mike Norvell interview after Florida State Seminoles blow out Golden Eagles to advance to 2-0 on the season

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 06:32:21 -0000

Florida State advanced to 2-0 on the season with a 66-13 win over Southern Miss on Saturday night — its most points scored under Mike Norvell, most overall since a 77-6 win vs. Delaware State in 2017 and most vs. an FBS opponent since an 80-14 win over Idaho in 2013.

It was FSU’s final non-conference matchup before starting conference play next week against the Boston College Eagles, another home matchup for the Seminoles.

After the win, head coach Mike Norvell met with the media to discuss the win.

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Week 2 College Football Picks, Daily Fantasy Plays: Breaking down a major slate of games including Alabama vs. Texas

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 14:37:26 -0000

Nearly 365 days ago, the Texas Longhorns planted their flag atop the college football world. A battle with the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide left Austin feeling like the capital of college football they weren’t always destined to be. Nick Saban, Bryce Young and the rest of the SEC powerhouse baffled by the Longhorns defense. Texas was back.

Except they lost.

But it felt like they won right? They had that one bad call that cost them the game, remember? They basically won regardless of what the score says, don’t ya know? Surely, the sky was the limit from there.

Four additional losses, Texas finished up 8-5 and once again not back yet.

This year, they’ve got the same hype. Another year as everyone’s favorite college football dark horse to make the College Football Playoff. Another year billing Sarkisian as a genius ready to rule the sport in burnt orange. Another year facing the most recent king of the mountain.

You want to run the yard again, Texas? Here’s your chance. In the belly of the beast. Against the most dominant force in the sport for the last 15 years. At their house.

We just saw Florida State announce itself to the world on a national stage in their blowout triumph over LSU.

Do you have what it takes to do the same? To tell the SEC you’re coming to dominate their conference next year? To reclaim the Big 12 for the first time since 2009? To show the nation you’re capable of your first CFP appearance? To finish the story?

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FSU Week 2 Preview: Breaking down Southern Miss vs. FSU with Steve Helwick of Underdog Dynasty

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:09:31 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles football team is riding high after their weekend victory over LSU. Up next is the home opener for the Seminoles, a matchup with Southern Miss. We’ll discuss what to expect from the Golden Eagles on this episode of the Line of Scrimmage podcast.

Each week, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting the nitty gritty details from those who know those teams best. This week, we’ll connect with Steve Helwick of the Underdog Dynasty. What are the strengths of Southern Miss on offense and defense? Can the Eagles compete or even upset FSU this Saturday?

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FSU football: Florida State Seminoles blow out LSU in primetime, make major statement to start 2023 college football season

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

With some halftime adjustments, Mike Norvell and his Florida State Seminoles announced themselves as a juggernaut to the college football world en route to a 45-24 blowout of the LSU Tigers.

The dominant win sparks a lot to talk about for the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson — both in the short-term and long-term picture of Florida State’s season.

However, you won’t hear much from Brian as he serves a 10-minute suspension thanks to last week’s bet on the game, where he took his alma mater LSU to win.

This week, the crew looks at what made Florida State so successful against the Tigers, what adjustments really made the difference in the second half and what it all means for the long-term picture of the Noles’ ACC championship and College Football Playoff dreams.

Mike Norvell vs. Brian Kelly

2023 was the third consecutive year Mike Norvell and FSU opened the season against Brian Kelly and each time things only got worse for the former Notre Dame head man.

In the 2021 matchup, a lesser-talented Noles team took Kelly’s Irish to the wire and nearly pulled off the upset in an OT loss. Last season, the Noles went into the Superdome for Brian Kelly’s first game with the purple and gold and should’ve run the Tigers out of their home state short of a couple poorly executed plays down the stretch. And this year, Norvell checkmated Kelly at every turn, leaving the man who promised to “Beat the heck out of Florida State” nearly speechless postgame in explaining why he couldn’t slow down the Noles attack.

For three years, Brian says Norvell has coached circles around a man considered one of the best in the sport.

The Seminole Wrap team explains this week why Norvell was simply playing chess to Kelly’s checkers.

Keon Coleman arrives

If you had any doubts about the type of wide receiver FSU got in transfer Keon Coleman, allow us to point you back to last night’s highlights.

He can play big. He can play small. He can make guys miss in space. Coleman is a No. 1 wide receiver and Ben is ready to name him the second-best WR prospect in the NFL Draft next to Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr.

The crew dives into what allowed him to succeed this game and what it opens up for the rest of the FSU offense to have Coleman and Jaheim Bell’s skillset now in the mix.

FSU Dominates Offensive & Defensive Fronts

The other top headline from the game was Florida State’s ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Noles were able to push LSU around upfront, but really controlled the game most with the defensive line.

Outside of two long runs late in the 2nd quarter, LSU was unable to find any success in the ground game — 25 carries for 38 yards.

Jon shares his perspective on what gave Florida State the edge against the LSU rushing attack and the key personnel adjustment that opened up the Florida State running game in the second half.

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FSU dominates LSU to start 2023: Mike Norvell, Jordan Travis, Keon Coleman speak following Florida State Seminoles football's blowout victory over LSU

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 05:37:36 -0000

The No. 8 Florida State Seminoles opened their 2023 season with a win over the No. 5 LSU Tigers, 45-24, in the Camping World Kickoff in Orlando, Florida.

It’s the second year in a row the Noles begin their campaign with a win against the Tigers. This time they did it by dominating the second half, scoring 31 unanswered before LSU’s 75-yard TD in the final 1:15.

The star of the game was FSU WR Keon Coleman, who showed why he was one of the most sought after transfers in the nation early and often in this one. The Louisiana native scored on a 40-yard catch and run to open the scoring on Florida State’s first drive.

He then followed it up late in the 2nd quarter by winning a jump ball in the endzone to even the score at 14.

And why not add a third to put the game on ice?

He finished the game with 9 receptions, 122 yards and 3 TDs.

FSU’s other new face Jaheim Bell found the endzone in the fourth as well on a 44-yard TD reception to extend the Noles lead in the 4th. He added a 4-yard rushing touchdown with 1:26 left in the 4th to close the scoring.

Veteran WR Johnny Wilson was Johnny on the spot several times for the Noles on big 3rd downs to move the chains. He finished the game with 7 receptions and 104 yards.

A strong start for FSU’s top three receiving weapons.

Jordan Travis had a few ill-advised throws in the first half, but really found his groove in the second half, adding a rushing score to go with his 4 TDs and 342 yards through the air.

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College Football Week 1 Picks and DFS Plays: FSU & LSU headline first full slate of games

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Does it really get any better than Week 1 of college football?

This year, yes.

To be honest with you guys, this slate overall is kinda weak. We’re lucky Florida State and LSU arrived on our doorstep on Sunday because I’d classify the Saturday games under more of an “interesting” category than “must-watch.”

I guess it’s better than a pretty rough Week Zero where none of the games involved two Power Five teams.

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FSU HC Mike Norvell: “Missed opportunities” for FSU after “sloppy” practice: Interview after Florida State Seminoles practice ahead of matchup vs. LSU Tigers

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 21:39:33 -0000

“We had a lot of missed opportunities.”

Mike Norvell’s usual tone did not come to the microphone today. The head coach of the Seminoles brought up the two themes that he has said all camp: consistency and opportunities. Both of these needed work today. The Seminoles are 72 hours from game week but did not put their best foot forward Thursday morning. Mike Norvell mentioned dropped balls among some of the faults, and Jarrien Jones said the team missed their patented “intensity” during practice.

Still, there were bright spots throughout the periods, and Norvell liked his team’s response

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FSU vs. LSU, Part II: Breaking down top ten matchup between Florida State Seminoles and LSU Tigers with Zachary Junda of And the Valley Shook -- Analyzing offense, defense, score prediction

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football is back — and so is the Line of Scrimmage podcast.

Each week, we’ll be speaking with members of the beat that covers FSU’s upcoming opponent, getting the nitty gritty details from those who know those teams best.

Up first — a conversation with with Zachary Junda of And the Valley Shook, who helped us break down the LSU Tigers last season ahead of the first matchup in the series as well as an inside look at the Tigers’ recruiting class earlier this year.

What does LSU bring to the table on offense, defense and as a whole? Is the hype surrounding the Tigers real? Can Florida State pull off a second straight win?

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Is FSU ready for the big time? Mike Golic Jr. on Florida State’s climb back to the national title conversation, Mike Norvell’s ascension through the coaching ranks and the Seminoles’ competition for the ACC crown

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 10:55:46 -0000

The countdown to the season opener for the Florida State Seminoles against the LSU Tigers is just days away. It’s a highly anticipated game to kickoff a highly anticipated season.

The Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson — released their 2023 season and LSU preview episode earlier this week.

But with so much excitement for the year, one episode wasn’t quite enough.

So we brought in the DraftKings Network’s Mike Golic Jr. to talk Florida State’s climb back to the national title conversation, Mike Norvell’s ascension through the coaching ranks and the Noles’ competition for the ACC crown.

Mike Norvell’s Rise in College Football

Four games into Mike Norvell’s second season at the helm, Florida State was at what felt like rock bottom. The Noles had just lost to the Louisville Cardinals to open the year with an 0-4 record including the shocking Week 2 loss to Jacksonville State.

Golic remembers calling that game against the Cardinals for ESPN and getting to attend practice the Friday before. Despite the 0-3 start to that point and the pressure ratcheting up around his job security in the fan base, the former Notre Dame offensive lineman recalls the mood around practicing being unexpectedly spirited, cheerful and confident

It’s not something you’d think to have around a struggling team. But Norvell’s team had it.

From that point, FSU has gone 15-6 and finds itself staring down enormous expectations in the chase for the ACC and the College Football Playoff. Golic believes all that stems from the attitude Norvell instilled even in the face of losing.

Jordan Travis, Heisman contender

Norvell not alone in climbing out of the hole.

That week against Louisville, McKenzie Milton took every snap at quarterback. The now star quarterback Jordan Travis was on the bench with a shoulder injury, three weeks removed from being benched against Notre Dame and losing the job in that Jacksonville State game.

Now, Travis has the third best odds to win the Heisman Trophy.

How did Travis make this transition and what is the real ceiling for him this season? Golic believes he is one of the best athletes in all of college football. Yes, one of the best runners, but he’s also shown incredible growth with his arm from that 2021 season.

Are the expectations legit?

Florida State enters the 2023 season as near co-favorites in the ACC with the Clemson Tigers and in the top eight in odds to win the national title — a stark contrast from where they were a year ago.

It’s breakneck speed from the bottom to potentially the top of the ladder, but Golic says the transfer portal allows programs to microwave the roster. Florida State has excelled at it with a roster full of transfer names leading the way.

He’s a big fan of Trey Benson’s running style and how he sets up his blockers for success. He’s excited to see how Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman work as a one-two punch at receiver. But most of all, he’s excited to see how Norvell uses Jaheim Bell, one of his favorite players to watch while calling South Carolina games over the last few seasons.

Competition within the ACC

Talking heads have been predicting the demise of Clemson for a couple years now, but it hasn’t happened yet. And until someone takes it from them, Golic says they have to remain the favorites to win the conference again.

But that doesn’t mean FSU isn’t ready and capable to dethrone them.

He sees the ACC as a two-team conference at this point unless somebody makes a large jump and surprises. Pitt, Miami, North Carolina and NC State are all teams certainly capable of contending for the crown, but they remain a tier below the top-two in the conference in Florida State and Clemson

For more detail and insight on Golic’s thoughts on Florida State, the ACC and the CFP, listen to this bonus episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast available now.

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Mike Norvell interview: August 29 Florida State Seminoles practice availbility -- LSU Tigers matchup, Hurricane Idalia preparations

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:09:38 -0000

What hurricane?

Even with Hurricane Idalia in the back of everyone’s mind in Tallahassee, it was business as usual for the Seminoles.

Head coach Mike Norvell brought his usual energy, but the sense of urgency was more significant in the tone of his voice. During his media availability, he said that he “liked what I saw today” and felt “ the work was where we needed it to be.” Florida State was in full pads today, an overall solid practice for the team.

Norvell believes his team will meet tomorrow and are “tracking the storm every hour,” but it should not cause a predicament in their preparation.

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FSU football releases first 2023 depth chart: Norvell, Florida State coaches speak ahead of matchup vs. the LSU Tigers

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 18:41:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles released their first depth chart of the 2023 season on Monday, six days before the season opener against the LSU Tigers. The highly touted, top-ten matchup between the No. 8 Seminoles and No. 6 Tigers will be a primetime showdown at 7:30 PM this Sunday on ABC.

Last year, the two squads faced off an instant classic that saw the Seminoles come out on top in a last-second thriller by way of a blocked extra point.

According to DraftKings, the Seminoles remain a 2.5-point underdog against the Tigers, with the over/under set at 58.5.

On the depth chart are a few names that were expected — Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback Jordan Travis and potential top 10 NFL Draft pick defensive end Jared Verse, for example — but a few Florida State newcomers have earned starting status according to the week’s projected depth chart.

Some of the more notable? At the wide receiver position, Destyn Hill and Winston Wright Jr. have emerged as starters, as well as tight ends Kyle Morlock and Jaheim Bell. Highly touted defensive transfers in defensive lineman Braden Fiske and defensive back Fentrell Cypress II also locked down top spot on the chart, while Keon Coleman has been tabbed as punt returner.

Quarterback: Jordan Travis

Running back: Trey Benson

Running back: Lawrance Toafili

Wide receivers: Johnny Wilson, Destyn Hill, Winston Wright Jr., Keon Coleman

Tight end: Kyle Morlock

Tight end: Jaheim Bell

Left tackle: Robert Scott Jr.

Left guard: Casey Roddick

Center: Maurice Smith

Right guard: D’Mitri Emmanuel

Right tackle: Jeremiah Byers

Defensive end: Jared Verse

Defensive tackle: Braden Fiske

Defensive tackle: Fabien Lovett

Defensive end: Patrick Payton

Linebackers: Kalen DeLoach, Tatum Bethune

Nickel: Jarrian Jones

Cornerback: Fentrell Cypress II, Renardo Green

BUCK: Shyheim Brown

Safety: Akeem Dent

Kick returner: Deuce Spann

Punt returner: Keon Coleman

Kicker: Ryan Fitzgerald

Punter: Alex Mastromanno

Kickoff specialist: Ryan Fitzgerald

Long snapper: James Rosenberry Jr.

Holder: Alex Mastromanno

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What are realistic expectations for FSU football in 2023? What would be a success, or failure, for the Florida State Seminoles this season?

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 10:17:22 -0000

Welcome to Week 1.

Florida State football is finally here. Game week arrives for the Seminoles as a date with the LSU Tigers in Orlando is just six days away.

With the first game of the year arriving in less than a week, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson — discuss their expectations for Sunday’s marquee matchup and the rest of Florida State’s season.

What’s the key matchup for FSU vs. LSU?

The only top-ten contest of opening weekend, Florida State vs. LSU figures to be a tight one. The spread from DraftKings has LSU as small 2.5 point favorites, a position its held for a few weeks now, entering Monday.

With last year’s tight contest as a guide, this game figures to come down to the margins. One play can and likely will make the difference.

So where could those big plays come from?

Our guys are keeping their eyes on the LSU rushing attack against Florida State’s front as the Tigers try to establish a new identity behind their offensive line and Florida State’s wide receivers against the LSU secondary as their new bevy of weapons figures to give the new faces playing for the Tigers some fits.

Who will win?

Brian, Ben and Jon each give their predictions for the game with no one expecting a contest finishing even a touchdown apart, but they were split on who would ultimately end up with the edge.

(Long time listeners may not be surprised by who split that decision. Plus a wager on the game to be paid out on next week’s pod.)

What are their expectations for 2023 and what would be considered a failure?

Each member of the team shares their thoughts on where they see the Noles season finishing when they look into their crystal ball. The spoiler alert there is that each of them are picking progression over last season.

But what if things were to go wrong?

What should be the baseline expectation for this team if they remain healthy in the key spots? And where would this team have to finish for the year with so much excitement and expectations be considered a disappointment?

Can Florida State fans be happy if they fail to grab the ACC title?

This is an action item request: Let us know what you think. Could FSU’s season be considered successful without being ACC Champions?

Regardless of how it is, the crew is in agreement — 2023 will be a fun year to be a Florida State fan.

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FSU holds final preseason practice inside Doak Campbell Stadium -- Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell interview

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 05:32:43 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football took to Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday night for the final practice of preseason camp, with head coach Mike Norvell excited about the opportunity for his team to get a quick feel for their home field.

“I thought tonight was a good night, getting back out in Doak Campell,” he said after practice. “We wanted to get a little bit of experience of that. I thought they came out and worked. It was a tough practice, we wanted and needed one I thought there were some up and down moments throughout practice, but all in all, I’m liking what I’m seeing from this team.”

“I thought there were some moments of elite-level intensity today, and there were some moments where we, especially later in practice, kind of jumped on guys. I’s been a real camp, we’ve gotten after it..really good moments in today’s practice, but some of those times where maybe [we’re] not as sharp we got to continue to get better.”

Norvell met with the media after practice to offer impressions on the night’s work output and overall fall camp thoughts and Florida State’s season opener vs. the LSU Tigers approaches.

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Week 0 picks, daily fantasy breakdown: Making predictions for winners on college football's opening weekend

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:23:58 -0000

College football is back in our lives.

Yes, it’s a snack size week zero once again, but it’s more than we had a week ago.

One new new big addition to our pod network this season? A new show, Sharpen the Point.

Each Friday. Brian Pellerin and Chris Tyndall will talk about the games that stand out that weekend — some weeks maybe two games, others maybe 10 — as well as, another new addition, which matchups will make the difference.

Chris is an avid college football daily fantasy player who possibly knows more about third-string running backs and college football injury reports than many college coaches may know. So we’ll leverage his deep knowledge of those things to hopefully give us a deeper look into the games and his perspective on where he’s interested in building lineups for this week’s competitions.

We will be getting all the lines and salaries from DraftKings because they provide lines and DFS prices so it’s easier to track picks.

Whether you like picking games or playing DFS, we want the podcast to be something any fan of college football can enjoy and learn something from and hopefully we can accomplish that for you. Allow us some growing pains as we build the plane in the air and let’s have some fun with what’s shaping up to be a very fun college football season for the Garnet & Gold.

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FSU football: Mike Norvell interview after August 24 Florida State Seminoles football practice -- FSU officially begins game preparation for LSU

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 19:11:04 -0000

Red and white — with the occasional green.

All of fall camp, those have been the only jersey colors worn. That changed today, with scout team players donning new jet-black Nike practice jerseys for the first time this fall as what Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell alluded to yesterday came to fruition — it was time for the team to begin to amp up its efforts in locking in for its season-opening matchup vs. the LSU Tigers.

It was the first time extensive scout work had been done this fall, officially shifting the team's focus from camp and reacclimating to the standard to opening the season in Camping World Stadium.

Norvell reiterated this during his media availability this morning, saying that Thursday “was the first day of LSU looks and things that we anticipate.”

Practice looked different, but some players took it in stride and did not miss a beat.

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FSU football season opener breakdown: What should Florida State Seminoles expect from LSU? feat. Grant Chachere of And The Valley Shook

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0000

In less than two weeks, the Florida State Seminoles will open their 2023 season against the LSU Tigers in Orlando.

It’s the second time in as many years the two will face off against each other, but the stakes feel much different this go around.

Both teams have found themselves ranked in the top ten of the AP and Coaches poll to start the year — last season, both were unranked.

LSU and FSU are in the top seven best odds to win the College Football Playoff this season, according to DraftKings Sportsbook — last season, ten wins for either team felt like a long shot.

The questions from last season around the two quarterbacks are now all but gone as LSU’s Jayden Daniels and FSU’s Jordan Travis are in the top five favorites to hoist the Heisman trophy.

A lot of the perceptions around the teams have changed, but what really makes them so different from a year ago?

On this week’s episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin is joined by Grant Chachere, an LSU beat writer from And The Valley Shook, to talk about the Tigers.

What changed after last year’s game?

Last year’s contest was an ugly 24-23 Florida State win. Neither team amounted much in the way of explosive plays, but it was LSU who really couldn’t find their footing.

The Bayou Bengals lacked anything that resembled a dangerous offense until late in the contest. Outside of those final two drives, it was anything but pretty. The offense had errant snaps. The kicking unit had multiple kicks blocked. The punt return team muffed multiple returns.

Like I said, not pretty.

But LSU ended up winning 10 games in route to claiming the SEC West title over Alabama.

Now, the Tigers are expected to compete for the SEC and national titles. So what’s changed?

Jayden Daniels

As mentioned above, Jayden Daniels is among the favorites to hoist the Heisman this year, but you wouldn’t know it from last season’s game against FSU. By all accounts, he’s taken to Brian Kelly’s staff and taken control of the offense.

So what allowed him to blossom last season? What does he look like so far this year? And is the hype warranted?

LSU offensive weapons

Kayshon Boutte was the talk of the town last season, but it was Malik Nabors who showed out. He blossomed as the year went along and is now the most dangerous weapon on the Tigers’ offense. What does he bring to the table and who else do the Noles need to look out for?

LSU defense

The LSU defense was solid in last year’s contest, but there were a few faces that became stars that were not on the field that night. Who are Harold Perkins, Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo? And how could their presence impact Florida State’s offense this year?

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FSU football: Florida State's second scrimmage highlights intensity, competition ahead of season opener -- Mike Norvell, Alex Atkins, Adam Fuller, John Papuchis interviews

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 18:09:17 -0000

With two weeks to go until Florida State Seminoles football takes on the LSU Tigers in a season-opening top-ten clash, the already-established need for elevated execution and consistency is hitting another level.

After the Seminoles’ second scrimmage of preseason camp, head coach Mike Norvell, offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach John Papuchis all took to the mic, speaking on individual and positional performances but emphasizing the challenge placed before the team ahead of an expectations-filled season.

“Florida State is not for everybody — it’s just for the real ones,” Norvell said. “It’s for the ones that when they say they want to go and accomplish great things, then you know we’re going to help them work towards it.”

Head coach Mike Norvell

“The way our guys competed is really going to help. We put some guys in positions to help us and emerge in bigger roles, and like I told the team, there’s some guys that played a lot of football that gotta work and gotta get better or you can be passed by. I really like our depth, I like the competitiveness within each room. As we’re getting closer, every day counts and every rep counts.”

Offensive coordinator, offensive line coach Alex Atkins

“Jordan was Jordan — he got in there and operated efficiently. Made good decisions, took care of the ball. It’s good to see him go out there and operate. I love him. Sometimes you get accustomed to seeing it and you kind of take it for granted, but he’s a special player.”

Video via Warchant

Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller

“We got a chance to be as good as there is. I think we got a really strong nucleus of players, we’re constantly trying to build depth because you know, you’re going to need it, but I feel really confident about the group of guys that we have. We’re going to have to continue to work at it and continue to execute on game days, but I don’t put any limits on what this group can accomplish both defensively and as a team and we’ve got the right people. But that right group of people needs to continue to push in the right direction and I’ve got no questions about who we coach right now. I’m excited to go to work and jump in this season with them.”

Special teams coordinator, defensive ends coach John Papuchis

“I thought today was our best day probably as a unit for the specialists in terms of overall assessment. I think in terms of kickers, both guys have had a really good camp and I think here in the next week or so we’re going to have to make some tough decisions but both guys have competed well. There’s been pretty consistent performances from both kickers, and that’s a good thing to have that kind of competition in camp. It makes everybody better and then it also obviously creates depth for your roster moving forward.”

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FSU softball: Breaking down offseason headlines, 2024 Florida State Seminoles softball outlook with D1 Softball’s Brady Vernon

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 20:34:23 -0000

The college softball offseason is in full swing with transfers finding new homes, teams starting to take shape and new rules coming down from the NCAA. The picture of 2024 for the Florida State Seminoles and everyone else is starting to come into focus.

As we wait on Team 41 to open their season, the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast crew — Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin — sought out national college softball writer Brady Vernon of D1Softball.com to discuss the stories of the offseason so far.

Covered in this episode:

Transfer Portal

The biggest moves of the new year so far are centered around the Oklahoma Sooners. One of the best pitchers in the sport out, another in... and then some.

Gwyn and Brian get Brady’s perspective on Jordy Bahl’s move to Nebraska, Kelly Maxwell’s jump across the state of Oklahoma to try and fill Bahl’s shoes, Alana Vawter’s move to the SEC and more.

Does he see this as a weakening of college softball’s dominant force? Who are the teams that currently could push OU for the Women’s College World Series this year?

Florida State

The Noles are of course among that crew. They’ve built a powerhouse program perpetually in the top ten with the goal of OKC every year.

But how does that translate to their national reputation?

Brady sure thinks so, saying he believes OU fans look at FSU as their biggest competition each season and the program consistently pushing to compete.

2024 won’t be much different. The lineup is largely back so the bats should continue to find ways. In the circle, losing Kat Sandercock will hurt, but Brady has confidence in the growth of Makenna Reid into that role. Plus there’s another pitcher that he thinks is ready to find that stride in Tallahassee this season.

Conference Realignment

The Big Ten and the Big 12 have raided the Pac-12 leaving no conference left with a west coast base. It’s a move driven by football that will almost certainly have impacts on softball as well.

The west coast used to run the sport and recruiting it well remains crucial to a strong program. Could the loss of a regional conference on the west coast open the door to more teams recruiting out there? And does the SEC gain an advantage as the only truly regional conference.

New Rules for 2024

The NCAA released some new rules for the upcoming season including limits on assistant coaches interacting with umpires, the addition of the PitchCom system to relay pitches/plays like MLB has added, changes to the pitching mechanic rules around airborne feet and some replay review changes.

Brady shares his thoughts on what catches his eye as the changes most likely to impact the sport people going forward.

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FSU’s defense elevating its play is essential to Florida State's College Football Playoff hopes

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 09:12:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles are less than three weeks from the opener against the LSU Tigers in Orlando.

With the season drawing near, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson — flip to the defensive side of the ball and preview the crew looking to shut down opposing offenses.

2022 Ranks for FSU

Last year, the defense was 20th in scoring defense (allowing 20.6 points per game), 15th in total defense (allowing 321 yards per game), 75th in rushing defense (allowing 156.38 yards per game) and 4th in passing defense (allowing 165.4 yards per game).

PFF had the Seminoles graded out as the No. 29 overall defense in the country (87.1), No. 30 rush defense (84.9), No. 39 tackle grade (71.5), No. 36 pass rush grade (81.4), and No. 54 coverage grade (78).

2023 Areas for Improvement

The defense was a solid unit for 2023 that produced in nearly every game, but they do have some areas to grow next season.

Turnovers

One spot the pod crew is looking for is the turnovers. While there’s a good deal of luck intertwined with getting turnovers, aggressive style and heads-up play can make a difference in gaining that extra edge. The defense has plenty of room to grow in the area after 2022 — can they turn that luck around for this season?

Slowing the run

The passing offense was one of the best in the country, but teams were certainly able to run the ball on them. Those games were largely when Fabian Lovett was off the field with injuries. Lovett is back and they’ve added to the DT group through the portal.

Is that enough to fix the rushing issue?

The trio dive in deeper on the latest episode of the Seminole Wrap — listen below, as well as on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to your shows.

Position Previews

The crew will go front to back looking at depth, talent and more for each unit.

Follow along with our team’s position preview articles as well.

2023 Florida State football schedule

Sunday, September 3: LSU Tigers (Orlando)

Saturday, September 9: Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Saturday, September 16: at Boston College Eagles

Saturday, September 23: at Clemson Tigers

Saturday, September 30: BYE

Saturday, October 7: Virginia Tech Hokies

Saturday, October 14: Syracuse Orange

Saturday, October 21: Duke Blue Devils

Saturday, October 28: at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Saturday, November 4: at Pittsburgh Panthers

Saturday, November 11: Miami Hurricanes

Saturday, November 18: North Alabama Lions

Saturday, November 25: at Florida Gators

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FSU football: Florida State coaches interviews after Seminoles’ first scrimmage: Head coach Mike Norvell, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach John Papuchis

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:50:00 -0000

After spending the early part of the practice week in Jacksonville, the Florida State Seminoles made their way back to Tallahassee to take part in the team’s first fall scrimmage.

With the start of the season now less than three weeks away, FSU is starting to up the intensity with an elevated sense of urgency ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the LSU Tigers.

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FSU football: Mike Norvell talks fifth day of Florida State Seminoles football practice, Darrell Jackson eligibility ruling by NCAA

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:39:07 -0000

Florida State is now five days into its fall camp prep, knocking out its penultimate practice before a trip to Jacksonville for a series of practices on the University of North Florida campus.

“Tomorrow will be a little bit lesser, since we have a big stretch this week going to Jacksonville,” head coach Mike Norvell said on Tuesday. “It’s kind of our getaway during camp — [that still features] two pretty intense practices.”

FSU has taken the trip down to Jacksonville for the last two years, a tradition that’s emerged under Norvell in an effort to break up the grind of camp as well as get a little bit of road prep ahead of the season, allowing the team to get their first feel of the year for hitting the road but maintaining mentalities.

The Seminoles are still in the early days of camp, having just thrown on full pads on Saturday, but the pressure is already on for FSU to continue its upward trajectory as it looks to achieve some of the lofty expectations being placed on the squad ahead of the season.

Norvell has been impressed with the effort from his team so far — while he noted there were a few mishaps on special teams and a couple of areas that still need refining, the intensity and energy is exactly in line with what he’s looking for.

“The depth, the quality of newcomers is something I’m really excited about — seeing those guys maximize opportunities that they’re getting. We’ve got a lot of competition, this is going to be good for us in the long run.”

Norvell also shared that the NCAA has denied an eligibility waiver for Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr.

In March, the organization updated its waiver parameters to try and curb the trend of players undergoing multiple transfers during their collegiate careers:

In all sports, four-year undergraduate student athletes who decide to transfer to a new NCAA school can generally be eligible to compete for the new school provided that they have not previously transferred and notify their current school by entering the NCAA Transfer Portal during their sport-specific transfer window.

Jackson, who began his career with the Maryland Terrapins, transferred to Florida State this offseason in an effort to be closer to his mother who is dealing with health issues.

“She thinks it’s her fault, but it’s not,” Jackson said on Tuesday. “I’m going to continue to be there for my mom and see how things play out.”

He also claimed that the NCAA did not provide an explanation for the denial of his waiver, saying “I don’t know if they’re trying to prove a point or what?”

“I thought that [his reason for transferring] was shown and presented, but ultimately the NCAA, they have a choice of what they’re going to do and the decision that they made,” Norvell said.

“It’s sad that he’s gonna miss games....obviously, he’s hurt.”

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FSU HC Mike Norvell interview: Second day of 2023 Florida State Seminoles fall practice

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 23:52:28 -0000

Florida State took to the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility on Friday for the second day of its preseason fall camp, logging another day of work as it preps for its September 3rd season opener vs. the LSU Tigers.

While things haven’t fully kicked into high gear, with FSU still easing its way into full-padded practices, the energy the squad is displaying as it sets the foundation for the season has been encouraging to head coach Mike Norvell.

“You’re in just helmets, it’s hard to get a real sense of what [everything’s] looking like,” he said on Friday, “but watching the first step, I really like the way the defense is flying to the ball. You see the depth, you see the competitiveness, DBs being active at the catch point.”

Norvell also spoke further on the day’s production, which was a special teams-heavy day as the Seminoles look to solidify their specialists.

“Specialists are doing a nice job early in camp...I like what I’m seeing from them,” adding that “[we’re] trying to get a lot of work with the returners,” amongst whom have been Keon Coleman, Destyn Hill, Winston Wright, Deuce Spann, Trey Benson, Caziah Holmes, Lawrance Toafili and Ja’Khi Douglas.

Overall, Norvell thinks his team is ahead of where it’s been in the past, saying that “guys understand expectations. They worked hard and are doing what we’re asking them to do, and they went above and beyond on their own and that’s where you’ve seen a lot of growth from players. They’re confident in what they’re being asked to do.”

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FSU threatening to leave ACC over financial frustrations, Florida State Seminoles football kicks off preseason camp

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 17:12:18 -0000

Will they stay or will they go?

The Florida State Board of Trustees drew their line in the sand with the ACC this week with former FSU QB Drew Weatherford saying it’s not if but when for the Noles departure from the conference.

The question remains though, how and when. And to a lesser extent, where to. The Noles are making no secrets about their desire to make a jump happen sooner than later, but it sure seems like it won’t be that easy.

On this episode, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson — take a dive into the latest happenings in the conference realignment tectonic shifts and discuss how soon Florida State needs to get out of the ACC to remain competitive at the highest level.

They also dive into Mike Norvell’s comments at his camp opening press conference and ACC Kickoff about embracing the expectations his team is facing this season and ramping up practice to be ready for their opening schedule.

Plus, the ACC media’s preseason poll laid out some clear tiers among the conference’s top teams.

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FSU recruiting: 2 blue-chip commits give Seminoles top 10 class -- Breaking down Florida State football's big July on trail, commitments of Charles Lester III and Manasse Itete

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Mike Norvell’s Florida State Seminoles football program is wrapping up its best month ever with commitments from five-star cornerback prospect Charles Lester III and four-star offensive lineman Manasse Itete, who recently decommitted from Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans.

Those two commits have placed Florida State in the top ten of the cumulative rankings from the two top recruiting services, with On3 Industry Rankings considering the Seminoles’ current 2024 commitments the No. 5 class with an average rating of 91.46, while the 247Sports Composite Rankings have FSU at No. 7 with a 90.97 average.

It’s been too long, but the Three Stars reconvened to discuss all that’s going on in the world of Florida State recruiting — and there is plenty, including:

How big was the commitment of Lester and how would you describe his game? (he’s been a silent since June)
A little background on Itete’s recruitment and how he projects at the next level.
Speaking of offensive linemen, who does Tomahawk Nation recruiting analyst NoleThruAndThru think has the highest ceiling between Itete and fellow commits Jonathan Daniels and Tye Hylton?
Can FSU offensive coordinator Alex Atkins flip another blue-chip OL from SC?
How do we feel about some of the other July commits, including wide receiver Elijah Moore and Tallahassee running back Macahi Danzy?
Where do the Seminoles sit in the 247 Sports Composite team rankings?
Do the Noles have a shot at 5-star Georgia safety KJ Bolden and who might be next to join #Tribe24?

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Florida State Seminoles softball: Breaking down FSU softball’s offseason transfer portal/recruiting approach, way-too-early look at 2024 roster

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 20:01:30 -0000

After a nearly two-month hiatus, the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast makes a return to open up its run of offseason episodes.

Over the next few months, hosts Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin will discuss the latest news around the team and talk to interesting people around the program today, tomorrow and from the past.

In their first episode back, they recap everything that’s happened since the last episode around the college softball world in the transfer portal, who Florida State is trying to bring in, who else they’ve recruited this offseason so far and where they may still need to add.

Plus, with some distance away from the end of the season, Gwyn and Brian give a way-too-early look at what Florida State returns for 2024 both in the circle and in the lineup.

If they weren’t able to make any additions to the team, how would this team fare?

That’s all on this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap.

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2023 FSU football: How does Florida State schedule shape up for a 2023 playoff run? Breaking down Seminoles' biggest games

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:30:49 -0000

Winning football games has a lot to do with talent, but you also need some luck as well. Whether that’s a bounce of the ball on a crucial play or the way your schedule lays out for you, it can be the difference between reaching your goals and falling short.

For Florida State, the goals this season including another year with double digit wins, a trip to Charlotte for the ACC title game and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

To get there, they need the talent they’ve acquired to play to their potential and several returning players to take that next step — and there’s been plenty of indication to think they will.

But they’ll also need to make the most of the schedule in front of them.

On this episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast — Brian Pellerin and Ben Meyerson — break down the biggest games, the timing of the bye week and look at where the toughest surprise tests may come for Florida State.

And, the Tiger-centeric question that will define this season, which team poses the toughest test on FSU’s September schedule — LSU or Clemson? Who might be stronger than we think come season’s end? And which opponent could be easier than we think to beat based on their own schedule?

That’s all on this week’s episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast.

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FSU football: How can the Florida State Seminoles offense improve in 2023? Breakdown, analysis

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 17:04:08 -0000

On the offensive side of the ball, not many teams were better in 2022 than the Florida State Seminoles.

They were one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, generating 97 plays of more than 20 yards, ranking behind only Georgia and Western Kentucky. They were top five in the country in third-down efficiency, converting at a 51% clip. And they were top ten in the country in rushing yards per carry.

Still, there’s room for improvement.

On this episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Ben Meyerson dive into the numbers and look at what could take Mike Norvell’s group from one of the best to the best in 2023.

How can Florida State get more consistent while remaining an explosive threat?
Can the offense sustain their success on third down?
What was missing from FSU’s lack of success in the red zone last season and how can they improve it this year?
What do newcomers like Keon Coleman, Jaheim Bell and others bring that was missing a year ago?

Plus, the guys play a little 2013 Florida State trivia as they compete to name the 6 rushing leaders from the national champion Noles.

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INTERVIEW: FSU QB Jordan Travis, RB Trey Benson talk 2023 Florida State Seminoles football expectations, offseason work, new teammates

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 21:00:05 -0000

For the first three seasons of Mike Norvell’s tenure at Florida State, the consistent message has been consistency.

It’s not the first time that noun has been prioritized by a coaching staff, but it’s stood out through the way the language Norvell uses permeating through the vocabulary of his players.

Two of the best examples of that are quarterback Jordan Travis and running back Trey Benson, who were key figures in Florida State’s offense becoming one of the best in the nation in 2022 — one that ranked 7th nationally in yards per play (6.96) and 10th in yards per game (484.2).

Benson shattered preseason expectations, fully proving his recovery from leg injuries suffered at Oregon as he put up 990 yards and nine touchdowns (as well as a thrilling kickoff return for a touchdown vs. Boston College), ranking first in ACC and 13th nationally with average of 6.46 yards per rush.

Meanwhile, Travis put up such ridiculous production (226-of-353, 3,214 yards, 24 touchdowns, five interceptions, 417 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns and a two-yard touchdown reception) and elevated his game to such a degree that he’s considered a top Heisman Trophy contender heading into 2023, where he’s one of only four active players with at least 5,500 passing yards and 1,700 rushing yards.

The duo spoke with the Florida State media on Wednesday, touching on handling expectations, offseason work, impressions of new teammates Keon Coleman and Destyn Hill, as well as a variety of other topics.

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Recapping Florida State Seminoles path to WCWS final and championship loss to Oklahoma, looking ahead to 2024 FSU softball season

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The Florida State softball season came to a close last week with a runner-up finish in the Women’s College World Series.

The Noles swept through their bracket in the opening rounds of the WCWS, entering into the championship round with a perfect record for the first time in school history, but weren’t able to find a way to beat the Oklahoma Sooners in the Championship Series in games one and two.

But the year was far from a disappointment for Team 40.

This week, the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast crew — Brian Pellerin and Gwyn Rhodes — recap the WCWS semifinals and championship series, review the journey this team took to get to that point, put a bow on the outstanding career of senior pitcher Kathryn Sandercock and others, and look to the future of the program.

Who is set to return to Tallahassee for 2024? What will the 2023 recruiting class add to the lineup and in the circle? Where do the Noles still need to help if they want to return to Oklahoma City next season? All that and more on this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast.

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How high is Florida State Seminoles football’s ceiling in 2023? feat. Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network -- FSU breakdown, analysis

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell’s mantra since taking over the Florida State program has been “Keep Climbing.”

That attitude led the Noles to take a massive leap to a 10-3 season in 2022, leading to 2023 expectations sky-high after another offseason of high-profile transfer portal additions.

But can Florida State reach that ceiling? The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler — a former NFL scout — believes so.

On this week’s episode of the Seminole Wrap Podcast, Ryan joins Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and new co-host Ben Meyerson to discuss why he says “the stratosphere” is the ceiling for this team, especially the offense.

Ryan also breaks down:

How has Jordan Travis progressed throughout his career? What areas does he still have to grow? And how does he rank compared to the rest of the college football quarterback class for 2024?
What do newcomers like Michigan State wide receiver transfer Keon Coleman and South Carolina tight end transfer Jaheim Bell bring to the offense and how can Mike Norvell and Alex Atkins use them to unlock new ways to attack defenses?
What’s been the key to success for Trey Benson since his arrival at FSU and how does he project to the next level?
We know he has size and speed, but what separates Jared Verse from other defensive ends around the country?
How do Coleman and Johnny Wilson work as one of the biggest wide receiver tandems in the country?
LSU or Clemson: Which team is the toughest opponent on Florida State’s schedule in 2023?

All that and more on the latest Seminole Wrap podcast.

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FSU softball takes on Tennessee with spot in Women's College World Series on the line

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The Florida State softball team is one win away from a trip back to the Women’s College World Series championship series after the program’s first 2-0 start in Oklahoma City.

The Noles made quick work of the sixth-seeded Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Thursday in a 8-0 run-rule victory in 6 innings before winning a battle against the seventh-seeded Washington Huskies, 3-1, on Saturday.

Now, the Lonni Alameda’s team is one win away from competing for the college softball’s top prize for the third time in their last five postseasons.

On this week’s episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin and Gwyn Rhodes:

Break down what they’ve seen from Florida State’s play in Oklahoma City so far
Preview what’s ahead of them Monday night against No. 4 Tennessee
Look across the bracket at the other WCWS semifinal between Stanford and top-seeded Oklahoma
Project potential WCWS championship series matchups between the four teams still standing.

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FSU softball is headed to OKC after Seminoles sweep Georgia Bulldogs: Florida State in Women's College World Series breakdown, analysis

Mon, 29 May 2023 17:00:36 -0000

Florida State Seminoles softball, the No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, is heading back to Oklahoma City after punching their ticket to the Women’s College World Series with a sweep of the Georgia Bulldogs in the Tallahassee Super Regional.

On this week’s Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss Florida State’s impressive 2-0 series win including:

Kat Sandercock’s stellar weekend in the circle
Mack Leonard’s rise to top-end starter
The lineup’s ability to find new ways to score

Plus, we look around the country at other Super Regional results and what’s to come in Oklahoma City:

What can we learn from FSU’s weekend trip to Oklahoma State for a weekend series earlier this year that could apply to Thursday’s opener?
What do Utah and Washington bring to the table as a potential second-game opponent?
Can anyone find the answer to ending Oklahoma’s historic winning streak?

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FSU football vs. LSU: Breaking down Tigers recruiting ahead of 2023 matchup between Florida State Seminoles and LSU

Tue, 23 May 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the Line of Scrimmage, offseason edition, where we’ll carve out time to dive into the recruiting classes of a select few upcoming Florida State football opponents.

To kick things off, we’ll revisit Zachary Junda and the LSU faithful from our sister SBNation site, And The Valley Shook. Zach joined us last season prior to Florida State’s cardiac arrest-inducing victory over the Tigers.

While we touch on the game, we take time to focus on how the 2023 recruiting and transfer classes shaped up for the LSU Tigers.

The Tigers finished with sixth overall combined class, according to the composite rankings, managing to add players coveted by top programs from around the country at key positions in the high school ranks while also filling the positions of need in the transfer portal.

In this debut episode of the Line of Scrimmage’s offseason edition, we take a look at how second-year head coach Brian Kelly and his staff combined the experience of recruiting nationally at Notre Dame with the advantage of being the lone football powerhouse in the state to land one of the top classes in the nation.

Some of the questions and topics touched on:

Overall grade for Brian Kelly’s first year at the helm
What can LSU expect from their two top commits from each side of the ball — offensive tackle Zalance Heard and defensive end Dashawn Womack, both 5 stars?
Which positional need did Kelly address the best? And what still is a concern?
Who are some other players to highlight from the 2023 class?
Of the new crowded secondary room, which of these players have the most likely path to starting for LSU?
Did the Tigers address the concerns they had in the defensive trenches?
What were some of the biggest hits LSU took in portal departures?

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FSU softball advances: Sandercock’s perfect game sends Seminoles to Super Regionals

Mon, 22 May 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Perfect game, set, match.

Florida State Seminoles softball, the No. 3 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, came into Sunday with a 2-0 record in the Tallahassee Regional, facing off against the South Carolina Gamecocks after taking down Marist and UCF.

South Carolina managed to snag a win in the final, setting up a Game 2 that provided a platform for Kathryn Sandercock to etch her name in the Florida State record books.

For the first time in Seminoles softball history, a pitcher threw a perfect game in a postseason matchup — and FSU earned its spot in the school’s 10th Super Regional all-time.

What led up to the historic moment? On the latest edition of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Brian Pellerin and Gwyn Rhodes break down the weekend, from Florida State’s regional-opening run-rule win to its heart-stopping clincher vs. the Gamecocks on Sunday.

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Wide receiver Keon Coleman commits to Florida State Seminoles -- what does this mean for FSU football?

Wed, 17 May 2023 21:42:00 -0000

In case you forgot, Mike Norvell is the transfer portal king — Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles have consistently shown they’ll upgrade their roster by any means. Today, FSU landed a major addition in former Michigan State standout wide receiver Keon Coleman. The highly-sought transfer, whose birthday is today, announced that he’s headed to Tallahassee.

If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because Coleman was a favorite among the Three Stars at Tomahawk Nation during the 2021 recruiting cycle.

Coleman originally chose the Spartans over 42 other offers.

