The first day of NFL combine workouts will be the busiest in terms of former FSU player participation. Five Seminole defensive linemen/linebackers will take part in their on-field workouts Thursday afternoon. We'll have updates here starting at 3 p.m. and you can watch along on NFL Network.

Before then, here's a look at how NFL.com evaluates these FSU prospects' games.

There are going to be prospects in the state of Florida who have flown under the radar. We expect these guys to perform well this spring and possibly receive interest and offers from FSU.

MLB Hector Chavez - - Christopher Columbus HS- 5'11-200-He holds offers from Miami and Syracuse at this time. His size is the only drawback. This kid can flat out play. He has very good instincts. He is always around the football. We expect him to be around 225-230 pounds in college. He can get out into the flats and cover. He has the ability to come up and play the run. He is very physical on the defensive side of the football.
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DB Amari Wallace-Miami Central- 6'0-170 - There are defensive backs that will be higher on the board. I feel this is the type of kid who FSU either offers during the spring time or possibly this summer. He is not in the first tier of defensive backs in Florida but he will most likely be a four star kid who draws plenty of attention.
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DB Jett White-Miami Edison-6'1-170-Came from out of state. He committed to Maryland. FSU has put a full court press on White. He is a prospect that has the physical tools to play on the back end of the defense. He has size and length for a defensive back. Keep an eye on White as we feel FSU will start to make a move on him.
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DB-Antonio Branch-Miami Northwestern-6'2-170-Branch has not gotten much pub. He was at BTW and Ben Hanks was drawing all the looks. Branch is bigger, faster and probably more athletic. He has the tools to be an elite defensive back in college. It will be interesting to see how his recruitment goes now that he is the GUY at Northwestern.
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OT-Wilnerson Telemaque-Monsignor Pace-6'6-240-Wilnerson plays defensive end. His future is at offensive tackle. He is a legit 6'6 and will end up well over 300 pounds. He has the frame to carry the extra weight. He is a big, long, athletic kid who just needs to understand where his future is at.
Login to view embedded media LB-Dante Alexander-Miami Springs-6'2-200-In this day and age where players transfer high schools each year it is shocking that he is still at the same school. Alexander plays receiver and defensive back in high school but will play linebacker in college. He has good size. He can drop back into coverage and make plays in the passing game. I feel this is a kid who may get some nice offers this spring. At 6'2, 200 pounds and his athletic ability, Alexander would make an ideal linebacker in college.
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WR-Samari Reed-Monarch-6'3-190- Reed is an under the radar prospect. It is surprising considering the kid is close to 6'3 and can run. He has the ability to stretch the field. He holds some P5 offers but he is not a name mentioned much when it comes to recruiting. When you have both the size and athletic ability that Reed has you would think more schools would be involved with him.
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DB-Tavares Daniels-Saint Thomas-6'1-190-A name to remember this spring is Tavares Daniels. He had a very good finish to last season. He plays defensive back but it would not shock us to see him grow into a linebacker. He closes very well on the ball carrier. You can play him off the edge and rush the passer. We expect him to blow up this spring.
Login to view embedded media DB-Max Redmon-Cardinal Newman-6'3-180-Max performed very well in front of MN and the FSU staff last year at FAU football camp. He is an impressive looking athlete. There is no doubt that this kid will end up one of the premier prospects in Florida by the end of spring football.
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LB-Ty Jackson-Seminole Ridge-6'2-190-Seminole Ridge has not been known for producing elite football prospects. Jackson is about to change that. He is one of the better athletes in Palm Beach County this year. He has size and length. He is a kid that can run.
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OT-Taren Hendrick-Community School of Naples-6'5-300-Offensive lineman are not easy to find especially in the state of Florida. Taren is a prospect we could see blowing up this spring. He has good size. You will see him come off the ball and drive defenders backwards. He has good lateral quickness. He does play at a school that may not always play the best competition. That being said he does what you want lineman to do at this level and that is dominate. At one minute of the highlight you will see his athletic ability as the big man gets down the field very well.
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RB-Giard Pringle-Armwood-RB-5'10-175-Armwood has not been kind to FSU. That being said you still have to recruit their top prospects. He is a player that can run. He is a straight line back. He is very effective running between the tackles. He is someone is going to make defenders look silly in the open field. He is not at the top of my running back board but Pringle would not be a bad second back in your class.
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RB-Joseph Troupe-Berkeley Prep-RB-5'9-210-Don't take my word for it...ask Jerry. Troupe was very impressive in Berkeley Prep State title win over Norland. On third and forever to end the game, Troupe dragged the Norland defense to a first down and closed out the game. He reminds me of Ray Rice. He is not real big (5'9) but the kid is built like a tank. He has a little Devonta Freeman in him as well.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16546666/6342fd3cb023b10ad41d3df5
DE-Jesse Harrold-Robinson-6'5-220-FSU has a need for a defensive end that can rush the passer. Harold is a big, long, athletic end. You would like to see him be a little quicker off the ball but the athletic ability is there. He could also end up playing linebacker in college.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17560122/6552663f4deb230838fd8543