This time around, Coleman chose the Seminoles over the Arkansas Razorbacks, Louisville Cardinals, North Carolina Tar Heels, Oklahoma Sooners, Ole Miss Rebels, Texas A&M Aggies, and USC Trojans, among others.

Tim, Josh, and David are here to break it all down for you in the latest edition of the Florida State of Recruiting podcast.

What does Coleman’s addition mean for FSU?
Where does he fit best in the offense?
How might this impact recruiting for 2024 and beyond?

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FSU football: Seminoles add blue-chip receiver, ACC meetings kick off with revenue questions looming

Mon, 15 May 2023 15:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles seem to have a boatload of offensive firepower at their disposal and, this week, the rich got richer with the addition of 2021 blue-chip wide receiver Destyn Hill.

The former top 150 recruit was part of the 2021 recruiting class but didn’t make it to campus... that is until now.

In this episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast, Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio take a look at what he can add to this skill player group plus a look into some new post-spring football power rankings from ESPN and USA Today that are only going to drive the Florida State hype train for 2023 up a notch.

Also, FSU athletic director Michael Alford spent the weekend again talking about the need for change in the ACC’s revenue structure — something he did two months ago on the show — before he heads to the ACC spring meetings this week.

The show dives into what leverage Alford and his fellow ACC members have to get the deal done.

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Seminoles softball: FSU earns No. 3 national seed in NCAA Tournament after winning 19th ACC Championship -- breaking down Florida State, Tallahassee Regional

Mon, 15 May 2023 12:10:00 -0000

With a sweep through the ACC Tournament including a thrilling walk-off win over the Duke Blue Devils in the title game, the Florida State softball team (50-8, 22-2 ACC) stacked another accolade to its already stellar season, with Kat Sandercock starring in each of Florida State’s victories over the Syracuse, Virginia Tech, and Duke to claim the ACC Tournament MVP.

Those wins, along with the Seminoles' 2023 overall resume, earned Florida State the overall No. 3 national seed in the NCAA Softball Tournament and the opportunity to host the Tallahassee Regional.

The opponents standing in the path of a Super Regional berth for FSU?

The South Carolina Gamecocks, UCF Knights and Marist Red Hawks.

In this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin breakdown their biggest takeaways from the championship weekend in South Bend, preview each of the teams destined for Tally this weekend, look ahead to what they could face in the next round if they advance that far and breakdown some of the biggest surprises in the tournament field.

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FSU = ACC CHAMPIONS -- Florida State Seminoles softball wins conference title, claims No. 1 seed in ACC Tournament

Wed, 10 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State softball team has become the ACC regular season champions for the first time since 2019, and in a dominant fashion. The Seminoles swept six of the eight conference series and finished three games ahead of Duke in the ACC standings.

The team returns to South Bend, the site of one of their recent three-game victories, with hopes of adding the ACC Tournament trophy to their regular season crown.

In this week’s episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin reflect on the team’s progress throughout the season, their path ahead in the ACC Tournament, and any lingering uncertainties about the team.

One question concerns who will step up as the team’s top starter, besides Makenna and Kat. Additionally, will the offense-by-committee approach be beneficial or potentially harmful to the team’s postseason success? Finally, is the team’s aggressive baserunning an advantage or a disadvantage?

Plus, yes, after weeks of anticipation, we get the details of Gwyn’s Taylor Swift concert experience.

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FSU football: How do preseason analytics projections feel about Seminoles?

Mon, 01 May 2023 09:00:00 -0000

When the clock hit triple zeroes on Florida State’s 35-32 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Cheez-It Bowl capping off their first 10-win season since 2016, high expectations for 2023 started to be formed. With announcements to return to school from Jordan Travis, Fabien Lovett, Jared Verse, and others, those expectations boiled over.

In ESPN writer Mark Schlabach’s Way-Too-Early rankings from January 9, the Noles were No. 4 behind only the Georgia Bulldogs, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Michigan Wolverines.

According to DraftKings, Florida State has the 7th best odds to win the 2023 national championship (+1800), behind Georgia (+230), Alabama (+500), Ohio State (+700), Michigan (+900), USC (+1400) and LSU (+1600).

But now some of ESPN’s more analytics-based projection systems appear to be tempering some of those expectations.

ESPN’s SP+ rankings have Florida State at No. 11 in the country and consider FSU’s ceiling to be 11-1 and floor to be 8-4, with a 19% chance of finishing 11-1 or better. Its FPI rankings have FSU at No. 14, with a 17% chance of winning the ACC, 4.4% chance at making the playoffs, 1% at making the national championship and 0.2% at winning the title.

On this week’s episode, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio — discuss their thoughts on those projections and where they fall on Florida State’s prospects in the fall, as well as thoughts on a new wave of transfers leaving the program.

You can catch the latest edition of the Seminole Wrap on the Everything Noles podcast channel, presented by the Fans First Sports Network network.

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Seminoles recruiting: Who could be FSU football's next commit?

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 21:20:00 -0000

After a busy week, the Three Stars are back with another Florida State of Recruiting podcast episode.

Come hang with Josh Pick, NoleThruandThru and Tim Scribble as the trio dive deep into the team’s recent recruiting efforts and share their insights and predictions on the top prospects that could next join the Seminoles’ recruiting class.

You can listen to the latest episode of the Florida State of Recruiting below, as well as on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to your shows.

You can catch up on all the latest Florida State football recruiting news and pick the brains of our recruiting staff in the latest edition of our recruiting thread.

RUNNING BACK: 4 star Kam Davis (GA)

WIDE RECEIVER: 4 star Camdon Frier (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 4 star Tawaski “TJ” Abrams (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 4 star Lawayne McCoy (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 4 star BJ Gibson (GA)

TIGHT END: 5 star Landen Thomas (GA)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 3 star Jamorie Flagg (FL)

LINEBACKER: 3 star Jayden Parrish (FL)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 4 star CJ Heard (GA)

KICKER: 3 star Jake Weinberg (FL)

According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Florida State currently has the No. 7 class in college football with 11 commits, an average rating of 90.46, and a class score of 192.50. They sit behind the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at No. 6 (average rating: 91.55, class score: 199.61, 11 commits).

The current top five teams in the rankings are the Michigan Wolverines at No. 1 with 14 commits, an average rating of 91.87, and a class score of 234.78; Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 2 with 12 commits, an average rating of 93.31, and a class score of 229.76; Georgia Bulldogs at No. 3 with 11 commits, an average rating of 94.44, and a class score of 228.02; LSU Tigers at No. 4 with 14 commits, an average rating of 90.32, and a class score of 219.24; and Penn State Nittany Lions at No. 5 with 12 commits, an average rating of 90.44, and a class score of 200.34.

Florida State of Recruiting: The Three Stars podcasts:

(4/24/23): Spring Transfer Portal comings and goings for FSU

(4/23/23): Reviewing recent spring commitments

(2/15/23): Florida State of Recruiting: 10 recruits to know for Tribe24

(1/21/23): Florida State of Recruiting: Discussing the latest FSU visitors

(1/20/23): Florida State of Recruiting: Breaking down new defensive players from #Tribe23

(1/19/23): Florida State of Recruiting: Discussing offensive newcomers from #Tribe23

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FSU football: Defensive lineman Joshua Farmer enters transfer portal -- how does it affect Seminoles? Should Florida State sign a transfer to replace him?

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 01:27:00 -0000

Instant Reaction Podcast time!

Tonight, the Three Stars discuss the recent development of defensive tackle Joshua Farmer’s intention to enter the transfer portal.

What are the circumstances around this decision? Where might Farmer go? Should FSU sign a transfer defensive tackle this cycle to replace Farmer? All of these questions are answered, as well as a question from TN member Spear Point about Mike Norvell’s philosophy on the intersection of the transfer portal and NIL opportunities.

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FSU football transfer portal analysis: Looking at recent Seminoles departures, potential areas of addition for FSU

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Since the arrival of Mike Norvell in Tallahassee, there has been perhaps no program that’s been more closely tied with the transfer portal than Florida State.

In the latest episode of the Three Stars podcast, the guys move a bit outside the world of recruiting to discuss Florida State’s spring transfer portal entries, where else on the roster there could be departures, then finish with a few predictions on which positions FSU may look to bolster with transfers over the spring summer.

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Seminoles softball: FSU continues to dominate schedule -- How have they been so good? What's next for Florida State in ACC play?

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 11:53:59 -0000

Another two weeks brought two more ACC series wins for the dominant Florida State Seminoles as they remain the class of the conference, ending each of those series with a run-rule victory.

A 2-of-3 weekend against Virginia in Tallahassee paired with a sweep of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg has the Florida State softball team at 16-2 in ACC play as they’ve consistently overwhelmed their conference foes. With two weeks remaining before the ACC Tournament, the Noles are two losses up on the rest of their conference as they chase the regular season crown.

Their play in this run has them set up as a clear top-8 team in the RPI and well on their way to hosting an NCAA Regional next month.

So how have they been able to be so consistently overwhelming?

This week, the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, hosted by Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin, tries to answer just that and much more as they recap the last two weeks of softball and look ahead to the eight games separating them from the end of the regular season.

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FSU recruiting: Breaking down recent Florida State Seminoles football commitments

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 14:45:47 -0000

Mike Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles are one of the hottest teams in the nation when it comes to recruiting, having recently secured some major commitments for #Tribe24, #Tribe25, and #Tribe26.

In the latest episode of the Three Stars podcast, the guys are back to discuss the most recent commitments Florida State has secured:

2024 3-star LB Jayden Parrish

2024 4-star WR Lawayne McCoy

2024 4-star WR BJ Gibson

2024 5-star TE Landen Thomas

2025 3-star QB Tramell Jones

2026 stud (and legacy) ATH/WR Devin Carter

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FSU football: What did we learn from Florida State Seminole spring camp, spring game?

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:24:00 -0000

With Saturday’s Garnet and Gold Spring Showcase and Monday’s practice in the rearview mirror, the Florida State Seminoles have wrapped up their spring season and find themselves looking every part of the top-ten team they're expected to be 138 days from now when they open their 2023 campaign.

This week, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio — share their thoughts from Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage, the growth they’ve seen out of some position groups and where the team could still improve heading into another transfer portal window.

Plus they discuss Mike Norvell and the staff’s recent success in the high school recruiting landscape, how that bolsters the program and what work is still left to get back to where Florida State wants to be.

All that along with a way-too-early look at the top quarterbacks in the nation and where Jordan Travis fits into that equation.

You can catch the latest edition of the Seminole Wrap on the Everything Noles podcast channel, presented by the Fans First Sports Network network.

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FSU football: Mike Norvell post-practice interview, April 11

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 02:44:42 -0000

Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell spoke with the local media following Tuesday’s practice to talk about the return of D’Mitri Emmanuel, and the progression of the quarterback room.

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FSU softball sweeps Clemson, dominating ACC: Breaking down the Seminoles at 32-7

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 13:23:00 -0000

Another two weeks of the Florida State softball season have passed and the Noles (32-7, 11-1 ACC) are looking as strong as ever.

After dismantling Georgia Tech the week prior in Tallahassee, Florida State claimed their first-ever top-5 road series victory with a sweep of No. 4 Clemson, including an 11-1 combined score across Thursday’s doubleheader games.

The Seminoles now sit atop the Atlantic Coast Conference standings ahead of the Tigers.

On this week’s Seminole Softball Wrap episode, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin take a look at the impressive two-week run from the Noles as they continue to find new ways to flex their depth in wins and look forward to the two weeks ahead.

Plus they take your questions:

Could we see a letdown off this big-win weekend?
Do they expect to see more Makenna Reid starts going forward after her recent impressive performance in the role?
And who left on the schedule poses the biggest threat to the ACC crown?

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FSU football: Mike Norvell talks Seminoles spring practice inside Doak Campbell Stadium

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 18:18:00 -0000

Florida State football switched things up for its Thursday, April 6 practice, opting for a session inside Doak Campbell Stadium rather than the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility.

The environmental change provided an opportunity for the team to add situational goal line work to its agenda for the day, leading to reps that head coach Mike Norvell was complimentary of following practice.

“We went close to 15 goal line play, all back-to-back...in today’s age it’s really hard to rep a ton of that situation,” he said. “Sometimes you just got to put the ball down and go get it. I thought there was some really, really good plays, defense ended up winning the situation there today. It was impressive to see some of the fights, some of the stops that they had.”

“[Situations like] red zone, overtime, working on coming off the goal line for the offense, putting them in some challenging situations. I like the work.”

FSU will have the rest of the week off, with next week serving as the lead-up to the annual Spring Showcase.

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FSU football: Spring camp updates, Jordan Travis discussion

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0000

The Florida State football team is less than two weeks away from the Garnet and Gold Spring Showcase on April 15, wrapping up the spring portion of a 2023 full of expectations.

So the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Max Escarpio and Jon Marchant — take a look into how the team has looked so far through Max’s perspective at practice. What position groups look improved? Where is there still a need for growth? And what makes this team look different than years prior?

Plus a discussion on a new No. 2 wide receiver potentially emerging from the group.

Max also shares updates from the scouts he spoke to at Florida State’s pro day. Which teams seemed the most interested in bringing in Jammie Robinson to sure up their secondary and when could the former FSU safety hear his name called on draft day later this month?

It’s all in this week’s episode of the Seminole Wrap.

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FSU football scrimmage interviews: Mike Norvell, Alex Atkins, Adam Fuller, John Papuchis on April 1, 2023

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 18:34:10 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football underwent its second situational scrimmage practice of the spring camp session -- afterwards, head coach Mike Norvell, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and special teams coordinator and John Papuchis spoke with the media to detail that day's work and their impressions from it.

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FSU Pro Day Interviews: Jammie Robinson, Dillan Gibbons, Camren McDonald, Jarques McClellion, Robert Cooper, Ontaria "Pokey" Wilson, Jazston Turentine, Wyatt Rector, Mike Roussos

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Florida State football players safety Jammie Robinson, offensive linema Dillan Gibbons, tight end Camren McDonald, defensive back Jarques McClellion, defensive lineman Robert Cooper, wide receiver Ontaria "Pokey" Wilson, offensive lineman Jazston Turentine, tight end Wyatt Rector and wide receiver Mike Roussos speak ahead of FSU Pro Day

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FSU athletic director Michael Alford talks NIL, conference revenue, Florida State Seminoles athletics outlook, NIL and more

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Nearly 500 days into his tenure at the helm of Florida State athletics, Michael Alford has made some major strides for his department.

In this interview, he offers his thoughts on the topics of non-conference football games, his thought processes on conference realignment, fundraising, NIL and beyond. We also discussed the come-up of the football program, what makes Coach Mike Norvell different than other football coaches around the country, the decision to launch Jordan Travis’ Heisman campaign plus the sport he thinks is knocking on the door of the next national championship for Florida State.

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Seminoles kick off ACC play on high note -- FSU softball breakdown, analysis

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 19:04:23 -0000

After what could be the first of two road trips to Oklahoma this season, the Florida State Seminoles softball team opened ACC play with a pair of strong series wins.

A sweep of Syracuse Orange started the conference slate in dominating fashion as Florida State posted two run-rule victories — including a Kat Sandercock no-hitter. Then the Seminoles hit the road for a weekend series with Duke Blue Devils, where FSU took 2 of 3 including a rain shortened Sunday contest.

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss each of the Noles contests over the last two weeks going back to the nail-biter in Norman plus the 5-1 start to the ACC slate.

Plus we once again take your questions in our Okay Gwyn segment. Have the Noles answered their question mark at third base? Will we see Makenna Reid get a start this season? Who could be a breakout star off the bench in the second half? That and more this week.

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Analyzing FSU softball at 21-5: What are Seminoles' strengths, weaknesses?

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0000

After sweeping through the Dugout Club Classic with four run-rule victories a week ago, the Seminoles headed out for a four game road trip to Oklahoma. Three-fourths of the way through it, the Noles are hoping to salvage a split.

A Friday win followed by two losses to the Oklahoma State Cowboys have Florida State in the red heading to a Tuesday matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners.

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss the last two weeks of Florida State softball, looking at the progress made so far, the issues that held them back and what they can do to improve going forward. They also preview the two weeks ahead for FSU as they open ACC play and talk about the teams to keep an eye on as potential WCWS contenders across the country.

Plus, it’s a new segment!

This week, we unveil Okay Gwyn, where Brian takes your questions from Twitter and the softball game threads to the authority of FSU softball, Gwyn, and gets you answers (we’re still workshopping the nickname for Gwyn too so fire those off in the comments as well). And stick around for a brief discussion on Tallahassee’s newest (oldest?) piece of history Abraclam Lincoln.

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Basketball season is over for FSU, but it's NCAA Tournament time

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:09:13 -0000

Well, the good news is that Florida State's basketball season is over. Barring something weird, we have witnessed the last wide-open 3-pointer by an FSU opponent in the 2022-23 season. Good job, folks. We made it.

Matt and Michael get together to talk about the final game for about 30 seconds (it sucked, we lost, dudes got hurt), and then it's on to the fun stuff. Let's toss some love to Chandler Jackson and Cameron Corhen, who give FSU a great one-two punch heading into next season (hey guys, please come back to Tallahassee). There are some other interesting and contributing pieces on the team, but let's be honest, the Seminoles have to land a couple of impact transfers at minimum. Where to find those guys? Luckily, a lot of basketball teams are still playing their season (weird) and our coaches can get front and center to pick the right guys. Coach Hamilton has repeatedly said he's learned his lesson about roster creation, so now it's time to put his money where his mouth is.

Speaking of money, Dennis Gates - head dude at Mizzou - had a good rookie season and promptly got a raise to $4 million a year with a $25 million buyout. So whoever refused to believe that the Gates-to-Tally ship had sailed the moment he signed with Missouri, now we can all officially move on. But why talk coaches? Ham's still here, right? Right? It seems so, so we're going with that. Listen in for more details.

Then we move on to the funnest part of March - the NCAA Tournament. Need some bracket help? Need to know who to root against? Need to know which teams has guys that murdered someone? As always, we're here to help. Our pointers are guaranteed to get you to the top of your bracket pool, unless they don't. Then you're on your own.

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FSU softball: Breaking down Florida State Seminoles through 18 games

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the Seminole Softball Wrap, a new podcast to the Tomahawk Nation family.

Hosted by Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin, this biweekly podcast will dive into the happenings of Florida State softball throughout the 2023 season, now three weeks into the year.

In this first episode, Gwyn and Brian discuss the team’s start through their first 18 games. We look at where have they found success, where have they struggled and how the group has reset from last season’s early exit from the NCAA Tournament.

An early surprise loss to Longwood has left a stain on their resume, but they’ve been able to largely handle their business to the tune of 15-3 and top-10 ranking with the expectation remaining a trip to the College World Series.

They’ve got one more chance to improve before a big four-game run against two top-5 teams, the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oklahoma Sooners.

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Florida State Seminoles Baseball: 2023 FSU season preview with Brett Nevitt -- what to expect from new team, new coach Link Jarrett

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 20:12:00 -0000

It’s been a busy off-season for the Florida State Seminoles baseball team.

After last year’s early departure from the regionals, FSU’s leadership made the decision to go in a new direction with the hiring of Link Jarrett from Notre Dame, ending over 40 years of the Martin family leading the Seminoles on the diamond.

The former Florida State shortstop hit the ground running with an overhaul of the Seminole coaching staff and revamping a team that lost several key members — including weekend aces Parker Messick and Bryce Hubbart, who were both taken in the MLB draft.

In total, Jarrett and staff welcomed 21 new players to the roster. Needless to say, there’s a lot of “new” for the 2023 season.

To help fans prepare for all the changes, Tomahawk Nation caught up with the best Florida State baseball beat member, TN alum and current Noles247 contributor Brett Nevitt.

We’ll break down how Jarrett, pitching coach Chuck Ristano, hitting coach Rich Wallace, and the remaining staff’s approach differs from past leadership, plus:

Does FSU have a future MLB stud in Cam Smith?
And can these ‘Noles return to the postseason?

Florida State 2023 baseball schedule

Feb. 17: vs. James Madison (5 p.m.)

Feb. 18: vs. James Madison (3 p.m.)

Feb. 19: vs. James Madison (1 p.m.)

Feb. 21: at Jacksonville (6 p.m.)

Feb. 24: at TCU Horned Frogs (7:30 p.m.)

Feb. 25: at TCU Horned Frogs (3 p.m.)

Feb. 26: at TCU Horned Frogs (2 p.m.)

March 1: vs. USF Bulls (5 p.m.)

March 3: vs. Florida Gulf Coast (5 p.m.)

March 4: vs. Florida Gulf Coast (3 p.m.)

March 5: vs. Florida Gulf Coast (1 p.m.)

March 7: vs. Bethune-Cookman (5 p.m.)

March 10: vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (6 p.m.)

March 11: vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (3 p.m.)

March 12: vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (1 p.m.)

March 14: at UCF Knights (6 p.m.)

March 15: at UCF Knights (4 p.m.)

March 17: vs. Boston College Eagles (6 p.m.)

March 18: vs. Boston College Eagles (3 p.m.)

March 19: vs. Boston College Eagles (1 p.m.)

March 21: vs. Florida Gators (6 p.m.)

March 24: at Virginia Cavaliers (6 p.m.)

March 25: at Virginia Cavaliers (1 p.m.)

March 26: at Virginia Cavaliers (1 p.m.)

March 28: vs. Florida Gators in Jacksonville (6 p.m.)

March 31: at Miami Hurricanes (7 p.m.)

April 1: at Miami Hurricanes (1 p.m.)

April 2: at Miami Hurricanes (1 p.m.)

April 4: vs. Jacksonville (6 p.m.)

April 6: vs. Clemson Tigers (6 p.m.)

April 7: vs. Clemson (6 p.m.)

April 8: vs. Clemson (2 p.m.)

April 11: at Florida Gators (6 p.m.)

April 14: at NC State Wolfpack (6 p.m.)

April 15: at NC State Wolfpack (6 p.m.)

April 16: at NC State Wolfpack (1 p.m.)

April 19: at North Florida (6:05 p.m.)

April 21: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (6 p.m.)

April 22: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (3 p.m.)

April 23: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies(1 p.m.)

April 25: vs. Stetson (5 p.m.)

April 28: at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6 p.m.)

April 29: at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3 p.m.)

April 30: at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1 p.m.)

May 5: vs. Mercer (6 p.m.)

May 6: vs. Mercer (3 p.m.)

May 7: vs. Mercer (1 p.m.)

May 9: vs. Jacksonville (6 p.m.)

May 12: vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6 p.m.)

May 13: vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3 p.m.)

May 14: vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1 p.m.)

May 16: vs. Kennesaw State (6 p.m.)

May 18: at Louisville Cardinals (6 p.m.)

May 19: at Louisville Cardinals (6 p.m.)

May 20: at Louisville Cardinals (1 p.m.)

May 23-28: ACC Tournament in Durham, N.C.

June 2-5: NCAA Tournament: Regionals

June 9-12: NCAA Tournament: Super Regionals

June 16-26: College World Series

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FSU recruiting: 10 players to know for the 2024 Florida State Seminoles football recruiting class

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Mike Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles football program have closed the door on the 2023 recruiting class and are now focused on #Tribe24.

In the latest episode of the Three Stars podcast, we discuss 10 Florida State prospects to know (after a great question from TN member Nole1234 in the recruiting thread comment section).

We ended up with two wide receivers, two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, and four defensive backs:

At the end, we also list which players we are each driving the hype trains for this cycle; NT&T is 3-3 since he started doing this in the last few cycles, so you might want to pay close attention to his choice.

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FSU basketball: Chandler Jackson talks Seminoles hoops season, confidence in Florida State bouncing back -- “We’re going to get there"

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0000

So far through a difficult 2022-2023 season, the Florida State Seminoles haven’t looked quite looked like the same dominant team they’ve been courting the past few years. With the season starting to head into the final stretch, the focus in the program lies on the development of the young roster to create a solid foundation moving forward.

One of the most integral pieces of the future is freshman guard Chandler Jackson. The Noles have seven games remaining this season, garnering an 8-16 record as the No. 10 team in the ACC. Jackson’s season averages currently stand at 2.7 points, one rebound, and one assist, but the effort and tenacity that he brings to the table have been seen as his biggest strength.

Jackson started his career with the Seminoles on the sideline, due to an injury to his thumb, but since then he’s been able to ease his way into the lineup. His production, as well as his minutes, have increased in the new year as FSU takes on its conference schedule. The Memphis native came to Florida State as a highly touted four-star recruit. He was recruited by assistant coach Stan Jones early in his high school career, with thoughts from both parties that Jackson would be a perfect fit in garnet and gold.

Prior to the Seminoles' matchup against Syracuse, Tomahawk Nation spoke with Jackson on his new role with the team, goals for the rest of the season, and thoughts on his teammates/coaching staff.

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Jammie Robinson talks final FSU football year, lessons from Norvell ahead of Senior Bowl, NFL Draft -- “I didn’t want to come back just to come back"

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 11:00:00 -0000

The path to the NFL for many prospects runs through Mobile, Alabama, where college football veterans get a chance to compete directly against their fellow draft prospects at the annual Senior Bowl.

Florida State star defensive back Jammie Robinson’s journey is no different.

The two-time first-team All-ACC safety will likely hear his name called at April’s NFL Draft — not a question of if but when.

The Seminoles star currently ranks out in the top 10 at his position in many rankings, but he’s getting plenty of buzz from Senior Bowl practices and his FSU film as scouts to turn their full focus from the postseason to draft prospects.

He told the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Max Escarpio and Jon Marchant — that while he’s happy to start to get the process going and encouraged by scouts telling him he’s capable of playing multiple positions at the next level, he’s focused on making sure when it comes to the masses, people stop sleeping on his talents.

As the Noles defensive leader, it wasn’t clear if Robinson was even going to return to Tallahassee. He was draft-eligible a year ago and certainly had the opportunity to hear his name called on draft day.

But he decided on another year in Tallahassee and another year to grow into more into a tone-setting role as an experienced player.

“I didn’t want to come back just to come back — I wanted to be a vocal leader. I’ve always been a guy that leads by example but I felt like I needed to step up my role and be that for my brothers.”

He credits a lot of that growth to the main leading The Climb at Florida State, Mike Norvell. Norvell has faced a decent amount of criticism for two underwhelming seasons to start, but that changed in 2022 as the program rebounded to a 10-win season.

Robinson compared that 10th win to feeling like a Super Bowl victory compared to the tough seasons the team had the years before — “we had a lot of moments that we went through, and then just knowing that the blood, sweat, and tears were all worth it.”

One of the key pieces in that turnaround per Robinson was Norvell’s consistent approach. They knew the head man coming through the doors every day was going to give them his best and hold himself accountable while also truly caring for the men in his locker room — something that Robinson experienced first-hand as his mom struggled to bounce back from a house fire.

“He loves everybody the same, treats everybody the same, holds everybody accountable the same — he holds himself accountable. There have been plenty of times where he’s told the team, “that’s on me,” he always took accountability for everything, and I looked up to that and I try to take that and use that.”

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"Go chase it:" Former Seminoles defensive back Javien Elliott talks walk-on journey, FSU, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0000

Before his hard work came to full fruition in 2015, Javien Elliott had every opportunity to give up on his hopes of playing football.

Only having taken one recruiting visit in high school (an unofficial to South Alabama), Elliott pitched himself to Florida State as a walk-on prospect, getting some mild interest but no tangible opportunity when graduating from Rutherford High School in 2011.

“Coming out of high school, I didn’t have any scholarship offers,” Elliott said, speaking on this week’s Seminole Wrap. “And because of that, I didn’t think that I would ever play football again.”

“I never really knew that I will be able to even go and play at Florida State. Like, obviously, it was an idea and it was a plan. But there’s imposter syndrome, you know, where you just feel like you’re not enough and you feel like you can’t do what you see other people do. Where I’m from, people don’t go D1 or to the NFL, so it was like a pipe dream.”

After earning his AA from Tallahassee Community College, he once again reached out to FSU — and this time, an opportunity was given, placing him on the Seminoles scout team.

“Once football was kind of taken away from me, after high school, I kind of went into a depressive state, not really knowing what was next. And then once that opportunity came again, it was like. “I have to take full advantage of this opportunity man” because, you know, everyone doesn’t have the opportunity to go and play college football.”

“Day one, we started with fourth quarter drills. They try to see who’s mentally tough enough to survive. It’s like, man, if you can get through this, you can do anything. So that built my confidence up before even planning to step on a practice field — it’s like, wait a minute, I’m just as fast as him, I’m just as strong as this guy, and he’s a five-star. That doesn’t mean he’s not good, but it’s like, wow, like, we’re the same. You know, and once I kind of got that mindset, I just continued to grow that confidence.”

By 2015, Elliott was on scholarship and earning starting snaps for the Seminoles, logging 37 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and two forced fumbles.

He parlayed that senior season emergence into a free agent signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning a contract and kicking off a professional career that now includes stops with the Carolina Panthers and currently, the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL.

Elliott joined Brian Pellerin and Max Escarpio on the Seminole Wrap, where he detailed his journey to Florida State and beyond, talking about the work behind the work in hopes of letting another kid from a small town without access to big camps that there is a shot for them as well.

“Everything that I’m doing now is to get people to believe that no matter how big or how grand their dreams are, you know, no, don’t sell themselves short. Put yourself out there and go chase it.”

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FSU football recruiting: Breaking down latest Seminoles recruit visitors

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

With #Tribe23 in the books, Florida State football has fully turned its attention to the 2024 recruiting class and beyond, welcoming players to Tallahassee in the early weeks of the calendar year to start solidifying its next group of Seminoles.

From expected visitors to major targets to good surprises, there are plenty of names to discuss as the weekend is underway — and The Three Stars (Josh Pick, NoleThruandThru and TimScribble) are here to break it all down.

Florida State Recruiting Class of 2023

DEFENSIVE END: 4 star Lamont “Boots” Green, Jr. (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: 3 star JUCO Jaden Jones (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keith Sampson, Jr. (NC)

LINEBACKER: 4 star Blake Nichelson (CA)

LINEBACKER: 3 star DeMarco Ward (GA)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 4 star Conrad Hussey (FL)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 3 star Quindarrius Jones (MS)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 3 star Edwin Joseph (FL)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 3 star Ja’Bril Rawls (FL)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 3 star Kenton “KJ” Kirkland (FL)

Transfer portal commitments

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Darrell Jackson (Miami, FL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Braden Fiske (Western Michigan)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Gilber Edmond (South Carolina Gamecocks)

DEFENSIVE BACK: Fentrell Cypress (Virginia)

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Florida State Seminoles football recruiting: Analyzing FSU’s 2023 class on defense

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

#Tribe23 is officially in the books from both high school recruiting and the transfer portal (until the spring, that is), and the Florida State Seminoles were able to improve the roster on both sides of the ball.

Overall, coach Mike Norvell and his staff crushed the transfer portal market, while also adding several key players from the high school ranks. The future is bright in Tallahassee.

After taking a look at the new additions on the offensive side of the ball, The Three Stars (Josh Pick, NoleThruandThru and TimScribble) are back to take a look at how things went defensive-wise in the 2023 recruiting class.

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FSU Basketball mid-season review: Florida State Seminoles hoops schedule breakdown, analysis

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Matt and Michael are back to discuss the very real path for the Florida State Seminoles hoops team to the make the dance and do some damage in March!

Annnnnnndddddd...........back to reality. FSU stinks. But the boys are back to bring the good news. Is the FSU basketball team terrible? Absolutely. But, not as terrible as they were in November, and it's all about peaking in March, right? Right? Hello?

Okay, so the season is pretty much over, and it has been for a while, but if you've read this far you're obviously a basketball junkie or a glutton for punishment (is there a difference?). So some great stuff is discussed here. First of all, Matthew Cleveland is a beast. He grabbed a gear over a month ago and hasn't looked back. Last year he was 6th man of the year, and this year, if FSU were better, he'd be on the short list for conference player of the year. Suddenly, he's that good. And it's not a lock that he'll leave after the season.

Some shout outs to Jalen Warley, Cam Corhen, and Darin Green are also in order. In short, we're seeing the nucleus of what could be a solid team next year.

And next year is a must-win year for the coaching staff (and the fans), and so we talk roster construction. Matt recently asked Virginia's head coach Tony Bennett his thoughts on how building rosters is changing, and we dive into that as Bennett is one of the few coaches who will actually say what he thinks in press conferences.

We wrap it up leaving some hope for next year, and maybe even a little for this one. Let us know where we're horribly wrong.

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Florida State football recruiting: What do new FSU players bring to Seminoles offense?

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0000

Overall, coach Mike Norvell and his staff crushed the transfer portal market, while also adding several key players from the high school ranks. The future is bright in Tallahassee.

The Three Stars are back to provide their thoughts on how the staff did with the 2023 recruiting class. Josh Pick, NoleThruandThru and TimScribble linked up on this episode of the podcast to give their thoughts on how Norvell and Co. did with the offensive side of the ball.

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FSU basketball's Matthew Cleveland’s hot streak helping Seminoles bounce back: Interview with Florida State sophomore

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 03:04:00 -0000

After the Florida State Seminoles started the 2022-23 season with a 1-9 record head coach Leonard Hamilton and his staff had to adjust and reconfigure, adapting from regularly having a roster of experienced players and trying to build cohesion behind FSU’s newcomers amid a flurry of availability issues.

In the month of December the Noles had a 4-3 record, which isn’t incredibly eye-opening, but it shows that development within the roster is improving. The Seminoles currently stand at 5-11, ranked as the No. 4 team in the ACC.

A tremendous part of their recent success has been the play of sophomore Matthew Cleveland. He came into the Seminoles program as a highly touted prospect, but there were technical issues to be dealt with before Cleveland took a step forward in his game.

The biggest red flag was Cleveland’s shooting ability, finishing the 2021-22 season with a 17.9% three-point percentage and a 55.5% free-throw percentage.

Those numbers have massively improved after Cleveland spent a large portion of the offseason working on his shooting form. With a smoother jump shot in his arsenal, Cleveland is now shooting 42.9% (highest percentage on the roster) from distance and 74.3% from the free throw line. He also leads the Seminoles in scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Cleveland’s constant effort on the glass has led to five-straight double-doubles, becoming the first Seminole to do so since Doug Edwards in the 1991-92 season. Florida State has a hefty plate on their schedule with ACC opponents scattered throughout the next few months; with the addition of Baba Miller in their next game, the Noles can make some noise in the conference.

Following the Seminoles win against Georgia Tech, Tomahawk Nation spoke with Cleveland on his newfound leadership role, thoughts on the Noles season, and the potential the current truly has.

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FSU football latest: Seminoles win 10 games, start to shape 2023 roster

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0000

After an extended holiday break, the Seminole Wrap crew is back to cover a wide-range of Florida State Seminoles football topics that happened over the last few weeks.

What can Florida State take from their 35-32 win in Cheez-It Bowl over Oklahoma into next season? What attributed to some of the struggles? How will the potential transfer of running back Treshaun Ward impact the offense next season? How will the newest transfers into the program elevate the team next season? How important returning stars DL Fabian Lovett and DB Akeem Dent will be to 2023? And who would be the best fit to replace departing defensive backs coach Marcus Woodson?

Brian Pellerin. Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio cover all that and more in this week’s mega-episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast. The crew also shares their predictions for the Georgia Bulldogs vs. the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff championship game at the end.

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CHEEZ-IT BOWL CHAMPIONS -- Postgame interviews after Florida State Seminoles beat Oklahoma Sooners

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 04:56:00 -0000

No. 13 Florida State Seminoles, playing in the program’s first bowl game since 2016, has seemingly found its identity after navigating a difficult stretch in head coach Mike Norvell’s first and second seasons. That identity, built on responding to adversity, was tested against an out-of-conference opponent in the Oklahoma Sooners in the Cheez-It Bowl.

It wasn’t an easy victory for the Noles, but they were able to escape Orlando with their 10th win of the season — the best for the program since 2016. Florida State defeated the Sooners 35-32 behind incredible performances from Jordan Travis and Johnny Wilson.

After the game, Norvell, Jordan Travis, Jared Verse, Treshaun Ward, and Jammie Robinson spoke on the team’s performance, what it meant as a reflection of the Seminoles’ season and what it means for Florida State going forward.

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“Two of the best brands in football:” Norvell, Venables talk FSU vs. Oklahoma in Cheez-It Bowl -- Seminoles, Sooners head coach interviews

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 16:50:00 -0000

The No. 13 Florida State Seminoles are now one day away from their first bowl game appearance since 2016, seeking the program’s first 10-win season since that year. Florida State heads into its matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners after ending the season on a five-game win streak, having spent the past couple of days in Orlando prepping to take the field at Camping World Stadium for the Cheez-It Bowl.

It’s been a busy offseason for head coach Mike Norvell and his staff, who in the wait for bowl week have been putting in work during the early signing period and transfer portal process.

Norvell and Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables spoke today as part of a pregame press conference, touching on each team’s mindset ahead of the matchup, the investment they’ve seen from the players and coaches and other storylines heading into the Cheez-It Bowl.

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Interviews: Mike Norvell, Jordan Travis, Jared Verse, Trey Benson, Dillan Gibbons, Jammie Robinson, Alex Atkins, Adam Fuller

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 06:41:00 -0000

Time to get cheesy.

The No. 13 Florida State Seminoles (9-3, 5-3 ACC) and Oklahoma Sooners (6-6, 3-6 Big 12) have arrived in Orlando ahead of this Thursday’s Cheez-It Bowl game, set to be played inside Camping World Stadium.

FSU, after two losing seasons to kick off the Mike Norvell era, is in the midst of its best year since 2016 while the Sooners are stumbling into the postseason after a crash back to earth in year one under Brent Venables.

According to DraftKings, FSU is currently a 9.5-point favorite over the Sooners with the over/under set at 65.5.

Ahead of the matchup, coaches and players from both squads met with the media to talk about the week that awaits and other storylines surrounding the game.

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FSU sports latest: Football set for signing day, men and women's basketball, Cheez-It Bowl discussion and more

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 17:15:00 -0000

It’s a grab-bag episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast as the Florida State athletic department has a lot of things going on as we move closer to the end of 2022.

The Florida State Seminoles football team has two major milestones ahead of them with the Cheez-It Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners in Orlando on Dec. 29 and National Signing Day on Wednesday.

The crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio — takes a look at some of the recent news surrounding the bowl game including some important opt outs for the Sooners, their hopes for a quieter National Signing Day this year after last year’s interesting turn of events and the two new TE transfers.

They also give thoughts on the other two big stories on campus — the groundbreaking of the new football facility and the slide of the men’s basketball team. What impact will the new facility have on the program? And could the hoops team’s struggles be a sign of long-term problems?

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Seminoles recruiting: Breaking down transfer commits, previewing weekend visits -- Florida State football recruiting updates, latest news

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

With Early Signing Day less than week away, Florida State football is kicking into high gear on the recruiting trail.

Head coach Mike Norvell and his staff are looking to put the final touches on Florida State’s 2023 class, making final pitches to players who have the potential to play a part in the next step of FSU’s development as a program.

On the latest episode of the Florida State of Recruiting, the Three Stars discuss FSU’s upcoming weekend visitors, as well as analyze some of the transfer portal commitments the Seminoles have snagged.

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FSU recruiting latest: Who is visiting Seminoles ahead of Early Signing Day? Visitor list breakdown, analysis -- Florida State football recruiting breakdown

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 11:00:00 -0000

We’re less than a week from seeing Florida State football’s 2023 recruiting class put pen to paper and officially sign with the Seminoles.

Head coach Mike Norvell and his staff have been grinding over the last few weeks, looking to solidify this year’s group — one that currently sits at No. 15 overall and No. 3 in the ACC, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

In addition to traversing across the country for in-home visits, that push has also seen players taking visits to Tallahassee, with a pretty decent group coming in last weekend.

Ahead of this week’s visits, the Three Stars (Josh Pick, NoleThruandThru and Tim Scribble) jumped behind the mics to recap who came through to see Norvell and co., takeaways from those visits, alongside other news and analysis from the latest in FSU recruiting.

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FSU returning major names in 2023, prepping for game vs. Oklahoma -- latest in Florida State Seminoles football

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles are moving closer to their Cheez-It Bowl matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners with bowl practice now underway. The Noles getting extra practice days for the first time since 2019.

This week, the Seminole Wrap crew — Max Escarpio and Brian Pellerin (Jon was a DNP coach’s decision) — discuss Max’s observations from practice so far, including the guys in the transfer portal that are still suiting up to help the team prepare for the game.

The guys also discuss the major impact the return of quarterback Jordan Travis, running back Tre Benson and linebacker Tatum Bethune will have on the 2023 season. Could their leadership and returning production to the lineup open the door to getting some of the bigger names in the transfer portal this offseason?

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FSU vs. Oklahoma in Cheez-It Bowl -- Florida State Seminoles vs. Sooners quick preview, FSU final ranking in College Football Playoff reaction

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

It’s time to get cheesy.

The No. 13 Florida State Seminoles (9-3, 5-3 ACC) are headed to Cheez-It Bowl to face off against the Oklahoma Sooners (6-6, 3-6), the first postseason game of head coach Mike Norvell’s tenure in Tallahassee.

FSU last faced off against the Sooners in 2011, a 23-13 loss for the Seminoles. Oklahoma leads the all-time series 6-1.

It’s FSU’s first game vs. a Big 12 opponent since its 2014 season opener vs. the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Florida State vs. Oklahoma kicks off Thursday, December 29 at 5:30 p.m. ET at Camping World Stadium and will be broadcast live on ESPN.

“I am so excited for our team to be selected to play in the Cheez-It Bowl,” head coach Mike Norvell said. “They have earned this opportunity through hard work, toughness and resiliency this whole year, and I’m incredibly grateful to have one more opportunity to be on the field coaching this year’s team. Playing in the state of Florida will be great for our fans to create an incredible environment during the week and at Camping World Stadium. We are looking forward to this matchup and the opportunity to continue on our CLIMB as a program.”

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STATE CHAMPS: FSU beats UF, finishes 9-3 -- Florida State Seminoles football season analysis, breakdown, bowl discussion

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

With another high-scoring performance against an in-state rival, the Florida State Seminoles put the finishing touches on a remarkable nine-win season that will see them end the regular season in the top 15 of the College Football Playoff rankings.

The Noles were able to outduel the Florida Gators’ A-game without playing their best to send them back to Gainesville as losers.

So how was Florida State able to win the shootout without their best offensive effort? How were they able to right the ship following the three-game losing streak in October? And how should Noles fans feel about the program after completing a nine-win season?

The Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio — break it all down in this week’s episode of the show. Plus, they each give their thoughts on an ideal bowl opponent and location to close out the 2022 season with the hopes of getting to 10 wins.

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FSU vs. UF: How do Seminoles and Gators stack up? Preview, analysis, breakdown feat. Richard Johnson of Split Zone Duo/Sports Illustrated/SEC Network

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 21:20:00 -0000

No. 16 Florida State (8-3, 5-3 ACC) and the Florida Gators (6-5, 3-5 SEC) are set to face off in a Friday primetime matchup in Tallahassee, with each team looking to add a solid momentum mover in the regular season finale.

FSU comes into the game with an outside chance at making the Orange Bowl (should Clemson make the College Football Playoff) and a blowout win over one rival already under its belt. Meanwhile, Florida has had a roller coaster of a year that kicked off with an upset win at home vs. Utah but only two wins vs. SEC East competition. The team’s most recent loss, a head-scratcher to the Vanderbilt Commodores, highlighted a good majority of the issues that have plagued the Gators all season long.

On this week’s episode of the Line of Scrimmage (where each week we give you insight into Florida State’s opponents from those in the know) we spoke with Richard Johnson of Split Zone Duo, Sports Illustrated, and SEC Network. What has Billy Napier been focused on as he looks to establish himself in Gainesville? What does Anthony Richardson bring to the table for the Gators’ offense and what are his weak points? How will Friday play out?

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FSU gets QB commit -- Instant reaction analysis after blue-chip quarterback Brock Glenn commits to Florida State Seminoles

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 23:03:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles football team has shown vast improvement on the field, and it’s being noticed by recruits, including their latest commitment, four-star quarterback Brock Glenn, a flip from Ohio State.

The 6’2, 195 pound Glenn attends Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, and has a four-star rating from the 247 Sports Composite List. The sites consider him the 378th best player in his class (22nd best QB and 12th best player in Tennessee). Norvell leaned hard on his Memphis connections when recruiting Glenn and his family, and the Seminole staff kept in contact with the gunslinger despite his verbal commitment to OSU. That persistence paid off in a big way today, as the ‘Noles finally have their QB for #Tribe23.

Glenn, who officially visited Florida State in June, also checked out the Auburn Tigers and TCU Horned Frogs, before eventually choosing Ohio State. He holds 30+ offers from teams such as the Cincinnati Bearcats, Duke Blue Devils, Illinois Fighting Illini, Indiana Hoosiers, Kansas Jayhawks, Kentucky Wildcats, LSU Tigers, Michigan State Spartans, Minnesota Gophers, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Missouri Tigers, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Pittsburgh Panthers, Virginia Cavaliers, and Virginia Tech Hokies.

The Three Stars got together for another instant reaction edition of the Florida State of Recruiting podcast to discuss the 2022 quarterback commitment. On this episode, we break down FSU’s newest addition to #Tribe23 and what he can bring to the Seminole QB room.

But the fun does not stop there, as we give our thoughts on how the class could finish, while discussing future recruiting ramifications, as well, with a strong finish to the season.

The Florida State of Recruiting (FSoR) Podcast features the Three Stars: Josh Pick, Tim Alumbaugh, and David Stout. And if you can’t get enough Florida State in your life, check out our “Tomahawk Nation” podcast family.

As always, check out all the latest recruiting updates in the official Tomahawk Nation recruiting thread.

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FSU wins 4th straight, gets new ranking ahead of game vs. Florida Gators -- latest Florida State Seminoles football analysis, breakdown, discussion

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football, a week out from a primetime rivalry matchup vs. the Florida Gators, took care of business against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns to move to 8-3 (5-3 ACC) on the season.

It was FSU’s fourth-straight victory of 25-plus points, a run that has solidified the team with two games left on the docket — next Friday and the Seminoles’ eventual postseason destination.

Florida has had an up-and-down first season under new head coach Billy Napier. After upsetting Utah to start the season to earn a No. 12 ranking, the Gators dropped games to Kentucky and Tennessee to stumble out of the rankings and have struggled to find a consistent level of play from an offense led by preseason potential first-round pick Anthony Richardson.

What has led to FSU's win streak? What can we expect from the Seminoles vs. Gators matchup? Max Escarpio and Jon Marchant break it down on this week's episode of the Seminole Wrap.

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POSTGAME INTERVIEWS: FSU is 8-3 after another blowout win

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 22:09:40 -0000

No. 19 Florida State (8-3, 5-3 ACC) took care of business against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Saturday, dominating the Sun Belt opponent to the point that backups were able to enter the game early in the third quarter. They took a 49-17 victory behind phenomenal performances from the starting defense and rushing offense.

It was FSU’s fourth straight blowout win, giving the Seminoles eight total on the year just two seasons removed from a 3-6 debut season for Mike Norvell.

After the game, Norvell, Fabien Lovett, Treshaun Ward, DJ Lundy, and Robert Scott spoke on the team’s performance and thoughts ahead of next week’s rivalry matchup vs. the Florida Gators.

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FSU vs. Louisiana: Seminoles take on Ragin' Cajuns in Tallahassee -- preview, breakdown, prediction feat. Josh Jagneaux of Ragin’ Review

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0000

No. 19 Florida State Seminoles football (7-3, 5-3 ACC) is getting set to take on the Lousiana Ragin’ Cajuns (5-5, 3-4 Sun Belt) this Saturday inside Doak Campell Stadium, the penultimate game of the 2022 season.

Louisiana, in its first year under Michael Desormeaux after the departure of Billy Napier last season, has fought to work its way back to consistency. They went 2-2 in both September and October, right now 1-1 in the month of November after beating Georgia Southern last weekend.

On this week’s episode of the Line of Scrimmage (where each week we give you insight into Florida State’s opponents from those in the know) we spoke with Josh Jagneaux of Ragin’ Review hopped on the Line of Scrimmage podcast. What has led to Louisiana’s inconsistent 2022? What does Desormeaux bring to the table as coach? Who are the names to know on the Ragin’ Cajuns roster?

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No. 20 FSU with chance to finish strong -- how will rest of season shake out? Florida State Seminoles football breakdown, analysis

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football, after a third straight blowout vs. an ACC opponent, finished with its best record in conference play since 2016 on Saturday, advancing to 7-3 (5-3 ACC) on the season.

No. 20 FSU has shaken off a midseason three-game losing streak to set itself up to finish nicely with just two games remaining on the schedule — the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (5-5, 3-4 Sun Belt), who are coming off a 36-17 win over the Georgia Southern Eagles and the newly-bowl eligible Florida Gators (6-4, 3-4 SEC).

What’s gone into the recent surge of dominance from the Seminoles? How could the rest of the year play out? What does this season’s success mean for Florida State moving forward?

Brian Pellerin and Jon Marchant talk on those topics and more on the latest episode of the Seminole Wrap.

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FSU Basketball: Early season review, breakdown -- why are Seminoles 0-2?

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 00:42:00 -0000

Perhaps you've been distracted by FSU football being good again. Perhaps your tv subscription expired, or you haven't been able to drive to the Tuck, and your radio died, and you forgot how to use the internet, and your neighbor's dog steals the newspaper, and all your friends who love basketball left town. If so, you may be wondering exactly how good the 'Noles look this year. I mean, there's a core returning quartet of Matthew Cleveland, Caleb Mills, Cam'Ron Fletcher, and Jalen Warley. There are critical transfers in Jaylen Gainey and Darin Green. And the freshmen class looks to be the best in years with Baba Miller, De'Ante Green, Cameron Corhen, Tom House, Jeremiah Bembry and Chandler Jackson. Let's get excited, people!

Well....we've got some news for you. Gainey blew his knee and will be out all year. So will De'Ante Green. So will Bembry. Chandler Jackson broke his thumb. Fletcher can't practice. And the jewel of the newcomers - Baba Miller - is suspended by the NCAA for a half a year because he attended his own team's training camp.

Has anyone else noticed that FSU hoops has been cursed since Covid hit?

Luckily the season opened against Stetson. Even with just 8 scholarship players, surely they'd roll Stetson. Right? The next game was tougher. A road game at UCF. How'd it go?

Well, through two games there in one team in college basketball (looking at you Mississippi Valley State) that has been worse on the defensive glass than Florida State. And the rest of the defense has been intriguing at best. And the offense? Well, there's a ball and a basket and sometimes the two meet.

So here we are, two games into the bright and shiny new season. Come along as Matt and Michael provide some insight. It's gonna be a long season folks, so get comfortable and go 'Noles.

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FSU football postgame interviews: Mike Norvell, Trey Benson, Jared Verse talks Florida State Seminoles blowout win over Syracuse

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 07:23:00 -0000

No. 23 Florida State, in its ACC finale, put on a near-perfect performance vs. the Syracuse Orange.

After scoring 14 points in the first quarter, Florida State’s offense took a bit to get going before finding life again in the third, surging ahead to safely put the game out of striking distance for the Orange. The Seminoles put up 420 yards, once again showing that Mike Norvell has cultivated one of the most explosive offenses in the country.

Though the offense had an overall impressive performance, it was the defense that once again showed out, holding a team without a touchdown for the second straight week. Syracuse averaged just 3.3 yards per play, totaling 160 on the night (with most coming in garbage time.)

Impressive individual performances were to be found across the board, with running back Trey Benson logging his third straight 100+ yard game, receivers Malik McClain and Johnny Wilson showcasing physicality while scoring on screen passes and quarterback Jordan Travis completing the trifecta of offensive scoring by throwing for, rushing for and catching a touchdown.

With the win, the Seminoles (7-3, 5-3 ACC) finish with their best record in conference play since 2016.

Next up for Florida State is a home matchup vs. the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (5-5, 3-4 Sun Belt), who are coming off a 36-17 win over the Georgia Southern Eagles.

FSU vs. Syracuse stats

38-3

Total yards

FSU: 420

Syracuse: 61

Passing yards

FSU: 190

Syracuse: 34

Rushing yards

FSU: 230

Syracuse: 27

Yards per play

FSU: 5.9

Syracuse: 3.3

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FSU vs. Syracuse preview, breakdown, prediction -- How do Seminoles and Orange matchup? feat. Andy Pegler of TNIAAM

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 21:28:00 -0000

No. 23 Florida State is set to take on the Syracuse Orange this weekend inside the JMA Wireless Dome.

Florida State Seminoles football (6-3, 4-3 ACC) is fresh off a 45-3 blowout victory over rival Miami (4-5, 2-3 ACC) while Syracuse (6-3, 3-2 ACC), once a top-15 team, are on a three-game losing streak after stumbling vs. the Pittsburgh Panthers in a 19-9 loss.

On this week’s episode of the Line of Scrimmage, where ahead of each game this football season, we’re giving you insight into Florida State’s opponents from those in the know, we spoke with Andy Pregler of Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician (or Nunes Magician, or TNIAAM, whatever suits your fancy.) Andy gives us insight into where the Orange stand at this point of the season, the source of its losing streak as of late, a prediction for Saturday and more.

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Seminoles are No. 23 in College Football Playoff, FSU favored vs. Syracuse, Noles soccer set for title defense -- all the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Wednesday and welcome to Noles News Now, the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports, brought to you by Tomahawk Nation. I’m your host Perry Kostidakis -- let’s jump right in.

Florida State has earned its first College Football Playoff ranking since 2016, the year that FSU faced off and beat Michigan in the Orange Bowl. The Seminoles debuted at No. 23 in the second edition of this year’s rankings, an improvement of two spots from the squad’s standing in the AP Top 25. FSU isn’t ranked in the Coaches Poll, but, hey, you can’t win them all, and also -- it doesn’t matter.

The ranking is a reflection of the fact that, despite 3 losses, FSU has performed as at least one of the top 25 teams in the country. I’m going to drop a couple of stat bombs on you --

FSU has put together one of the most explosive offenses in the country, a balanced rushing and passing attack led by a significantly-improved Jordan Travis, who has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC and arguably, the country. Florida State is now No. 1 in the country in 20+ yard plays, having logged 69 on the season (62 vs. Power 5 competition.) According to FSU Sports Info, Florida State is one of four teams in the country (and the only team in the ACC) averaging at least 270 yards of passing offense and at least 210 yards of rushing offense per game this season.

On the defensive end, while there is still room for improvement in a variety of areas, the Seminoles have also taken a step forward — FSU has allowed the fourth-fewest 20+ yard plays this season (24) while holding opponents to just 19.8 points per game (No. 22 in the country). Also via FSU Sports Info, Florida State is first in the ACC and fifth in the country in pass defense, holding opponents to an average of 165.0 yards per game through the air. The Seminoles also are first in the ACC and rank nine nationally, holding opponents to an average of 6.1 yards per pass attempt

FSU leads the nation with 15 touchdown drives of 80+ yards and with seven 90+-yard touchdown drives this season. The Seminoles also rank fourth in explosive play rate differential, trailing only Georgia, Ohio State and Tulane, with an offense explosive play rate of 16.8 percent that ranks sixth nationally and a defense explosive plays allowed rate of 9.2 percent that is 15th in the country

So basically -- yeah, Florida State is a pretty good football team. The Seminoles face off against the Syracuse Orange this Saturday at 7 p.m. and are currently 6.5 point favorites.

In other FSU news, the soccer team is getting set to take on FGCU in the squad’s NCAA Tournament opener. FSU, the defending national champs and winners of the ACC Tournament, are the overall no. 1 seed and look to be set up well to at the very least make a deep run. Our Prince Akeem Joeffer, the best of the best when it comes to Florida State women’s athletics, has you covered with a layout of the bracket and other thoughts on the program up on the site right now.

Those are the main big things of the day -- you can read up on them and more on TomahawkNation.com right now, as well as catch up on all of our past coverage from the week, from football breakdowns to basketball look through. Thank you for listening and supporting us -- if you want more of something we’re doing, if you want us to change anything up, please please either leave a comment on the website or in a review.

Thank you again for listening -- we’ll see you next time.

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Seminole Wrap: FSU beats down inferior in-state rival in Miami Hurricanes, preps for ACC finale vs. Syracuse -- plus some basketball talk

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles are halfway to sweeping their in-state rivalries this season as they gave the Miami Hurricanes everything they could handle and a whole lot more in Saturday’s 45-3 victory.

The Noles looked clearly the better team as they ran out to a huge lead and never looked back. They clinched bowl eligibility for the first time since 2019 and did so with the largest margin of victory in the history of the FSU-UM series.

This week, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin and Max Escarpio (as Jon Marchant finishes out his old guy vacation) — discuss what led to the blowout, how the team and program should feel about and what goal should be for the rest of the season.

Spoiler Alert: Optimism is plentiful.

If you prefer pessimism, the duo discusses the future of the Miami program and Max also shares some thoughts on the upcoming FSU hoops season.

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FSU ranked after embarrassing Miami, hoops season starts, soccer wins ACC and more -- all the latest in Florida State Seminoles athletics

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 19:23:43 -0000

Welcome in to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things happening in Florida State athletics on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. What a welcome back to the FSU-Miami rivalry, Mario Cristobal. Better luck next time. Happy victory Monday to you our listener. Your Florida State Seminoles are now bowl-eligible after a thoroughly, dominant and I mean dominant 45-3 win over Miami this past weekend. Thanks so much for tuning in. I’m Brian Pellerin on this Monday, November 7th.

Apologies for the late timing on this podcast this week, we’re trying something different by recording on my Monday lunch break after Mike Norvell’s usual Monday press conference.

We start this afternoon in the obvious place and that is Saturday’s blowout in Miami Gardens. The Seminoles asserting their will early taking a huge lead into half and never looking back. The stars on the day — Trey Benson who posted 15 carries for 128 and 2 TDs and then the FSU defense holding Miami to just 3 points in the game that came on their first drive. Otherwise, it was a lot of 3-and-outs plus turnovers. The Canes simply never had a prayer in this one. The stadium started emptying out in the second quarter and looked more like a normal Miami home game throughout the second half. Benson and OL-man Dillan Gibbons earned ACC Player of the Week honors as well. The victory puts Florida State back in the top 25 of the AP poll. They still remain a bit of a ways out in the coaches' poll. The college football playoff rankings drop tomorrow night.

This week’s opponent Syracuse, no longer in those polls after dropping a third straight game. That one was a battle of teams playing without their top offensive player.

Cuse going without QB Garrett Shrader who appears to be moving close to a return after warming up this past weekend and Pitt is without their star running back. Either way, it was Pitt who came out victorious so Noles headed to Syracuse to face a team on a losing streak, desperate to right their ship. Oddsmakers like FSU as they opened as a 7-point favorite on the road.

Outside of the field, two headlines in Tallahassee. First coming Saturday night when the broadcast showed Mike Norvell and Deuce Spann on the sideline where Spann was clearly frustrated as Norvell tried to get his head back in the game. Asked about it today, Norvell said “It’s about me helping to get him back to where he’s in control — when you get to that point, your mind can race to a million different places... He apologized and I just told him I loved him.” Norvell received some praise online for how he handled that moment. The other coming from a potential transfer off this team. This morning, Sam McCall posted online a note that he was entering the transfer portal, but later deleted the post, saying he made it off emotion. So it appears he will remain with the team for the time being. That is certainly something that could come up in this week’s Tribe ‘23 Recruiting and Portal Thread with our experts Josh Pick, Tim Scribble, and David Stout. They’ve got the details on everything you need for potential roster shakeups in both recruiting and the portal.

How about the ACC champs? Did you hear about that? Your reigning national champion FSU soccer team has added another trophy to their resume as they picked up the ACC title in a really even 2-1 victory against North Carolina. Florida State has now won nine of the last 12 ACC titles. Incredible run for that program. The NCAA tourney selection show is this afternoon at 4 so it may be out already depending on when you’re listening to this. Good luck going forward, Noles. Let’s go back to back.

Hoops season is here also as the FSU men’s team opens their year tonight at 7 pm against Stetson. The FSU women already rolled through its first opponent with a 113-50 win against Bethune Cookman this morning.

That’ll do it for today’s Noles News Now. Until next time, I’m Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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Analyzing FSU, Miami -- How do Seminoles and Hurricanes stack up? Preview, breakdown, prediction feat. Adam Lichtenstein

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0000

It’s one of the greatest rivalries in athletics.

Florida State Seminoles football (5-3, 3-3 ACC) and the Miami Hurricanes (4-4, 2-2 ACC) are set to etch the next chapter in the storied series between the two schools this Saturday.

Currently, FSU is a 7.5-point favorite over Miami (according to DraftKings), a reflection of the Seminoles’ uptick in performance this year and a disappointing debut season so far for Mario Cristobal.

Last season, the Seminoles snapped a losing streak to the Hurricanes by way of a dramatic 31-28 victory in Tallahassee. This year the two face off inside Hard Rock Stadium for a primetime showdown, scheduled for a 7:30 kickoff and set to be broadcast on ABC.

On this week’s episode of the Line of Scrimmage, where ahead of each game this football season, we’re giving you insight into Florida State’s opponents from those in the know, we spoke with Hurricanes’ beat writer Adam Lichtenstein of the Sun-Sentinel. Adam gives us insight into the tumultuous beginning of the Cristobal era, helps break down the Hurricanes on offense and defense, talks Miami’s quarterback situation and offers a prediction for Saturday’s game.

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FSU football latest -- Seminoles head to Miami as touchdown favorite, Florida State dominates Georgia Tech

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 12:54:00 -0000

Fresh off the team’s second bye week of the 2022 season, the Florida State Seminoles were able to thoroughly dominate the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to start their final stretch run.

The Noles opened the first quarter rusty, turning the ball over on downs on their opening drive and then fumbling it away on their following possession, but Florida State was able to bounce back from there and nearly triple the Yellow Jackets in yards and double them in first downs on the way to another win.

So what helped the Noles get back in the win column? And what do they still need to clean up as they head to Miami for an in-state rivalry game and in search of bowl eligibility?

The Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin and Max Escarpio (without Jon Marchant who is on vacation) — break down the answer to those questions plus their predictions for the Seminoles and Hurricanes.

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Noles News Now: FSU favored vs. Miami, soccer set for ACC Tournament, basketball season, latest in Florida State Seminoles sports

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 14:06:47 -0000

Welcome in to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things happening in Florida State athletics on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. A victory and record breaking

Monday for the FSU football team as they enter rivalry week. Thanks so much for tuning in. I'm Brian Pellerin on this Monday October 31st. Happy Halloween.

That record breaking effort came from the football team in a blowout win over Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets were clearly no match for FSU as evidence by the 41-16 final score. The Noles were far from perfect in the game and still dominated the yardage, first downs and of course points. Jordan Travis broke his personal passing yardage mark with 394. That was a big piece of a larger FSU historical game as this game was the third time in FSU history that they had a QB throw for 375, a running back for over 100 -- Trey Benson's 111 -- and a wide receiver over 100 with Johnny Wilson going for 111 as well.

Another big note was Fabian Lovett made his first appearance since the second game of the season. A huge piece to have back heading into rivalry week against Miami.

The Canes coming off a 4-OT 14-12 win this weekend against Virginia that saw no touchdowns. They're far from playing their best football and oddsmakers will tell you that. FSU is an 8-point favorite on this one Sunday night. We'll see if that moves during the week.

A win this week would give FSU bowl eligibility but also a nice welcome to the conference to Mario Cristobal. A statement victory could also help in some recruiting battles with the Canes. Mike Norvell and the coaching staff had plenty of potential Tribe 23 guys on campus this past week. For more on that, you can check out our recruiting and portal thread with plenty of great insight all for free.

Elsewhere on campus, FSU basketball hit with some bad news this weekend as the NCAA announced star freshman Baba Miller violated guidelines when his family received travel to and from a training camp from his native Spain to the U-S. That ruling puts Miller out of action for half the season. Miller and his family say they immediately paid back the benefits once they learned it violated NCAA rules. Athletic Director Michael Alford was none too pleased with the ruling saying the decision seems disproportionate and inconsistent in today's modern environment. Miller will continue to practice with the team so he's ready to return after his 16-game suspension.

The FSU volleyball team dropped a 4-set match to Boston College on Sunday. They'll face Clemson next on Friday.

Women's basetball dominated West Georgia 115-46 in an exhibition game.

And the No. 5 soccer team closed out their regular season with a 4-1 win over Virginia Tech.

That'll do it for today's Noles News Now. Until Wednesday, I'm Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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FSU vs. Georgia Tech: Can Seminoles snap losing streak vs. Yellow Jackets? feat. Robert Binion of From the Rumble Seat

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football (4-3, 2-3 ACC) is rested up and off its second bye of the season, looking to snap a three-game losing streak this Saturday vs. the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-4, 2-2 ACC).

FSU will also be looking to snap a two-game losing streak to Georgia Tech on Saturday at noon, having lost to the Yellow Jackets off a field-goal return in 2015 and in the opening game of the Mike Norvell era in 2020.

The Seminoles are currently 23-point favorites, according to DraftKings, as the Yellow Jackets look to bounce back after a 16-9 loss to the Virginia Cavaliers last Thursday.

Robert, who was one of the first-ever guests on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network to preview that aforementioned 2020 game, jumped on to talk about Georgia Tech’s new life after firing head coach Geoff Collins, what the quarterback situation for the Yellow Jackets looks like, how the offense and defense have looked and a prediction for Saturday.

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Can FSU the season finish strong? Will Seminoles win 9, 8 or 7 games?

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 12:22:00 -0000

With their bye week in the rearview mirror, the Florida State Seminoles now face five games in five weeks to close 2022 strong and build toward 2023.

The bye gave them a chance to rest and reset their mindset from a 3-game losing streak. Still ahead of them, a chance to clinch their first bowl game since 2019, the state championship games, a likely ranked contest against Syracuse and a non-conference matchup with Louisiana.

The Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Max Escarpio and Jon Marchant — discuss their expectations in each of those 5 games, how they expect Florida State to finish the season and what they need to do to get there.

Could the Noles run the table and take all 5 contests? Could there be unexpected stumbles down the stretch? How will these outcomes shape Mike Norvell’s tenure and Florida State’s path back to the top of college football?

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Noles News Now: Latest in Florida State Seminoles sports

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 12:02:00 -0000

Welcome in to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things happening in Florida State athletics on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. Yeah, it's Monday again. But at least its an FSU game week Monday. Thanks so much for tuning in. I'm Brian Pellerin on this Monday October 24th.

I hope you used the Florida State football bye week and followed the team's lead in picking up some rest and preparing for the stretch run. Mike Norvell's team got that opporunity to heal up their bodies and minds, clear that 3 game losing streak and charge toward the final 5 games of the season. That stretch run starts with Georgia Tech in Doak this weekend. Kickoff for that is at noon on the ACC Network. Florida State opened as 20.5 point favorite so oddsmakers like them to snap that losing skid and roll through the Yellow Jackets. G-T is 3-4 on the seson with those wins coming against West Carolina, Duke and Pitt. The losses to Clemson, Ole Miss, UCF and Virginia. If FSU takes care of themselves, they should be able to handle business and move one win away from bowl eligibility.

Of course, that's the lowest of expectations for this team down the stretch. Fans are hoping for much more and so is our Seminole Wrap crew. Jon Marchant, Max Escarpio and myself discussed on this week's episode available today. We looked at the team's still on the schedule, gave our confidence in FSU winning, which ones we expect to give them problems -- the answer there might surprise you -- and gave our predictions for the team's final record. Again, that's on Seminole Wrap this week. Episode dropping today.

A bye week also gives the coaching staff a chance to get out on the recruiting trail a bit more as well so now is a great time to check back in with our recruiting and transfer portal thread looking at the Tribe for 2023 to see where the staff was out making moves.

Elsewhere, Link Jarrett got his first win as the FSU baseball coach, sorta. The Noles beat Kennesaw State in its first exhibition game of fall ball. Whole lot of midnights between now and the actual start of the year... Opening Day is February 17th against James Madison.

Speaking of exhibitions! the men's basketball team also wanted to get in on the fun... they'll hold their own on Thursday against Newberry College. Admission for that one is free. Gotta like that. The women's basketball team has their first exhibition on Sunday.

The soccer team got a big bounceback win yesterday defeating Pittsburgh 1-0 with a second half goal and volleyball had an excellent weekend, posting two sweeps. Those straight set wins were over Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

That'll do it for today's Noles News Now. Until Wednesday, I'm Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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Offense, defense, playcalling, coaching: Analyzing FSU after 7 weeks, season predictions and expectations

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football (4-3, 2-3 ACC) sits at a crossroads after losing three-straight games — an undefeated start has turned into a just-over .500 record, with FSU showcasing both frustrating self-inflicted mistakes and clear indicators of growth and progress.

The Seminoles currently are in the midst of the team’s second bye week of the year, taking the opportunity to regroup and refocus ahead of the final five games of the year — vs. the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, on the road vs. the Miami Hurricanes, away against the Syracuse Orange and the two home games to finish the year vs. Louisiana-Layfette and the Florida Gators.

In lieu of a writer from Florida State’s opponent for the week, on this week’s Line of Scrimmage, we figured that the best way to look back at the past few weeks was to bring on some names from Tomahawk past. Adam Brown (CoachAB) and Trey Rowland of Xs and Noles and Noles247 jumped on to discuss the Seminoles’ offense and defense, players of note and offer season predictions.

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Noles News Now: Latest in Florida State Seminoles sports

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:00:33 -0000

Happy Monday and welcome in to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things happening in Florida State athletics on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. I'm your

host Brian Pellerin on this Monday October 17th. Thanks so much for joining me. I wish I was here with better news from an F-S-U sports weekend, but that's not meant

to be.

Another week turned out, brought another top 15 team to FSU's schedule and another mark in the loss column. This time it was Clemson, putting the blemish on FSU's

record. The Tigers used a huge 17 point rally late in the first half and early in the second to jump out to a big lead and never looked back. The Noles were able

to scrap their way to within 6 but never really threatened to win.

At the game's end Coach Norvell saluted the Clemson run game for the success they found with running back Will Shipley and on designed runs for DJ Uieungalelei, but

the Noles really kept Clemson in check outside of that window around halftime. So is this the beginning of the end of another unsuccessful season in Tallahass?

The Seminole Wrap crew isn't ready to write them off yet despite the 3 game losing streak. So what's gone wrong, what do they need to use the bye week for and how will

they perform the rest of the season? That's all covered on the latest episode available later today.

Next up for FSU is a home game with Georgia Tech in two weeks so they can use the bye to prepare, get some rest and heal up some injured players.

This weekend' game was also massive for the Noles recruiting efforts as football and basketball both had some primetime players on campus. For the latest on those

visits and the inside scoop our crew has on those guys, check out our latest recruiting thread. Our guys do a lot of great work and making sure you've got the latest

details on the recruits that could go a long way to getting FSU back where we want them to be so be sure to give that a read and get involved in the conversation.

Elsewhere on campus, FSU volleyball lost to No. 8 Pittsburgh in straight sets. The baseball team is a week away from their first showcase camp and women's tennis

concluded the ITA regionals with one player advancing to the singles consolation semifinals.

That'll do it for today's Noles News Now. Until Wednesday, I'm Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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Is FSU football still on track after three-game losing streak?

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

For a large majority of Saturday’s loss, the Florida State Seminoles stood toe to toe with the Clemson Tigers. They held the Tigers' rushing attack to under four yards per carry and had plenty of success running the ball on their own. But ultimately, despite the close final score, Clemson was simply too much for Florida State.

That game gives the Noles a third consecutive loss heading into their bye week and has sunk FSU’s short-lived hopes of a potential run to Charlotte.

Now what?

Does this loss sink the direction of the season and the program as a whole? Or is it just another bumpy step on the road back to consistent competitiveness?

This week, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio — look at what went wrong for the Noles in their current skid, why they can’t seem to get over the hump, and what the goal is for the rest of Florida State’s season following the bye week.

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INSTANT REACTION: FSU loses to Clemson, the Seminoles fall to 4-3 after third loss of year

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 05:16:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles lose to #4 Clemson. The Seminoles started off strong against the Clemson Tigers but after going up 14-7 they fell apart and were never able to come back after that point.

Jordan Travis and the offense moved the ball well at times with a good opening drive and failed to build on that.

The Clemson Tigers did not start the game well but were dominant from the second quarter on led by QB Dj Uiagalelei. The ‘Noles fall to 4-3 losing to three quality opponents in a row.

FSU did come back strong to end the game with the final score being 34-28 but from the second quarter on the ‘Noles were down and could not come back to win.

While the Seminoles started off 4-0 they have dropped three straight games against Wake Forest, NC State and Clemson their toughest stretch of the season has proven to be very difficult.

Looking forward they have a bye week upcoming and 5 more games to end the season with one ranked opponent (Syracuse) and big games against Florida and Miami who have both struggled this season.

The bare minimum expectation should be a bowl appearance but 8 to 9 wins is not an unrealistic expectation as FSU will likely be favored in 4 of their 5 final games.

The offense has shown flashes at times and the defense has had moments too but they never seem to be in the same game against these more difficult opponents.

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FSU vs. Clemson breakdown: Can Seminoles upset Tigers in Tallahassee? feat. Will Harper of Shakin the Southland

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0000

Two shared opponents, two different outcomes in both matchups.

The ACC Atlantic has turned into one of the more competitive divisions in college football this season, with the No. 4 Clemson Tigers, No. 14 Wake Forest Demon Deacons, No. 15 NC State Wolfpack, No. 18 Syracuse Orange and Florida State all battling it out at the top. Clemson (6-0, 4-0 ACC), by way of wins over Wake and NC State, has separated itself as the leader of the pack while the rest scrap it out for pecking order.

FSU (4-2, 2-2 ACC) also faced off against the Demon Deacons and Wolfpack but came up short, both frustrating losses that showcased both the steps the Seminoles still have to make in order to elevate to the conference’s elite and the potential it has to belong with them.

The toughest test of the season for the Seminoles now comes as they prep to host Clemson at 7:30 p.m. inside Doak Campbell Stadium. The Tigers have won six straight in the series, dating back to a 2014 thriller between the two schools that Florida State pulled off in overtime.

Clemson, according to DraftKings, is currently a 3.5 point favorite over the Seminoles.

To help break down the Tigers, Will Harper of our SB Nation sister site Shakin the Southland jumped on the latest episode of Line of Scrimmage to talk about Clemson’s season so far, the evolution of quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, the Tigers’ strengths and weaknesses on each side of the ball and a prediction for Saturday night.

You can catch some of his answers below, or you can listen here or find the episode on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to your shows.

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FSU football: Time to panic after two-game losing streak?

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 10:35:34 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles dropped their second straight game to fall to 4-2 on the season and 2-2 in the ACC. Frustrating losses to Wake Forest and NC State have FSU facing a potential 0-3 start to October as they now play host to the No. 4 Clemson Tigers this Saturday.

The loss at NC State came via a second-half collapse that saw the run game struggle and quarterback Jordan Travis throw two interceptions leading to a scoreless performance from the offense.

So what went wrong for Florida State to lead to that collapse, and is there reason to worry about the two-game losing streak?

The Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio — discuss each of those questions and more like the choice to put the ball in the air on the final offensive play instead of playing for the field goal. Plus they look ahead to next weekend, where the Seminoles can improve to pull the upset against Clemson and give their predictions for Saturday.

----

Everything Florida State Seminoles, all the time.

The Tomahawk Nation podcast channel, presented by SB Nation, features insider Seminoles recruiting, football, basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer analysis and commentary, featuring shows hosted by staff writers Tim Alumbaugh, Matt Minnick, Michael Rogner, Brian Pellerin, and Ben Meyerson, featuring contributions by Joshua Pick, David Stout, Jon Marchant, Max Escarpio and the entire Tomahawk Nation staff, produced by managing editor Perry Kostidakis.

You can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to your shows.

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Can FSU win at NC State for first time since 2016? Florida State Seminoles vs. Wolfpack breakdown, preview feat. Rob McLamb of FanNation’s All Wolfpack on Sports Illustrated

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Florida State football hasn’t won on the road vs. NC State since 2016.

Since 2010, the Seminoles have won just twice inside Carter-Finley Stadium, one of the nation’s most hostile home environments.

Both teams are coming off their first loss of the season — FSU having fallen to the No. 15 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 31-21 and the No. 14 Wolfpack falling to the No. 5 Clemson Tigers 30-20.

That group of teams (Clemson, Wake Forest, Florida State and NC State) seem to be the frontrunners in an extremely competitive ACC Atlantic, with the Seminoles, Demon Deacons and Wolfpack seeming to be jockeying for second.

On this week’s Line of Scrimmage, Coach Rob McLamb of FanNation’s All Wolfpack on Sports Illustrated joins us to break down what he describes as a “separator game” that’ll show who is truly a contender to have a significant season. He offers insight into NC State’s offense and defense, names to know, and other insider analysis ahead of Saturday night’s game.

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Can FSU football bounce back, beat. NC State on the road?

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football, sitting at 4-1 (2-1 ACC), is looking to buck a few trends this Saturday in Raleigh.

The No. 14 NC State Wolfpack present a variety of challenges to Florida State, who looking to bounce back after a 31-21 loss at home to the No. 15 Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

FSU hasn’t won on the road vs. NC State since 2016, has lost two straight vs. the Wolfpack, and is looking to avoid turning its first loss of the season into a two-game slide. FSU leads the all-time series vs. NC State 26-15 but the Wolfpack have won five of their last six games against the Seminoles.

So can Florida State pull off an upset on the road? What are the main takeaways from FSU’s loss to the Demon Deacons? What is more of a threat — NC State’s offense or defense?

Max Escarpio, Jon Marchant and Perry Kostidakis discuss on the latest episode of the Seminole Wrap.

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FSU is 3-point underdog to NC State, Seminoles soccer beats Miami -- latest Florida State Seminoles sports updates

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:45:31 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Monday and welcome to Noles News Now, the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports, brought to you by Tomahawk Nation. I’m your host Perry Kostidakis — let’s jump right in.

FSU football is turning its attention towards NC State after dropping its first game of the year and falling out of the top 25. The Seminoles couldn’t overcome a sloppy first half in a comeback bid against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and now will have to try to steal one on the road vs. the Wolfpack, who are coming off a top 10 loss to Clemson.

Right now, DraftKings has NC State as a 3-point favorite over FSU, which actually is pretty favorable towards the Seminoles — you assume about a 3-point cushion for home teams, so in Vegas’ eyes, this is a relative toss-up. Seminoles will have their hands full, especially with Wolfpack quarterback Devin Leary who is one of the conference’s best, but the team is going to be chomping at the bit to redeem itself after the performance against Wake.

That game vs. NC State is set for an 8 p.m. kickoff, it’ll be broadcast on the ACC Network.

On the soccer front, No. 7 FSU remained undefeated after notching a 1-0 victory over Miami Hurricanes on Saturday — you can read a full recap on Tomahawk Nation. Up next for the defending national champions is a tough stretch of conference opponents — No. 2 Virginia Cavaliers, No. 16 Notre Dame, No. 4 Duke Blue Devils and then No. 3 North Carolina Tar Heels. FSU has put together one of the country’s best offenses and a defense that has only allowed 4 goals in 10 games, and now it’s going to get a chance to prove itself as it seeks a repeat title.

Volleyball beat North Carolina in a five-set thriller to advance to 10-5 on the season and 2-2 in conference play — the Seminoles now face off against Miami this Wednesday. FSU sits No. 20 in RPI while the Hurricanes, who are 11-3 on the season, sit at No. 14.

Those are the main big things of the day — thank you for listening and supporting us — if you want more of something we’re doing, if you want us to change anything up, please please either leave a comment on the website or in a review.

Thank you again for listening — we’ll see you next time.

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FSU loses to Wake Forest -- Seminoles struggle on offense, defense in first loss of season

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:44:16 -0000

The last time Wake Forest had a three-game winning streak over Florida State in football was 2008 — also the same year that the two teams met for the first time as ranked opponents.

The second iteration of a top 25 game ended up just as unpleasant for FSU, with the No. 23 Seminoles failing to overcome a poor first half and falling to No. 23 Wake Forest 31-21.

FSU was a six-point favorite.

FSU mustered just 7 points in the first two quarters of the game, sputtering on offense after an 83-yard touchdown drive to start the contest. Its inability to stay on the field was coupled by an inability on the defense’s part to get off it — at halftime, the Demon Deacons were seven-of-12 on third, a large reason behind its 21-7 lead.

Florida State came out firing in the second half, managing to cut the lead to a touchdown early in the fourth, but Wake Forest managed to drive 75 yards to more or less put the game away with just under four minutes left. The Demon Deacons had four drives of 70+ yards, scoring points on all of them.

It was obvious early on that FSU was sincerely missing the talents of defensive lineman Fabien Lovett and offensive lineman Robert Scott, both of whom would have made a major difference in attacking and defending a Wake line that came to play on both sides of the ball.

Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, who has struggled this season, was zero-for-two on the day.

The loss is Florida State’s fourth straight as a ranked team (2018 Virginia Tech, 2017 NC State, 2017 Alabama) and likely will push the Seminoles out of the poll once more.

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FSU vs. Wake Forest: How do Seminoles, Demon Deacons matchup? feat. Cam Lemons

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 09:30:00 -0000

Welcome to the Line of Scrimmage, where ahead of each game this football season, we’re giving you insight into Florida State’s opponents from those in the know.

This week, we welcome Cam Lemons from our SB Nation sister site Blogger So Dear, as No. 22 Florida State Seminoles football is set to take on the No. 23 Wake Forest Demon Deacons, the first of three ranked matchups for FSU.

Wake is coming off a thriller vs. Clemson, coming up just short in an upset bid vs. the Tigers. Quarterback Sam Hartman has returned to form as one of the conference’s better passes and while the Demon Deacons have struggled a bit to dominate on defense, are still heading into the matchup as a difficult matchup for a Seminoles team still trying to solidify its return to consistent competitiveness.

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FSU is ranked, undefeated and now the hard part starts -- Seminoles football breakdown, season projections

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 08:45:40 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football is off to its best start in seven years, having just blown out the Boston College Eagles in front of a sold-out crowd to start 4-0 (2-0 ACC) for the first time since 2015.

FSU also has a number next to its name for the first time since the 2018 season opener, earning a No. 23/22 ranking (AP/Coaches Poll) heading into this week’s matchup vs. No. 22/21 Wake Forest.

It’s the first of three straight games against top 25 opponents, with No. 10 NC State and No. 5 Clemson the next two matchups on the schedule.

It’ll be a true indicator of where the Seminoles are in head coach Mike Norvell’s third season — have they taken a step to be pretty good, or have they exceeded expectations there?

On this week’s Seminole Wrap, the trio break down what has made Florida State so good so far in 2022, what the next few weeks of the season could look like and more.

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FSU recruiting, official visitor list breakdown -- Florida State Seminoles vs. Boston College Eagles

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:47:52 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles are on a hot streak on the recruiting trail this week, having landed commitments from 5-star WR Hykeem Williams and 4-star LB Blake Nichelson. As the ‘Noles square off against the Boston College Eagles Saturday night (8:00 pm EST, ACC Network), they’ll have an impressive cadre of visitors in attendance across the 2023, 2024, 2025, and even 2026 recruiting classes.

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INSTANT REACTION: FSU gets 5-star WR commit -- what does Hykeem Williams bring to Seminoles?

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:22:56 -0000

Two blue-chip commits in one week.

Just a few days after Florida State Seminoles football secured a pledge from four-star California linebacker Blake Nichelson, head coach Mike Norvell and staff earned a commitment from four-star receiver Hykeem Williams.

An instant boost to a 2023 Florida State recruiting class that continues to climb, Williams’ commitment is just the latest bit of momentum for the Seminoles on the trail.

Florida State put every bit of effort into recruiting the Fort Lauderdale prospect, finally earning his confidence with a 3-0 start to the season.

Williams chose the Seminoles over the Texas A&M Aggies, Pittsburgh Panthers, Miami Hurricanes, and Georgia Bulldogs.

What kind of athlete is Florida State getting? How does Williams project out at the collegiate level? What went into the Seminoles’ landing the receiver?

Three Stars break down Williams’ game as well as what it means for FSU on the latest episode of the Florida State of Recruiting podcast.

Florida State Recruiting Class of 2023

(click on names for links to commitment articles)

RUNNING BACK: 4 star Samuel Singleton Jr. (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Darren “Goldie” Lawrence (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Vandrevius Jacobs (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Lucas Simmons (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Roderick Kearney (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: 4 star Lamont “Boots” Green, Jr. (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: 3 star JUCO Jaden Jones (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 3 star Tavion Gadson (GA)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keldric Faulk (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keith Sampson, Jr. (NC)

LINEBACKER: 4 star Blake Nichelson (CA)

LINEBACKER: 3 star DeMarco Ward (GA)

DEFENSIVE BACK/ATHLETE: 3 star Quindarrius Jones (MS)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 3 star Ja’Bril Rawls (FL)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 3 star Kenton “KJ” Kirkland (FL)

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FSU vs. Boston College breakdown -- Seminoles favored by 17 over Eagles

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the Line of Scrimmage, where ahead of each game this football season, we’re giving you insight into Florida State’s opponents from those in the know.

This week, we welcome Curtis Flannery from our SB Nation sister site BC Interruption to give us some insight on the Boston College Eagles. BC is 1-2 on the season, having secured a 38-17 win vs. Maine but falling to Rutgers 22-21 and Virginia Tech 27-10.

While the Eagles return big names on offense in quarterback Phil Jurkovec, receiverZay Flowers and running back Pat Garwo, they’ve struggled to adjust along the trenches on both offense and defense.

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INSTANT REACTION: FSU lands blue-chip linebacker Blake Nichelson -- what does commitment mean for Seminoles?

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 01:21:54 -0000

Mike Norvell’s Florida State Seminoles football program got a big boost late Tuesday evening when four-star linebacker Blake Nichelson committed to FSU over the Oregon Ducks.

Nichelson, who plays both ways in high school was a priority target for the Noles at a position of need and could portend an amazing week on the trail for Florida State with five-star wide receiver prospect Hykeem Williams set to announce his college choice on Friday.

The Three Stars discuss Nichelson’s game and whether or not he can make an early impact in Tallahassee.

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Seminoles are 3-0 -- how big was FSU’s win over Louisville? Plus previewing Seminoles vs. Boston College

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 11:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles moved to 3-0 on the young season with a 35-31 victory on the road Friday night against the Louisville Cardinals, doing so as injuries forced many of their star players to the sideline.

After Jordan Travis left the game with an apparent leg injury, backup QB Tate Rodemaker struggled but came out in the second half clicking with wide receiver Johnny Wilson en route to two 4th quarter touchdowns and a Florida State victory.

So where does the team go from here potentially without Travis, defensive end Jared Verse and other starters? The Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio — celebrate the Noles big victory, look ahead to the Boston College game this weekend and what could be coming if those players aren’t able to return to 100% soon.

Plus, stick around at the end of the podcast for a fun look behind the curtain for the voicemail, Brian left for our producer Perry after Friday’s celebration. How ‘bout those Noles?

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Noles News Now: FSU favored by 16 vs. BC, soccer wins 6-0, volleyball wins -- latest Seminoles sports updates

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Happy Monday and welcome in to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things happening in Florida State athletics on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. I’m your host Brian Pellerin on this Monday September 19th. Thanks so much for joining me as we enter another game week with an F-S-U victory.

After going into Louisville and grabbing a 35-31 win, Florida State is 3-0 for the first time since 2015. The Noles doing so with Jordan Travis, Jared Verse and others watching from the sideline after getting injured in the contest. Still not enough to stop this team. So how was FSU able to pull it off? Listen to this week’s SeminoleWrap podcast featuring myself, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio available today wherever you hear my voice right now as we answer that question, I try to get this deemed the Tate Rodemaker game and we look at how FSU will fair going forward if they are forced to play without those guys. All right now on this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast. The first answer to how they’ll do will be a bit clearer on Monday when Mike Norvell meets with the media to kickoff Boston College game week. He may be unlikely to share many details, but it’ll be the first chance to hear from the head coach on those injuries though he may be vague on real updates until Saturday when they actually play against BC. The Noles are currently 16-point favorites against the Eagles so oddsmakers are confident they’ll be fine if those guys do miss time. This is the first time FSU is a double-digit favorite since the 2020 season opener against Georgia Tech and their largest spread since 2016 against Syracuse.

If you’re going to be in Tallahassee this weekend, you’ve got a chance to help our Dillan Gibbons and his biggest fan Timothy Donovan. We’ve shared the story of their friendship before as Gibbons has been a champion for Donovan and his family through his big man big heart efforts. This week is Donovan’s 20th birthday so Dillan is inviting fans to stop by their tent on the legacy walk for a slice of cake and help out his NIL efforts to continue giving to charitable efforts.

Couple things to watch on the recruiting trail this week as two highly rated recruits will make their college decisions. Linebacker Blake Nichelson will hold his commitment ceremony on Tuesday. Then on Friday, it’ll be wide receiver Hykeem Williams announcing his decision. Noles are in the running for both guys so keep an eye out for both of those guys.

Elsewhere on campus, the FSU soccer team beat Boston College 6-0 on Saturday. They’ve now scored 5 or more goals in each of their last four games. Next up is a home match on Thursday night against Louisville. And the volleyball team won in straight sets against UAB this weekend. They’ll open conference play at home on Friday against Notre Dame at 6:30.

That’ll do it for this week’s Noles News Now. As always, please follow, rate, and review the show if you like what you hear. It helps us out a lot and allows us to continue bringing you the content we do every day. Including this podcast that you can catch three times a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. So until Wednesday, I’m Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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FSU beats Louisville, is 3-0 for the first time since 2015 -- Florida State Seminoles instant reaction

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 06:03:23 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football overcame a rash of injuries, a hostile crowd and self-inflicted wounds to leave its ACC opener vs. the Louisville Cardinals victorious, securing a 35-31 victory inside Cardinal Stadium.

FSU battled back from a deficit on the scoreboard as well as in the momentum, with backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker rising to the occasion following Jordan Travis’ departure due to injury. Wide receiver Johnny Wilson put together one of the most impressive wide receiver performances in recent history, going for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

The Seminoles’ also held sturdy on defense, getting gashed a few times by Louisville’s Malik Cunningham but making plays when it needed to — namely a game-sealing interception from Kevin Knowles.

To break down FSU’s victory, what it means for the program and what lies next for the Seminoles, Tim Scribble, Matt Minnick and Juan Montalvo jumped on to record an instant reaction for the Tomahawk Nation podcast network.

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Can FSU stop Malik Cunningham? Will Louisville be able to handle Seminoles rushing attack? -- Florida State vs. Louisville Cardinals preview feat. John Powell of Card Chronicle

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the Line of Scrimmage, where ahead of each game this football season, we’re giving you insight into Florida State’s opponents from those in the know.

This week, we spoke with John Powell of our SB Nation sister site, Card Chronicle, to get a first-hand look into the Louisville Cardinals as Florida State football gets set to start ACC play. John gives us some analysis on the Cardinals’ season so far, how quarterback Malik Cunnigham has fared through two games, what causes concern in Louisville’s run game and more.

You can read some of his answers here:

Louisville rolls into Friday’s game with a 1-1 record. From a non-Louisville insider perspective, I think most of us thought the Cardinals would be 2-0 at this point. What has been the main problem so far in the early season for Louisville?

I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the cinematic masterpiece of Black Sheep, but there’s a scene where Chris Farley is falling down a hill like for a long duration of time and then at the end he’s like, “what the heck was that?” and that was basically watching the Syracuse game.

The staff made it very clear in the offseason that they wanted Malik to focus on improving as a pocket pocket passer — going through his progressions and that kind of stuff — and they were limiting some of his abilities with running. In the spring they came out and flat out said don’t run the ball, and honestly, he came out in the first game and it looked like he hadn’t run the ball in 10 months. Syracuse held him to like 2.6 yards of carry or something like that.

Malik Cunningham is not a pro quarterback prospect — he might be able to play at the next level at a different position, but I don’t think that he is at that caliber. Maybe I’m wrong. But I don’t think there’s any type of development that they could have done this offseason that would have elevated him to becoming that caliber. I think it’s really just it hurt the team in general with the way they kind of came out. And we saw the the effects of that on UCF when Satterfield came out later and said, like, “yeah, we just gotta let him be him and play his game.” And then he goes for 120 yards.

Jumping over to the defensive side of the ball, Louisville’s defense has struggled so far against the run, allowing over 200 yards per game. What’s been the biggest culprit so far in Louisville’s run defense?

They’re not creating havoc, they’re not getting into the backfield, they’re not creating pressures and then that just opens up the game for all types of runs. It’s like okay, they’re alright, but we’re not seeing any superstars. The big offseason push was to boost the secondary because that was they were just getting torched.

Finally, what’s your general feeling for the game? The last time FSU started 2-0 in a season, their third game was the Lamar Jackson Heisman ceremony game. What’s your confidence level for Friday night?

I know Florida State’s in some down years by based on their standard, but every time we play, I just always have this in the back of my mind, like, “man, it’s Florida State, it’s gonna be a challenge.” Even if Louisville has maybe the superior team on paper, I always feel like it’s just going to be a dogfight. Before the season started, I think I picked this one as a win. But what I’ve seen from the Cardinals’ offense so far, just doesn’t give me a lot of confidence heading into this contest. Florida State is going to just run the football with probably a fair amount of success, if I had to guess and so it’s going to be up to the offense to keep up with what Florida State’s doing. And I don’t know if they have the the guys to do it.

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Can FSU go 3-0, beat Louisville? How does the rest of the ACC look?: Florida State Seminoles football latest

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 11:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles enter a new game week against the Louisville Cardinals after enjoying their Week 2 bye week.

The chance to rest their bodies and heal up for conference play ahead came at a great time as college football entered full blown chaos. Louisville narrowly escaped a trip to UCF. Former Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M lost to Appalachian State. Notre Dame dropped their home opener to Marshall.

Meanwhile in the ACC, defending conference champion Pitt lost to Tennessee, Boston College dropped to 0-2 and Clemson’s offense continued to look underwhelming as the conference looks wide open.

This week the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio — discuss what they saw from Louisville’s performance against UCF, what’s going on with Jimbo as he’s off to a rough start in Year 5(!) in College Station and how open the ACC could be for Florida State to grab the wheel.

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Noles News Now: FSU starts ACC play, soccer wins 5-0 again, Florida State Seminoles sports news, updates

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Happy Friday and welcome in to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things happening in Florida State athletics on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. I’m your host Brian Pellerin on this Monday, September 12th. Thanks so much for joining me as we enter a new game week for the Noles after the bye.

Florida State will travel to Louisville for its first ACC game this week. Remember this is a Friday night game as the Cardinals try to run their program like a high school team for some reason. That means it will be Friday Night Lights for the Noles and if you missed it over the weekend, they’ll do it in the debut of their-white uniforms. White helmets. White jerseys. White pants. FSU going for the clean look as they head into a sea of cardinal red. That look is not impressing oddsmakers thought as this game opens as a pick em so it’s a coin toss in the eyes of Vegas.

If FSU gets that coin to land on them, they’ll be headed for their first ranking since preseason 2018. The Noles landed just outside the top 25 again in both the coaches and polls this week. A road win against a conference foe should be enough to push them into that number. They weren’t expected to leap in with the bye week but had a chance with the chaos that unfolded around them.

Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M’s loss to App State was the headliner. But Notre Dame also lost to Marshall at home. Florida lost to Kentucky. Pitt lost to Tennessee and many more in the top 25. It was a bloodbath and even some of the ACC teams that won didn’t look all that great. The aforementioned Louisville escaped Orlando with a narrow win over UCF. Clemson’s offense looked rough. Boston College continues to slide to open the year. The ACC could be open for the taking. So can FSU be a player for it? We discuss what’s wrong with Jimbo as he struggles in Year 5 in College Station and of course, we preview Florida State Louisville as well on this week’sSeminole Wrap podcast. You can find that in the Tomahawk Nation podcast feed or on Tomahawk Nation dot com.

This week also meant the return of the NFL season and the headliner was Jameis Winston who led the Saints (WHO DAT) on a miraculous comeback win against the Falcons. Down 16 in the 4th to win it in the final seconds. Two long TD drives and a game-winning field goal drive in the final seconds. A more recent FSU star Jermaine Johnson made his debut Sunday for the Jets getting a sack of Lamar Jackson, who isn’t an easy guy to bring down. Lamar’s Ravens won, but congrats to Jermaine on his first career sack.

The FSU soccer team posted their third consecutive 5-0 win on Sunday against Rice in Houston. Next for the Noles is a trip to Boston College on Friday. Meanwhile, the softball team started fall practice this week as they get ready for their spring season. Two beach volleyball players - Carra Sassack and Alexis Durish earned AVCAAll-American First Team honors. Arden Besecker and Chloe Charles received honorable mentions. And lastly, the men’s golf team broke two program records scoring a team total of 261 in the 2nd round of the Maui Jim Invitational. Noles ended up with a third-place finish in the event.

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FSU has a 94% chance of making a bowl, soccer gets another 5-0 win and more -- latest in Seminoles sports

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Happy Friday and welcome in to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things happening in Florida State athletics on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. I’m your host Brian Pellerin this Friday, September 9th. Thanks so much for joining me and a quick thank you to Perry for covering the last few episodes for me while I dealt with a family emergency.

This Friday is unfortunately not a football Friday for FSU. The Noles will get a chance to heal their bodies with a bye week after their first 2-0 start since 2016.The next game on the docket is Louisville the following Friday and if you’re interested in a sneak peak of the Cardinals, they’re in action tonight... this Friday against UCF. That game is in Orlando at 7:30 Eastern tonight on ESPN2. Louisville is looking to avoid an 0-2 start themselves after a blow out loss to Syracuse a week ago. UCF is a 5.5-point favorite. A Louisville loss could really quiet the crowd for next week’s game in Louisville. Something to keep an eye on.

If FSU is able to get the win next week, they’ll already be halfway to bowl eligibility, but ESPN’s football power index likes their chances to go bowling already. TheFPI gives them a 94.2% chance to reach a bowl game with a projection of 7.7 wins and a 4.2% chance to win the division. That would be their first bowl game since 2019.A big reason for their growth will be this strong d-line especially the emergence of Jared Verse. The Albany transfer’s impressive Week 1 was enough to land him onPro Football Focus’ All-Defensive Team for the week.

The win over LSU will likely prove dividends in recruiting as well with a lot of recruits in attendance including 2024 five-star RB Kam Davis who was rocking garnet and gold attire in the Superdome. The Noles commit has also received an invite to the All-American Bowl. One of the big names left on the 2023 board for the Noles is4-star linebacker Blake Nichelson, who just announced his commitment date on September 20th. That’s next Wednesday. Nichelson will choose between FSU, Oregon, and UCLA live on Youtube.

Elsewhere on campus, the FSU soccer team rattled off another dominant victory, posting a 5-0 dub on Florida Gulf Coast. The FSU volleyball team has posted its 5thstraight win en route to its best start since 2014. And the FSU men’s golf team is set to open its year with the Maui Jim Intercollegiate around 1 pm on Friday.

If you’re unsure how to spend this first bye week and looking for games to watch, check out my picks article on Tomahawk Nation as well. I along with anybody who wants to play along in the comments will give picks to the 10 games I think are the best to watch this week. Some of the ones highlighted this week — Alabama at Texas, the return of Sam Hartman for Wake Forest at Vanderbilt, Baylor at BYU, Appalachian State visiting Texas A&M, Kentucky at Florida, and many more. It’s all for fun and takes like 2 seconds to hammer out your picks. You can join in on the fun on Tomahawk Nation dot com and we use the comments to talk about the games as they happen as well.

That’ll do it for this week’s Noles News Now. As always, please follow, rate and review the show if you like what you hear. It helps us out a lot and allows us to continue bringing you the content we do every day. Including this podcast that you can catch three times a week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So until Monday, I’m Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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FSU beats LSU in thriller: Are the Seminoles legit? Did Jordan Travis take next step?

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 18:25:26 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles are 2-0 for the first time since 2016 following their thrilling win against LSU in the Allstate Louisiana Kickoff.

For much of the game, the Seminoles looked dominant. At the end, it was much closer than they’d have liked.

So which team is the real Florida State? How good can this team be? Has Jordan Travis truly taken that next step? What allowed the defense to hold LSU in check for so long?

And, dare we ask, is Florida State back?

The Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio — breakdown the good, bad and more from Florida State this weekend including that incredible garnet and gold crowd in the Superdome and FSU’s hopes of contending for bowl eligibility, the division title and potentially the conference championship.

Are the Seminoles ready to take that leap? Find out on this week’s episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast.

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FSU recruiting latest -- Seminoles add 4-star running back to roster, visitors for Noles vs. LSU and more

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Coming off a dominant victory over Duquesne, the Florida State Seminoles are headed to New Orleans to face off against the LSU Tigers. Labor Day weekend is nearly here, and the Three Stars are celebrating with a new podcast!

The guys first discuss the newest name on the roster, Penn State transfer running back Caziah Holmes.

What makes him special, and what does his addition mean for the running back unit?

Next, Josh breaks down some high school junior names to know, as September 1 was the first day that coaches may communicate with prospects in the 2024 class.

The Three Stars close out the podcast by discussing a very important sideline visitor for this Sunday’s game.

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FSU vs. LSU: How do the Seminoles stack up with the Tigers? Preview, prediction, breakdown with Zach Junda

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 09:20:00 -0000

Welcome to the Line of Scrimmage, the latest show on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network.

Ahead of each game this football season, we’re giving you insight into Florida State’s opponents from those in the know.

This week, we welcome Zach Junda, who is the site manager of our LSU SB Nation sister site, And The Valley Shook. We spoke with him about how the Tigers match up with the Seminoles this season, the names to know on each side of the ball for LSU, how the two teams are almost mirror images of each other and more.

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FSU starts 1-0 -- can the Seminoles beat LSU in New Orleans?

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles are 1-0 for the first time since 2016 after dominating the Duquesne Dukes, 47-7, on the backs of an overwhelming rushing attack. Now, the Seminoles turn their attention to adding to that total next week in New Orleans with a primetime showdown against the LSU Tigers.

This week, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio — give their takeaways from Florida State’s win, all the good, bad (as little as there was), and more.

They also look ahead to next Sunday’s game against LSU. Who will be the Tigers’ starting quarterback? Can the Noles keep up the running game going against LSU’s formidable front? How will FSU’s defense match up against the Tigers’ deep wide receiving corps?

And most importantly, does the Seminole Wrap crew think Florida State will put another W in the record column?

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FSU opens season with 47-7 win over Duquesne — running backs set Seminoles school record

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 04:26:51 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football earned its first season-opening win since 2016 on Saturday, taking down the Duquesne Dukes 47-7 inside Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

It was a fantastic showing by the running back room, with the Seminoles setting a school record by having three players (Treshaun Ward, Trey Benson and Lawrance Toafili) record at least 100 rushing yards. All six of the Seminoles touchdowns came on the ground, with quarterback Jordan Travis and true freshman Rodney Hill also ending the end zone.

With no turnovers forced and just one sack, there weren’t any “wow” plays from the defense, but statistically FSU got the job done, only allowing a score following a 50-yard interception return off an errant Tate Rodemaker throw.

So what takeaways are there from the 40-point win? Immediately after the game wrapped up, we hit a live stream to offer instant reaction and analysis from the Seminoles’ season debut.

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FSU football 2022 season look-ahead, Seminoles vs. Duquesne discussion

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles football season is here.

Doak-Campbell Stadium reopens for the first time in 9 months tomorrow with the Week Zero contest against Duquesne. The Noles are huge favorites, as expected, against the Dukes and should open the season 1-0 for the first time in 6 years heading into next week’s marquee, primetime matchup against LSU in New Orleans.

With anticipation building and expectations rising, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant and producer Perry Kostidakis — give their overlook at the season.

What are the main takeaways from the first depth chart? Who are their MVPs for each side of the ball? Who are the other breakout candidates? And what are realistic win-loss possibilities for the Seminoles this season?

The crew answers all that and more on this week’s bonus episode of Seminole Wrap.

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FSU vs. Duquesne Dukes breakdown, preview -- Seminoles season opener analysis feat. Brad Everett of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the Line of Scrimmage.

Ahead of each game this football season, we’re giving you insight into Florida State’s opponents from those in the know.

This week, we welcome Brad Everett, who covers sports at all levels as a reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Seminoles open the season against the Duquesne Dukes, who have found a relative standard of success in the Northeast Conference on the FCS level.

Duquesne is coming off of a 7-3 season that included their first win over an FBS opponent. The Dukes are preseason second in the Northeast Conference, can you speak to the overall success of the program under head coach Jerry Schmidt? Is there a particular area that Schmidt has excelled in during his tenure?

Brad Everett: They’ve just been consistent. I mean, ever since he’s been there. You know, this is a program that you know, I mean, I’m sure not a lot of your readers or listeners are very familiar with Duquesne athletics. But I mean, up until, you know, up until 1993, this was the division three program. You know, they weren’t even at the division two level. They’ve only had two coaches since 1993. Jerry Schmidt’s been at Duquesne for 18 years, he’s actually longer tenured than Mike Tomlin is here in Pittsburgh.

On offense, the Dukes enter the season with the always favorite quarterback competition. Do you have a pulse on how this completion shakes out and also some background on Joe Mischler and Darius Perrantes?

Brad Everett: Yeah, they’re in a unique situation. And, you know, it’s not a case, you know, some schools are still trying to, you know, are still trying to figure out how to have one decent quarterback but you know, Duquesne has, you know, not only to decent ones, but two good ones. Both of those guys, you know, have good arms can move. Not your traditional, like dual-threat guys, like, they’re not gonna, you know, be doing these 20 - 30 yards runs that Jordan Travis might be pulling off or something, but they can both play and they both have experience under their belt.

Switching to defense, the name that sticks out islinebacker Todd Hill. If you could give some details to the listeners on him and also the base defensive formation that Duquesne runs?

Brad Everett: This is a team that’s been strong defensively in recent years. They went out and they got a new defensive coordinator this year. They went out and got a guy named Mike Craig, who was previously defensive coordinator at IUP up here in the area, a really strong division two program and so he’s bringing that three, four defense over there.

Todd Hill, he played at a local high school, Still Valley High School, was the day one starter there his freshman year and was just a kid that just produced and produced and produced throughout his career, just made plays every time you saw him. And it’s like, man, like this dude, you know, this dude is good enough to play, you know, he can go anywhere. He, I mean, he can go anywhere he wants in college, but there’s the size issue, he’s not very tall. And you know, and that’s what you’ll get a lot of these FCS schools, you know, guys that if they were three or four inches taller, they’d be playing on ACC teams. he’s going to be playing more of an edge position this year, and they’re going to try to deploy him in a lot of different ways. They’re gonna try to keep offensive coordinators guessing as far as where he’s gonna line up at on defense, but they expect him to have a really, really big year.

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FSU HC Mike Norvell, coordinators preview Seminoles season opener vs. Duquesne Dukes

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 20:12:54 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football is just days away from its season opener.

FSU is kicking off the year in “Week 0,” an early start to the 2022 season at home vs. the Duquesne Dukes. The Seminoles are looking to start 1-0 for the first time under head coach Mike Norvell and for the first time as a program since a 2016 win vs. Ole Miss in Orlando.

Norvell mentioned in the final days of preseason camp that the team had already begun the early stages of game prep and now, with camp over and the focus fully on the Dukes, he’s eager to see his team rise to the opportunity.

“We blew it out of the water from years past. I love the competitiveness we saw from our team and I'm really excited about the opportunity we have ahead,” he said during Monday’s season-opening press conference, adding that quarterback Jordan Travis has shown a great improvement throughout fall camp.

He mentioned that having an extra week of practice really benefited the team, “I love it. It really added to the sense of urgency, we started a week earlier one of the things that was a benefit is that today was the first day of school. we were able to get an extra week of camp.”

Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller as well as special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach John Papuchis all took the podium today to preview the start of the Seminoles’ season, speaking on the progress of the team in all phases of the game.

Atkins mentioned the position changes on the offensive line and what makes his group unique in regards to depth, “We have true competition where, even there is a depth chart out there, guys are still fighting for those opportunities,” adding that having multiple players cross trained has benefited the team, “Having multiple guys that can go in there and not have that drop-off be steep. Just more competition, I think guys have grown a lot more just answering the bell.”

Fuller went over how well he felt his team transitioned from spring to fall camp with the new practice rules in place “Felt really good from spring to the summer to fall camp. Kinda three different sections with new rules and our access to the players. It was the first in my tenure I've had a smooth transition from spring into summer.”

John Papuchis spoke about his own evaluation of last season and evaluation throughout the course of spring and fall camp saying that they looked at what they could do better and focused on that. “At the end of every season especially when things don't go as planned in a lot of cases there is a critical self-evaluation from everything to how we teach the fundamentals and what we're doing schematically and after you go through that evaluation you kinda step back and say ‘what do we like about what we did and how we can do better?’”

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FSU football: Final camp takeaways ahead of 2022 Seminoles season

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 13:57:15 -0000

After nearly nine months, it’s game week in Tallahassee.

Week Zero has officially arrived for Florida State football as they open Doak Campbell Stadium for the first time in 2022 with a season-opening tune-up against Duquesne this Saturday.

Ahead of the first game, the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin and Max Escarpio — go through the big observations from the last week of camp, including Max’s up-close impression of the players that look to have taken the biggest leap since the spring.

Brian and Max also talk about what they hope to see and what positions/players they’ll be paying the closest attention to this Saturday against Duquesne. Plus, we have some updates from Baton Rouge as LSU nears a QB decision and suspends an offensive playmaker.

Later this week, the crew will drop their season preview filled with predictions for the year ahead including win-loss records, standout stars, surprises, and more.

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Noles News Now: FSU football is back, soccer wins first game of 2022

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 03:59:55 -0000

Happy Monday... Noles Nation... Welcome to your first official game week of 2022. The Florida State Seminoles football team is back on the field at Doak for a game

that matters this weekend. Get the tailgates and TVs ready. Football is back. Thank you so much for listening to Noles News Now, your podcast home for all the news

happening around Florida State sports three times a week. I'm your host Brian Pellerin on this Monday morning, guiding you through the weekend that was.

The biggest note, yeah, I already told you. Fall camp is finished and football is here. And if it doesn't quite feel like football yet for you, look in this article

and check out the video of Jordan Travis smashing the rock. It's a sign of achieving a goal, overcoming obstacles and showing progress and work from a player that

has the mindset to win so to end fall camp. It makes sense that the undisputed leader of this team, quarterback Jordan Travis, took the hammer and closed camp the best

way possible. Travis gets his first chance to show off the improvements he's made in his passing game this weekend against Duquesne. Nobody needs to take that leap

as much as the Noles signal caller.

We'll see that Saturday, but there's still plenty of game week activities to see between now and then. First and foremost, it'll be Mike Norvel's weekly press

conference today. In case you forgot how that goes, each Monday Norvell adresses the media -- typically recapping the week before after reviewing the film and looking

ahead to this weekend's game. With no game to review, he'll probably tackle many of the same questions as he has this offseason with some extras about Duquesne.

We'll have a recap of that presser posted on Tomahawk Nation dot com later today with the highlights.

This week on Seminole Wrap, Max Escarpio and myself take a look at some of the biggest standouts from the final week of fall camp, look ahead to what we want to see

from FSU against Duquesne and some news out of Baton Rouge as LSU appears to be down an offensive playmaker for the FSU on top of the already lingering QB battle there.

Lots going on as we do a final fall camp episode. Later this week, we'll drop a full season preview to get you set for the season ahead as well looking at predictions,

wins-losses, surprises and more. That episode expected Friday. The final fall camp episode is available now in your podcast feed.

College football not the only sport getting underway as plenty of future Noles gridiron stars have started their high school seasons. Among them, Benedictine High

School QB and FSU commit Luke Kromenhoek. He dropped 4 touchdowns in the first half of a 45-0 route that included a nice dime down the right sideline you should

find in this article if you haven't seen it already.

Meanwhile, the FSU soccer team has notched their first W of the season. After a draw in their opener on Thursday against 12th ranked South Carolina, the Noles beat

Georgia in Athens 3-1 to get the first win of Brian Pensky's tenure as head coach. Florida State jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first 28 minutes and never

looked back. They return to Tallahassee for their home opener on Thursday against Auburn.

That's it for this Monday's Noles News Now. We'll be back on Wednesday to update on the biggest happenings early on this opening game week of 2022. Until then, be sure

to follow this feed so you're up to date on the latest this football season. Thanks for listening.

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INSTANT REACTION: Breaking down new FSU DB commit Kenton Kirkland -- player analysis, what it means for Seminoles recruiting

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 00:55:31 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football got another win on the recruiting trail on Monday, securing a commitment from Kenton Kirkland, a 6’2”, 185-pound defensive back, who plays for Raines High School in Jacksonville.

The addition of Kirkland helped bump up FSU to the No. 20th class overall. He is considered a high three-star by the 247 Sports Composite List (four-star on most sites) but is much closer to a blue-chip ranking than that of a solid three-star.

What aspects of his game give the Three Stars confidence that he’s better than his current rating? In the latest episode of the Florida State of Recruiting podcast, the Three Stars break down the Duval prospect’s skillset and how he projects at the collegiate level.

In a bonus breakdown, the trio also talk about the Seminoles’ other recent commit — defensive lineman Tavion Gadson out of Savannah, Georgia. The guys also discuss who might be next to join the Tribe.

Florida State Recruiting Class of 2023

Class of 2023 football commits

RUNNING BACK: 4 star Samuel Singleton Jr. (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Darren “Goldie” Lawrence (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Vandrevius Jacobs (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Lucas Simmons (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Roderick Kearney (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: 4 star Lamont “Boots” Green, Jr. (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: 3 star JUCO Jaden Jones (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 3 star Tavion Gadson (GA)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keldric Faulk (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keith Sampson, Jr. (NC)

LINEBACKER: 3 star DeMarco Ward (GA)

DEFENSIVE BACK/ATHLETE: 3 star Quindarrius Jones (MS)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 3 star Ja’Bril Rawls (FL)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 3 star Kenton “KJ” Kirkland (FL)

Florida State of Recruiting: The Three Stars podcasts

(8/5/22): Instant reaction to Samuel Singleton’s commitment

(8/2/22): Seminole Showcase recap, quarterback recruiting

(7/5/22): Some blue chip lineman commits and NIL thoughts

(6/16/22): Recapping a trio of commits and Tae Woody’s addition to the roster

(6/9/22): Breaking down the QB targets

(3/29/22): Quarterbacks

(3/3/22): Previewing FSU’s first 2023 Elite Junior Day

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Noles News Now: Soccer, volleyball, football all prep for season openers

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Happy Monday... Welcome in to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things Florida State sports on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. I'm your host Brian Pellerin.

Getting you caught up on the weekend that was for FSU athletics.

The biggest headline for you, it's the final non game week Monday of the offseason. Next Monday will be the beggining of game week for the Seminoles week zero matchup

with Duquesne. Football really just more than a week away in Tallahassee. Part of that work towards opening day has been their identity week with a trip to UNF for some

camp away from home. That led into their second scrimmage of the fall this weekend and again, most of the feedback from the coaches has been positive. He said he's

proud of the team's passion and competitiveness through the scrimmage. The Noles also starting to find the playmakers in the passing game with Johnny Wilson,

Mycah Pittman, Duece Spann and Malik McClain standing out this weekend. Norvell did mention the team has some procedural things to clean up -- namely penalties --

before the season gets started. He says the focus heading into this week is simple... continuing getting better.

For some more camp notes and a look at the biggest questions of the 2022 season, check out this week's Seminole Wrap podcast available now wherever you hear this

podcast. It's our final preseason episode before we go into game preview and recap episodes next week.

Elsewhere on campus, the Florida State soccer team held its final scrimmage of the fall. The ladies get their season started on Thursday as they travel to South

Carolina for the opener. That game is the first of four straight to start the year against SEC opponents over the next two weeks. Three of those on the road. The South

Carolina matchup is set to air on SEC Network at 7pm this Thursday if you'd like to watch. if you want to see the squad in person, they'll return to Tally on August

25th to take on Auburn in the home opener.

And finally, volleyball is heading into their first game week if you will this week. The Noles play their Garnet and Gold exhibition on Friday. They'll officially

start the season next Friday in Cincinnati with three games in as many days against Illinois State, Dayton and Cincy.

That'll do it for this week's episode of Noles News Now. If you're following this feed already, what you waiting on? Click the follow button so you don't miss any of

the news as fall season gets cranking next week. We'll have another episode for you on Wednesday. Until then, I'm Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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FSU football camp check-in, 2022 season predictions

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 02:37:16 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles football season is less than two weeks away so the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin and Jon Marchant — brought in Tommy Mire for his perspective from FSU practice over the last few weeks.

We get notes on wide receiver Johnny Wilson’s progress into a matchup nightmare for defenses, wide receiver Mycah Pittman’s comparing quarterback Jordan Travis to Los Angeles Chargers star and his former QB at Oregon Justin Herbert, growth of the defense and the depth on the offensive line.

We also look into some of your answers to the FSU football survey like what’s the biggest game on the FSU schedule, will Jordan Travis throw for more than 2,000 yards, will Florida State have a 1,000-yard rusher, will Florida State win more than 6 games and more, with the crew giving their thoughts on each question ahead of the Seminoles season.

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FSU football second scrimmage interviews -- Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell, OC/OL coach Alex Atkins, DC Adam Fuller, ST/DE coach John Papuchis

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 03:02:10 -0000

The ‘Noles have shown an exceptional level of competition and focus throughout the summer, growing physically and preparing for a long season ahead. Being able to get a solid look at the team, the scrimmages help the coaching staff learn who knows the playbook, who fits in the best positions, and who’s ready to play this season with only two weeks remaining in fall camp.

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3 keys to a successful FSU offense in 2022 -- Noles Quality Control

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0000

TALLAHASSEE FL- This season will be pivotal for Mike Norvell and the Seminoles, while they have improved their offense and raised the floor for this team there are still some major concerns heading into the season.

They have had an extremely efficient running game with Jordan Travis creating magic scrambling and throwing downfield. But this team still needs to overcome some major questions this season. These three keys are the biggest factors that will make this offense thrive or crash.

Keeping quarterback Jordan Travis on the field

I am not a fan of referring to a QBs win-loss record. But given the drop-off in the quality of play without Travis under Norvell, the win-loss record is concerning given that Travis has missed time due to injury or other concerns — with Travis playing, the team is 7-. Without him, they’re 1-7.

Last season Travis was responsible for 45% of the team's yards from scrimmage and more than 50% of the team's touchdowns while playing around 60% of the dropbacks. They need him to stay on the field.

In 2021, no other quarterback could get in a rhythm and put together consistent enough play.

This season the only new quarterback in the building is AJ Duffy, a true freshman who may have a bright future but is still learning how to play at the collegiate level. Travis needs to be healthy for this team and offense to be successful and without him, it will be a struggle to get to make a bowl.

Production from the receiver position

Under Mike Norvell, the Seminoles haven’t had a receiver finish a season with more than 30 catches or 400 yards.

No receiver in the 2021 season had a 100-yard game.

Last season the struggles at that position were clearly a talent deficit with players being unable to win one on one and create separation.

But this offseason the team brought in four different receivers via the transfer portal, and some of their young receivers should continue to improve.

Mycah Pittman will work well in Norvell’s system that focuses so much on production out of the slot. While Johnny Wilson offers a skillset that is lacking, at 6’7 he will be a possession, contested catch monster as long as he can keep up the consistency he’s shown in fall camp.

While the other two transfers are harder to project, with Winston Wright still making his way back from a leg injury sustained in a car accident and Deuce Spann still mastering the position, this influx of talent should improve the receiving room along with the returning players like Malik McClain, Ja’Khi Douglas, and Ontaria Wilson who have all shown flashes and have been key parts of the offense in year’s past.

Improving the quality of the offensive line

In 2021 the offensive line was wildly inconsistent, with the Seminoles’ seeing 21 different starting offensive line combinations in 12 games. No matter how much talent you have, that kind of inconsistency is too much to overcome.

But Alex Atkins and the staff have been hard at work, bringing in ten new offensive linemen with four coming via the transfer portal. All of the transfers they brought have starting experience at multiple positions.

While Kayden Lyles went down with a season-ending injury, the team is returning four of their five most experienced starters and with the influx of talent, they should be able to improve the line.

They need to improve and stay healthy enough to keep Travis on his feet and be able to dominate the line of scrimmage to allow the Seminoles to have a consistent rushing attack.

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FSU football in Jacksonville -- head coach Mike Norvell interview after Florida State Seminoles practice

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 17:10:20 -0000

Florida State held its first practice at UNF this morning. The Seminoles will participate in practice and team activities in Jacksonville today and tomorrow.

After playing in their first scrimmage of the fall camp last weekend, the coaching staff and players will be back on the field on Saturday for the Noles’ second scrimmage.

In the offseason, the Seminoles have focused on physical improvement throughout the team, but the focal point in these final weeks will be the players’ mental toughness and knowledge of the playbook. FSU added veterans throughout the lineup that are ready for plenty of snaps on the field, and if they can get quality play from their transfers and some of their freshmen, the depth on this team should be a definite strength.

Head coach spoke with FSU’s media after practice today to talk about the Seminoles’ road trip and his takeaways from his squad’s day of work, mentioning that the team emphasized short yard and red zone situations to amp up the intensity as camp begins to wind down.

On today's practice

“I thought today was a good physical practice, back in full pads. You had some short yardage situations, opportunity to see guys get after it. I thought it was good competitive work.”

“Our offense started off fast, defense did a good job of responding and I thought the back and forth were really good.”

On last night's team event

“Last night we had a team event, guys were able to relax just a little bit, before they hit the dorm rooms, but it was fun, I love this team, I love the guys I get to coach. Such great young men, they have wonderful personalities.”

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FSU OL Kayden Lyles out for season, HC Mike Norvell announces -- post-practice interview with Seminoles head coach

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:08:46 -0000

As Florida State continues to grind through the preseason, head coach Mike Norvell knows that this week is a crucial one for his squad.

He said as much after practice Monday, discussing that with the season opener vs. the Duquesne Dukes coming closer and closer, the time for the Seminoles to separate themselves is now.

He touched on other major topics, including offensive linemen Kayden Lyles’ season-ending injury.

“I hate it for him with the work that he has put in. He has done a great job since he has gotten here. He’s an incredible person, the relationships that he has built. We will explore all options here moving forward... he is actively going to be a part of what we’re doing but just, unfortunately, won’t be able to be on the field this year.”

Here are some other excerpts from his availability — you can find the full interview below.

On Jordan Travis’s performance in fall camp

“I don’t know if he has had a bad day throughout fall camp. There has been decisions and things he has grown from. I like what I have seen from his continued growth and development as well as all the quarterbacks.”

On Johnny Wilson and his performance at practice.

“He is definitely a weapon with his size, speed, and ability to bend ... to watch him run routes and the work he has put in it is really impressive. I am excited about that group. That whole receiver core is elevating themselves through competition.”

On the upcoming practices in Jacksonville

“It’s about team, going to a place that is different than you are used too. We will be on a single field. This week we have to come together through the challenge.”

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FSU wide receiver room looks good, baseball makes hire official, basketball gets preseason work in Canada -- latest in Florida State Seminoles sports

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Hello and welcome to Noles News Now, the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports presented by Tomahawk Nation. I’m your host Perry Kostidakis — let’s hop right in.

FSU football has been grinding away on the practice field — after last Saturday’s scrimmage, the Seminoles have amped up the intensity in a week that head coach Mike Norvell has designated as a major one. He said they’ve turned up the notch a bit, saying this week’s upcoming scrimmage on Saturday will help truly identify where and who this team is in its progress.

Florida State heads out to UNF for an away-from-home two-day camp session in Jacksonville starting Thursday. The excursion is a chance for the team to bond a bit through both travel and planned experiences, as well as get the team used to practice out of its element ahead of the season.

So far in camp, the team has showcased a different level of depth and talent -- notably, the wide receiver group has looked like a step above what we’ve seen in camp over the last few years, with the staff’s investment in the position over the offseason seemingly paying off. Across the board, good, productive reps are being had, and there isn’t a noticeable drop-off when changing out starters -- a major indicator of progress for Norvell’s squad.

In basketball news, FSU continues its Canadian exhibition tour, having faced off against Carleton University on Monday. They took down the Ravens 98-64 — an impressive feat given that the bulk of FSU players receiving minutes were fresh faces, either in the form of newbies or walk-ins.

FSU baseball made another hire official — the Seminoles announced the addition of Brad Vanderglas as an assistant coach. He’ll work with the Seminole outfielders, manage practices, and lead all instructional camps and clinics.

If you’ve missed some of the latest episodes that have dropped on our TomahawkNation.com podcast network, do yourselves a favor and scroll back a bit on the feed. We have a great interview with Bryant McFadden breaking down the 2022 season for FSU, an insider look at everything Seminoles basketball and a breakdown of 2023 blue-chip running back commit Samuel Singleton.

On the website, we’ve got live coverage of today’s FSU football practice action, as well as a preseason update on how Seminoles recruiting is shaking out for the class of 2023.

Thank you for subscribing and listening — please leave us 5 stars and review if you haven’t yet, and we’ll catch you next time.

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2022 FSU season preview with Bryant McFadden -- Defense, Jordan Travis, importance of victory against LSU

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles are less than 3 weeks away from taking the field on August 27th for their season opener against Duquesne.

As the anticipation builds, the Seminole Wrap crew - Brian Pellerin and Max Escarpio - turned to former FSU star, two-time Super Bowl champion and CBS Sports football analyst Bryant McFadden to discuss a wide range of topics on the year ahead. He shares his experience as the winning defensive coordinator in FSU’s Garnet and Gold Spring Game.

The crew also discuss:

What should be the expectations for Florida State be this season? Is a bowl game the hope or the minimum?
What growth has he seen from Jordan Travis and what still needs to happen now that he’s the leader of this team?
Why does Bryant view the Labor Day weekend matchup against the LSU Tigers as a must-win? And what needs to happen for Florida State to earn that primetime punch?
Which players are most crucial to ensuring Florida State has a successful campaign, and
Who were his funniest and most serious teammates and which coach was the toughest on him during his time at Florida State?

Bryant also discusses his newest venture into the NIL space with Champions Collective helping nearly a dozen Florida State athletes take ownership of their brand.

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Noles News Now: FSU football first scrimmage, Seminoles hoops in Canada for exhibition games, other Florida State Seminoles sports updates

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 03:25:41 -0000

Happy Monday and welcome in to Noles News Now, your podcast home for all things Florida State. I’m Brian Pellerin and I’ll be guiding you through the weekend that was.

And the big ticket item was the first scrimmage of fall camp. We have plenty of notes, takeaways, and full press conferences posted on TomahawkNation.com, but I'll bring you the SparkNotes version of it. The biggest overall notes — largely positive vibes from the coaching staff. Mike Norvell said he was plenty happy with his team's effort across the board. He marked the improvement he’s seen in Illinois transfer wide receiver Deuce Spann and linebacker Tatum Bethune. He also mentioned his team’s grit and grind heading into week two. Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller specifically mentioned his group’s speed getting to the ball. Offensive coordinator Alex Atkins was thrilled with his younger guys and other new faces living up to the standard in their first go around in the scrimmage. Again, all that content and more is available now on TomahawkNation.com.

Also available there and wherever you’re listening to this is a new episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast, where myself and Max Escarpio talk with former FSU star and two-time Super Bowl champion Bryant McFadden about a wide range of topics, including the need for Jordan Travis to answer the bell now to take the next step, why the LSU game is the biggest game on the entire schedule, the direction, and expectations of this program, fun tales of his teammates during his time at FSU and more. If you are looking to get excited for the year, listen to that pod because Bryant will have you ready to put on a helmet and run through a wall. Really interesting stuff and he’s making ventures into the NIL space to help the Seminoles in recruiting as well. Definitely worth your time.

Speaking of recruiting, the Noles just hit a home run on the trail this weekend with the commitment from 4-star running back Samuel Singleton on Friday. The 5-foot-11180 running back is from Fleming Island Florida. Our Three Stars of recruiting guys looked into what the Seminoles are getting from this tough runner. You can get that information in their latest episode available now.

The men’s basketball team is north of the border this month for some scrimmages. They knocked off the Ottawa Gee-Gees, real name I’m told, over the weekend by 20 so it’s a good sign there. For a deeper look into the trip this preseason, Tomahawk Nation’s Michael Rogner dropped a podcast also available now on this feed.

Football, not the only team holding their first scrimmage of the fall, as soccer was back on the pitch this weekend as they look to reload from last year’s championship team in Brian Pensky’s first season. For more on the team plus observations on men’s and women’s hoops as well as softball, take a look at Prince Akeem Jaffar’snotebook: Burning Questions Edition.

Fall sports are also most here and we’re doing what we can to deliver all the content you can desire. Lots of pods and articles are available for you to pick and choose how you get your content. As always, we appreciate you listening, reading, and weighing in yourself. Until Wednesday, I’m Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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FSU hoops: Conference re-alignment, Canada ehh, and Taylor Bowen

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 20:20:22 -0000

Hey! A hoops pod. No. 49 to be exact - we were hoping to save No. 50 for a national title recap but we'll try and squeeze some in between here and there. Maybe you've heard that some weird rumblings in the college football world are taking place. It's like LIV Golf only it matters. Looking forward, conference matchups like UCLA-Rutgers are gonna be lit. But we take a look from a basketball perspective (really, an all sports besides football perspective) which will hopefully come to fruition. Let football do its thing, and let the other sports maintain some sort of regional focus.

After some conference talk (and yes, Minnesota really is a cool place to go see a game) we talk about the sport that matters: college basketball. Florida State is currently touring Canada which is full of nice people and maple syrup, and playing some games along the way. When you have so many new faces, having trips like this are priceless - just don't pay too much attention to the box scores. Oh, and four guys are out: Matthew Cleveland, De'Ante Green, Baba Miller, and Jeremiah Bembry. So one fake game into the season and we already have a walk-on in the starting lineup. Some things never change. Like Canada.

After a break where we advertise something that is very important but I'm not sure what it is, we spend a few minutes gushing over FSU's sole 2023 recruit Taylor Bowen. It's hard to predict a class size because technically no one has to leave (assuming Gainey is awarded a Covid year), but we know it is at least one. And he's a good one.

And that's that. Enjoy!

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Interviews: Mike Norvell, Alex Atkins, John Papuchis, Adam Fuller talk first FSU football scrimmage

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 03:52:59 -0000

FLORIDA STATE — Florida State Seminoles football took the field for its first scrimmage of the fall on Saturday, using the night to gauge the progress the Seminoles have made since spring camp concluded.

Through the first week of practice, an elevated level of intensity, physicality, and depth was on display — leading to an increase in quality and competition across the board.

Just throwing on full pads (as the Seminoles did for the first time on Tuesday) helps separate significant progress from incremental, going scrimmage speed helps give a benchmark on where the team stands and further begins the acclimation process as FSU ramps up to its season opener vs. the Duquesne Dukes on August 27.

Head coach Mike Norvell, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins, special teams coordinator and defense ends coach John Papuchis and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller all spoke with the media following Saturday’s scrimmage, offering takeaways, thoughts, and insight on the team’s performance.

Norvell was pleased by effort from the team. He mentioned the improvement from guys like receiver Deuce Spann and linebacker Tatum Bethune, also the grit and grind from all the players.

“I thought tonight was a good first scrimmage. We got in a little over a hundred plays...we got some live special teams to work which is something we wanted to be able to introduce more. I thought there was some really good work that was shown there.”

“It was a good back and forth — I thought our first defense really flew around to the ball. Made some good plays. I thought it was a good balance.”

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4-star running back commits to FSU -- what are the Seminoles getting in blue-chip Samuel Singleton?

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 01:25:00 -0000

Four-star RB Samuel Singleton has committed to Florida State.

Mike Norvell’s Florida State Seminoles 2023 recruiting class has added another nice bluechip recruit on the rec trail with his commitment. Running back is a big position of need for FSU and the ‘Noles got one of the best the state has to offer.

Singleton hails from Fleming Island, Florida, and attends Fleming Island High School. He stands 5’11 180 pounds and has a 90 rating (4-star) from the 247 Sports Composite List. The sites consider him the 287th best player in the country (15th best RB and 58th best player in Florida).

The talented back chose Florida State over offers from the LSU Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Penn State Nittany Lions, Tennessee Volunteers, and UCF Knights, among many others.

Before his recent official visit, Tomahawk Nation recruiting analyst NoleThruandThru had this to say about Singleton:

Singleton is a tough runner and doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s a track and field star with nice speed, as evidenced by his 10.86 100-meter dash last spring. He’s a threat to break off a huge play every time he touches the ball, and averaged 6.4 yards/carry last season. Singleton would be a welcome addition to the running back room.

Florida State Recruiting Class of 2023

Class of 2023 football commits

RUNNING BACK: 4 star Samuel Singleton Jr. (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Darren “Goldie” Lawrence (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Vandrevius Jacobs (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Lucas Simmons (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Roderick Kearney (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: 4 star Lamont “Boots” Green, Jr. (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: JUCO Jaden Jones (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keldric Faulk (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keith Sampson, Jr. (NC)

LINEBACKER: 3 star DeMarco Ward (GA)

DEFENSIVE BACK/ATHLETE: 3 star Quindarrius Jones (MS)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 3 star Ja’Bril Rawls (FL)

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HC Mike Norvell recaps practice week, previews FSU football scrimmage

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 16:25:28 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football is one day out from its first scrimmage of the 2022 preseason.

FSU threw on pads for the first time Tuesday, working its way towards getting game ready for its August 27 season opener vs. the Duquesne Dukes. On Friday, it lightened the workload a bit by rolling with just lowers but still kept the intensity high.

It’s been a pretty decent start to camp, with the Seminoles showcasing depth across the board that they haven’t had the privilege of enjoying for a few years now. Competition has been consistent throughout the first week and change, with head coach Mike Norvell happy — but not satisfied — with the Seminoles’ progress so far.

“I thought it was a good day for us to continue to grow. Today we just had helmets on, obviously scrimmage tomorrow night, you know hoping guys understand the intensity in all reps, whether you're in helmets, whether you're in full pads, whatever we’re doing we have a purpose for what we’re trying to accomplish... Human nature wants you to be comfortable, the mind will always tell you that you’re hot, you’re tired, sore, all of it... but have to be able to push with the mentality of giving everything I have, being in control and maybe not being as physical on a day that you don’t have shoulder pads, you have to be able to still get that quality of work.”

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FSU football looking good in early days of camp, Noles soccer ranked No. 1 in country -- latest in Florida State Seminoles sports

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 05:57:40 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Wednesday and welcome to Noles News Now, the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports, brought to you by Tomahawk Nation. I’m your host Perry Kostidakis — let’s jump right in.

Today is an off day for Florida State Seminoles football as it makes its way through preseason camp — FSU has six days of practice under its belt, with Tuesday being its first full day in pads after a few days of uppers. So far, consensus has been that this team is much deeper than it has been in the last few years — competition doesn’t fall off when the ones rotate out, and the newcomers, from transfers to freshmen, have begun to find their footing. Azareye’h Thomas, in particular, has stood out as one of the most consistent players across the board, let alone of freshmen. He’s still got a bit of a ways to go until he’s ready to take that and elevate to a game-in and game-out level, but he’s definitely on his way to becoming an impact player for FSU — and it’s looking like it could be this year.

The offensive and defensive line depth have been two of the main highlights — it’s resulted in plenty of competition in the run and pass game, as running back Trey Benson has looked fantastic and ready to take over Jashaun Corbin’s any-down back mantle. Jordan Travis, settled in as the guy at quarterback, has gotten a chance to be a bit more comfortable in the system and not have to force as much, while the defensive backs have showcased depth on depth on depth. Games still need to be played, obviously, and there’s still a lot to be proven, but feeling good after the first week of camp beyond the top guys is a far cry from where the Seminoles have been in years past.

FSU is gearing up for its first scrimmage on Saturday — until then, stay tuned to Tomahawk for coverage from the next few days of practice.

In other news, defending national champion Florida State soccer earned a number one preseason ranking in the coaches poll — the Seminoles have a few talented international players to replace, alongside others who graduated but still field a squad that’ll be a threat in the postseason in December. They kicked off practice on Tuesday as well, gearing up for a season opener vs. South Carolina on August 18th.

Those are the main big things of the day — if you missed our latest episode of the Florida State of Recruiting podcast, the boys recapped a major few days in Seminoles recruiting, from the flurry of defensive back commits to breaking down the Seminole Showcase recruiting event to who might potentially be next to join FSU’s recruiting class. Just scroll down on this feed and hit play.

If you’ve already listened, thank you for supporting — and double thank you for listening and supporting us here. It’s been great seeing the reaction as we’ve amped things up on the podcast end — if you want more of something we’re doing, if you want us to change anything up, please please either leave a comment on the website or in a review.

Thank you again for listening — we’ll see you next time.

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FSU football first day in full pads: HC Mike Norvell interview

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 21:13:56 -0000

Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell has been a fan of what he’s seen early on in fall camp from his team.

A sentiment that’s been echoed since camp kicked off is that when the Seminoles threw on full pads, it would separate true progress from the incremental. Not only does the game obviously get more physical and faster, but it also affects a player’s movement, how they carry their weight, and fatigue as the day goes on.

Norvell, following Tuesday’s practice, met with the media to touch on impressions from that first day of full contact, as well as other takeaways from day six of FSU football preseason camp.

“I thought there was physical play...we tried to put them in series where they had to understand the situations that arose that were unscripted. Thought we got good work with guys, but still seeing players emerge. A lot of competition at a lot of positions.”

“For us going into this season, to get a great sense of who we are and what we do best and continue to grow the variations of that.”

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3 new FSU football commits — recapping major Seminoles recruiting weekend

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Florida State finished their last big recruiting weekend of the Summer by picking up three commitments — graduate transfer Malik Feaster, 2024 defensive back CJ Heard and 2023 defensive back Ja’Bril Rawls.

In addition to the new Seminoles, the staff continued solidifying relationships with current commits while also positioning themselves with key targets.

After the major recruiting weekend, which players could be next to join the Seminoles? What names on the FSU board should you be paying attention to?

The Three Stars (Josh Pick, Tim Alumbaugh, and David Stout) give their thoughts and more in this episode of the Florida State of Recruiting podcast.

Florida State Recruiting Class of 2023

(click on names for links to commitment articles)

Class of 2023 football commits

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Darren “Goldie” Lawrence (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Vandrevius Jacobs (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Lucas Simmons (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Roderick Kearney (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: 4 star Lamont “Boots” Green, Jr. (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: JUCO Jaden Jones (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keldric Faulk (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keith Sampson, Jr. (NC)

LINEBACKER: 3 star DeMarco Ward (GA)

DEFENSIVE BACK/ATHLETE: 3 star Quindarrius Jones (MS)

DEFENSIVE BACK: 3 star Ja’Bril Rawls (FL)

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FSU football camp: HC Mike Norvell interview, day 5

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 21:51:39 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football is inching closer and closer to its season debut vs. the Duquesne Dukes on August 27.

The Seminoles have been out on the practice field since last week, putting in the early stages of work that will set the tone for the season as a whole.

“I thought we had good intensity...just working, trying to push the tempo," head coach Mike Norvell said after the SeminoIes' fifth practice. "I thought there was some good physicality that showed up. We challenged them....and I thought in the team sessions, there was a better focus and intensity on the work we were needing."

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FSU football: Biggest storylines, takeaways from week one of Seminoles football camp

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The dateline isn’t lying to you.

August has arrived, and with it comes Florida State football. The Seminoles are 26 days from heading into Doak for their first game of the season and the excitement around Tallahassee is already building with camp underway.

The full pads aren’t on just yet, but that’s not hampering the competitiveness.

On this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast, hosts Brian Pellerin and Max Escarpio talk with Tomahawk Nation writer Tommy Mire to get his observations from camp so far. Who has stood out? Who are the leaders? And what he’s keeping an eye on in the coming weeks?

The crew breaks it all down plus looks at the newest commitment in FSU’s 2024 class and reacts to the ACC media poll. Does it line up with our power rankings from last week?

Find the answers to it all in this week’s episode of the Seminole Wrap podcast.

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Noles News Now: Countdown to FSU football season opener, all the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 03:22:36 -0000

Well would you look at that... if you haven’t already, turn that desk calendar and mark the 27th — nope, not just my mom’s birthday — Florida State plays a real football game this month.

Finally, we’re here friends.

Thank you so much for listening to this August 1st edition of Noles News Now, your podcast home for all things FSU sports. I’m your host Brian Pellerin and yes, I’m ready for football. I hope you are too.

The first week of fall camp is almost over and the guys definitely seem eager to get those full pads on.

So far it’s been soft pads, but the guys are still going full force. Some Sunday observations from our guy Tommy Mire today had AJ Duffy putting out his best performance so far, showing off his potential. DB Azareye’h Thomas was also the best out there. Sideline to sideline making plays. Could he be in for a breakout? Four days into camp, Mike Norvell is pulling ahead in his daily footrace with defensive tackle Robert Cooper. He’s up 3-1 now in their races to kick off camp. No matter how you slice it, the guys are loose.

There are so many more things happening from just a few short days into camp.

For the full list of things to see, check out this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast. We have Tommy on to share what else he is seeing out there and the great recruiting weekend the coaching staff had as well. Again, check it all out on this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast.

That big recruiting weekend included a whole bunch of top-tier guys visiting and a blue-chip commitment.

That came from four-star DB CJ Heard. He had a great commitment video. We called it the digital version of the hat fake out.

If you haven’t seen it, check it out in our story online. The Noles also landed a grad transfer from Jacksonville State in Malik Feaster. He’ll add some depth to that unit, where you can never have enough guys.

And if you haven’t checked it out yet, give a look at our Up Close with Tomahawk series introducing you to us and our writing staff so we’re more than just names on a byline or in my case a voice in your head. This week, my guy Jon Marchant from Seminole Wrap talked with Frank about his path to being a Seminole fan. You can find that and many others on our website Tomahawk Nation dot com.

That’s also where you’ll find the rest of our camp coverage from today and Tuesday before we’re back with another Noles News Now episode on Wednesday. Until then, be sure to follow, rate, and review this feed if you like what you hear. Thanks for listening.

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Day four FSU practice takeaways: HC Mike Norvell interview

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 18:08:59 -0000

Four days into spring practice, Florida State Seminoles football head coach Mike Norvell has taken note of the effort and improvement he’s seen.

It’s been a bit of an increase in physicality and competition over the last two days of practice, with FSU putting on shoulder pads for the first time on Friday in anticipation of going full pads on Tuesday.

Norvell spoke on his impressions of the Seminoles’ work so far, complimenting the work of younger players and encouraged by the competition, effort and work that he’s seen of his team so far.

“You’re seeing that confidence continue to emerge...we just gotta continue to clean up the details,” he said. “I’m just continuing to push that mindset regardless of circumstances or the things going on around you, you just keep coming out being your best and focus on those details.”

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Head coach Mike Norvell gives takeaways from Day 3 of FSU football practice

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 22:59:00 -0000

The countdown is on to Florida State Seminoles football’s season opener vs. the Duquesne Dukes, and FSU is three days deep into its 2022 fall camp.

It’s been a great early start to preseason camp — with FSU bringing back plenty of experience at multiple positions, the Seminoles have been able to focus on mastering the nuances of head coach Mike Norvell’s system, rather than learning it.

The Seminoles put on shoulder pads for the first time this preseason on Friday, allowing the players to be a bit more physical and begin the process of setting the tone for the entire 2022 season.

Norvell met with the media following Friday’s practice, saying he was impressed and pleased with the performance of the team’s first foray into contact, saying he saw explosive plays on both sides of the ball.

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FSU head coach Mike Norvell recaps day 2 of Seminoles practice

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 22:47:42 -0000

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State returned to the IPF this afternoon for their second day of fall camp.

Head coach Mike Norvell met with the media after, touching on initial takeaways as the Seminoles get prepped for the season opener.

“Today was a good day,” he said. “Obviously we wanted to be outside more, had some lightning in the area, so we had to be inside early and just ended up just for logistical purposes, you know, finishing up in there.”

“A [good] response to some of the things I wanted to see cleaned up. I thought the offense was better in a lot of the areas that I wanted to see.

You’re seeing continuity, understanding, and just how some concepts are coming together.”

Norvell was especially complimentary of the offense, giving props to quarterback Jordan Travis and the wide receiver room for execution and communication on the day.

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FSU football: Mike Norvell talks first day of Seminoles practice

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 23:05:45 -0000

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State Seminoles football returned to the Dunlap Practice Facility on Wednesday, July 27 for the first day of fall practice.

“Day one, thought it was good to get back out,” head coach Mike Norvell said. “We really had a lot of work in the summer — I thought we were able to get some very beneficial work. we were very aggressive with our first day of install. For some of those young guys it was moving quick for em, but all in all, there was a lot of good signs that showed up.”

After practice, he met with the media to discuss impressions and takeaways from the first day of camp, touching on individual players as well as the overall effort and execution of the team.

“We got good work, really pushed them in a lot of areas. Looking forward to getting back to it tomorrow after meetings tonight and cleaning some things up.”

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Noles Quality Control: Breaking down FSU offense ahead of 2022 Seminoles football season

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 23:08:19 -0000

TALLAHASSEE, FL- The Florida State Seminoles are starting fall camp with just one month until the season begins at home and they still have a lot to figure out along the offensive roster.

At quarterback, Jordan Travis is the guy for Mike Norvell and his staff, and for the first time, he is the unquestioned starter. He has taken that confidence that he has developed from last season and will look to carry that into the fall.

With the running backs, the ‘Noles have a potential new lead back with Trey Benson supported by Treshaun Ward similar to how Ward supported Jashaun Corbin last year. Also, how will Toafili fit in along with the rest of the room?

On the perimeter, this team has looked to the transfer portal to add guys like Mycah Pittman, Winston Wright, and Johnny Wilson along with players who have been in house like Malik McClain, Ontaria Wilson, and others that will make big contributions. This regime has struggled to produce at the wide receiver position but with Jordan Travis getting better every year he should be able to support them even better.

Along the offensive line, the team brings back four of five starting players along with four potential contributors coming from the transfer portal. The team should be in a better place and be able to deal with anything that happens in season.

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FSU HC Mike Norvell reviews summer, previews 2022 Seminoles football

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 16:49:22 -0000

FLORIDA STATE — Head Mike Norvell spoke with the media today to review the summer and preview fall camp which starts tomorrow. Overall he seemed proud of the team and what they’ve accomplished and after praising his off-field staff he opened the press conference saying as much:

“I’m so proud of the work they put in. We talk about that work as being a defining quality of their approach, the mindset - they knew it was gonna be a challenge, they knew it was going to be a difficult summer”

“I thought they answered the call every day.”

When he was asked about the newcomers and how they’ve approached the work he named a few names but talked about offensive lineman Julian Armella and what he looked like arriving on campus.

“Julian Armella came in the way you desired every high school transfer or whoever to come in and approach the work in the summer. I’m excited about what he’s going to be.”

“We’re excited about the guys we have and we’re excited about the guys coming in who are pushing to establish their role and what that means for the team - the competitive urgency is definitely there.”

FSU’s offensive line coach Alex Atkins was promoted to offensive coordinator this past off-season — when Norvell was asked how that would change things offensivel, he said it won’t.

“Alex Atkins has done a remarkable job since January helping implement and put his stamp with his great leadership style and quality of player. They believe in the man. They believe in the leader.”

To close out the media conference Norvell answered “Family” to describe the 2022 team in one word:

“When you look at this team it comes down to work and it comes down to relationships and you see a team that embraces each other.”

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FSU football: Power ranking the ACC — where does Florida State fit?

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0000

With ACC Kickoff media days in the rearview mirror and fall camp starting this week, football season is finally on the horizon and everyone — at least for the large part — is feeling pretty good about their team.

With the ACC lacking a clear favorite, every team has to feel they have at least a small window to play in Charlotte for the conference championship.

And yes, that includes Florida State.

This week, the Seminole Wrap podcast crew breaks down their view of the strengths and weaknesses on the roster plus how FSU’s roster stacks up to the ACC overall. Host Brian Pellerin and analysts Jon Marchant and Max Escarpio put the conference’s teams (Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Louisville Cardinals, NC State Wolfpack, Boston College Eagles, Syracuse Orange, Clemson Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, North Carolina Tar Heels, Pittsburgh Panthers, Virginia Cavaliers, Duke Blue Devils, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Virginia Tech Hokies) into three categories: Worse than Florida State, Coin Toss with Florida State and Better than Florida State.

Are the Seminoles ready to compete with the top teams in the ACC?

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Noles News Now: Latest in Florida State Seminoles sports

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Hello again and Happy Monday. Welcome in to Noles News Now. Thanks for starting your week with us here on Tomahawk Nation’s Podcast Network. I’m your host BrianPellerin, getting you ready for the week ahead and yes, yes, yes. It’s finally going to include football. Yes, it’s just camp, but it’s good to have football news back in our lives.

That’ll get underway on Tuesday with players reporting. That’ll also come with a pre-camp luncheon plus a coach availability so there will be boatloads of content coming your way starting then. We’ll also have position previews dropping all week so keep an eye out for those as well, we have some posted now on the quarterback, running back, and offensive line. The defensive line preview drops Tuesday. We’ve got a beyond-the-numbers dive into Jammie Robinson and Akeem Dent. Could they be the nextelite safety duo in the ACC?

Speaking of the conference, the Seminole Wrap crew took a look at the ACC as a whole on this week’s episode to decide where FSU fits in the fold. Which teams are better than Florida State, which teams are worse, and which teams are a coin toss? Lots of fun breakdowns of each team at a point where everybody is feeling the most confident in their team.

On Friday, tight end Camm McDonald landed on the Mackey Award watchlist, for the nation’s best tight end. McDonald caught 24 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns.

Elsewhere for the football team, it’s a big recruiting weekend coming up. The Seminoles are expecting a lot of important guys on campus for this one. To catch up on that, be sure to hunt down our recruiting thread for a list of the potential visitors, the guys who plan to be there, and more. Lots of great stuff from our recruiting guys and I can’t talk recruiting without pushing you to listen to the Florida State of Recruiting guys, our three stars pod. They crush it. So much great info. Can’trecommend it enough.

The rest of campus remains relatively quiet outside of the soccer team who is moving close to their season as well. FSU recently posted an interview with new coach Brian Pensky as he tries to connect with the fanbase and share his vision to sustain the excellence of the program. Part of that appears to be some upgrades to the pitch as the soccer fields got an upgraded video board ahead of their season.

That’ll do it for this edition of Seminole Wrap. As always, if you like what you hear, please support us by throwing a five-star review our way, and be sure to follow this feed to get this pod three times a week and our other great weekly content like Seminole Wrap and the Florida State of Recruiting that I mentioned earlier and more. For now, that’s all we’ve got. Until Wednesday, I’m Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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Noles News Now: ACC media days breakdown — revenue, realignment, FSU quotes

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 23:28:34 -0000

Hello and welcome to Noles News Now, the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports presented by Tomahawk Nation. I’m your host Perry Kostidakis — let’s hop right in.

Today’s big news came in the form of FSU kicking off ACC Media Days — head coach Mike Norvell as well as quarterback Jordan Travis, defensive tackle Fabien Lovett and safety Jammie Robinson all took the podium to talk expectations for 2022 and more. There wasn’t exactly anything World-changing said — media days aren’t really known for their substance when it comes to answers — but mainly reaffirmed what we’ve been hearing from those 4 and others on the team this offseason. Jordan Travis is taking that step forward as a team leader, rather than solely a player, and according to the group, the entire team is gelling, becoming much more comfortable within the system, largely attributed to bringing back plenty of experience.

ACC commish Jim Phillips also spoke on Wednesday, hyping up the conference’s success in 2021-22, when it captured more national titles than any other conference. He touched on the obvious topics — saying he is for NIL but claiming only Congress can put in meaningful rules, advocating for college football playoff expansion and, of course, conference realignment.

He says all options are on the table — from uneven revenue distribution to expansion. He did say that he has full faith in schools not leaving, given the iron clad grant of rights, and again hyped up the ACC, offering a gem of a quote, saying that the conference leads in “all metrics, except finances,” which, you know, is pretty key. He came off as a man well-aware the previous form of college football and athletics as we knew it is in its final breaths, definitely aware of the issues the ACC faces financially.

Outside of that, FSU released its media guide and an updated roster — a few weight and number changes, nothing major. You can see our full breakdown on TomahawkNation.Com.

That’s where you can catch more on these stories, including full transcripts from today’s ACC Kickoff events, and other Seminoles sports.

Thank you for listening — we’ll catch you next time.

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FSU football rebuilding Seminoles OL, DL--- plus ACC Media Days breakdown

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 10:30:00 -0000

The Florida State football roster rebuild continues to take shape with a heavy focus on fortifying the trenches.

The Seminoles landed another big-time offensive line commitment in the past week from four-star offensive tackle Lucas Simmons. He’s the second four-star get in the last month along with Roderick Kearney. Assuming they both end up signing their letters of intent on National Signing Day, the two will be the seventh and eighth offensive lineman to join the Noles in the past two classes with now offensive coordinator Alex Atkins as the primary recruiter.

So the question is, is this the Mike Norvell rebuild or the Alex Atkins rebuild?

The Seminole Wrap crew, host Brian Pellerin along with Max Escarpio and Jon Marchant, answers that question by looking at just how important Atkins is to the future of the Florida State football program.

Plus they discuss the upcoming ACC Kickoff media days. Who is FSU bringing to the event and how will ACC Commissioner Jim Philips handle the question of conference realignment? Could it be time to play hardball with Notre Dame or will it be more clichés as the ACC continues to sit on the sidelines?

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Noles News Now: Latest in Florida State Seminoles sports

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 05:58:00 -0000

It’s another largely quiet weekend on the FSU campus, but we are slowly moving closer to football season as the ACC hosts their ACC Kickoff media days this week in Charlotte. That gets underway on Wednesday. Florida State will go that same day. The Seminoes representatives there will be head coach Mike Norvell, quarterback Jordan Travis, defensive tackle Fabian Lovett and defensive back Jammie Robinson. ACC commissioner Jim Philips will also speak on Wednesday. He’ll actually be kicking off the proceedings. Interesting to see what he’ll have to say in light of the recent conference realignment moves that ACC has largely sat on the sidelines of. Will hetake a strong position on the jostling or will he spew cliches?

That exact question was one of the ones tackled on this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast. Myself along with Max Escarpio and Jon Marchant talk through what he maybe willor should say. Plus we talk about the ongoing rebuild through the focus on offensive line recruiting. Should we be calling this the Alex Atkins rebuild, instead of the Mike Norvell rebuild? The new O-C putting in tons of strong work on the recruiting trail to uplift this roster that will pay dividends now and into the future.Check it out. That episode dropping Monday morning wherever you get this podcast and on Tomahawk Nation dot com.

Coming this August, Doak Campell will get a new bit of a new look as FSU announced their plan to update the facades on the press box and suites with more of the program’s history. It’ll have retired numbers, championships, bowl appearances, and all Americans alongside Bobby Bowden’s name. A chance for FSU to really showcase its deep, prestigious history to fans, players, and potential recruits. The first chance to check it out is that home opener in August.

In case you missed it at the end of last week, members of the FSU football team are banding together to help their fellow teammate Greedy Vance and his family restore their home in New Orleans. Vance’s family home was impacted by Hurricane Ida last August and the family is still working to get back on their feet. Many of us I’m sure live along the coast know how difficult that hurricane recovery process can be. So offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons alongside Jordan Travis have started a GoFundMeto support them get through that process. If you’d like to check it out and help however you can, we’ve got an article on our website about it linking to that fund.

Elsewhere on campus, new head baseball coach Link Jarrett keeps filling up his first staff with guys from his old staff as pitching coach Chuck Ristano is the latest guy to make the leap from Notre Dame to Tallahassee. Ristano had spent the last 12 years at Notre Dame. Another big get for Link.

In hoops, a lot of former Noles continue to showcase their skills in the final few games of the NBA’s summer league and on Sunday, nobody did so better than John Butler who had a perfect night from the field. 9/9 shooting including 6/6 from beyond the arc left with 25 points and 7 rebounds for the Pelicans. That’s a young group inNew Orleans that needs some knockdown shooting. Maybe he can catch on there this fall. He’ll likely start that process as a two-way player first, but we’ll have to see how that process unfolds.

The soccer team has announced their 2022 schedule as they get set to begin their first under new head coach Brian Pensky. It’ll be a bit of a tougher task as the roster has lost 3 of their bigger names in Emily Madril, Kirsten Pavlisko and Yujie Zhao, but this team should still have enough talent to compete this year.

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Noles News Now: ACC Media Day attendees, FSU Hall of Fame announced, recruiting updates

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Good morning... good afternoon... good evening... No matter what time you're listening, yes, you've made it to the Friday edition of Noles News Now. I'm your host, Brian Pellerin who will be guiding you in to the weekend with the latest news and notes from around Florida State football, baseball, and more.

The biggest story to look ahead to is the unofficial start of ACC football season next week with the ACC Football Kickoff media days in Charlotte. The Seminoles will be sending veterans Jordan Travis, Fabien Lovett, and Jammie Robinson alongside Mike Norvell on July 20th - that's next Wednesday. The Noles will be just more than a month away from taking the field for the first time at that point and two months from beginning ACC play on a Friday night in Louisville. An announcement from ESPN this week actually slid that kickoff back 30 minutes so kickoff for that game is now at 7:30 pm, in case you've got to adjust your calendar or travel plans.

It’s been a busy summer on the recruiting trail for the Florida State Seminoles coaching staff as they continue to shape the future of this roster. One of the biggest areas to address is solidifying the trenches and recent offensive line commit Roderick Kearney looks to be the centerpiece of that effort going forward. This week, he joined our Florida State of Recruiting podcast for an interview about FSU, new offensive coordinator Alex Atkins and much more. Check it out to hear from Big Rod, a leader of the Noles for the future.

Of course, Atkins was a huge part in landing Kearney and many other commits this offseason. He’s been an incredible asset on the recruiting trail for FSU so the question is how does he rank in compared to other Florida State’s other top recruiters of the past decade. David Stout tries to tackle that in a column posted to Tomahawk Nation dot com this morning. There have been some great assistants and Atkins is off to a strong start to be among if not the best of the bunch.

Link Jarrett is hoping his newest hire will also be a major recruiting ace for the Noles as he's landed his first recruiting coordinator as the head man of FSU. Jarrett announced Thursday that Rich Wallace will make the jump from Notre Dame to Tallahassee with him to join the Noles coaching staff in the recruiting coordinator role. Wallace already has ties to the Sunshine State with his experience at Jacksonville and UCF.

One day before FSU football starts their season next month against Duquesne, the athletic department will induct the newest members of the Florida State Hall of Fame class announced this week. In total, 10 Seminole greats will have their names added to the hall including football stars Snoop Minnis and E.G. Green, golf star Brooks Koepka, baseball player of the year James Ramsey, soccer greats Amanda Dacosta and Toni Pressley plus others from tennis, swimming and diving and more.

That'll do it for this edition of Noles News Now. If you like what you hear, remember to subscribe, follow and rate the show to help us out and let other Noles fans know about the easiest way to stay up to date on all things FSU 3 times a week. Until Monday, I'm Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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FSU recruiting: 4-star OL Roderick Kearney interview

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 00:14:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles coaching staff has made it a point to rebuild the trenches with the last two recruiting cycles. One of the biggest commits to that rebuild is 2023 offensive line commit Roderick Kearney.

The Three Stars sit down for an interview with the versatile lineman. Kearney shares his thoughts on Florida State, Alex Atkins, and Mike Norvell— as well as a day in the life of a high school commit preparing for division one football. We discuss position projection, whether or not the 4-star will be enrolling early for the Seminoles, and even Albert Einstein.

You can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to your shows.

For all things Florida State football recruiting, head over to our transfer portal and FSU recruiting updates thread, where you can catch the latest news and pick the brains of our recruiting staff.

Florida State Recruiting Class of 2023 football commits

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Darren “Goldie” Lawrence (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Vandrevius Jacobs (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Lucas Simmons (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Roderick Kearney (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: 4 star Lamont “Boots” Green, Jr. (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: JUCO Jaden Jones (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keldric Faulk (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keith Sampson, Jr. (NC)

LINEBACKER: 3 star DeMarco Ward (GA)

DEFENSIVE BACK/ATHLETE: 3 star Quindarrius Jones (MS)

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Noles News Now: FSU football loses 4 star quarterback commit

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Wednesday, and welcome to Noles News Now, the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports, brought to you by Tomahawk Nation. I’m your host Perry Kostidakis — let’s jump right in.

The big news of the day — a move that’s been predicted for a bit and finally came into fruition — on Tuesday, four-star quarterback Chris Parson decided to reopen his recruitment, decommitting from the Seminoles. Parson, who had been committed to Florida State for just under a year, said he had long coveted playing in Tallahassee but needed to make a move that assured his future — it’s been reported and confirmed by his father that he wasn’t interested in being part of a two-quarterback class.

FSU has been extremely open about the fact that it wants two quarterbacks — it seems that they were hoping that Parson would want to be part of that plan, but as soon as fellow four-star and Elite 11 quarterback Brock Glenn began to receive crystal balls to FSU, the writing was on the wall.

It’s a temporary hit in terms of PR, given the news of Desmond Ricks's claims of FSU cutting off contact getting plenty of traction with disgruntled fans and gleeful rivals, but overall, FSU has been doing a lot of good on the trail. Four-star, blue-chip NFL talent Lucas Simmons committed to FSU on Monday — if you haven’t, check out the Florida State of Recruiting that dropped that talks about Simmons’ game and who else might be joining #Tribe23.

In this day in conference realignment rumors, the Dallas Morning News is reporting that SMU has been in discussions with the Big 12, the ACC, and the Pac-12. While that sounds cool if you were playing NCAA 13, it really doesn’t do too much to add to the value of the conference, which is the main issue plaguing FSU and the rest of the ACC right now as the era of megaconferences looms closer and closer.

Outside of that, it’s been a relatively quiet week with summer in full swing. Make sure you’re keeping posted to TomahawkNation.com for all the latest in FSU sports — not only can you find quick updates on everything FSU, but we’ve got plenty of deep-dive content and conversation with community popping.

Thank you again for listening, and we’ll see you next time.

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FSU gets major OL commit -- will Seminoles get more? Plus, Desmond Ricks conversation

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 00:10:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles continue their hot streak on the trail, with Mike Norvell and staff scooping up another crucial commitment along the trenches.

Offensive tackle Lucas Simmons has jumped aboard the Tribe ‘23 train, becoming FSU’s best true OT pledge in a decade. FSU previously secured pledges from two key prospects in defensive lineman Keldric Faulk and offensive lineman Roderick Kearney. All three are four-star, blue-chip prospects and are now the top-rated commits in FSU’s 2023 class.

What is FSU getting in Simmons, and how soon should he see the field? Will Florida State be adding to its 2023 class soon, with July decisions expected from QB Brock Glenn, RB Daylan Smothers, and potentially more targets? Plus, the guys discuss recent reaction to controversial comments from 2024 DB Desmond Ricks.

Florida State Recruiting Class of 2023 football commits

QUARTERBACK: 4 star Chris Parson (TN)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Darren “Goldie” Lawrence (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Vandrevius Jacobs (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Lucas Simmons (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Roderick Kearney (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: 4 star Lamont “Boots” Green, Jr. (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: JUCO Jaden Jones (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keldric Faulk (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keith Sampson, Jr. (NC)

LINEBACKER: 3 star DeMarco Ward (GA)

DEFENSIVE BACK/ATHLETE: 3 star Quindarrius Jones (MS)

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Noles News Now: FSU adding another blue-chip offensive lineman? Seminoles stop recruiting five-star DB?

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 04:08:00 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Monday — hope you all had a great weekend, welcome in to Noles News Now, the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports, presented by Tomahawk Nation. I’m your host Perry Kostidakis — let’s hop right in.

Another big day in FSU recruiting — offensive lineman Lucas Simmons, a blue-chip prospect with legitimate NFL potential, is set to announce his choice of college today at 1 p.m. at a ceremony in Clearwater. Simmons is a Swedish native but isn’t exactly a stranger to the game — his father, Able, is a former Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman.

The Seminoles seem to be the favorite to land the 6-7, 300-pound tackle — not only has offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins managed to continue his impressive streak of getting top talent interest in Tallahassee, but FSU was one of the first schools to offer Simmons prior to his recruitment blowing up — a common theme so far for the Seminoles, one that has either been a key factor in snagging talent or an ironic asterisk as that talent moved on to another program. Our recruiting trio talked about his recruitment on our latest Florida State of Recruiting podcast — I’m sure we’ll hear a bit more about it in the coming days, wink wink.

FSU has had an impressive run in the trenches as of late — but got a bit of a Twitter timeline drag on Sunday when Hayes Fawcett, a graphic designer who puts out edits for the majority of the top recruits in the country, shared a quote from top 2024 defensive back Desmond Ricks, who says he wanted to commit to FSU, then they stopped talking to him, and that was that. That naturally stirred up the fanbase, but a little bit more insight showed that maybe, possibly, that post was some strategic planting via a rival school, one that has been seemingly getting more ballsy by the day when it comes to recruiting. Fawcett had several posts before and after that graphic exchanging praise and messages with the Miami Hurricanes staff — which even if there was something fishy going on, the point remains that that quote was blasted out on the social medias, and several high-profile recruits commented on it echoing similar complaints. While it’s not a nail in the coffin situation, it’s one that should have Mike Norvell and staff on high alert, even moreso than they were already heading into a season that has a chance to define his tenure.

Outside of that, nothing major in realignment news — though, there is a chance that given the way the rest of the news so far around it has broken, by the time you listen to this, there’s been some shocking new development. Last we left off, we had two major reports — one, from major media outlets reporting the Pac-12 and ACC exploring a potential partnership, the other from a single person who runs a swimming publication that Virginia, UNC, FSU, and Clemson are negotiating to join the SEC, with ESPN willing and ready to void the ACC’s television contract. While bigger news has come from unlikelier sources, and it is almost definitely true that those schools (as well as others in the ACC) are looking for a way out, it’s not exactly good business for ESPN to dissolve the contract that guarantees it a great deal for the next 14 years.

You can listen to more discussion on that on the Seminole Wrap, where Brian Pellerin and I talk about the latest as well the best move for FSU, or you can share your frustrations at the stupidity that is the PACCt by heading to TomahawkNation.com and reading Juan Montalvo’s analysis of why it is a terrible idea for everybody.

Head to TomahawkNation.com now to read up on everything Florida State that’s happened over the last weekend — that’s it for now, thank you for listening, and we’ll see you next time.

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FSU vs. Miami Preview: Is Mario Cristobal bringing the Hurricanes back? feat. Adam Lichtenstein

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 23:14:26 -0000

FLORIDA STATE — Tomahawk Nation’s Seminole Wrap is back for another episode, this time covering a highly anticipated matchup between Florida State and Miami. We’ve hosted multiple beat writers and team insiders to give a first-hand look at FSU’s season preview. This time, a preview of when the Noles head to South Florida on November 5th to compete in one of college football’s biggest rivalries.

While the Seminoles were able to top the Hurricanes in a 31-28 victory last season, the Canes have completely revamped their coaching staff to what many believe will put them back on the map. We’ve seen the state of Florida heat up in the recruiting trail over the past few weeks and each team seems to be working to solidify its place in the Sunshine State.

Host Max Escarpio talks with Miami Hurricanes beat writer Adam Lichtenstein to ask about the hype brewing in Coral Gables and what to expect from the Miami Hurricanes in 2022, from his thoughts on Mario Cristobal, whether quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, a potential first-round NFL Draft selection, will take another step forward, and what the buzz sounds like for an up and coming Miami team.

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FSU to the SEC? Big Ten? or Pac-12 plus ACC merger? Florida State Seminoles best path forward

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 21:55:06 -0000

The college sports landscape appears to be on the verge of another major shift in conference realignment after the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins made the leap from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten just a year after the SEC gutted the Big 12 in grabbing Texas and Oklahoma.

The SEC is paying out members $54 million, and the Big Ten (before adding USC and UCLA) is projected to be able to give members $62 million by 2024. The ACC remains the one conference standing still as the world spins around it.

So, in response, are they looking to add other teams? Does the rumored football pact with the Pac-12 make sense for the ACC? Should Florida State consider an evacuation? Is it even fiscally possible or probable to depart for the SEC or B1G? Who could come with them if they do leave?

And beyond that — where’s the most logical new home for FSU? The SEC makes the most sense on a surface level — geography and money, namely — but is there something to be said about being the top dog in the south in a new Big Ten?

Host Brian Pellerin and site leader Perry Kostidakis talk through all the possible scenarios for Florida State, the conferences — ACC, Pac-12, SEC, and Big Ten — in deciding their next move, and the other teams that could be involved in realigning the college sports landscape as well as the impacts it will have on revenue and potential recruiting for the university.

Should FSU consider a change? Would you welcome the change or are you happy with the status quo?

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FSU gets two blue-chip linemen commits -- what does it mean for Florida State Seminoles football recruiting?

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 23:45:00 -0000

It’s been a busy few weeks for Florida State Seminoles football on the trail, with Mike Norvell and staff scooping up a few commits — namely in the trenches.

FSU secured the pledges from two key prospects — defensive lineman Keldric Faulk and offensive lineman Roderick Kearney. Both are four-star, blue-chip prospects and are now the top-rated commits in FSU’s 2023 class.

What do the pair mean for Seminoles recruiting momentum this season, and how do they project out for FSU? Will Florida State be adding to its 2023 class soon?

Plus, as some bonus discussion, where does FSU sit in the NIL arms race?

The Three Stars (Josh Pick, Tim Alumbaugh, and David Stout) jump on to talk all that and more on the latest edition of the Florida State of Recruiting.

Florida State Recruiting Class of 2023

Class of 2023 football commits

QUARTERBACK: 4 star Chris Parson (TN)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Darren “Goldie” Lawrence (FL)

WIDE RECEIVER: 3 star Vandrevius Jacobs (FL)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Roderick Kearney (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: 4 star Lamont “Boots” Green, Jr. (FL)

DEFENSIVE END: JUCO Jaden Jones (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keldric Faulk (AL)

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4 star Keith Sampson, Jr. (NC)

LINEBACKER: 3 star DeMarco Ward (GA)

DEFENSIVE BACK/ATHLETE: Quindarrius Jones (MS)

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Noles News Now: Dog days of summer

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Welcome to Noles News Now... a 4th of July... Independence Day edition for you. I'm Brian Pellerin. Whether you're opting for fireworks with friends, a cookout

with family or just throwing back cold ones alone, I hope it's a safe and happy holiday weekend for you.

And to be honest with you, if you came here looking for fireworks, I don't have them for you. The news cycle this weekend ain't producing much in the way of booms for you.

Things mostly remain quiet on the football front as we're still weeks away from the season. At least we're in July now so you can say there is FSU football next month.

As we count down to that day, we are continuing our schedule preview series with our newest one looking at the Clemson Tigers hot off the presses. Get the lowdown on

what Dabo and dem boys will have in store for the Seminoles this season.

Outside of FSU, the fun talk continues to center around conference realignment. The biggest news being USC and UCLA jumping to the Big Ten -- a natural fit there. And

now it seems everyone is just waiting on the next shoe to drop. There are rumors that four Pac12 schools including Arizona are looking to make the jump to the Big 12.

Again, just rumors at this point but seems like somebody is going to have to make a move next. Oddly though, the ACC remaining incredibly quiet on this. We've seen the

Big 12 get hit with Texas and O-U leaving for the SEC and responding with those AAC teams. We've seen the Pac-12 have their top dogs jump to the Big Ten. The ACC has

not gotten involved yet. Should they? Will they? Will FSU look to jump around? Should they? That's the subject of the next Seminole Wrap podcast set to drop this week.

And really the only other news item from FSU was from Friday with four baseball players -- Parker Messick, Jaime Ferrer, James Tibbs and Connor Whittaker -- each

landing on some form of All-American team. Congrats to those guys.

Outside of that, FSU really coasting through the holiday weekend as we probably all should. So if you're waking up with this on Monday morning, enjoy the rest of your

Independence Day weekend. Happy Fourth of July and we'll see you back here on Wednesday for another Noles News Now. Thanks for listening.

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ACC changes football schedules, FSU football gets 2023 linebacker commit and more of the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Wednesday -- this is Noles News Now, the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports, presented by Tomahawk Nation. I’m Perry Kostidakis -- let’s jump in.

More news on the recruiting trail for FSU -- this time in the form of a 2023 linebacker commit, DeMarco Ward out of Duluth, Georgia. A three-star prospect, the Seminoles earned his pledge over conference opponents Louisville, Wake Forest, and Duke as well as the UCF Knights and Memphis Tigers.

Ward stands at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds and accumulated nearly 80 tackles (65 of which were solo), three sacks, and an interception last season. In addition to linebacker, he gets reps at wide receiver, as well as playing basketball and running track to complement his gridiron exploits.

Ward’s ranking doesn’t immediately jaw drop -- he’s a newly-christened three-star -- but his highlights show an affinity for contact, an ability to diagnose plays, and some impressive flashes of athleticism. He’s a nice addition to a 2023 class that’s looking to hear to some good news as we get into July -- a month where FSU has the chance to snag several commits, mostly blue-chip.

Some major football news in the ACC, with the conference dropping divisions starting in 2023 and instead having teams play three permanent opponents while rotating other programs on the schedule so that each team has the chance to play a home and away game at each member school. That’s a benefit not lost on FSU athletic director Michael Alford, who said in a press release that “The new format means our season ticket holders will see every ACC team play in Doak Campbell Stadium over a four-year period.”

As part of the new arrangement, Florida State will be facing off against the Clemson Tigers, Miami (FL) Hurricanes, and Syracuse Orange yearly.

Why Syracuse? Our sources have said that rather than saddle FSU with a trap game in Georgia Tech each year, FSU lobbied for a matchup that would help expand its geographical footprint as well as present a little bit less of a challenge, given that its two permanent matchups are against two of the bigger names in the conference.

For those curious, outside of FSU, Miami’s other two permanent opponents are Boston College and Louisville, while Clemson is paired up with Georgia Tech and NC State.

FSU track star Trey Cunningham became the second Nole in school history to be named a finalist for The Bowerman — one of three male finalists for college track and field’s most prominent individual award.

Via FSU, he was the first athlete in NCAA history to run 13.22 or faster nine times in the 110m hurdles and the only athlete to run 7.42 or faster four times in the 60m hurdles.

Of the three finalists, Cunningham is the only athlete to be undefeated against collegians in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Cunningham went 20-for-20 against collegiate competition.

That’s the major news of today -- you can read up on all of these stories and more on TomahawkNation.com, where you can always stay updated on all the latest things Florida State. Thank you for listening, thank you for supporting the pod network, please rate five stars and leave a comment if you haven’t yet, have a great second half of your week and we’ll see you next time.

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Interview: FSU baseball HC Link Jarrett talks vision for Seminoles baseball

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 16:41:11 -0000

For the first time since the hire was made official, new Florida State Seminoles baseball head coach Link Jarrett addressed the media and FSU fanbase, talking his history with the program, his vision for Seminoles baseball, facilities, recruiting, and more.

Jarrett returned to his hometown of Tallahassee to become the program’s 10th ever head coach. hired away from Notre Dame after compiling a 86-32 record and leading the Fighting Irish to a College World Series berth in 2022.

“I think that Link is the finest coach in the game today, and that opinion is held by many in college baseball. We could not be more pleased that he will be leading our program,” said FSU athletic director Michael Alford last week in a press release announcing Jarrett’s hire. “He has been a proven winner at each of his coaching stops.

“His teams have not only posted historically successful seasons, but they have also mirrored Link’s tradition of running a first-class program. He is well-known for his record of developing players everywhere he has coached.

“He’s a Seminole through and through and there is no question that he will dedicate himself to the success of our student-athletes and his team. I know he is excited to be returning home and we are just as excited to welcome him and his family.”

Speaking on Monday, Jarrett said that ultimately, outside of family connections, his desire to be in Tallahassee came down to one thing — winning a national championship.

“After I left, I do recognize what has gone here for decades. I have to create a trajectory with the program to modernize what we’re doing. We have to improve the organization. We have to become complete in all phases of what we’re trying to do with the program. There’s one thing I haven’t done, and that’s win a national championship, and that’s why I’m here.”

“It’s not easy, I know this is difficult. Walking off that field [in Omaha] a week ago was challenging, emotional. I actually walked off that field three times as a player, and I’m going to walk off that field, at some point, with the trophy.”

“A lot of people say that, I would think every coach stands at the podium and probably says the same thing, but I’ve been very close — and my experience in the game, playing and now coaching, has positioned me to be in a program where I feel like we have that opportunity annually to position ourselves to host a regional, host a super-regional, find ourselves in Omaha and cultivate a time that has a chance out there to win it.”

Jarrett took the time to thank his family, appreciating them for the coaching journey they've been on — eight different locations. It’s a huge reason why he ultimately ended up in Tallahassee, so that they could finally settle down.

He also took a few minutes to address the elephant in the room — his relationship with the Martin family. Jarrett, who this year earned a Mike Martin Coach of the Year trophy, said that he was, and is, eternally grateful for the support and platform that the family has given him.

“There was a competitive side to 11 that was as elite as I’ve ever seen. He put us in a position to win...to be in a spot to execute a win. And clearly, he won more than anybody. And his treatment of the people around the program always stood out to me.”

“Meat was a former teammate of mine — a former roommate of mine, an outstanding baseball mind. We had some of the deepest baseball conversations I can ever remember, at our house that was just up the road. He’s a close friend of mine, and will remain a very close friend as I embark on my challenge here.”

Jarrett also addressed FSU’s facilities briefly, saying that FSU can “keep up our shop a bit” and improve some things infrastructure-wise, something that has absolutely been top of mind for the new Seminoles’ skipper, who talked about sharing a facility with multiple other programs in South Bend and how it helped shape his approach to getting the most out of his team.

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FSU gets blue-chip commtiments in football, basketball, Seminoles baseball hires new head coach Link Jarrett

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 10:37:01 -0000

Welcome to Noles News Now, your home for all things Florida State this weekend. It was a busy with headlines coming from all over campus. My name is Brian Pellerin and I’ll be running you through it as we kick off another week.

Today is the day Link makes his return to Tally as Link Jarrett has his introductory press conference this morning at 10:30. Depending on when you listen to this, it might’ve already happened so check out Tomahawk nation dot com for full coverage of what the former Nole has to say about what have to assume is his dream job. We’ll have a recap podcast dropping today or first thing tomorrow morning with our baseball guys as well. Jarrett is the reigning back-to-back National Coach of the Year at Notre Dame and 1994 FSU grad.

Big weekend for Mike Norvell’s team on the recruiting front with guys coming and going. 6 four-stars and 2 three stars all made the visit to campus this weekend. Full list and a breakdown of those guys is on our website. The big news though isn’t one of those guys. Instead, it’s a guy who was actually in Gainesville this weekend who committed to the Noles. Four-star 2023 offensive tackle Roderick Kearney made his intent to join the Noles known less than an hour after he finished his official visit with the Gators and their fans aren’t taking it well. Billy Napier in some hot water already? We’ll see. Regardless, this kid is a mauler. Big pancake guy. Very strong. Really impressive guy. He could be a guy you build your O-line around with offers from LSU, Louisville, Florida, and others. Great get by Alex Atkins as Kearney becomes the highest-rated commit in their class at No. 128 nationally.

On the other end of the coin, the Noles did get a decommitment from long-time FSU commit TE Randy Pittman. He’d been part of their 2023 class since last April. The basketball program not wanting to be outshined this weekend landed a four-star commitment of their own as power forward Taylor Bowen announced he plans to join Leonard Hamilton and the guys. He’s the 31st overall player in his class and the 7th best-rated power forward as well.

A couple of former Noles signed to compete in the NBA’s summer league after last week’s draft. Malik Osborne will join the Cavs’ summer league squad while Anthony Polite will join the Spurs group.

The FSU softball players are also continuing to get their work in summer leagues this season. News there from our Gwyn Rhodes confirming Danielle Watson who was previously drafted to the USSSA Pride in the WPF will now be joining Athletes Unlimited championship season next month. Sydney Sherill already a member of AU and will also be part of that champion season.

And finally, some track news as FSU star Trey Cunningham finished second in the Men’s 110m hurdle at the USA Track and Field Outdoors and secured his spot on Team USA at the World Athletics Championship. Trey was just .05 behind first. Good luck at those championships.

That’ll do it for now.

As always stay up to date with all our headlines, news, and notes on TomahawkNation.com. And be sure to follow and rate and review the podcast feed for more FSU news three times a week plus our other in depth podcasts. It’s all available wherever you’re hearing my voice now. Until Wednesday, I’m Brian

Pellerin. Thanks for listening.

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FSU football: Newcomers interview -- Julian Armella, Jaylen Early, Qae’shon Sapp, Jazston Turnetine, Antavious Woody, Ayobami Tifase, Jerrale Powers.

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 21:58:15 -0000

A stellar lineup is in store that includes offensive linemen Julian Armella, Jaylen Early, Qae’shon Sapp, Jazston Turnetine, and Antavious Woody, alongside defensive lineman Ayobami Tifase and tight end Jerrale Powers.

The last-minute additions of Turnetine and Tifase put a stamp on a 20th-ranked recruiting class for 2022 adding to both fronts which have been in question throughout recent years and have had major upgrades coming from the portal and the high school ranks.

Julian Armella

“I wanted to be part of something to change the culture. It wasn’t going to be handed to you. The biggest thing about everything, is that everybody is onboard. Everybody wants the same goal.”

“Honestly I know I have ties with my family and stuff like that but my main goal and objective was that I wanted to create my own legacy. I wanted to make sure that me and the guys will forever be imprinted and will forever have a mark at Florida State for the years that we are here.“

Jaylen Early

“Me and coach Atkins go back around like April of my sophomore year and yeah coach Atkins has been the same with me ever since I met him. He’s the same person here. Like, you know, I really respect him. He’s the most honest coach. (He’s) The most respected coach ever. I honestly have never met a coach like him.”

"It’s a brotherhood. We’ve been talking when we were all committed that's when we all got close. We all be texting, you know, we have like a little group chat or whatever. We all talk. We all just pick each other up, and build each other. We help each other out, you know, coach other so it's always a brotherhood.”

Ayobami Tifase

“I mean that process has been an amazing process. I mean for it to be expedited that fast and for me to become a part of a family that fast and really just learn my place here, its been an amazing process. I came here and I’ve already made some very strong connections with the football players and I’ve been entitled to a lot and it's what I like because I want to hold responsibilities as a young person myself.”

Jerrale Powers

“I feel like, I bring like, someone who doesn’t just block but also doesn’t just run routes. I can learn how to do both very very good. (I’m) Just more faster and more physical. I just feel like with me playing receiver in HS and me now playing TE it helps when I combine the two. It helps a lot.“

Jazston Turentine

“The transfer process was pretty hectic I’m not gonna lie. It’s just when I finally chose Tallahassee it was more out of the love and the specifics as far as ball”

“I saw that coach Atkins had a very good repertoire to give me and I had a lot of tools to pick from he has his eyes on strengths but he also had his eyes on weaknesses.”

“I’m proving it to myself. You are facing yourself so I am not really proving anything to anyone. It’s more like I’m here now. It’s me versus me.”

Antavious Woody

“Once you get here you go through the process of being an athlete and then coming together with the rest of the guys, they don’t want to see nobody fail so they’re gonna push you to your excellent limit.”

Qae’Shon Sapp

“The reason I chose to play for coach Atkins...his players are his kids, he’s more responsible to them because he treats them as one of their own. He’s somebody I can look up to, reach out to when there’s problems, adversity.”

“It’s kind of strange how Coach Atkins recruited me. I was looking forward to getting a scholarship from Florida State for awhile...one day, I texted Coach Atkins, and I didn’t think it was actually him because he was not talking like it was a coach, but he let me know, I’m going to keep it 100 with you, I’ll always be coaching you up...it showed me he was really respectful of me. Every time he calls me, it’s never about football, it’s how my personal life is going, and how my next week is.”

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Noles Quality Control: Is FSU recruiting well enough to win? Feat. Brendan Sonnone of Noles247

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 19:45:43 -0000

The Seminoles are in the thick of recruiting season and tension is building towards who the future is for Mike Norvell at QB. But currently, that future is in question as it seems less likely that they will retain 2023 QB Chris Parson.

They have also offered two other QBs for the 2023 class with Brock Glenn and Purdue commit Rickie Collins, they need to land at least one of the three and seemingly hope to bring in two.

Beyond that, the Seminoles have made great strides along the offensive line with all the talent that OC/OL Coach Alex Atkins is bringing in. This team had 21 different offensive line combinations in 2021 and has done all that they can to make sure they have improved the line.

Atkins helped bring in five offensive linemen to the 2022 class (more than any other position) along with four potential contributing linemen via the portal with Bless Harris, Dmitri Emmanuel, Kayden Lyles, and Jazston Turnetine.

They have also tried to fix the lack of talent at the receiver position with impact transfers like Mycah Pittman, Johnny Wilson, and Winston Wright. But the question is will this talent be enough in a pivotal 2022 season for Mike Norvell?

Norvell has been a good X’s and O’s coach without the results and given the pressure he is under for 2022, no matter the bad luck they may face it seems this is a tipping point for Mike Norvell's tenure at Florida State...

Tomahawk Nation's Ben Meyerson is joined by Noles247’s Brendan Sonnone to discuss this and much more.

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FSU adds offensive lineman to roster, Notre Dame eliminated from College World Series -- will Seminoles baseball hire Link Jarrett?

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Wednesday -- this is Noles News Now, the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports, presented by Tomahawk Nation. I’m Perry Kostidakis -- let’s jump in.

Right off the rip, some big news for Florida State football on the recruiting trail -- on Tuesday, the Seminoles officially announced the addition of South Carolina offensive tackle transfer Jazston Turnetine to the roster. At 6-foot-6, 337 pounds with starting experience, he offers a nice bit of depth to an offensive line room that has seen a near complete overhaul this offseason. Florida State has added ten offensive lifeman, fortifying a position group that two years ago was one of the main weaknesses of the entire team, let alone the offense. While Turnetine doesn’t figure to be a starter, having usable depth is a far cry from where Florida State has been in the past.

Speaking of recruiting, here’s your reminder that you are getting older and older by the day -- Jonah Winston, brother of Jameis, is now a quarterback prospect on FSU’s radar. Granted, as a 2026 prospect, that’s still a few years off from being a recruiting battle to follow, but Winston was on campus the past week for a football camp. He spoke with Tomahawk’s Max Escarpio, talking about his relationship with head coach Mike Norvell and how it felt to be back on campus, albeit in a different capacity, after so many years. One impressive take he had was on the progression of his recruitment, saying quote, “at my age, right now, the offers really don’t matter because you never know -- I can stay the same and not improve. I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen... I will get better as I get older.” adding that being able to commit to FSU when that time comes would be “like going back home!”

In baseball news, Notre Dame was officially eliminated from the College World Series on Tuesday, falling to Texas A&M in a do-or-die game. It marked an end to a miracle run by the Fighting Irish which saw them eliminate the top-seeded Tennessee Volunteers — it could also potentially mark the end of the Link Jarrett era for the school, with FSU baseball doggedly pursuing the former Seminoles ballplayer as its replacement for Mike Martin Jr.

Jarrett spoke on the FSU coaching opening after the loss, emphasizing that, while opportunities might bring themselves to top of mind, his focus throughout the process has been on bringing the best out of his players, something he managed to accomplish during a run that sits as one of the best in Notre Dame program history.

When could we potentially hear word on a hire? There’s a chance it could be as soon as this week, possibly early next -- the Seminoles have a few baseball camps scheduled. Offseason camps are huge for non-revenue sports -- and while that doesn’t necessarily mean that a head coach needs to be in place, it’s pretty helpful to have one at the helm during what’s one of the more financially lucrative endeavors for the program.

Some other small news and notes: Florida State hurdler Trey Cunningham was named one of 10 semifinalists for The Bowerman award, given annually by the USTFCCCA to the most outstanding male and female NCAA track & field athletes in the nation .Of the 10 semifinalists, Cunningham is the only athlete to go undefeated against collegiate competition in their primary event, going a perfect 20-for-20 in the 60m hurdles and the 110m hurdles during the indoor and outdoor season.

And history set to be made -- former Florida State women’s soccer and current North Carolina Courage defender Carson Pickett is prepping for her first-ever action on the US national team — Pickett is the first player with a limb difference ever called up to the women’s national team.

Thanks again for listening, please drop a comment and a five-star rating if you haven’t -- we’ll see you next time.

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FSU vs. Louisville Preview: QB Malik Cunningham key to Cardinals 'success in 2022 feat. Tyler Nunez

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The Seminole Wrap crew is continuing its season preview podcast series diving into the teams on Florida State’s schedule in 2022 through conversations with beat writers, podcasters or other insiders of the teams that FSU will have to go through to get the program back on the right track.

If you prefer written versions, we’ve got breakdowns for every team. Some including the Louisville Cardinals are already out. Others will be dropping over the next few weeks. Our podcast series will focus on big rivals or games that come at flex points in the season to get some additional nuance and expertise into these teams that go beyond the stat sheets.

Schedule Preview: Louisville Seminole Wrap Season Preview: Expect the Unexpected from LSU feat. Brody Miller Schedule Preview: LSU Roundtable: How does the 2022 FSU schedule shape up?2022 Schedule Preview: Duquesne Schedule Preview: Boston College

In this episode, host Brian Pellerin talks to Tyler Nunez, a former employee of the Louisville athletic department, about the Cardinals. What went wrong in 2021? How can quarterback Malik Cunningham take the next step to uplift this roster? Is Scott Satterfield’s job in jeopardy?

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Noles News Now: Florida State Seminoles football, recruiting, latest sports updates

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 04:23:30 -0000

Happy Monday. Congrats on making it through another weekend and thanks for choosing to start the work week with Noles News Now. I'm Brian Pellerin.

I'll start with a Happy Father's Day to the dads, father figures, and male role models out there. For me, that's my dad Barry Pellerin. Pops,

if you're listening, which I hope you are, thanks for all you've done for me. And to all those dads out there, thanks for all you do in raising us.

Now to the sports, our season preview series on tomahawk nation continued this weekend with another podcast episode and a few more written articles.

For the podcast, I took the lead for the Seminole Wrap crew in talking with Louisville alum and former athletic department employee Tyler Nunez about

the Cardinals for 2022 plus a few recommendations on his top bars and restaurants in the area if you're planning to make the trip. For articles,

Ben Meyerson dropped his preview of the Boston College contest and I put together Wake Forest. A quick preview of the Wake Forest one that just dropped today... Deacs look pretty damn good again. All those previews are on the site or dropping today as we wait for football season to finally arrive.

In the meantime, head coach Mike Norvell and the rest of the coaching staff continue holding camps and recruits to get some of the best talents in the country on campus. This weekend that included the brother of former Seminoles QB, national champion and Heisman winner Jameis Winston. His brother Jonah is a quarterback and baseball player in Hoover Alabama. Not much in the way of a recruiting profile though. Still cool to see him following his brother's footsteps. The Noles did get a commitment this weekend for their special teams unit. Long snapper Payton Naylor from Tallahassee announced his commitment to FSU on Twitter this weekend. Kohl's professional football camps rate Naylor as a 5-star long snapper in the 2023 class.

The Noles also got a visit this weekend from 4-star defensive line commit Keith Sampson. He's been committed to FSU since March but has taken a few other visits recently so good to see the staff keeping up with him.

That's pretty much it from a quiet weekend in Noles Nation. Thanks for staying up to date on FSU sports with us. We'll be back on Wednesday. Until make sure you're staying up to date on TomahawkNation.com.

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Noles News Now: FSU All-Americans, recruiting battles, Miami Hurricanes under NCAA investigation?

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 22:44:39 -0000

Happy Friday and welcome in to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things Florida State sports here on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. I’m Brian Pellerin, your host to lead you into the weekend... a rather uneventful weekend in terms of games I might add as we slowly build our way back toward the fall sports season.

The most notable of those is of course football, which is about two months away now, but we are in the middle of preseason all-American season and we had a few Noles

land on the Phil Steele magazine All-American team as well as a few others on the All-ACC teams on Thursday. Your second-team all-American according to them is DB Jammie Robinson. Jammie also grabbed first team all ACC. The others named to their All-ACC teams are Alex Mastromanno on the second team, as well as Dillan Gibbons, Mycah Pittman, Robert Cooper, and Camren McDonald on the third team.

On campus this weekend, the biggest competition will be in recruiting as four-star linebacker Blake Nichelson should be arriving for his official visit today.

They’ll look to keep the moment rolling from the commitment they scooped up earlier this week from a late 2022 defensive lineman.

Elsewhere in the ACC, a tough blow for Boston College as their best offensive lineman will likely miss the entire season following an ACL tear. Star guard Christian

Mahogany is considered one of the top prospects for the next NFL Draft so that’s a tough blow for B-C. He’ll surely be tough to replace this season. Noles host the Eagles on September 24.

The NCAA is still working to catch up to the quickly changing landscape of their sports as they are apparently recommending some guidelines to the transfer portal.

That includes recommending a transfer window process, which basically gives athletes certain times of the year to enter the portal instead of being free agents able to bounce around at any time. They’re also recommending an expedited process to punish teams that commit infractions. Right now, that process drags for years. That is certainly not a sustainable model in this day and age where you can use the portal to retool a roster in one season. Those recommendations will go before the board later this month. The actual vote could come as early as August. That is all according to ESPN’s Heather Dinnich.

Quicker infractions and punishments could be a big problem for Miami and their mega booster John Ruiz. The self-proclaimed billionaire cutting the program’s NIL deals met with the NCAA to discuss those payments. Ruiz told CBS Sports that he took the meeting voluntarily and that it was nothing to be concerned about if you’re a Canes fan, but certainly not a good look to be the first school under the microscope given their history we’ll see where that leads.

Never too early to look into the future at some other upcoming seasons. That includes the FSU hoops team that has their roster ready to rock for their winter season.

The hoops-dedicated podcast crew looked at the group suiting up for the New Bloods this year to get your expectations set for Leonard Hamilton’s boys. And if you’re already missing softball season, Gwyn Rhodes continued her fantastic coverage of that program and dropped the first of her meet the team series looking at the Super Seniors for 2023. A group that’ll be tasked with righting the wrongs of this season’s conclusion and hopefully getting FSU back to OKC.

As always, anything that comes up through the weekend will be on TomahawkNation.com. For now, I’m Brian Pellerin. Thanks for listening to Noles News Now.

We’ll be back again on Monday.

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FSU Hoops: Roster is set, John Butler is gone. With special guest Max Escarpio

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 00:34:30 -0000

It's been a while since Matt and Michael sat down to talk hoops. In this episode (Number 48!), they are joined by Tomahawk Nation's Max Escarpio. Max has interviewed Baba Miller and Darren Green Jr., and talked to many of the other players off line. So the guys pick his brain about what he's learned about this team so far. Hint: everyone is pretty excited.

Once Max drops off, M&M going in depth on the John Butler departure. It would have been great to have all three of the freshmen from last year's team return, but that was not in the cards. Butler is obviously a loss, but how big? And is immediate help on the way?

After the Butler deep dive, they spend a while discussing roles, fit, and depth. Florida State basketball under Leonard Hamilton has prided itself on being the deepest team in the ACC, but we have not seen that in recent years - due to injuries and poor fits. What about this team?

They also touch on the NBA with Luke Loucks joining the Sacramento Kings as an assistant coach. With Sam Cassell seemingly on the trajectory toward becoming a NBA head coach, could the 'Noles end up with two? Plus, they talk about some of the players in the NBA, and close with a quick check-in on the US Open.

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Commits, visits, targets: Breaking down latest in FSU recruiting

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0000

It’s been a busy last week for Florida State Seminoles football on the recruiting trail.

Not only did FSU snag a pair of 2023 commitments in high school prospect Quindarrius Jones and JUCO defensive end Jaden Jones, they added some strength to the 2022 class by adding Ayobami Tifase, a 6-foot-4 300 pound defensive lineman who reclassified from 2023.

Additionally, 2022 offensive lineman Antavious “Tae” Woody has arrived on campus and officially been added to FSU’s roster after concerns he wouldn’t academically qualify.

To break down all of the latest news and what it means for Florida State, Tim Alumbaugh, Josh Pick, and David Stout jump on the mic for the latest edition of Florida State of Recruiting: The Three Stars.

As always, for all things recruiting head on over to our transfer portal thread and our Florida State football recruiting thread, where you can catch up on the latest news and pick the brain of our recruiting staff.

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2022 Schedule Preview: FSU vs. LSU breakdown, analysis and preview

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0000

The Tomahawk Nation team is working on a variety of written and podcast previews to get you ready for the upcoming Florida State football season looking position-by-position on the Seminoles' roster and team-by-team on their opponents.

The Seminole Wrap podcast crew is going to use the next few weeks talking to beat writers from the most notable opponents on their 2022 schedule to see where those teams stand heading into fall camp, using the lull in the calendar to get to know the enemy.

The first in that series is a conversation with The Athletic’s Brody Miller, who covers all things on LSU Tigers sports.

Host Brian Pellerin talks about the coaching change, quarterback battle, and the names you need to know before LSU and Florida State take the field in the Caesars Superdome on September 4. Plus, Brody gives a couple of recommendations for stops you may want to add to your itinerary if you plan to make the Labor Day weekend trip to New Orleans.

Florida State heads to New Orleans, Louisiana next season for a primetime matchup in the Caesars Superdome. They’ll face the LSU Tigers with a brand new head coach in Brian Kelly. The Seminoles currently lead the series 7-2, riding a four game win streak against the Tigers. LSU is currently favored in the matchup, garnering the most recent success in the college football atmosphere. Although the Tigers were able to hang up a banner in 2019, both teams have brand new rosters and expectations heading into the 2022 season.

The Noles should be coming off a win against Duquesne in week zero, which should increase their confidence and comfortability. They’ll need to have a dominant game on the defensive side that leads to short fields and easier opportunities for an offense that’s going to take time to develop. Head coach Mike Norvell and his staff are heading into a football town with a hostile environment that’s hungry for a statement win on primetime. But, if FSU pulls off the upset, Seminole fans may have their eyes light up for what could possibly be a turning point in the program.

Opponent: LSU Tigers

Date: Sunday, September 4

Time: 7:30 p.m., ABC

Last matchup: 10/26/1991

LSU Tigers: Team Preview

2021 record: 6-7

Here’s a look at the Tigers recent history:

2019: National Champions, Heisman trophy winner (Joe Burrow), Won Peach Bowl, Finished AP Poll with No.1 slot, 15-0 season
2021: Texas Bowl loss, Fired head football coach Ed Orgeron

Names to Know

Wide Receiver Kayshon Boutte

509 receiving yards on 38 receptions and nine touchdowns

Defensive end BJ Ojulari

54 total tackles, seven sacks, one pass defended

Quarterback Myles Brennan (2020 stats)

1,112 yards on 79 completions and 11 touchdowns

Defensive line Jaquelin Roy

30 total tackles, two fumble recoveries, one and a half sacks

Wide Receiver Jaray Jenkins

502 receiving yards on 34 receptions and six touchdowns

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FSU sports latest: Florida State Seminoles secure 2022 lineman commitment

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 06:03:27 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Wednesday -- this is Noles News Now, the latest in Florida State Seminoles sports, presented by Tomahawk Nation. I’m Perry Kostidakis -- let’s jump in.

It’s been a jam-packed last few days for FSU on the recruiting trail -

After snagging a pair of 2023 commitments over the weekend, the Seminoles added newly-classified 2022 defensive lineman Ayobami Tifas. The 6-foot-4 300 pound prospect chose the Seminoles over Arkansas -- as mentioned, he reclassified to 2022, but is planning on taking an academic redshirt year to prepare himself for the college level academically and athletically. Following his planned redshirt season, Tifase hopes to immediately earn snaps in the rotation. His impressive build will aid him in that quest and he’ll still be able to practice with the team throughout 2022, accumulating valuable reps without any pressure of having to progress quickly.

It’s been impressive to see how both offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins and defensive line coach Odell Haggins have restructured the Florida State trenches.

Even considering the fact that these recent additions aren’t going to be contributing in 2022, the pair have reestablished depth on the line along both sides, creating functional depth. The key there is that now, if a player goes down, chaos doesn’t erupt. While there are plenty of areas to address with the current roster and in the 2023 class, these developments are a step in the right direction.

While there isn’t any actual sports action going on, now that we’re in the depths of the offseason, we are diving deep into various aspects of FSU athletics.

In addition to coverage of all those commits, we have a 10 question, 10 answers piece on FSU basketball, talking new faces on the team and staff and the ACC at large, along with a dive into the progress of FSU’s defense from 2020 to 2021 and what that means for 2022. Also new on the pod channel is a breakdown of FSU vs LSU, where Brian Pellerin chats with Brody Miller of the Athletic -- it’s a great listen, giving a big picture view of LSU as a program and what that means for the major matchup.

Thank you for listening, please rate five stars and leave a review if you haven’t -- it helps us spread the word, and also helps feed our egos, which are in desparate need of reassurance.

Thanks again -- and we’ll see you next time.

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FSU baseball coaching search, football commits and recruiting updates, track and field national championship -- latest Florida State Seminoles sports updates

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 17:04:00 -0000

Hello everyone, hope you had a great weekend -- this is Noles News Now, presented by Tomahawk Nation, giving you the latest in Florida State Seminoles athletics.

The biggest news off the top -- FSU baseball firing Mike Martin Jr. after just three seasons with the team. In both of his postseason appearances, Martin failed to lead the Seminoles to secure hosting rights in regionals or take the team out of regional play. It’s now the first time in 4 decades that a Martin won’t be coaching FSU baseball -- so who are the likely targets?

The number one name getting tossed around is Notre Dame head coach Link Jarrett. The former Seminole is on the top of every list as the most wanted for FSU’s next head coach. Jarrett is currently in his third season as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach and has his team in the College World Series after upsetting No. 1 overall seed Tennessee. He didn’t downplay interest in the job when asked about it, but it’ll surely take a big price tag to lure him down from South Bend -- or possibly keep him away from other programs.

You can read a full breakdown of all the names that FSU will be targeting on TomahawkNation.com.

Big news on the recruiting trail this weekend -- the Seminoles snagged a pair of 2023 commitments, one being JUCO defensive lineman Jaden Jones and the other being athlete Quindarrius Jones, who earned an offer from FSU following an impressive performance at last week’s Elite Camp.

Jaden projects to be a defensive end for the Seminoles. Rated a 3-star in high school, he started his college career at Hutchinson Community College in Montgomery, Alabama.

Quindarrius reports no offers from other universities and is currently unranked as a prospect — though that by no means is reflective of his talent. From an early glance at his film, he appears to be a talented hand catcher, playing physically and with a penchant for high-pointing the ball. He appears to be a bit rawer defensively, but still showcases good hips and ball skills in the film he has available.

They both join a 2023 recruiting class that currently ranks No. 26 in the country.

If you want more info on how the 2023 class is shaping up, the Florida State of Recruiting pod is knocking out position previews, which started last week with a quarterback breakdown. Current sole QB commit Chris Parson made the trek out to Mississippi State for an official visit, while FSU welcomed both Brock Glenn and Rickie Collins to campus.

A name to keep an eye on in the coming days is defensive lineman Ayobami Tifase, a high school prospect who plans to immediately enroll in college and take a redshirt year. He’s looking to make a decision this week and be on campus as soon as possible. As far as involved schools, it’s looking like an Arkansas FSU battle.

Whipping around to track and field, Trey Cunningham wrote his name in the history books by running the second-fastest 110M hurdle in NCAA history. Earlier this year, he also took home the NCAA Indoor 60-meter championship with a 7.38 — the 11th-fastest time ever and the second-fastest in NCAA history.

He wasn’t the only Seminoles athlete who had an impressive performance -- we’ve got the full rundown on TomahawkNation.com.

There we’ve been pumping out plenty of content over the last few days -- a basketball offseason breakdown from our very own Matt Minnick is live, as well as schedule previews, player profiles, the aforementioned FSU baseball coaching hot board -- you name it.

Thank you for listening and supporting us, if you like what we’re doing or even hate it, please leave us a comment and let us know what else you’d like to hear on the podcast network, as well as on TomahwkNation.com. Thanks again, and we’ll see you next time.

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FSU football: Is Norvell doing enough to secure his future with the Seminoles?

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 23:43:02 -0000

Florida State - The Seminoles have had to look into the transfer portal in order to improve their team - but are they doing enough via the transfer portal and high school recruiting to build the right team?

Mike Norvell is not quite on the hot seat yet but this year, and how he is building the future, could threaten his job security if they are not clearly headed in the right direction. While they have brought in good transfers, will they eventually get the players they need at WR, CB, and OL? Only time will tell.

Looking at the transfer class, they have brought in Jared Verse who produced 36 pressures last season but will he (along with the other edge players) be able to make up for the loss of Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas? Those two produced 90 pressures in 2021 but given the depth at the position, they will likely take a strategy of having waves of defensive linemen rush the passer.

Recently they have been playing with fire in QB recruiting offering two highly ranked ‘23 QBs along with Chris Parson putting more offers out from other schools in response. The question is will the ‘Noles be able to get one or two signal-callers or will they strike out completely at QB?

For all things recruiting head on over to our transfer portal thread and our Florida State football recruiting thread, where you can catch up on the latest news and pick the brain of our recruiting staff.

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Everything Florida State Seminoles, all the time.

You can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to your shows.

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Who are FSU’s QB targets? Florida State Seminoles 2023 recruiting quarterback breakdown

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0000

The June heat is upon us, which means things are heating up on the recruiting trail for Mike Norvell’s Florida State Seminoles. FSU is expected to host some important recruits this weekend, including two newly-offered quarterbacks, and the Three Stars are here to break it down for you.

Tim Alumbaugh, Josh Pick, and David Stout kick off their Florida State of Recruiting position breakdowns by examining the signal-caller targets for Tribe 23. Is longtime commit Chris Parson’s commitment solid or shaky? What do we make of the two newer offers, Rickie Collins and Brock Glenn? Who will be in the class when it’s all said and done?

Everything Florida State Seminoles, all the time.

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Interview: New FSU Seminoles basketball player, Real Madrid product Baba Miller

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 21:15:28 -0000

In a boost to its 2022 recruiting class, FSU hoops has added overseas prospect Baba Miller.

The 6-foot-10 Real Madrid product is arguably one of the biggest additions of Florida State basketball’s 2022 class. Miller has been in the professional basketball atmosphere for years, having signed with Real Madrid at 12 years old, per ID Prospects. He’s known for his fluid, smooth game with exceptional ball-handling and shooting. Miller’s decision came down to FSU and WCC powerhouse Gonzaga, which are the only official visits he took to the United States.

The Seminoles head into the 2022-23 season with a relatively young group of players, having lost their entire starting five in the offseason. The class of 2022 includes Chandler Jackson, Cameron Corhen, De’Ante Green, Jeremiah Bembry, and Tom House, along with transfers Darin Green Jr. and Jaylan Gainey. Head coach Leonard Hamilton and his staff will yet again be prepared to play with a deep lineup of 8-10 players. With the addition of Miller, FSU’s 2022 class is highlighted by their size and ability to guard multiple positions, while being able to spread the floor on the offensive end.

Miller’s decision to join the Noles was likely enticed by the idea of making an immediate impact on a program to prepare for the NBA. Multiple scouts and coaches around the league have had Miller on their radar for quite some time. He’ll likely use the 2022 season to adjust his body and skill set, while being able to play on a national stage in one of college basketball’s best conferences.

He’ll likely get to Tallahassee in the next couple of weeks to start preparing for a more physical, defensive-minded game at Florida State. Miller’s skillset will act as a Swiss Army knife, being able to knock down shots from the midrange and outside the three. His ball-handling is stellar for a player his size, and he’ll definitely be useful in the post if he continues to add more weight. Seminole fans should be ecstatic that Miller will be in garnet and gold, as he looks to be another classic Hamilton blueprint product.

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FSU football's 5 most important players

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State football season is slowly inching closer, which gives us a chance to look at the year ahead from the macro level, starting with the roster.

This team is filled with players trying to find their footing, trying to make a name for themselves, trying to make a splash. The question the Seminole Wrap crew — Brian Pellerin, Max Escarpio, and Jon Marchant — tried to tackle is who NEEDS to make that jump for FSU to take a leap as a team and program in 2022.

Take a listen to who the guys think has to step up this season and give us your top-five in the comments and we’ll respond with our thoughts as well.

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FSU sports latest: Baseball, recruiting, football, Seminoles athletics

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 05:43:54 -0000

Welcome to the Monday, June 6th edition of Noles News Now, your home for everything happening in Florida State athletics here on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. I’m your host Brian Pellerin. Thanks for starting your week with us.

The biggest headline heading into today comes on a sad note as the Florida State baseball team’s season has come to an end in the Auburn Regional. The Noles opened the weekend with a victory over UCLA on Friday afternoon. Parker Messick took the win in that one holding the Bruins to 2 runs over 5 innings. The bullpen chipped in 4 one-run innings to close it out. The winner’s bracket game on Saturday though, wasn’t as successful for the Noles on the hill as Auburn wallopped Florida State to a 21-7 final score... Yeah, it sounds like a football score. Four errors in that one didn’t exactly help the Seminoles either. Regardless, they’d need one hell of arun on Sunday to keep the season alive, but they couldn’t find the bats in the elimination game against UCLA as the Bruins got revenge and sent them packing with a 2-1final. The Noles who were top 15 in the preseason polls ended up as one of the last teams into the tournament and taking third place in the regional... a long shoutfrom where they hoped the season would end.

We’re still about 2 months from football season, but the recruiting year never stops. For Mike Norvell’s group, it’s camp time. Saturday started with the annual elite Camp. The goal is a pretty simple one — get some of the nation’s top prospects on campus for workouts... meet the coaches and tour the facilities. The group that came to Tallahassee included every 2023 commit including 5-star running back Kam Davis, 4-star Q-B Chris Parson, and 3-star Q-B Luke Kromenhook. Parson did announce while speaking with the media that he plans on taking some official visits to other schools for the first time since committing to FSU so something to keep an eye on.

As we counting down to the start of the season, the Seminole Wrap podcast crew including yours truly, Jon Marchant, and Max Escarpio took a look at the five most important players for Florida State this year. That’s not necessarily the 5 best players but the 5 that will need to play a big role if this team hopes to take a step forward in 2022. We get some good back and forth in a 20-30 minute episode. I think it’s a fun listen so give it a shot and let us know who you think we may have missed.

Meanwhile, a current leader on the Noles offensive line continues to collect honors for his work off the field. Dillan Gibbons won the Starfish Award from the Big BendBoys and Girls Club. Congrats Dillan. A guy who has been incredibly impactful with his platform. Keep up the good work. We’re proud to call you a Seminole.

And one more thing to keep an eye on today in the hoops world is Baba Miller who is set to announce his next destination today. The 6-foot-10 Spaniard could be a big impact on the wing for the Noles. So check in with Tomahawk Nation throughout the day to see if he’s Tally bound.

That’ll do it for today’s edition of Noles News Now. Thank you for listening and remember to rate and review this podcast if you like what you’re hearing. I’m BrianPellerin. We’ll see you again on Wednesday.

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FSU quarterback breakdown: Jordan Travis, 2023 QB recruiting

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 22:48:19 -0000

There’s a lot going on with the quarterback position at Florida State.

First up, Jordan Travis and the ‘Noles will have a decision to make in terms of him staying for 2023 — with another year of eligibility after 2022, he’s got the chance to return to Tallahassee, but it is a little more complicated than that. Will FSU have a QB behind him that feels they need to play in 2023? How will the rest of the room play out?

FSU has offered two 2023 QBs last week and that is making people wonder if Chris Parson’s future is still with the Seminoles. Since the other two QBs got those offers, Parson has received offers from SMU and Mississippi State but it seems FSU wants two QBs from the ‘23 class.

The team offered Brock Glenn and Rickie Collins on the same day last week signifying that they are still seriously considering more options for the next QB class. Collins is set for an official visit with the ‘Noles while Glenn has connections with the staff and will make a recruiting decision by the end of the month.

All three high school QB prospects were also invited to the Elite 11 finals.

Ben and Logan also talk about the biggest impact transfers from Jared Verse to Trey Benson and Mycah Pittman and how they will all fit in. As a bonus, they also debate which position FSU is most set in.

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FSU QB commit earns Elite 11 invite, Seminoles baseball preps for NCAA Tournament -- latest in Florida State sports

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 05:23:43 -0000

Happy Wednesday and welcome to Noles News Now, your latest in Florida State athletics, presented by Tomahawk Nation.

Baseball dominating the headlines over the last couple of days, with the Seminoles bowing out of ACC Tournament competition after losing to Notre Dame in pool play. FSU has lost five of its last six, leading to it slipping out of contention to secure a regional hosting selection -- they haven’t hosted since the 2017-2018 season.

They’ll be headed to the Auburn regional as the No. 3 seed there -- the Seminoles are grouped up with the Tigers, UCLA, and Southeastern Louisiana. Auburn, hosting for the first time since 2010, bowed out of the SEC Tournament with an opening loss to Kentucky, while UCLA finished runner up in the Pac-12 tourney -- they made the title game after scoring 9 runs in the 9th to force extra innings vs. Oregon State, winning via walk-off bomb. Southeastern Louisiana secured its NCAA Tournament berth by winning the Southland Conference tournament.

The regional kicks off this Friday, with FSU taking on UCLA in the opener.

In recruiting news, 2023 four-star quarterback commit Chris Parson earned an Elite 11 Finals invite -- a prestigious honor for high school gunslingers. Parson showed out in the Nashville Regional earlier this month, finishing tied for first with an impressive performance.

2024 five-star running back Stacey Gage, one of the top prospects in his class, took a fourth visit to Florida State on Tuesday. Speaking to Zach Blostein of Noles247, the IMG Academy athlete offered plenty of praise, saying “it just feels like home. I haven't visited any other school as much as this school so everytime I come back it just feels like home. Everybody knows me. I can walk around, do my little thing. I feel good when I come here."

And on Monday, redshirt sophomore Cole Anderson and senior Dan Bradbury closed out the 2022 season for FSU men’s golf in the NCAA Tournament finals, with Anderson finishing tied for 40th after as final-round 74.

That’s all the latest excitement in Florida State sports -- coming up this weekend is FSU football’s mega camp, which we’ll have full coverage of, as well as live updates during baseball’s game vs. UCLA on Friday. We’ve also got a bunch of offseason content cooking up, and you should start seeing that on the site starting next week.

Thank you for listening and supporting, if you like what we’re doing or even hate it, please leave us a comment and let us know what else you’d like to hear on the podcast network, as well as on TomahwkNation.com. Thanks again, and we’ll see you Friday.

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What will FSU football offense be like in 2022? Depth chart preview, breakdown

Fri, 27 May 2022 05:18:28 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles played their spring game and practiced in 15 open practices, our staff gathered what they saw and put together a depth chart based on their observations, you can read that original article here on Tomahawk Nation.

Initially looking at the QB position Jordan Travis is the no-doubt starter for the Garnet and Gold unlike last year and he has really taken command of the QB1 role, especially as a leader.

Competing for the backup spot are true freshman AJ Duffy and redshirt sophomore Tate Rodemaker. While Duffy is the more talented player he is still learning the offense and getting acclimated to being a college athlete so they leaned on Rodemaker’s experience at practice, but how much longer will that continue?

In the running back room, the ‘Noles have been able to replace their lead back Jashaun Corbin with Trey Benson a transfer from Oregon. He showed out in the spring game and proved he deserves starter reps.

But we also know that Mike Norvell does not just involve one back in his week-to-week game plan and Treshaun Ward will be in that similar support role that he played so well last year.

In the wide receiver room, the FSU staff has been able to bring in new players like Mycah Pittman and Johnny Wilson. Pittman will be in line to get the main target share as well as second-year receiver Malik McClain.

Going forward they will need more help the team has some in-house players that will get the opportunity to prove themselves as well like Ja’Khi Douglas, Ontaria Wilson and Josh Burrell.

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Interviews: FSU commit Lamont Green Jr., five-star WR Jalen Brown of Gulliver Prep

Thu, 26 May 2022 10:00:00 -0000

FLORIDA STATE — South Florida has been acknowledged as the heart of high school football for years. After garnering records for the most five-star prospects and NFL draftees, every class continues to strive in its own fashion.

Head coach Mike Norvell and FSU’s staff have been in contact with legacy defensive end Lamont Green Jr. from day one. Green is Florida State’s earliest commit as of now, and their second-highest commit in the class of 2023. The 6’5 DE is currently the No.24 Edge in the nation and No.240 overall player.

Green has been known for his quick feet and aggressive finishing since he put on the pads in Pop Warner. He’s headed into his senior season with the Gulliver Prep Raiders,

The class of 2023 holds three five-star wide receivers in the South Florida area, honing in on the fastest and probably the rawest athlete, Jalen Brown from Gulliver Prep.

Brown is currently ranked as the No.5 wide receiver in the nation and the No.35 overall player. In the past year he’s flirted with a top three receiver rating, catching eyes for his incredible speed and footwork. Brown’s known as one of the best track and field athletes in the state of Florida, finishing third in the 200 meter dash at the FHSAA Class 2A State Championship.

The highly touted receiver holds 34 offers, being steadily pursued by LSU, Texas A&M, Miami and Florida State, per 247Sports. He plans on taking a visit to LSU in the coming weeks, and hopes to be back in Tallahassee for a game during the 2022 season. Brown’s most recent visit to FSU was March 27th, having already visited the campus more six times in the past year. The Seminoles currently hold six commitments for the class of 2023, ranked as the No.15 class in the nation. Brown is considered to be at the very top of their needs/want list, which could be a real possibility since many believe he’ll want to stay closer to home and already has a relationship with 2023 QB Chris Parson.

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Did FSU football get an instant starter in new offensive lineman D’Mitri Emmanuel?

Wed, 25 May 2022 14:25:31 -0000

For the past few years, the offensive line has been a point of contention for the Florida State Seminoles. This isn’t ideal for a team that is insistent on being a run-first offense; however, offensive line coach and newly minted offensive coordinator Alex Atkins is doing his best to turn the position group around.

Despite pulling in the best o-line class in years, there were still questions surrounding the depth of this group. Even the best prospects take a few years to mature into that role so transfers have to be relied on for quick returns.

Enter D’Mitri Emmanuel.

Emmanuel is the third transfer offensive lineman taken by FSU this offseason. As a fourth-year player who has played under Atkins before in their one-year overlap at Charlotte, he is uniquely primed to step onto the field quickly, but will he be ready for the jump up into the Power 5?

That's for the film to decide and for the guys at the Triple Option to decode.

In this episode, they will break down his performance against one of the top defenses in the country when Charlotte faced the Clemson Tigers in 2019.

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FSU offers 2 quarterbacks, Seminoles start ACC Tournament play

Wed, 25 May 2022 06:14:21 -0000

Happy hump day ladies and gentlemen — this is Noles News Now presented by Tomahawk Nation, covering the latest in FSU athletics.

Let’s dive in with some recruiting news off the top — yesterday, the Seminoles extended offers to a pair of 2023 quarterbacks — four-star Ricky Collins out of Louisiana (currently committed to the Purdue Boilermakers) and three-star Brock Glenn out of Memphis. Each hold more than a few Power 5 offers, showing that the Seminoles aren’t just content taking a single QB in this year’s class.

Currently, four-star Chris Parson is the only quarterback committed — he’s been locked in with the Seminoles for nearly a year now, becoming a bellcow of the class while continuing to expand his game. He had a good showing at the Elite 11 Regional in mid-May, showcasing why he’s considered the No. 16 quarterback in the country by 247.

So why the offers? While the staff is high on Parson, putting all their eggs in one basket isn’t their goal — FSU took one quarterback in 2022, AJ Duffy, while failing to land a high school prospect in 2021 after the flip of Luke Altmyer to Ole Miss. With just three scholarship QBs currently on roster, it’s imperative for the staff to start building depth and competition at the position.

In baseball news, Parker Messick,has been named a semifinalist for two National Player of the Year awards — the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award after being named a first-team All-ACC pitcher, leading the league in strikeouts, strikeouts per nine innings, strikeout-to-walk ratio, and WHIP.

Meanwhile, the No. 9 seed Seminoles kick off ACC Tournament play today vs. Virginia, with a second matchup vs. Notre Dame set for Thursday. Bryce Hubbart will be today’s starting pitcher, with Messick handling primary duties on Thursday.

The Cavalier offense is led by third baseman Jake Gelof and left fielder Alex Tappen. The first team All-ACC duo are second in the nation in combined RBIS at 144. Brian Gursky is the ace on the mound with a 7-1 record overall with 78 strikeouts on the season. In the ACC tournament, FSU holds a 9-8 record over UVA. Overall, the Seminoles are 59-31 all-time against the Cavs.

Friday’s game will be a chance for the Seminoles to get revenge for a weekend sweep at the hands of Notre Dame in Tallahassee earlier this season. The Irish are also coming off a regular season-ending series loss (Miami).

Notre Dame’s top three starters all boast an ERA under 3.00, led by John Bertrand. FSU will most likely face either Bertrand or Austin Temple in their Thursday matchup. On the offensive side, the Irish have a balanced attack led by Brooks Coetzee and Jack Zyska.

If Florida State wins their pool, they will face the winner of Pool A on Saturday. The championship game will be played on Sunday afternoon.

Florida State women’s golf’s longest ever run in the NCAA Championship tournament came to an end Tuesday — the Seminoles fell to Texas A&M in the quarterfinals of match play at the championship finals. The Seminoles advanced to match play for the first time in school history and finished in a tie for fifth place in the final national standings – the highest NCAA Championship finish in school history.

Florida State women’s tennis athletes Petra Hule and Anna Arkadianou bowed out of the NCAA Doubles Championship on Tuesday night, falling to Janice Tjen and Savannah Broadus of Pepperdine.

Hule finishes her FSU career with 202 career wins in singles and doubles play combined, including a record-tying 106 wins in doubles play.

Arkadianou, just a sophomore, has a chance to anchor next year’s team as she gained valuable experience on FSU’s No. 1 doubles tandem while being a No. 2/3 player in singles play.

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Seminoles softball falls in regionals -- what's next for FSU?

Mon, 23 May 2022 21:17:54 -0000

An all-time great season in Tallahassee is over.

After an incredible run through their season punctuated by an ACC Tournament championship title, the Florida State softball team saw their season swiftly end with back-to-back losses to Mississippi State in the Tallahassee Regional championship.

The Seminoles romped through their first two games posting consecutive 8-0 run-rule victories and found themselves in the driver’s seat heading into Sunday.

So what happened?

Gwyn Rhodes joins host Brian Pellerin on this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast to break down what went wrong, the emotional press conference that followed, and what’s ahead for the program for years to come and the rest of the NCAA Tournament this year.

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Noles News Now: FSU Seminoles sports latest

Mon, 23 May 2022 05:34:39 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Monday, and welcome to Noles News Now presented by Tomahawk Nation— I’m Perry Kostidakis, and here’s the latest in Florida State athletics.

A hard weekend out on the diamond all-around for Florida State — on the softball side, the No. 2 national seed Seminoles went undefeated in opening play of the Tallahassee Regional before faltering in the final to underdog Mississippi State.

Florida State didn’t look at all like the world-beaters they had this season - in game one, they were shutout for just the second time this year, falling 5-0 and registering just two hits. That bad juju was seemingly erased in the beginning of a winner-take-all game two, with Sydney Sherill smacked a two-run homer that put the Seminoles up 2-zip, while a Kaley Mudge RBI in the bottom of the second put them up 3-1.

That was the last time FSU would score — the Bulldogs used a strong fifth inning to take back the lead, never relinquishing it en route to a Tallahassee Regional title. It’s the first time since 2012 that the Seminoles won’t be heading to the Super Regional state — it’s a hard ending to a great season, in addition to an ACC title secured last week, FSU’s 49-5 record in the regular season was the highest winning percentage in a regular season in school history.

It wasn’t much better for FSU baseball in its regular season finale — the Seminoles started off its series against UNC with a walk-off loss and ended it by being blown out 11-0. FSU was picked to finish first in the ACC, and now head into the ACC Tournament as the No. 9 seed. It’s a disappointing result for a team that seemingly had gathered the talent to support a pitching room that was supposed to be amongst the nation’s elite. While it’s not curtains on the season for the Seminoles, there’s a major need for a strong showing in the conference tournament for both seeding and momentum purposes.

Three up, three down: UNC sweeps FSU

As for other FSU sports — Women’s golf advanced to the final round of stroke play at the NCAA Division I championship and are in 6th place as a team after the third. The Seminoles must finish in the top eight of the team standings following Monday’s round of 18 holes to advance to the three rounds of match play which will determine the national championship team beginning Tuesday. Teams five through 12 (including Florida State in sixth place) are separated by a total of nine strokes.

Florida State women’s tennis athlete Petra Hule, who is the No. 3 seeded singles player in the NCAA Tournament, begins her quest for an individual national championship today at 7 p.m. vs. Kylie Collins of the University of Texas — on the doubles side, Hule and Anna Arkadianou kick off their title run on Tuesday.

On the men’s side, Louis Pourry kicks off his own championship journey by taking on Hamish Stewart from the University of Georgia — that match set to kick off at 11:30 from Illinois.

That’s it from this weekend --- thanks for listening and supporting the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. Please drop us a rating, let us know how we’re doing, and subscribe if you haven’t. Thanks again, and we’ll see you on Wednesday.

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Jimbo Fisher goes in on Nick Saban, FSU softball NCAA regionals, Seminoles baseball, football, recruiting

Fri, 20 May 2022 08:59:00 -0000

Thanks for listening to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things Florida State here on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. I’m your host Brian Pellerin here on this Friday morning May 20th. If you’re not following already, it’s a pretty good weekend to plug into the FSU softball and baseball teams. One getting set to host a regional to start its journey to the College World Series. The other trying to make a statement and put themselves firmly in the hosting position themselves.

We’ll get you prepared for both those teams coming up in a few but we start with the college football beef dominating sports headlines as three of the game’s most prominent coaches go to battle over NIL and recruiting and yeah FSU has some ties to it all. It actually started on Wednesday night when Nick Saban while speaking with boosters in Alabama named specific schools — those being Texas A&M, Jackson St, and Miami — that he felt were playing outside the rules in recruiting players.

That back and forth ended with some public reprimands from the SEC Commissioner to basically shut up. Meanwhile, the rest of the sport sitting back to see what, if any, action the NCAA takes in looking into Saban’s claims. Could that mean an investigation into Hunter’s recruitment, Cristobal’s rising recruiting efforts in Coral Gables and A&M’s ascension to the greatest recruiting class ever constructed? Time will tell.

All that’s left is time — probably just a few hours by the time you listen to this — from the start of the NCAA Softball Tournament Tallahassee Regional. The Noles are the No. 2 overall seed in the tourney and No. 1 seed in this regional. They’ll open competition tonight on ESPN+ against Howard at approximately 8:30. The timing on that is dependent on the finish of Game 1 tonight between Mississippi State and USF. In case you need a refresher, regional play is a double-elimination style tournament with one team advancing to the Super Regionals. The Noles would host the winner of the Missouri regional in that Super Regional if they advance. If you’re looking for a deep dive into the other teams competing this weekend, check out Gwyn Rhodes’s preview on Tomahawk Nation dot com or listen to this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast that breaks down the threat each team may pose to Florida State’s chances of moving on. Hopefully, Monday we’ll have a Super Regional to preview for you.

For the baseball team, the goal remains piling up wins to try and secure a top 16 seed in the men’s tournament. D-1 baseball moved FSU into one of those positions in their tournament projections after last weekend’s series win against Miami, but the midweek loss to Florida leaves little room for error as the Noles headed to Chapel Hill face UNC in a Thursday-Friday-Saturday series. But early on, it was the Heels who took off. Four first-inning runs. Not how you draw it up. It would remain that way into the fourth before Florida State’s freshman came to the rescue. Jaime Ferrer and James Tibbs would lead big chargeback including an 8th inning two-run bomb from Tibbs off the UNC closer that gave FSU the 5-4 lead. That duo combined for 2 HRs, 4 runs, and 3 RBIs. The Noles held that lead into the bottom of the ninth, but they couldn’t hold it. For the second consecutive game, the Florida State bullpen allowed a walk-off homer. This one a three-run shot from Alberto Osuna, his second three-run homer of the game. He drove in 6 by himself. Noles lose 7-5. For all the ins and outs, check out the 3 up, 3 down article on our website.

Tomorrow’s matchup is expected to be a matchup on lefties with Parker Messick and Brandon Schaeffer figuring to go for the Noles and Heels.

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Noles News Now: FSU football primetime games, softball in NCAA, Seminoles baseball vs. UF

Wed, 18 May 2022 05:03:57 -0000

Thanks for listening to Noles News Now, your audio home for all things Florida State here on the Tomahawk Nation podcast network. I'm your host Brian Pellerin here on this Wednesday morning May 18th.

We start with the FSU football team... just 101 days away from the start of the season against Duquesne. Time and network remain TBD... but we do now know the start time and network for two of their higher-profile contests this season. Of course, I'm talking about the 2 against their SEC opponents.

The first of those is the Labor Day weekend, Allstate Louisiana Kickoff against LSU. That game was already set for Sunday, Sept. 4th, but Tuesday the schools announced it will kick off at 7:30 ET on ABC. That's a second straight season with a Labor Day Sunday ABC primetime contest for the Noles after last year's thrilling OT loss to Notre Dame at Doak. This one is in LSU's backyard though -- New Orleans at the Caesar's Superdome. The other primetime contest comes on Thanksgiving weekend as the Noles host Florida on Black Friday.

That contest on November 25th also at 7:30. Hopefully, the Noles are playing for bowl positioning instead of bowl positioning like a year ago. The guys on the roster taking a step forward will play a big role in that happening. Our team at Tomahawk Nation has taken a close look at how some of those potential stars performed in the spring. This week, the fifth and final installment looked at the secondary specifically AZ Thomas and Sam McCall. Head to TomahawkNation.com to see Kevin Little's film breakdown of their tape to see what could be coming this fall. If you missed the other breakdowns, that article has links to those for Mycah Pittman, Jared Verse, Trey Benson, and Bless Harris.

On the baseball diamond, the Seminoles traveled down the road to Gainesville for their final midweek contest of the season to face the Gators. It opened with a flurry of offense from each team. The teams alternated scoring in each of the first four innings before the bullpens really stepped up and posted zeros until the 9th. The Gators and Noles were knotted at 5 at that point... but in the bottom of the inning, the Gators untied it. A two-out knock brought up lefty Sterlin Thompson, pushing Mike Martin Jr. to turn to a lefty of his own in Andrew Armstrong. But a hanging breaking ball ended up way over the right field wall for a 7-5 final. The Gators claim the game and the season series. For a full breakdown of the game, check out our Three Up, Three Down article posted now on TomahawkNation.com. The Noles now turn their attention to the close of ACC regular-season play in Chapel Hill against UNC this weekend.

That'll do it for today's Noles News Now. We'll be back on Friday with more of the headlines you don't want to miss so be sure to follow or subscribe so you don't miss a thing. And if you like what you're hearing, please rate and leave a review. Until then, you can find everything you need on our website.

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FSU football report card: Are AZ Thomas and Sam McCall the real deal?

Tue, 17 May 2022 16:25:51 -0000

This is the fifth and final installment of our spring report card series. You can find other breakdowns of Mycah Pittman, Jared Verse, Trey Benson, and Bless Harris in the links on their names. Let us know in the comments below if you would like to continue the series with any suggested players.

One of the most fun parts of any football season is seeing those arbitrary star rankings by recruit’s names translate to play on the field. Luckily for Florida State football fans, the two highest-ranked players in the 2022 class play a position that can contribute early.

Azareyeh Thomas and Sam McCall are both high upside cornerbacks competing for playing time come fall. Their athletic tools are evident at first sight. Thomas’s length is reminiscent of Jalen Ramsey and McCall’s agility and fluidity make him an exciting prospect, but athletic tools aren’t all it takes to make a player effective.

That’s why we go to the film to answer the tough questions. The guys from the Triple Option are here to break down every play the duo played in the spring game to decide if these players are ready to make an impact early or if they’re merely clay in need of molding.

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FSU Seminoles softball wins ACC title: NCAA Regionals Preview

Mon, 16 May 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles softball team is firmly entrenched in the national title hunt after claiming the ACC Tournament crown with a come-from-behind victory over the Clemson Tigers and earning the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Next up, they’ll host the Tallahassee Regional starting Friday with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the USF Bulls and the Howard Bison heading to town to fight for the Super Regional berth. Each team will present a unique challenge to the Noles team as they take the first step on the return to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.

Host Brian Pellerin and softball beat writer Gwyn Rhodes break down each team’s strengths and weaknesses and how they stack up against Florida State in this week’s episode of Seminole Wrap as well as take a look back at the ACC Tournament run.

You can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to your shows.

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Noles News Now: Seminoles beat Miami, softball dominates, FSU golf wins ACC title

Mon, 16 May 2022 04:45:34 -0000

Happy Monday... Thanks for getting your week started with Noles News Now. I'm your host Brian Pellerin, getting you caught up on the weekend that was for the Florida State Seminoles sports teams. And really the story of the weekend goes to the stickball teams as they both answered the bell against their rivals for huge wins.

We start with the Florida State softball team who claimed the program's 18th ACC tournament title this weekend, putting a stamp on an already impressive year and entrenching themselves in the national title picture. FSU put up impressive victories over Virginia and Duke in the quarter and semi-finals of the tournament. Then, they needed a 6th inning comeback to put away Clemson in the title game. That win Saturday pushed FSU up from their No. 3 ranking to grab the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, starting this weekend. The Noles will host the Tallahassee Regional that will include Mississippi State, USF, and Howard. If you want an in-depth look at that ACC tournament run and a scouting report of the three teams heading to Tally this weekend as well as the tournament at large, listen to this week's Seminole Wrap podcast as myself and Gwyn Rhodes broke it all down for you in an easy 30 minute listen. You can find the link to that in this article or in this podcast feed.

Elsewhere, the FSU baseball team battled back from a game one loss to No. 6 Miami to take the final two games and the series. Not a bad way to end the regular season at Howser. The Noles rode the back of Jaime Ferrer to Sunday's win as he hit an early 2-run homer and added another RBI later in the game in route to a 6-4 win. Ross

Dunn was spectacular in relief as well. Could be a huge series victory for FSU's hopes in hosting a regional of their own in a few weeks. For now, they'll focus on

Tuesday's contest in Gainesville before their regular season-ending series in Chapel Hill against UNC this weekend.

On the football field, the action actually continues to be off the field as we remain in the doldrums of the offseason, but the fallout from Mike Norvell's tampering accusations remains the top story. If you missed it, the Noles head coach said last week on the Packer and Durham show that players on the roster that aren't currently in the transfer portal and discussing their contact with other teams and their boosters with the coaching staff. Obviously, those actions are not okay in the pros, but there isn't much to prevent it in the NCAA as the lack of leadership from the top of that organization continues to stain the sport. Previous reports from Baton Rouge pointed to former FSU coach Jimbo Fisher's Texas A&M program as one of the teams trying to poach players from the LSU roster. No word on the teams Norvell is referring to as contact his guys.

I mentioned the tampering rules in the NFL. Those apply to guys on other teams... but there's no limit to the praise you can place on your own guys as Giants coach

Brian Daboll is showing during rookie camp when he discusses undrafted signing Jashaun Corbin. The former Nole describe as athletic and having that quick twitch...sounds like exactly what FSU fans know about Corbin from his time in Tallahassee. The beat writers in the Big Apple expect to see Jashaun as a factor in the backfield this fall for the New York Football Giants.

That'll do it for today's episode of Noles News Now. I'll be back with you on Wednesday to get you caught up on the latest happenings in Noles Nation so be sure to follow, rate, and review the show so you don't miss the next episode. Until then, be sure to check Tomahawk Nation for the headlines you don't want to miss.

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FSU football report card: Can OL Bless Harris elevate the Seminoles offense?

Fri, 13 May 2022 20:42:32 -0000

This is the fourth video in our Spring Report Card series. You can find in-depth breakdowns of Mycah Pittman here, Jared Verse here, and Trey Benson here.

The Florida State Seminole’s offensive line has been a point of contention for the past few years.

Jimbo left the cupboard bare on his way out of town, compounded by questionable development under the next regime. Since offensive linemen tend to need more time to grow and develop, those lost years have severely hampered the position group.

Insert Alex Atkins. Atkins is a rising name in the coaching community. He was by far FSU’s most effective recruiter this past season and seems to be moving the line in the right direction, but will that translate to the field in the fall?

One big key to Atkins’s success will be transfer tackle Bless Harris. His size has been a bit of a question mark but can he make up for some of that with awareness and athleticism? Coach AB jumps into the film with Kevin Little to review every snap of this year’s spring game.

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Noles News Now: ACC eliminating football divisions? FSU softball wins, baseball vs. Miami, Seminoles sports updates

Fri, 13 May 2022 05:36:16 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Fridau, and welcome to Noles News Now presented by Tomahawk Nation-- I’m Perry Kostidakis, and heading into the weekend, here’s the latest in Florida State athletics.

Florida State softball kicked off ACC Tournament play on Thursday -- the No. 3 Noles took on Virginia in the first round, securing a 5-3 win over the sixth-seeded Cavaliers. FSU, the 3 seed in the tourney, takes on Duke today at 3:30 pm -- you can watch on the ACC Network, as well as follow on Tomahawk Nation in our game thread or on Gwyn Rhodes’ Twitter, where she’ll be on-scene.

In football news -- the ACC is planning to vote on a 3-5-5 scheduling model -- that means three permanent opponents and a rotating slate of home-and-home games with five other opponents/ Commissioner Jim Phillips said Wednesday that the league could make the switch as early as 2023.

Our Ben Meyerson took a deep dive into the advanced analytics of Florida State’s running game and came up with some areas of improvement -- the main takeaway? Between Jordan Travis and a stable of running back talent, Mike Norvell and Alex Atkins should be able to vary up their schemes when it comes to opponents..

Florida State baseball returns to the diamond today -- the No. 21 Seminoles take on No. 6 Miami in a duel to determine the top dog in the state. Last year FSU took all four games from Miami, sweeping the ‘Canes in Coral Gables with none of the games being close, so there’s a bit of a motivating factor there. FSU will have to deal with a daunting lineup of pitchers -- Miami’s Friday starter Carson Palmquist is one of the best in the ACC. The first pitch is at 7 tonight, and you can watch all games on ACC Network and follow along on Tomahawk Nation.

The Florida State track and field team got off to a terrific start Thursday at the ACC Outdoor Championships. Isaac Grimes (long jump), Lauren Ryan (10,000m run), and Ahmed Muhumed (10,000m run) each took home ACC titles on the first day of the competition.

And finally, Florida State Men’s Golf sophomore Frederik Kjettrup has been selected to the 15-member 2022 All-ACC Men’s Golf Team finishing the season 70.66 scoring average. The men kick off NCAA play this Monday in the Palm Beach NCAA Regional.

You can read up on these stories and more on Tomahawk Nation.com, where we’ll also be providing live updates on today’s softball and baseball action. Thank you again for listening, please don’t forget to subscribe and rate five stars if you haven’t -- if you have, you are my best friend. Happy Friday, and we’ll see you next week.

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FSU football report card: How does Trey Benson fit in the offense ?

Tue, 10 May 2022 17:09:13 -0000

The running back position is one that Norvell has shown consistent success with. He developed four runningbacks in four years at Memphis that had their names called out by NFL teams on draft day, but doubts of his talent evaluations have persisted.

This was especially true of FSU’s latest RB transfer, Trey Benson.

Benson is a speed/power back coming off of a big injury he sustained in his time at Oregon. Concerns over his injury and lack of collegiate snaps dominated the coverage; however, the spring game seemed to flip the narrative.

He moved well in the spring game, showing off his straight-line speed and downhill running style. A few big runs were all it took to turn him into a can’t miss prospect by the media.

But where is the truth? Is he the next in a long line of Norvell’s NFL runningbacks or is he not suited for the big game? CoachAB and Kevin Little jump into the film to watch every snap from the spring game tackle those questions and more.

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Why is Florida State Seminoles softball so good? ACC Tournament preview feat. Gwyn Rhodes

Mon, 09 May 2022 23:02:00 -0000

The Florida State Seminoles softball wrapped up a dominant 2022 season with a series sweep of the NC State Wolfpack this weekend. The three victories give them a 49-5 record, a No. 3 ranking in both the polls and RPI as well as an 11-game win streak heading into postseason play.

That’ll start on Thursday in Pittsburgh when the Noles begin their ACC Tournament run against Virginia and will soon head into the NCAA Tournament as they get ready for Selection Day this weekend.

Brian Pellerin and guest host Gwyn Rhodes get you caught up on the season so far and what to expect this weekend as the Seminoles look to claim the ACC crown and set their eyes on a potential return to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series next month.

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Noles News Now: Seminioles sports latest -- FSU football, softball, baseball, tennis, beach volleyball

Mon, 09 May 2022 05:12:42 -0000

Welcome to your Monday edition of Noles News Now, your home for the latest updates in Florida State athletics three times a week from Tomahawk Nation. I’m your host Brian Pellerin getting you caught up on the weekend that was for FSU.

It’s already the second week of May and that means the semester is coming to a close in Tallahassee and the end of the spring sports schedule is quickly closing in, but we start on with the Noles football team… more specifically a former Nole as Jermaine Johnson officially put pen to paper this weekend on his rookie deal with the Jets.

The Jets newest first-round defensive end also made his first appearance in front of the New York media this weekend as well. He talked about his excitement to see his dreams come true and how ready he is to learn from the veterans on the team all while wearing his F-S-U hoodie. Johnson was also rocking No. 52 in his minicamp workouts… but that’s subject to change for the actual roster so don’t buy the jersey just yet.

The guy trying to replace Johnson is Albany transfer Jared Verse. He popped during the spring, but it ain’t easy replacing a first-round pick like Johnson. So can he live up to the hype that has surrounded him this spring? Tomahawk Nation’s coach Adam Brown and Kevin Little broke down his game this weekend in the latest installment of their post-spring report cards. You can find that link on Tomahawk Nation dot com. Volume one of that series focused on wide receiver Mycah Pittman if you’d like to check that out as well.

Monday could be a huge moment in the NIL saga that has taken over the college sports landscape as the NCAA’s Division One Board of Directors is expected to weigh in on a set of new guidelines from an NIL subcommittee, according to Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic. Those guidelines would give real framework to what has been the wild west of NIL payments for players. These would better define the rules and who is beholden to follow them. I’d recommend a follow for Nicole as she follows the Board’s actions and what it could mean for college sports.

The F-S-U softball team finished their regular season on a strong note and one Nole made history in the process. The squad swept Sunday’s doubleheader in Raleigh and completed the weekend sweep of NC State thanks to Sydney Sherill’s three-home run game. That’s a first in Noles history. The team as a whole had 7 big flies in the contest. The first time that’s happened in program history as well. They completed the regular season with a 49-5 record and won each of their final 11 games. Next up is the ACC Tournament in Pittsburgh where the Noles will be the No. 3 seed and take on 6th seeded Virginia on Thursday night. First pitch is set for 7:30. And if you want more on the Seminoles softball team as they enter the postseason, check out this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast releasing tonight from myself and Gwyn Rhodes as we get you caught up on the season that was for the team and what’s ahead as they start postseason play. Again, that should be out late Monday night.

The FSU baseball team opened their weekend trip to BC with an opening game loss but claimed the next two, 10-4 and 8-1, to take the series. Sunday’s win came courtesy of a dominant performance from Bryce Hubbart who punched out 11 over 7 innings while limited Boston College to just one hit. Noles back on the diamond on Tuesday.

A tough end to the weekend for the FSU beach volleyball team as they fell in the national championship to USC, but still a great season to make it all the way to the title. Congratulations to them.

The men’s tennis team knocked off Georgia this weekend, they’ll be moving on to the round of 16 for the first time in school history. Congratulations to them as well.

Thank you for listening to Noles News Now. We’ll be back again on Wednesday. Until then, I’m Brian Pellerin. Have a great week.

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FSU football report card: Can Jared Verse live up to the hype?

Sat, 07 May 2022 11:01:27 -0000

Jermaine Johnson is a difficult player to follow. He came in as a transfer from Georgia without a ton of applause and played his way into the first round of the NFL draft.

The Florida State coaching staff is looking to capture lightning in a bottle again.

Jared Verse was a highly touted transfer out of the University at Albany. His high-end athleticism garnered interest in the portal but there are some questions as to how quickly his skillset will transfer to the P5 level.

A bonus look this episode is at veteran Derrick McClendon II, who’ll be playing opposite Verse. A relatively obscure former 3-star prospect, he appears to have transformed his body and his game over the offseason.

Will these two relative unknowns be able to maintain the high level of play achieved by Johnson and Keir Thomas last year or will they regress?

Coach AB and Kevin Little dive into every snap the duo played in the spring game to find the answer.

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Noles News Now: Softball sweeps UF, football roster changes, baseball preview,

Fri, 06 May 2022 05:43:00 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Friday, and welcome to Noles News Now presented by Tomahawk Nation-- I’m Perry Kostidakis, and heading into the weekend, here’s the latest in Florida State athletics.

Kicking things off, on Wednesday No. 3 FSU softball beat No. 11 UF via a walk-off homer, courtesy of Jahni Kerr. It was the first time in 16 years that FSU secured a series win over the Lizards -- the Seminoles are now 46-5 and wrap up the regular season this weekend vs. NC State -- our Gwyn Rhodes has you covered with a full preview on tomahawknation.com

In football news, linebacker TJ Davis, who signed as part of FSU’s 2020 class, was removed from the Seminoles’ roster after being medically disqualified. While he was a strong scout team player, even earning Scout Team Player of the Year for the defense this past season, he only saw action in one game for Florida State.

The 2020 recruiting class has now seen 10 departures, leaving 15 members still on the roster for now.

The 23rd-ranked FSU baseball team will look to bounce back from a midweek beatdown handed down by Stetson -- the Seminoles take on Boston College on the road in what’s a should-win matchup, especially with the season winding down. Parker Messick, slotted for his usual Friday role, dominated TCU last weekend with 14 putouts to help extend the Seminoles’ national lead to 521 strikeouts.

The fifth-seeded FSU beach volleyball team is competing in the NCAA Championships -- they advanced to the round of 8 after taking down 12th seed Cal Poly -- the Seminoles are matched up against 4th seed LMU, and that game is scheduled for today at 11 a.m.

In other NCAA Tournament action, the 28th ranked Florida State men’s tennis kicks off competition today against Georgia State -- women’s tennis is also in action this weekend, taking on FIU

We’ve got these stories, and much more, including a film breakdown on transfer wide receiver Mycah Pittman and the latest FSU recruiting offers and updates, on TomahawkNation.com

Thanks for tuning in, have a great weekend and we’ll see you on Monday.

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FSU football report card: How much does Mycah Pittman improve the offense?

Wed, 04 May 2022 19:22:47 -0000

Wide receiver was an obvious area of concern for the Florida State Seminoles coaching staff going into the 2022 season.

They addressed this concern with three transfers. Jordan Wilson Jr. is a big hybrid tight end that lets you be more dynamic with your offense, Winston Wright is a receiver with big-play capabilities who was unfortunately injured before he could make his way on campus, and Mycah Pittman is the do-it-all utility receiver that can be relied on to consistently win yardage.

At least that's what the story has been.

Instead of relying on narratives, we at the Triple Option prefer to let the film tell the story. That's why we’re starting this Spring Report Card series. In these upcoming videos, we will break down every single play that a key player or position group participated in during the spring game.

First up is Mycah Pittman. He received a lot of buzz over his spring game performance, but was it warranted? Let’s let the film decide.

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Noles News Now: Seminoles football, baseball, softball, FSU sports updates

Wed, 04 May 2022 06:04:44 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Wednesday-- I’m Perry Kostidakis, and welcome to Noles News Now, the latest updates in Florida State athletics, presented by Tomahawk Nation -- let’s dive in

Good news for former Florida State running back Jashaun Corbin, who signed with the New York Giants after going undrafted -- he signed a sizeable contract with the G-men -- $10k signing bonus, $110k guaranteed

FSU football coaching staff making the rounds on the recruiting trail -- offensive coordinator and o-line coach Alex Atkins made a stop in Ocala to check out Trinity Catholic practice -- he was likely checking out 2023 tackle Tommy Kinsler, a three-star prospect, a battle that seems to have UF leading

Seminoles baseball dropped a tough one to Stetson on Tuesday night, struggling pretty much in all phases en route to 6-0 loss -- FSU has been playing well lately but have struggled to find its footing in midweek matchups -- not a terrifying concern, but one that still needs to be examined and ironed out with the regular season set to wrap up at the end of the month.

No. 3 Seminoles softball, 45-5 and on a six-game win streak, is set to take on No. 11 Florida in Tallahassee today -- FSU won a thriller vs. the Lizards last month, so they’re going for the series win. The last time the Seminoles won twice in a single season vs. UF was 2006.

New soccer coach Brian Pensky spoke with the media for the first time Tuesday, talking about the task ahead of him and living up to the expectations set by his predecessor, Mark Krikorian.

FSU tennis athlete Loris Pourroy, the 52nd-ranked singles player in the country, will compete in the NCAA Men’s Tennis Singles Championship beginning on May 23 -- it’s his first time making a solo appearance in the tournament.

On the women’s side, senior Petra Hule was named No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament -- the highest in school history. Hule will also play alongside Anna Aradinaou in the Doubles Tournament

And finally, FSU women’s golf head coach Amy Bond was named to the Jackie Steinmann National Coach of the Year watch list -- FSU is hosting the NCAA Tallahassee Regional Championship starting next week.

You can read up on these stories and more on TomahawkNation.com, where you can always find updates on all FSU athletics. Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll see you next time.

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Jermaine Johnson to the New York Jets: Did the NFL Draft shine a light on FSU’s talent deficit? Seminoles analysis, news, breakdowns

Mon, 02 May 2022 17:09:32 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football had just one player selected in the NFL Draft this past week — defensive end Jermaine Johnson, a first-round pick to the New York Jets.

It’s the second time in the last three years (2020, Cam Akers, No. 52 overall to the Los Angeles Rams) but just the third since 2009.

From Brendan Sonnone of Noles247, here’s the number of players drafted from the last few recruiting classes in Tallahassee:

2017: 142018: 82019: 62020: 42021: 1

With FSU seemingly placing less and less talent in the league, is that a reflection of the work that has to be done in Tallahassee to return the Seminoles to prominence?

Brian Pellerin, Jon Marchant, and Max Escarpio talk it out, and in addition, take a look at how Johnson will fit with the New York Jets, what may have caused his perceived slide from a potential top 10 pick, and the pretty cool story that brought Gang Green back into the first to grab him.

The crew also looks at the guys who have signed as undrafted free agents and who is still waiting to find their landing spot and give their thoughts on who may be able to stick in the pros long-term from that group.

Plus, a former Seminole is already making a name for himself in the NBA as he ends the year with some hardware.

You can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to your shows.

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Noles News Now: Latest FSU Seminoles sports updates -- NFL Draft, baseball, softball, football, basketball

Mon, 02 May 2022 05:41:22 -0000

Happy Monday and thanks for starting your week right with Noles News Now, your home for the latest updates in Florida State athletics three times a week from Tomahawk Nation.

I’m your Monday host Brian Pellering getting you caught up on the weekend that was for FSU.

The headline stealer at water coolers across the country will be the NFL Draft.

For FSU, their lone draftee came on Thursday with edge rusher Jermaine Johnson heading to the Big Apple as the New York Jets moved back into the first round to grab him at No. 26 overall.

If you’re wondering how Jets fans feel about adding JJ to the roster, the poll from our sister site here at SB Nation Gang Green Nation had a 97% “yes” in favor of the pick

.Elsewhere in Noles nation, six former FSU players have found new homes in the NFL including Jashaun Corbin to the Giants, Keir Thomas to the defending champion Rams and Devontay Love-Taylor staying in Florida with the Buccaneers.

For more on the draft and what it means for FSU football going forward, check out this week’s Seminole Wrap podcast that dropping today.

Also in football, it was a big weekend for quarterbacks past and present as former FSU Q-B and national champion Jameis Winston and current FSU signal-caller Jordan Travis both walked across the stage. Congrats to the two of them for succeeding both on the field and in the classroom.

It was a rather quiet weekend in the world of recruiting, outside of FSU women’s basketball who landed Kentucky grad transfer Jasmine Massengill. The guard averaged over 30 minutes per game for the Wildcats and also spent time at Tennessee with the Lady Vols.

The FSU baseball team took care of the two games that counted this weekend against No. 20 TCU, winning the first two games of the series by a combined score of 17-3. The Noles also led Sunday’s series finale 6-5 in the fourth, but mother nature had other plans leaving the rest of the game canceled so it’ll end in a no contest. The Noles are back on the diamond on Tuesday at Stetson.

The other heavy hitters in Tallahassee also took care of business this weekend as the FSU softball team swept their own two-game series with back-to-back 2-1 wins over No. 7 Oklahoma State. They’re back in action on Wednesday against that school from Gainesville as they enter the final week of the regular season.

Track and field set a few records on Saturday with three members of the team posting record-breaking performances at the Payton Jordan Invitational in Stanford this weekend.

And the FSU beach volleyball team earned the No. 5 seed in the NCAA Championship tournament after clinching the CCSA Championship for the –count it – one, two, three, four, five, sixth consecutive year. Congratulations to them.

You can read up on these stories and more on TomahawkNation.com, where you can always find updates on all FSU athletics.

Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll see you again on Wednesday.

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FSU football: How does Jermaine Johnson's game translate to the NFL?

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 06:51:00 -0000

Jermaine Johnson II was one of the few bright spots from a mediocre 2021 season for the Florida State Seminoles.

Johnson was a two-time transfer heading to FSU. He spent his first season at JUCO Eden Prairie before spending a couple of years between the hedges at the University of Georgia. One final move brought him down south to Tallahassee where he had the best opportunity to showcase his skill — an opportunity he took full advantage of, turning himself into a surefire first-round NFL Draft selection.

As a prospect Johnson does a few things really well:

He has a good first step with long strides
He plays with active hands
He varies his moves- not relying too heavily on one or two moves
He has good spatial and situational awareness
He has all of the off-field intangibles you would want in a defensive leader.

These skills, like most things in football, are best appreciated through film.

The guys from the Triple Option have gotten together to break down his highlights and give their opinions on his future in the NFL.

Commentary from SB Nation

Gang Green Nation: 2022 New York Jets Draft Prospect DE Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State — “I think Johnson has star written all over him and will be a monster in the NFL eventually.”

Revenge of the Birds: Could Jermaine Johnson be the heir to Chandler Jones? — “He has the goods from an athletic and build standpoint.”

Pride of Detroit: FSU edge defender Jermaine Johnson visits Detroit Lions on pre-draft visit — “Could the Lions be considering Jermaine Johnson with the second overall pick or are they doing due diligence in case they trade down in the 2022 NFL Draft?”

Big Blue View: 2022 NFL Draft prospect profile - Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State — “The Giants could certainly use a player with Johnson’s tools, but has he really worked his way from an unknown to the Top 10 in just one year?”

The Falcoholic: The Falcoholic selects FSU EDGE Jermaine Johnson at No. 8 — “I went with Johnson because I believe he’s a really, really good player who will make an immediate impact for the Falcons. He’s the first piece in what is likely a multi-year retooling of the edge group.”

Projections from national media

CBS: No. 9, Seattle

Fox Sports: No. 12, Minnesota

Draftwire: No. 8, Atlanta

Sports Illustrated: No. 10, New York Jets

NFL.com: No. 13, Houston

USA Today: No. 8, Atlanta

PFF: No. 12, Minnesota

NBC Sports: No. 12, Minnesota

Odds according to DraftKings

No. 1 overall: +1000

No. 2 overall: +7500

No. 3 overall: +5000

No. 4 overall: +300

No. 5 overall: +2500

No. 6 overall: +1500

No. 7 overall: +500

No. 8 overall: +650

Over/under: 9.5

Top 5: +330

Top 10: -225

Top 32: -10000

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Interview: FSU Seminoles basketball transfer commit Darin Green Jr.

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 18:39:12 -0000

UCF basketball transfer Darin Green Jr. recently committed to Florida State, just one week after entering his name into the portal. The junior guard is a 6’4 shooting specialist with career averages of 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.7 steals. Green should already be considered one of the Seminoles top shooters, looking to be an immediate impact in their quest back to the NCAA tournament.

Coming out of high school Green was ranked as the No. 94 shooting guard in the nation, and the No.493 player overall. After a stellar career with the Knights, he was one of the most highly touted guards in the transfer portal. Green averaged 13.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.7 steals in his final season for UCF. He was named Third-Team All-Conference in the AAC, featuring teams like Memphis and Houston.

Green has improved nearly every aspect of his game year by year, wanting to focus on his defense and attacking the rim when he arrives in Tallahassee this summer. As a true freshman, he led the AAC in terms of three-point shooting percentage with 45.5, while starting half of the Knights' games. He went on to start every game for UCF the following season, averaging 11.6 points. In the 2021-22 season, Green shot 38.5% from three and led the AAC with an average of three made baskets from the three-point line.

Following his commitment, Tomahawk. Nation's Max Escarpio spoke with the Seminole new shooting guard to talk about his thoughts on the coaching staff, goals in Tallahassee, and more.

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Noles News Now: Latest FSU Seminoles sports updates

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 06:05:06 -0000

Hello everyone, happy Monday -- welcome to Noles News Now, the latest updates in Florida State athletics, presented by Tomahawk Nation

On the football side of things, defensive lineman Quashon Fuller was removed from the team and is expected to enter the transfer portal soon, following players like linebacker Jadarius Green-McKnight, defensive back Jarvis Brownlee, defensive back Hunter Washington, tight end Koby Gross, wide receiver Jordan Young, and running back Corey Wren who have all entered the portal this semester.

The NFL Draft is this week -- defensive end Jermaine Johnson is basically a guarantee to be a first-round selection -- most mocks have him in the teens, as high as No. 4 to New York -- though most have him as a potential pick at 10 for the Jets. Other names include Seattle at No. 9, Houston at 12 or Philly at 13

Jashaun Corbin and Keir Thomas are two Seminoles who could also hear their names called-- the draft starts thursday and runs through Sunday

In basketball -- our Max Escaprio interviewed transfer Darin Green Jr over the weekend -- stay posted for the audio, video and write-up coming to Tomahawk this week

Former Seminole Scottie Barnes was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year after averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in his first season

It was a big weekend for FSU softball, taking on the Clemson Tigers for the first time in program history -- Clemson’s softball program began in 2020 -- No. 5 FSU swept the 17th-ranked Tigers, adding even more strength to a ridiculous resume

Not as much luck for the baseball team, who lost a series-deciding game three off of an error-filled eighth inning. FSU has had an up and down year, seemingly dominant at times but failing to string consistent performances together where the bats and arms are clicking at the same time.

In other Seminoles sports…

Six Florida State distance runners — Matthew Owens, Amanda Beach, Caleb Pottorff, Silas Griffith, Zach Leachman, Paul Stafford, Rebecca Clark and Erin Phelps — posted FSU all-time top ten performances Saturday night in Charlottesville.

As for track and fiel, Sara Zabarino posted the best mark of her career in the javelin, the third-best in school history, while Amani Heaven shattered her personal record in the shot put, placing her 8th all-time at FSU.

The Florida State men’s golf team fell to No. 2 seed Georgia Tech, 3-1-1, in the ACC Men’s Golf Championship Semifinals on Sunday at Shark’s Tooth Golf Course in Panama City — the Seminoles find out where they will be headed for NCAA Regional play on Wednesday.

You can read up on these stories and more on TomahawkNation.com, where you can always find updates on all FSU athletics. Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll see you next time.

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What’s the latest in Florida State football?

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Florida State Seminoles football wrapped up spring practice last week, taking the field on Tuesday to put a cap on a camp session that saw several transfers and newcomers emerge and make their mark heading into the offseason.

Since the end of camp, FSU’s coaching staff has kept up its recruiting efforts — increasing them tenfold in the recruitment of prize offensive line transfer Amarius Mims, who visited Tallahassee last week for an official visit.

Mims toured Florida State’s campus and facilities with the coaching staff, departing Friday to head back home for the holiday weekend. The Georgia Bulldogs transfer was one of several players hosted by the staff this week — Tomahawk Nation’s Max Escarpio was on-scene, getting the chance to speak with a pair of 2024 prospects, receiver Sacovie White and Tomauri Johnson, after their visits with the staff.

Max, Brian Pellerin and Jon Marchant talk that and all the latest FSU football news on this week’s edition of Seminole Wrap

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What did we learn from FSU spring game? Latest Amarius Mims recruitment updates

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0000

FLORIDA STATE- The Seminoles opened up Doak to the fans and played the Garnet and Gold Spring Game, or actually they just had a practice open to students for free and everyone else for $10.

The ‘game’ was encouraging for the Seminoles, on defense the strength of the team are those safeties and the interior of the defensive line. Players like Jared Verse, Robert Cooper, Akeem Dent were standouts for all of spring in practice.

Jordan Travis, in the spring format, is not able to make all the plays he does in the fall and it forces him to work on reading the field, dropping back and creating from the pocket which is a great thing for his development.

One of the most improved groups on offense has been the offensive line. The depth the team has on the roster now is better, but the Seminoles have needed upgrades along the line for a long time.

Now they just might be able to land the top transfer target in the nation Amarius Mims.

Mims was a five-star offensive tackle in the 2021 class — he went to Georgia and in 2021 played right tackle for 121 snaps, logging 5 games with 12 or more snaps (per PFF).

Landing Mims would bring Mike Norvell an instant starter with huge upside who will likely slide into left tackle. But how would the rest of the room shake out?

You can watch more coverage of FSU Football and these stories here in the latest episode of ‘Noles Quality Control.

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Who has stood out for FSU football in spring? feat. Brendan Sonnone

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0000

It's the beginning of the end of spring camp for Florida State. Their last practice is this afternoon with the spring game rounding things out on Saturday.

That means it's the last time we media members can control the narrative before the team is televised for all of the world to draw their own conclusions.

Here at Tomahawk Nation, we haven't slept on this opportunity. We’ve had daily practice threads, a short and sweet preview article by Coach AB, and a couple of videos that really show you what you can expect from this Saturday, but we’re not done yet.

Coach AB and I wanted one more show where we hope to get the hype train rolling on some guys that have really stood out this spring. So, we temporarily kicked out our buddy Trey Rowland and replaced him with Brendan Sonnone from Noles247, a guy that's been to all of the practices and knows this team as well as anyone.

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FSU hoops: Jaylan Gainey commits / Matthew Cleveland returns / Coach K's final game

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 18:48:00 -0000

This is March! Well, actually it's April, but there were some fun Final Four games in March Madness this weekend. And now there is only one game left. On Monday night: Kansas vs North Carolina in the Roy Williams Invitational for all the marbles. This means that Coach K has been on the sidelines for his final college game, and we talk a little bit about him and his legacy, but mostly just about ACC basketball. It's a shame that so much of the conference perception is wrapped up in two things: the out-of-conference season, and the NCAA Tournament. Since the ACC expanded to 20 conference games, we go more than two months without playing anyone outside the conference, so it's tough to gauge who is improving and who isn't. Was UNC under-seeded? Nope, their resume wasn't that good. And that's all the committee has to go on.

In the Florida State universe, we got two pieces of good news this week. The first was the commitment of Brown's Jaylan Gainey as a graduate transfer. Florida State will petition to get him another year, and he - along with all the Ivy schools - did not play a single game in the 2020-21 season. The other bit of good news is that Matthew Cleveland will be returning for his sophomore season. He's poised to have a big 2nd year in Tallahassee.

Finally, we make projections for the National Title game. Who you got?

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Seminoles spring updates: Top performers, breakdown, analysis

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 04:00:00 -0000

This week offers an opportunity to stop and collect our thoughts on the first few weeks of the spring season. I have been able to attend the last few practices and I bring my notes back with me to discuss with Trey and Coach AB. In this week's episode we:

Give a position-by-position breakdown of standout performers
Go in-depth on some of the new pieces joining the team
Discuss how new players change the roles of players already on the roster
Breakdown some practice footage
Conclude with some thoughts on the state and direction of the program

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FSU football: Seminoles spring practice, Florida State recruiting with Zach Blostein

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0000

Spring has officially sprung as Florida State’s football team rounded out their first week of practice. Questions are slowly being answered concerning all of the new faces wearing garnet and gold, and the Triple Option has brought on someone who has been present at the action to give his insights. But, Zach Blostein isn’t merely a sideline practice reporter. He was also present at FSU’s huge recruiting weekend which saw the commitment of the high four-star defensive lineman Keith Sampson Jr. Sampson wasn’t the only big name on campus either. FSU hosted a range of top names and seemed to make progress with serious targets. So with all of the happenings at FSU, it would only make sense that the Triple Option would team up with Blostein to give you the most in-depth breakdown possible.

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FSU hoops: Senior Day Success - ACC Tournament

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 01:58:00 -0000

On the first podcast of the season, Matt and Michael talked about how this team had a high ceiling, but also a low floor. Significant time missed by any of the trio of Malik Osborne, Anthony Polite, or RayQuan Evans would make the NCAA dream difficult to achieve. Well, it got worse than that. But the team easily could have folded after losing six straight with so many players out. Instead, the flashed their resiliency by winning four of the final six, and finishing on a three-game win streak.

Now they just need to win four straight this week...

Senior day was an unabashed success. Anthony Polite, RayQuan Evans, Wyatt Wilkes, Tanor Ngom, and Harrison Prieto all played key minutes. Even Justin Lindner got in on the fun with his second career start. And FSU handled a tired NC State team just the way you want to see - a nice, comfy win with little stress.

Prior to that, the Seminoles played a nail-biter against Mike Brey's Notre Dame squad, a game which saw the return of Anthony Polite.

Now the 'Noles head to the Barclay Center for the ACC Tournament. First up: Syracuse, who FSU split games with this season. If they get through that, then it's a 2nd round matchup with top-seed Duke, who are coming off a big loss to North Carolina to end their regular season.

After discussing the real games, we dive into the winning culture coming in next season in the form of a recruiting class filled with guys used to winning. Chandler Jackson just led his team to an undefeated season, finishing with the AA state title in Tennessee. And Tom House's team hasn't lost in a couple years. Plus there is Cameron Corhen, who starts for the best team in the nation.

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FSU hoops: FSU basketball walk-off win vs Virginia - promising signs for the future

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 01:55:00 -0000

Who doesn't love a good buzzer beater? Not sue which was better - the pass or the shot, but the two came together and naturally Matt and Michael kick-off the podcast by discussing FSU's huge win over Virginia. On a side note, the Cavaliers now likely have to win the ACC Tournament to advance to March Madness, so it was a crushing blow to Tony Bennett and his horribly slow vision of college basketball. Florida State is now 7-2 in one-possession games this year (and 28-9 since the Jon Isaac, CJ Walker, Trent Forrest, Mfiondu Kabengele recruiting class).

Beyond the big won, though, there's not a ton to talk about in terms of FSU and the post season. Could they pull a miracle? Sure, but unlikely. Can they beat Notre Dame and/or North Carolina State? Probably, but two losses certainly aren't out of the question. A win would ensure Florida State a winning season for the 17th straight year. But this is a season where the 'Noles will need to finish strong to make the NIT, which certainly isn't what FSU fans have come to expect.

The next segment covers growth that we've seen in the absence of Malik Osborne, Anthony Polite, Caleb Mills, Naheem McCloud, and on occasion RayQuan Evans. The freshman trio of John Butler, Jalen Warley, and Matthew Cleveland have all shown flashes in their own way. If they're all back next year, how can we see them building on this season? There's also talk of FSU's favorite enigma, Cam'Ron Fletcher, who can look like an all-conference performer one half, and a Division II player the next. How does he fit in for next year, and can he find some consistency?

Next weekend is senior day. It's not how they wanted to finish their careers, but get to the Tuck to cheer on Osborne, Polite, Evans, Wyatt Wilkes and the weatherman Harrison Prieto.

Finally, we wrap it up with some golf talk, and why not? It's spring time. The grass is growing. The Players and the Masters are on the horizon. It's a good time to get outside and hit the links.

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FSU football: 2022 schedule breakdown, recruiting and coaching hires

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0000

Florida State’s 2022 schedule was released earlier this week and it seems relatively friendly compared to schedules of recent seasons. Bye weeks preface important games for bowl eligibility and decent cross-conference matchups offer more potential wins for the Seminoles. However, this schedule is by no means a cakewalk. FSU is facing five returning quarterbacks who will most likely finish the season as top 25 players for their position with four of those quarterbacks lining up against FSU in consecutive weeks. In addition to schedule news, the extension of position coaches Ron Dugans and Odell Haggins was announced. These former players turned coaches have had their fair share of criticism over previous seasons in terms of on-field product and recruiting and there is some debate on what their retention says about the state of the program. Finally, FSU received a commitment from the class of 2024 wide receiver Camdon Frier, son of FSU’s own Matt Frier. With these conversations swirling around the FSU beat it seemed high time that the guys at the Triple Option reconvened. So join them as they discuss the schedule, the extensions, and the legacy. This Triple Option was filmed as a live stream. If you want to join the stream as it's going live please subscribe to the X’s and Noles YouTube page and turn on notifications.

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FSU Football: Coach Randy Shannon talks 2022 Noles linebackers, defense

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0000

For somebody who spent the bulk of his career — and life — in South Florida, Randy Shannon has lived plenty of lives over the past decade. After spending two years out of the Sunshine State, coaching linebackers at both TCU and Arkansas, Shannon returned home, compiling a resume that included interim head coaching responsibilities at two other major college football programs in the state. It’s a journey that’s led him to Tallahassee, where after a year off-the-field, he finds himself again jumping in to coach the position that’s been the catalyst to the success in his life. Shannon says, outside of a familiarity with defensive line coach Odell Haggins after years of going head-to-head on the field and for recruits, he didn’t have a connection to Mike Norvell’s staff — which has made the respectful, but competitive environment that Norvell has established all the more impressive to him. “If you don’t want to be a part of a family, don’t come to Florida State — I’m just being flat-out honest,” he said during a Zoom interview this week. “Everybody’s gonna be on the same page, we’re gonna push the young men to be great, we’re not just going to let them be mediocre on and off the field.” His year off the field allowed him to sit back and soak in football (“Most of the time, if you’re just sitting down watching stuff, you can see a lot — [things] when you’re coaching and working, you don’t see”), from planning out game strategy to self-scouting, but now, he’s able to get back to what has been the most important aspect of coaching for him: establishing relationships and encouraging the progress of his athletes. “We’re going to be there for them when they really need us, and that’s the biggest thing we do here.” “I tell each and every one of them every day, that when you step on the field, it’s your opportunity to get better. If you give somebody else a chance to take that opportunity away from you, you made the mistake.” “That’s one thing that you do as a coach — you got to enjoy what you do, but give the emotion and enjoyment to the players. Let them have some fun, let them know that they made mistakes.” He cites a story of coaching NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, in which he challenged Lewis to break his collegiate records set at Miami. He also mentions Jared Davis, who he coached at Florida, who rang him up in the offseason saying that Shannon was the only one who could help him get back to playing right. “That’s the thing that makes you feel good as a coach, that somebody’s been out of college football six years that’s still looking for help from somebody that got them to a position. That’s what I am, a helper.” As the team heads into spring football, the chance is there for the multitude of FSU’s linebackers to take a step forward, and the Seminoles’ defense as a whole. “Expect improvement from last year...a lot more excitement, a lot of emotions and you’re going to see a lot of names that are going to pop up, that are going to continue to grow, and look for that Florida State tradition to get back.”

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FSU hoops: Mid-season review - The ACC and the NCAA Tournament

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 23:57:00 -0000

It's been a while since Matt and Michael were able to get together for a podcast. But hey, life gets in the way...

The first segment examines how we got to where we are (FSU basketball is 13-6, 6-3 heading in to Saturday's game vs Virginia Tech). The six game winning streak was obviously great fun as a fan, but was FSU actually playing any better than they had been earlier in the season? Or was it the randomness of close games falling in favor of the 'Noles instead of the bad guys?

Next, they focus on Malik Osborne. This was recorded prior to the official release that Osborne was out for the season, so they had to tread lightly there, but did go in depth about how his loss would impact the team the rest of the way. He's a bit of an enigma, as many view him as a role player, while it's clear the podcast crew view him as much more important than that. Defense is discussed, and how his loss might or might not impact the system down the line. There is very limited practice time, and half the team is new - so what is a realistic expectation that anything will be tweaked to mitigate his loss? Or is it really just next man up?

Speaking of next men up - FSU's most versatile recruit tore his ACL. Fun! But they do discuss how next year's class could slide in to pre-defined roles within the (mostly) positionless system Ham has developed.

Finally, it on to Virginia Tech. They play super slow! They shoot 40% from deep as a team! What could go wrong?

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FSU recruiting: Breaking down newest transfer portal Seminoles

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0000

As the college football world collectively waves goodbye to the 2021-22 season, a plethora of college football players do the same to their old schools. These defectors, commonly referred to as “transfers,” are dramatically altering the landscape of the sport, and teams’ rosters, at a rapid pace.

The Florida State Seminoles are one of those teams in need of a rapid and dramatic change of their roster. Two coaching changes at the infancy of the Early Signing Period period have created holes in the roster that are yet to be filled but in these past couple of weeks, the ‘Noles have taken significant steps towards alleviating some of these issues.

The biggest transfer commit came with defensive end Jared Verse. He has elite length and athleticism and if he could smooth out a few rough edges he could be a guy that replaces some of the production left behind by Jermaine Johnson.

Another infusion of defensive talent came with linebacker Tatum Bethune from UCF. He is a rangy linebacker who at worst gives more depth to a thin position and at best gives you a linebacker you can rely on for any down and distance.

On the other side of the ball, the receiver position was bolstered with the commitment of Winston Wright from West Virginia. He may be the most game-ready of the three true wide receiver transfers taken in this offseason.

This particular group of transfers is an exciting one but words can only do these kids so much justice. So jump in with the guys from the Triple Option as they break these kids down to see what kind of impact they can make for FSU next season.

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FSU recruiting: Breaking down 2022 early enrollees, latest transfer portal updates

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0000

It’s been almost one month since the highs and lows of Early Signing Day for the Florida State Seminoles and already, a lot has changed.

To say this is a roster overhaul would be selling the staff short on what they’ve accomplished.

On this episode of the Florida State of Recruiting podcast, the Three Stars discuss which players from #Tribe22 have made it, or are en route to Tallahassee for the start of the Spring semester. In addition to the high school enrollees, the Seminoles are expecting nine transfers. In total, FSU is bringing in one of its largest early enrollee classes.

The Florida State of Recruiting (FSoR) Podcast features the Three Stars: Josh Pick, Tim Alumbaugh, and David Stout.

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FSU football recruiting: Analyzing Seminoles signees

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0000

Florida State football had a bittersweet week last week. While they stand far above their peers in Florida when it comes to the Early Signing Day recruiting haul, there are many that feel like the failure to bring in a few key recruits is a signal for a lack of investment into this program.

However, there is still a lot of talent that will be making its way to Tallahassee in the coming season. Sam McCall, Azareyeh Thomas, and Julian Armella are three guys that still haven’t received the full scouting treatment from our own film crew of the Triple Option.

This is a time of needed decompression. As the holidays draw nearer and ESD fades into the past its seemed timely to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly of FSU’s future- whether it’s the immediate impact of these top recruits or the pitfalls that may await the program as we roll further into the NIL era.

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FSU hoops: Purdue and Syracuse preview, plus Mike Norvell chat

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 02:01:00 -0000

Now that football has ceremoniously ended with a Charlie Brown kick, the basketball guys are back to delve a little bit deeper into the season. But first, unable to escape the vortex of FSU football, Matt and Michael speculate on how the situation faced by head coach Mike Norvell is similar to the one faced by Leonard Hamilton back in the day. The stakes are much higher with football, at least at Florida State, but where is Norvell on the Ham timeline?

Next up is to recap some of the action since the last podcast. The team is 5-1, with the best win being a neutral site victory over a solid Loyola Marymount squad. They explore some early season trends, and how they might play out for the season, as well is digging into the performances of several players, most notably the new faces like Cam'Ron Fletcher, Matthew Cleveland, and the unicorn John Butler.

Then come the previews. How good is Purdue? (spoiler alert: they're very, very good). In their first six games one team (a top-10 Villanova) has held them below 92 points. We don't really get into the dribble weave action which the defense will try to disrupt, but instead focus on the pieces they have. It's a toss up whether this will be FSU's most difficult game of the season, or it will be at Duke Or, whoever FSU faces in the Final Four, amiright. They feature a two-headed beast in the middle, and the guy coming off the bench was a preseason First Team All Big Ten selection. Plus they have a lottery pick who is beyond NBA ready. And a bevy of shooters to surround these dudes.

The easier game - and probably more important to the season - comes this Saturday when the Syracuse Orange come to town. We're used to Syracuse featuring crazy long athletes all over the court, with at least of coup[e of NBA guys mixed in. Is it more of the same this year?

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FSU hoops: Penn and UF preview - recruiting - Seminoles in the Pros

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 15:51:00 -0000

Hey, it's that time of year for sports that FSU is good at! Matt and Michael dust off their microphones and dig in to the new Florida State basketball season. After briefly discussing the comings and goings people may have missed over the summer, they break down FSU's opening night opponent - the Penn Quakers. Penn and FSU should be familiar with each other's system, as Penn is coached by former Boston College head coach Steve Donahue. If we know anything about them, they'll be well prepared to take advantage of FSU's youth movement, they'll play fast, and they'll shoot a ton of 3s.

Also covered is the UF game on Sunday. Florida State has won 7-straight over the Gators, but after bringing in a ton of high end transfers, it's likely that the Gators will be favored at home. We discuss the names to watch out for, and discuss the similarities in rosters.

The new signing class will officially be in place on Wednesday, as that is the earliest players can sign. We've already seen notices from Tom House and Chandler Jackson that they'll be signing, and it is expected that all six recruits will sign in what will be a top-20 class. We cover the swings and misses, and how this class came together.

Finally, you may have heard that Scottie Barnes is doing alright in the NBA. Matt lends his NBA expertise to lead a discussion about the 'Noles in the pros.

Welcome back to basketball season, folks. We've made it.

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FSU hoops: Summer FSU update / NBA Draft / 2022 Recruiting / Golf?

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 15:35:00 -0000

It's been a while since Matt and Michael got together to talk some hoops, but honestly, there wasn't much reason to. Florida State went after transfer Tre Mitchell and whiffed. The same could be said for Kofi Cockburn. Toss in Moussa Cisse as well. The 'Noles were targeting a big man, but missed at every turn.

Well, since nothing is happening with the roster, we decided it was time to talk basketball. We start with the summer update. What does the roster look like? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this year's version? How has recruiting worked out by position?

From there we launch into the NBA Draft. FSU had the two highest ACC players in the draft last year, and with Scottie Barnes will most likely have the highest drafted ACC player again. But there are plenty of other 'Noles going pro, and we touch on them as well. Plus, how the current roster shake out for next year's draft?

We touch on 2022 recruiting. Florida State has had multiple top-50 type recruiting on campus (hooray for the return of in-person recruiting), but can they land one to get this class started? And where does assistant coach Steve Smith fit in to this? He's probably the least talked about of the assistants, but this class could have his fingerprints all over it.

Finally, we touch on some golf. Why? Why not? There are plenty of FSU golfers out there aside from Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger, so we get caught up on some of the important names to know.

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FSU hoops: Michigan preview, Colorado recap

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 03:06:00 -0000

Florida State entered the tournament struggling a bit after losses to Notre Dame and Georgia Tech. But in recent years the tourney has galvanized the team and this season is no different as the Seminoles roll into their 3rd straight Sweet 16. After knocking off UNC Greensboro in round 1 and dominating Colorado in round of 32 the 'Noles now face top seeded Michigan. Unlike other portions of the bracket that have been chaos, this one has been straight chalk for FSU and they don't get the benefit of facing any of the four double digit seeds which remain.

We open the pod talking about Colorado, and specifically what FSU has done well through two games to get to this point. The Buffalos had one of the best players in college basketball in senior point guard McKinley Wright, and FSU completely shut him down. The rest of the team wasn't able to step up in his absence, and the final 12 minutes were a clinic. We also touch a bit on UNCG, though there isn't all that much to say. FSU was favored by 10 and won by 10 and did it in a fashion we pretty much described in the last podcast.

After a break we talk a bit about the NCAA Tournament as a whole - or at least Matt listens while Michael rants. And then it's on to the main course: the Michigan Wolverines. Head coach Juwan Howard has done a fantastic job despite being asked to be the guy who follows the guy (John Beilein). Their roster is loaded. They play great on both ends of the floor. And they have plenty of ways to impact what FSU wants to do on the court. They also play a style of defense that Florida State hasn't really seen this year, so it will be interesting to see how the 'Noles attack. Michael predicts a game in the 70s, while Matt thinks it will be a low scoring affair. Tune in to see the picks to win.

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FSU hoops: NCAA Tournament preview

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 03:03:00 -0000

It's March folks, and the madness has arrived. Forget about the regular season. Forget about the ACC Tournament. It's the NCAA Tournament now, and in less than a week 48 dreams will have been dashed, leaving the dreaming to a field of 16.

On the podcast we briefly touch on the Georgia Tech loss (hey, another turnover!) before moving on - or backwards - to how the season has shaped up as a whole. It seems the program has reached a height where many consider that after losing two lottery picks and an all-time point guard finishing 2nd in the conference both in the regular season and in the ACC Tournament is a disappointment. New bloods, it is.

Then we get to the NCAAT. We start the conversation with some general observations about the bracket, and then move on to FSU's 1st round opponent: the Spartans of UNC Greensboro. In recent history FSU faced Murray State in the NCAAT which was a team built similarly to UNCG. They have one supremely talented point guard surrounded by a bunch of role players. Some of those role players bring interesting skill sets (the No. 2 shot blocker in the nation who also shoots more 3s than 2s comes to mind), but the reality is that this team goes as Isaiah Miller goes. He takes the 6th most shots in the nation, has won back-to-back conference Player of the Year awards, and won back-to-back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards. Oh, and he's probably the best athlete FSU has faced this season.

Whatever FSU's game plan is, it will center around Isaiah Miller. We go in depth about where UNCG has the advantage, and where FSU has the advantage.

Check it out Leave some comments. Let's do this thing.

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FSU hoops: UNC post game, ACCT final preview

Sat, 13 Mar 2021 05:36:00 -0000

Florida State playing for the ACC Title? You bet. For the 2nd time in three years, FSU will be playing on Saturday and be one of the last two standing in the conference. Since FSU was awarded the automatic bid to the dance last year, you have to go back to the 2017-18 season to find one where FSU wasn't competing to cut the nets down.

Much like the last time these two teams played, FSU dominated the first half, but also left a feeling like the lead should be more (it was 11). Then, UNC came out swinging in the 2nd half and pretty much dominated. The difference, this time, was that the Seminoles regrouped just in time to grind out the win.

We talk about what went right in the game, and what went wrong.

After that segment we launch into the Georgia Tech preview. It's been a couple of months since these two teams played, and GT has been playing great ball down the stretch. They only had to beat 13-seed Miami (of FL) to reach the finals, so they haven't exactly been tested. They should have played Virginia today, but the Hoos had to go home after a player tested positive.

We wrap up with a quick discussion about other happenings in basketball, including a UF player nearly knocking out an opponent on a dirty play.

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FSU hoops: Instant reaction to Notre Dame Loss, Tourney talk

Sat, 06 Mar 2021 21:03:00 -0000

Your Florida State Seminoles controlled their own destiny en route to a 2nd consecutive ACC regular season title, but that quickly went out the window when the ball tipped. FSU fell behind by 20 points, and even though they were able to make an impressive run in the 2nd half, it was too little, too late.

We talk about where FSU went wrong this game. Was it X's and O's? Was it lack of focus? We also talk about poor trends this team has shown all season, and how that manifested its way into today's loss.

But this is a new era for the 'Noles, so instead of sweating the NCAA bubble, FSU still has a chance to win the ACC regular season. UVA travels to Louisville, and a loss there would give FSU the title.

After a break we look ahead to the ACC and NCAA tournaments. We talk about potential matchups, and also how much importance should be placed on FSU's road woes.

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FSU hoops: Mailbag, UNC Preview, Miami recap

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 16:34:00 -0000

Welcome to episode 36 of the Tomahawk Nation hoops dedicated podcast. We start with a brief recap of the Pitt and Miami games. Pitt seems to be dissolving as a program after the loss, while Miami was basically a live scrimmage for the final thirty minutes. Regardless, Florida State picked up a couple of road wins, which are key, as FSU has only played five times outside the friendly confines of the Tuck.

Next we dip into the mailbag. We talk about the always debatable computer rankings over at kenpom.com. A question came in about coaching - specifically the post-Ham plan. But will Coach Hamilton ever retire? We also look ahead to the NCAA Tournament, focusing a lot on teams we may want to avoid, and a few that Florida State fans should be happy to see in their bracket.

Last, the UNC preview. How dumb was it for them to schedule a late season game vs. Marquette (spoiler: very dumb). But they're still a dangerous team, and they've evolved a bit since FSU last played them due to the emergence of freshman sharpshooter Kerwin Walton. Though this is still a huge team that looks to get it done down low.

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FSU hoops: Virginia and Wake recap / Pitt preview

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 16:29:00 -0000

When we last sat down to record a podcast, FSU was set to fly to Boston to take on the BC Eagles and their four scholarship players. Then FSU's second Covid-19 shutdown began and we all went a couple of weeks without basketball. Now Virginia Tech has Covid problems of their own, so our game vs. the Hokies has been cancelled, but the staff recovered quickly and scheduled a game at Pitt.

But before we get into the Pitt Panthers, we recap the lessons from FSU's close win over Wake Forrest, and the blowout over No. 7 Virginia. Was the close game vs. Wake a sign that the Seminoles needed to wake up, or did it demonstrate that the floor of this team still needs some serious attention? With the postseason approaching quickly, how close is FSU to playing their best basketball?

The Virginia beat down, on the other hand, showed that Florida State likely has the highest ceiling of any ACC basketball team. FSU's offense abused the vaunted pack line defense, and the 'Noles defense played solidly as well.

After talking those two games, we take a quick foray into the "And-1" feature, and Matt rapid fires some questions to Michael. Then it's on to the Pitt preview. The Seminoles have struggled at the Zoo, and are those struggles going to continue?

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FSU hoops: FSU splits with Miami and Georgia Tech, Boston College preview

Sun, 31 Jan 2021 21:35:00 -0000

FSU played twice this week, destroying Miami at home and then dropping a disappointing game at Georgia Tech. There wasn't too much to talk about from the Miami win, as everyone is blowing them out. Florida State won 81-59, which is what you want to see vs a bad team.

The loss to Georgia Tech, however, was different. It's not the loss that is concerning - GT is a good team - but rather how they lost. We've had flashes all year of a turnover prone team that stagnates in the half court, and then in this game all of that finally came to light. The 'Noles are now 14th in ACC play in turnovers, and it is slowing down what otherwise is a very efficient offense. Many of the turnovers vs. the Yellow Jackets also led to easy transition buckets, which is a recipe for a loss.

So how good is FSU? We take a few minutes to do a deeper dive into the team's floor and ceiling.

Finally, we tackle Boston College. They're last in the ACC, but they've dropped some close ones including a 1-point loss at Duke. Their magic formula is lots of early 3s, which can lend FSU some problems.

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FSU hoops: Clemson preview. Louisville recap

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 14:54:00 -0000

Florida State basketball is on a roll. They knocked off North Carolina State by 32, beat North Carolina, and then went to Louisville as a four point underdog and won by 13. They're not only winning, but they've covered each spread by an average of 16 pointss.

Raiquan Gray and Rayquan Evans have been playing their best basketball, and we examine them through the lens of the UL game. We talk a bit about Chris Mack and Coach Ham's success against him. And we dive into a few other interesting themes from the game.

Then we take a quick look at the ACC, and check in on how the standings are shaking out now that most teams have played at least five conference games. Florida State is in good position there to repeat.

Finally, we move on to the rematch vs Clemson. The Tigers and the Seminoles are like two ships passing in the night - FSU is playing its best basketball, while Clemson is slumping. Of course, that can all change in one game.

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FSU hoops: UNC recap, recruiting Caleb Mills, Louisville preview

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 22:16:00 -0000

In this episode of the Tomahawk Nation hoops dedicated podcast we recap the most recent wins for FSU. First there was the 32-point drubbing of NC State, and then a more modest 7-point win over North Carolina. Using the games as themes, we dive in to why FSU has been more successful after their 15-day layoff. Lots of things went well, including improved bench play which proved critical.

Next we dive in to what FSU is getting from recent transfer Caleb Mills. The team he's leaving - Houston - is a top-10 program, and Mills is arguably their most valuable player.

After a quick And-1 segment following the break, we dive in to Louisville. Will FSU continue their stellar play? Will recent success vs Louisville be the difference?

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FSU hoops: Recapping win over the Gators / previewing Georgia Tech

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 20:38:00 -0000

Saturday was a rare great day for FSU athletics. The football team won. The basketball team beat the Gators for the 7th straight time. And UF and Miami both went 0-2 in major sports and lost their football games in humiliating fashion.

2020 is almost over folks!

We begin the pod (APPLE // SPOTIFY) by talking all things Gators. We should all wish the best to Keyontae Johnson, who was hospitalized after collapsing during the game. But this is a basketball pod and we also have to talk hoops.

The ‘Noles got off to a rough start, but once they figured out how to attack offensively, the Gators were never able to respond. It also helped that FSU forced 20 turnovers and kept UF off balance for the final 28 minutes of the game. Plus there were a couple of murderous dunks from Scottie Barnes and M.J. Walker.

After the recap, we debut a new segment called 1-and-1. Matt tosses out some questions, and Michael does his best to respond.

Then it’s on to the Georgia Tech game. They finished 5th in the ACC last year, and basically returned their entire team. But early season success has been mixed. Still, they have a few talented players in Moses Wright, Michael DeVoe, and Jose Alvarado who could hurt the Seminoles.

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FSU hoops: Basketball is back! Indiana preview and UNF recap

Sun, 06 Dec 2020 15:58:00 -0000

Good news, college hoops is back! Michael Rogner and Matt Minnick celebrate by talking first impressions from FSU basketball's win over North Florida. They also talk a bit about what is happening on the national scene, Next up is a preview of the Indiana - Florida State rematch in the ACC - Big Ten Challenge. Finally, they wrap it up with a discussion about 5* incoming freshman Matthew Cleveland.

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FSU hoops: ACC Preview with Ariya Massoudi / FSU season look-ahead / Recruiting / NBA Draft

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 20:03:00 -0000

We begin this episode with special guest Ariya Massoudi, man about town, voice of FSU women's basketball, and discuss where Florida State basketball fits in to the upcoming 2020-21 ACC basketball season. After he signs off, Matt and Michael pivot to Seminoles hoops, focusing on who might be in the starting five this season, and more importantly who might be in the finishing five. Next up is the recruiting segment where we discuss the decommitment of Bryce McGowens, and how that affects the class. Finally, we briefly address the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft.

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FSU hoops: College hoops in an NBA bubble? - Lottery U - Next year's NBA draft picks - 2021 recruiting

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 23:55:00 -0000

It’s been a while since the last hoops podcast (APPLE // SPOTIFY), but real sports being on television has inspired the crew to talk some hoops. The void of sports has actually lured Michael into paying attention to the NBA, so we lead with some bubble talk - not the NCAA Tournament bubble where FSU used to find itself annually, but the NBA bubble which is providing a model for executing a full college basketball season. Obviously you can’t pack 353 Division I teams into a Disney bubble for four months, but you can take away bits and pieces to make the season work.

Next we delve into the draft now that the lottery order has been decided. The ‘Noles have never had two lottery picks in the same year, and have to go back to 1993 to have two first rounders. Now the Seminoles have a shot to be the only team in the nation with two lotto picks in the October draft.

From there we move on to the current team. Are there lotto picks on this team? 1st rounders? 2nd rounders?

To wrap it up we can’t resist looking ahead to the 2021 class. Everyone wants 2020 to be over (1* year for sure) so for fun we talk about some of those players, including the intriguing skill-sets of Bryce McGowens and John Butler.

As always please rate us 5*s on Apple to help spread the word and go ‘Noles.

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FSU hoops: David Nichols Interview - NIL - Recruiting - NBA Draft

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 13:04:00 -0000

Former FSU point guard David Nichols joins the pod for a wide ranging interview covering his time at Florida State. He also provides some great insight into upcoming NBA draft picks Devin Vassell and Patrick Williams.

Prior to the interview, we talk about the State of Florida's new name, image, likeness law which will allow players to make money off of their own name. Florida leap frogged California with their legislation, but expect a bunch more states to jump in now.

After the interview we talk recruiting, including Moussa Cisse, Matthew Cleveland, James White, and Chance Moore.

And we wrap with a discussion about the NBA Draft.

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FSU hoops: Devin Vassell and Patrick Williams go pro / Can Coach Hamilton sustain the recent success?

Sat, 28 Mar 2020 21:54:00 -0000

Despite the off-season coming much sooner than expected, there is still plenty of FSU news to go around. Devin Vassell was the first to announce that he was going pro, and soon after that Patrick Williams joined in. Technically, Williams could return, though we don't expect that to happen.

We talk about the career trajectories of those two, and compare them to recent early jumps to the NBA such as Malik Beasley, Jonathan Isaac, and Mfiondu Kabengele.

It should also be noted that this will be back to back drafts (Fi and Devin) where a non-blue chip recruit from FSU gets drafted in the 1st round of the NBA draft. While that is remarkable scouting by the Florida State staff, is it sustainable? How does it compare to Virginia's roster building, for example?

The departure of those two leaves three open scholarships on the roster. We discuss what skill sets we'd like to see recruited to FSU, and what skill sets we expect to see.

We also jump ahead to the 2020-21 season, and look at where Florida State might slot into the ACC.

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FSU hoops: Season recap, looking ahead to next year, NCAA's response

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 17:04:00 -0000

Instead of preparing for the ACC semifinals, we instead sit down to talk about the season that was. Was this FSU's best team in most of our lifetimes? How should this team be remembered? There is naturally a lot of discussion about Trent Forrest - the Seminole's senior leader - but we also discuss the differences between this year's team and last year's.

What now for Patrick Williams and Devin Vassell? What sort of feedback are they going to get from the NBA? The NCAA and the NBA have worked together in recent years to provide much better information on players making the all important decision of whether to begin their pro careers now or later, but all of that could be out the window this year. Luckily for them they play for a staff with tremendous NBA connections, so they will have as good of information as any prospects.

We look forward to next year's team, with or without Williams and Vassell, and talk about how it will differ from this year's team.

We also discuss the tough spot the NCAA is in, and how they've handled the coronavirus pandemic to date, and what that portends for future rational and informed decision making in the best interest of student athletes.

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FSU hoops: Pandemic Pod: Covid-19 and the NCAA Tournament, plus ACC Tournament preview and predictions

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:08:00 -0000

The NCAA announced this afternoon that the NCAA Tournament will be going forward, but without fans in the stands. We try and digest the news, and discuss how it impacts the tournament going forward. News has broken since this recording that the ACC Tournament has followed suit, and beginning tomorrow only essential personnel will be in attendance.

Despite all this, it still looks like the games are going to be played (though that too could change). FSU's first opponent are the Clemson Tigers, who beat Miami in their ACCT opener today. If FSU is able to get past the Tigers, then they'll get the winner of the NC State - Duke game in the semis. We talked a bit about some specific games and storylines and finished by making predictions as to whether Florida State will be playing Saturday to cut down the nets.

If this happens, we'll be back with another podcast on Saturday morning. And after that, it's on to Selection Sunday.

Go Noles.

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FSU hoops: ACC Championship edition!

Sun, 08 Mar 2020 18:33:00 -0000

Florida State basketball is your ACC regular season champion. You'll be surprised that for the 4th straight year the ACC media picked Duke to win the regular season (they haven't won since 2010), and plucky FSU was a distant fifth. But the Seminoles finish a full game ahead and win the regular season outright. We talk a bit about the Boston College game, but mostly focus on the post game atmosphere and placing this season in its proper perspective.

We make our picks for 1st and second team All-ACC, as well as coach of the year (spoiler: it's J. Leonard Hamilton). It seems that there are four solid picks for 1st Team All-ACC, and then a group of three that could be the fifth. After those top seven players, it's a pretty big drop off to the rest of the second team. We also dive into the slim history of FSU players on All-ACC teams.

We answer a couple of mailbag questions, and talk a lot about who belongs in the rafters. Where does Trent Forrest belong? If guys like Toney Douglas, Al Thornton and Terance Mann aren't in the rafters, does Forrest even stand a chance?

We close with a bit about the ACC Tournament, as well as a look at how Championship Week(s) is progressing. All those small conference tourneys have a great effect on the strength of Florida State's 1st round opponent in the big dance.

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FSU hoops: Notre Dame recap / Champs week / Boston College preview

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 03:47:00 -0000

It's March, and when you're a basketball school that means there is a lot to talk about. We begin with FSU's thrilling win over Notre Dame. MJ Walker had a stretch to remember during the 2nd half, and then of course Trent Forrest came up huge down the stretch. Prior to that, Florida State couldn't stop Notre Dame. Some of that was just getting beat on defense, and some was poor to average shooters having career nights. It's no coincidence that Prentiss Hubb and John Mooney combined to go 1-7 from deep in the 2nd half. They just aren't the bombers we saw in the first half.

Matt also throws a curve ball and without warning asks Michael to choose between Trent Forrest and Terrance Mann. We'd love to hear any takes you may have in the comments.

Couple that with ND's thin roster getting worn down, and there was the recipe for FSU's 13-point comeback in the final ten minutes.

We spend some time discussing Championship Week on ESPN. A lot of the small conferences are battling for their chance in the sun, and it's likely that FSU's first round opponent in the NCAA tourney will come from a team that wins their conference this week.

Then it's on to Boston College. Florida State will be heavily favored in this game (think 17+), but we talk about how BC could pull the upset, however remote the chances.

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FSU hoops: Clemson recap / Virginia's surge / Notre Dame preview / Games to watch

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 22:35:00 -0000

It was a frustrating 1-point loss to Clemson, and the game likely ended FSU's hopes for a national 1-seed for the NCAA Tournament. But the 'Noles still control their own destiny in the ACCT as a few hours after FSU losing in Littlejohn, Duke went to Virginia and lost. Now FSU and Louisville are atop the ACC, with Duke and Virginia one game back.

The defense was a mess vs. Clemson. Florida State did a decent top taking away the 3-ball, but while they were doing that they were losing one-on-one battles at the rim all game. Clemson ended up making 58% of their 2s, including the game winner with a second left.

The refs were also horrible on both ends, but this is college basketball and that's what NCAA thinks we deserve.

After Clemson, we talked about Virginia's resurgence. This was a preseason top-10 team, and now they're finally playing solid basketball. In fact, they have a chance to be the 1-seed in the ACCT.

Then it's on to Notre Dame. The Irish present many of the same challenges as Clemson. Hopefully it will be a different result.

We wrap with a quick rooting guide on games happening between now and Wednesday.

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FSU hoops: Clemson preview

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 02:18:00 -0000

Florida State has three games left in the season. Those three games are going to play a huge role in ACC and NCAA tournament seeding. First up is Clemson, and in this episode we catch people up on a Tigers team that we last saw in early December. Since then they've pulled off upsets of Duke and Louisville, and have only lost once at home in the new year.

We go in depth on some Clemson players - Aamir Sims in particular - and discuss the importance of guys like RayQuan Evans and Devin Vassell in the attack against Clemson.

It's a relatively short pod, and we'll be back next week as the ACCT and NCAAT pictures begin to clarify.

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FSU hoops: Louisville beatdown recap /Peak FSU / Can FSU earn a 1-seed in the NCAAT?

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 02:10:00 -0000

The second half blowout of Louisville had our heads spinning, and we spend plenty of time discussing how it all happened and who was responsible. Matt talks a bunch about the atmosphere, which was absolutely electric, and slots it into his 20+ years of experience at the Tuck. But were not here at Tomahawk Nation to only talk about all the great things. So we dove into a couple of underlying issues which you may have missed in the excitement.

We could have given long spiels about any of nine or ten guys, but in the interest of time we limit the kudos to the highlights. Go back and watch the last 22 minutes of the game if you want to see Ham ball in all its glory.

From there we naturally transition to Tiger Woods (shoutout to the Cat) and Bobby Bowden. There's actually a method to our madness, but you'll probably have to just listen to us discussing peak FSU which somehow ends with us fantasizing about Michael Snaer on this team.

We wrap things up with a discussion about potential paths to a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament. That would obviously begin with a win this weekend at Clemson. We'll be back soon with a quick Clemson preview pod.

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FSU hoops: NC State recap / NET for dummies (like us) / Louisville preview / Bryce McGowens Sardaar Calhoun

Sun, 23 Feb 2020 17:43:00 -0000

Florida State picked up an all-important Quad 1 win vs. NC State. After breaking down what went well (hello Malik Osborne and MJ Walker), what didn't (and why four guys played 20 minutes in the 2nd half), we do a deep dive on FSU's resume through a tournament filter. Want to know why Seton Hall (19-7) is competing with FSU for seeding? You get your answer. As well as how a wild Saturday on the national scene potentially shook up the standings.

Then it's back to Louisville. FSU has a huge rematch with the Cardinals, and absolutely needs to win to have a legitimate shot at the ACC regular season "title." The Cards got hot after losing at home to Florida State, but then went through a rough spell while their star Jordan Nwora struggled. But all appears back on course as they crushed North Carolina on Saturday, and Nwora had a ho-hum double-double.

At the end we briefly mention the silly stat lines being put up by players committed to FSU. Rogner gets so excited talking about it that he forgets to mention that 5* PG Kennedy Chandler begins his official visit today. If you want to know what recruiting 5*s is like, yesterday Chandler was at Kentucky who just happened to get a surprise visit from John Wall. What a coincidence!

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FSU hoops: Pitt recap / ACC and national look-in / NC State preview

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 04:05:00 -0000

There isn't a ton to talk about from the Pitt game as it played out pretty much exactly as predicted. The starters did struggle, and we discuss what that means moving forward. We also go a bit in depth on some of the stars from the bench. Patrick Williams, Dom Olejniczak, and Balsa Koprivica all had good games.

This game coupled with Duke's unexpected blowout loss at NC State created a log jam atop the ACC with FSU, Louisville, and Duke all now having three losses. We discuss the various scenarios where FSU can win the regular season "title."

Next we talk about the national scene. Where is FSU trending for seeding? What other seeds are realistic? And who to root for in the bevy of interesting games this weekend.

Finally, we tackle NC State and we have a split decision on the prediction. What do the Wolfpack do well, and how can Florida State exploit some of their weaknesses?

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FSU hoops: Mail bag / Syracuse post game / Pitt preview

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 01:25:00 -0000

It's always fun to beat Syracuse. Jim Boeheim was his usual jovial self in the post-game. Coach Hamilton remained tight-lipped about why Devin Vassell didn't play. And MJ Walker had a fat lip. Good game!

We break down how Florida State was able to pull the win despite missing their leading scorer. We range over a bunch of topics including offensive rebounding, turnovers, 3-point defense, and high level (literally) play from Patrick Williams.

Before the break we go to the mail bag! Lots of great questions from listeners, though on our cheat sheet the selfish producers failed to include the listener's name who asked the question, so you must live in Tomhawk Nation anonymity. We press them harder next time. We cover recruiting, lineups, adjustments, seeding, and the length of Coach Ham's tenure.

Finally, we go back to November and talk about what is different this time around vs. Pitt. After FSU was forced to play Pitt in the season opening ACC money grab round, the two teams now meet again, though each team is a bit altered now.

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FSU hoops: FSU basketball vs. Syracuse preview

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 02:46:00 -0000

The Orange are coming to town, with or without their best player Elijah Hughes. The junior hurt himself in warmups on Tuesday, and will likely be a gametime decision. Coach Boeheim can be as tight lipped about injuries as Leonard Hamilton, so unless Hughes doesn't travel with the team I am guessing that this is all we are going to hear.

In his absence, Syracuse lost a close game at NC State. Boeheim doesn't really trust his bench, so four players went at least 37 minutes and two played the whole game.

His son Buddy was one of the those players, and we talk about his development from last year's mediocre freshman season.

Other topics covered include how to attack the Syracuse zone and who on FSU's roster is best suited to do that; the likelihood that Syracuse will bait FSU into a 3-point shooting contest; and some historical tidbits about Ham and Boeheim.

As a bonus for all you derelicts out there, we make ACC picks for the weekend. As always, these picks are not for betting purposes, but if you'd like to share some winnings we prefer Venmo.

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FSU hoops: Duke Recap

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 15:21:00 -0000

Well, that was no fun.

We start with the elephant in the room - the refs - so feel to skip over if you want to get to what went well and what didn't (and no, we're not blaming the refs for the loss). Trent Forrest had a game which was easily one of the handful of best games of his impressive career. He passed Bob Sura on the career steals list and is now 3rd all time. He forced five turnovers against a 5* point guard. His final stat line was 18 points, 9 rebounds, 8 steals, 4 assists, and a block.

Since much of the ACC media will see FSU one time this year (tonight), then it's good chances that Trent will finally get a spot on the ACC All Defensive Team.

FSU also did a fantastic job of defending the post, and we break down how that happened from a scheme perspective.

Unfortunately, as with any loss, there were some down areas. FSU needed the big three of Forrest, Devin Vassell, and MJ Walker to have a big game, and only Trent was able to do that. Then there were the painstakingly obvious shooting woes from deep and from the stripe.

Finally, where does this leave FSU's season?

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FSU hoops: Duke preview, Miami recap, fare thee well Bud

Sat, 08 Feb 2020 22:13:00 -0000

After watching Florida State drop 99 on Miami, Matt and Michael get together to discuss how good the team played, which pretty much encapsulated the entire roster. The first half defense was terrible, but Coach Hamilton was able to make a nice adjustment to which Miami had no answer. Always a fun rivalry game when it ends with the Green Vipers making it rain.

During the Miami game, the NCAA released their initial bracket which captures the top-16 seeds. FSU was obviously in the bracket, and we discuss where they currently are, and how difficult it will be to move up to that 2-seed line.

Then it's on to Duke. FSU has a top-10 matchup on Monday night. Will FSU sell out to stop Vernon Carey, and leave guys like Tre Jones and Cassius Stanley available to go bananas? Who on FSU's roster could be primed for a big game? How much would a loss matter?

To wrap up the pod, we say farewell to our fearless leader Bud Elliot who is leaving Tomahawk Nation for his next challenge.

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FSU hoops: Virginia Tech post game, and UNC preview

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 18:12:00 -0000

Road wins are important currency on NCAA Tournament resumes, and Florida State picked up a nice one at Virginia Tech on Saturday. On the podcast we break down what went well - aside from the obvious ‘Devin Vassell goes bananas’ - and what caused a bit of alarm. We also dive in to the radio broadcast which is pushing the narrative that FSU is struggling down the stretch in games, and why that might be.

Since it is Super Bowl Sunday we at least mention the game, especially since Michael lives north of the Bay Area. Go Niners! We also found out that the overlords at SB Nation randomly pushed a Cowboys podcast onto our channel, so apologies for any confusion that may have caused for our subscribers expecting to hear something hoops related.

We wrap it up by talking North Carolina. Cole Anthony - the No. 4 overall recruit in last year’s class - is back just in time for the Florida State game. Will it be enough to the Tar Heels to rally and save their season? That rally didn’t get off to a good start, as UNC lost yesterday to Boston College.

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FSU hoops: Instant reaction to Virginia loss, look ahead to Virginia Tech

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 03:48:00 -0000

As the buzzer sounded in Virginia, Matt and Michael got together to discuss what went well and what didn't in the disappointing 61-56 loss to Virginia. After discussing the game they talk about general ineptitude of refs surrounding the block/charge call, and how it is the lowest of the low hanging fruit for the NCAA to improve college hoops for the fans. Will they do it? Haha yeah, right.

They move on from Virginia to tackle the upcoming Virginia Tech game which will be FSU's first look at the new Hokies head coach.

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FSU hoops: Notre Dame Preview, thoughts on FSU's 1st Top-5 ranking in 40+ years, Scottie Barnes impresses at the Hoophall Classic

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 03:16:00 -0000

The boys got together to talk about the upcoming Notre Dame game, which has the No. 5 FSU Seminoles playing in prime time in front of a sold out crowd. The Irish are one of the best teams in the nation at taking care of the ball, so we dive into how that could affect the game. The Irish also take and make a ton of 3-pointers.

Prior to that discussion, Matt and Michael talk about FSU's new shiny top-5 ranking in the AP Poll. What does that mean, and how should we be thinking about this team? They also list their top websites to visit for both statistical analysis and X's and O's.

Finally, 5* signee Scottie Barnes was in the news as his high school team played in the Hoophall Classic. The games were broadcast on ESPN, and though Michael isn't a huge fan of watching high school hoops on television, he took one for the team and offers his impression on this uber recruit. Barnes was also bumped up this morning at Rivals from the No. 8 player in the nation to the No. 4. We'll wait to see how that affects his composite rating at 247, but it's highly likely that he'll be the highest rated recruit at FSU in the modern era.

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FSU hoops: FSU vs. Miami post game

Sat, 18 Jan 2020 23:47:00 -0000

Take the win and go home. After a stressful 83-79 OT win, the Seminoles are now 16-2 (6-1) and tied atop the ACC.

Matt and Michael got together post game to talk about what went well and what didn't. Devin Vassell, MJ Walker, and Anthony Polite got a lot of love, while FSU's clunky offensive performance and Coach Hamilton's management of the rotation took some shots.

But the end result was that FSU won its 9th straight overtime game, and you have to go back to 2008 to find an OT game vs. an ACC opponent where FSU came up on the short end. And considering what has been happening to top-10 teams of late, stretching out that OT streak will garner the 'Noles a lot of votes in next week's AP Poll.

Now Florida State has a week off, and will be back in action next Saturday against Notre Dame.

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FSU hoops: Virginia mega preview

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 02:05:00 -0000

Matt’s on the road. Michael is sick. Clemson is beating Duke. But we don’t let these things distract us. The No. 9 Florida State basketball team is getting ready to host the defending national champion Virginia Cavaliers, and we’ve got everything you need to know about the game.

We break down Virginia’s famous pack line defense - what it is, and how to attack it. Their defense isn’t just legit, it’s battling to be statistically the best defense in decades. And the key to beating it is either Trent Forrest having a great game or avoiding it all together by generating live ball turnovers.

We talk about Mamadi Diakite and how Virginia has become a bit one dimensional on offense as opposing coaches are making other players beat them. We spend too much time talking about Kihei Clark, their diminutive point guard who had the luxury of Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome help run the point last year, and is struggling a bit without them.

And we discuss their 3-point shooting without even laughing.

The game tips at 7 PM on Wednesday from the Tuck. Give this a listen if you want ammunition to help talk smack with your friends.

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FSU hoops: Wake Forest recap, recruiting update for 5*s, All-Decade team

Sat, 11 Jan 2020 19:21:00 -0000

For episode seven of the Tomahawk Nation podcast, we started by breaking down the win at Wake Forest. After the Louisville game several things became clear that could keep Florida State’s season headed in the right direction, and we discuss which of those things the Seminoles did well vs. the Demon Deacons.

Next up the co-hosts each drafted their All-Decade teams. Matt was generous enough to give Michael the first pick and his team ended up:

Jonathan Isaac

Michael Snaer

Trent Forrest

Dwayne Bacon

Malik Beasley

Okaro White

Matt wanted an elite defensive team with enough shooting to get it done, so he ended up drafting:

Chris Singleton

Terance Mann

Derwin Kitchen

Devin Vassell

Bernard James

Devon Bookert

Somehow first round draft pick Mfiondu Kabengele was left on the board, as well as MJ Walker, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Ian Miller, Deividas Dulkys, Luke Loucks, Braian Angola, and a bunch of other talented players. Let us know in the comments how we screwed this up, or who you would have drafted.

Then we discussed some upcoming official visits from Bryce McGowans, Moussa Cisse, Kennedy Chandler, and Michael Foster. Three of those guys are top-10 players in the class of 2021.

Finally we covered games to watch. Get out there and watch some hoops, and this will help you know who to root for.

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FSU hoops: Beatdown in Louisville and Wake Forest preview

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 21:49:00 -0000

After taking a break to enjoy the holidays Matt and Michael jumped back into the studio to talk some basketball. You may not have noticed but Florida State is pretty good, and we took a few minutes to break down what happened in Louisville. No, FSU isn’t going to make 11 3s every game, but there are some great takeaways that the team can build on.

Plus there is a game tomorrow night in Winston-Salem and we talked about how Wake Forest can pull the upset. Then we gave our predictions so you can see if we think that upset is coming.

We also argued whether the 2010’s was the best decade in the history of the program, and reminisced about our favorite games (spoiler: Michael Snaer is still clutch). Finally, we took a quick tour through what you may have missed - like UNC being terrible - during the holidays.

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FSU hoops: Holiday pod extravaganza; Gifts for the FSU basketball team; Is Tony Bennett the basketball version of Jimbo Fisher?

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 19:36:00 -0000

Christmas eve is one of the only days during the season when there are no college basketball games to watch. So Michael and Matt got together to talk FSU's best lineup as well as who from the current roster will be playing in the NBA. Plus they hand out plenty of holiday gifts, debate the merits of ham (the food, not the coach), and drink a little whiskey.

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FSU hoops: South Florida post game complete with a ref rant!

Sat, 21 Dec 2019 21:00:00 -0000

The latest episode of the Tomahawk Nation podcast has Matt and Michael breaking down FSU's 66-60 comeback win against the South Florida Bulls in the Orange Bowl Classic. Matt had predicted a 65-59 win, so the two discuss how this game fit the mold of what he was expecting. They go in depth on USF's 11-0 2nd half run which included a technical foul assessed against Coach Hamilton. And they talk about why the FSU players remain calm under pressure in late game situations.

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FSU hoops: North Florida post game; Is Trent Struggling?; Recruiting; Discussion of the new players; Look ahead to South Florida

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 14:49:00 -0000

Matt and Michael break down the predictable almost-blowout of North Florida, before launching into an analysis of Trent Forrest's year to date. Since this was recorded on national signing day (for football), they talk about the exciting basketball class, as well as all the new guys on the this year's team. The episode wraps up with a look ahead to this weekend's neutral site game vs. South Florida.

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FSU hoops: Clemson Post Game; Thoughts on Mike Norvell; ACC/National Look In

Sun, 08 Dec 2019 23:24:00 -0000

Matt and Michael discuss FSU's 72-53 win over Clemson. Since new football head coach Mike Norvell was in attendance, we discuss his hire. And then look ahead to a week of hoops where FSU has no games.