As a Tallahassee native and FSU baseball legacy, Drew Faurot's transfer to FSU this offseason was a homecoming in more ways than one. The sophomore infielder has immediately started carving out his own legacy as a prolific hitter in the first few games of his FSU career, starting with at least one hit in his first seven games (and counting) and multiple hits in five of his first seven games.

FSU sports information:

Florida State will play home and away games against Clemson, Louisville, and Miami, play host to Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, SMU, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech while traveling to play at Boston College, Cal, Duke, NC State, Stanford, Virginia, and Wake Forest as its 2024-25 conference opponents were announced by the ACC office.

The Seminoles play host to SMU for the second consecutive season, and travel to play at both Cal and Stanford for the first true road games in program history against the Golden Bears and the Cardinal.

Florida State has a 1-0 record against Cal as the Seminoles earned an 80-77 win over the Bears on November 29, 2008 at the Global Sports Classic in Las Vegas. The Seminoles have also faced Stanford only once with the Cardinal taking a 70-60 win at the ESPN Sports Invitational on November 25, 2022. The Seminoles’ have faced SMU with the all-time series tied a 1-1. Each of the Seminoles’ first two games in its series against SMU have been played in Tallahassee.

Florida State’s games at Cal and Stanford mark the first time the Seminoles will play in the state of California since defeating Loyola-Marymount 74-63, at the Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles on February 18, 2010.

“The addition of Cal, Stanford and SMU increases the ACC footprint and makes us a nationwide conference,” said FSU coach Leonard Hamilton. “There have never been any nights off in conference play because all of the teams have such great players and are so well coached. We are looking forward to playing each of the three new teams in our league.”

Each ACC team will play 20 games during the 2024-25 season for the sixth consecutive season.

Florida State’s 2024-25 Men’s Basketball Opponents

Home/Away: Clemson, Miami, Louisville

Home: Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Pitt, SMU, Syracuse, Virginia Tech

Away: Boston College, Cal, Duke, NC State, Stanford, Virginia, Wake Forest

Braden Fiske’s journey took him from an underrecruited prospect driving from camp to camp looking for a scholarship to Western Michigan and then Florida State, where he earned all-conference honors at each college.

Now Fiske is back in his home state, 175 miles south of Michigan City, Ind., at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. He had a pinch-me moment Tuesday night, walking around the field at Lucas Oil Stadium where he recalled watching Colts like Peyton Manning and Robert Mathis.

“I think it’s all-encompassing of just all of the work that was put in,” Fiske said. “I’m fortunate enough to have a lot of people that are coming down tomorrow to get to see me – friends, family, coaches in the past. Everyone has been reaching out and just telling me congratulations and good luck. It’s kind of surreal.”

Right here:

Wow, this is a sobering look at the last five years for FSU in the NFL draft. Tied at 47 with a grand total of 9. CMN will make a huge leap if half the folks attending the combine get drafted this year.


GO NOLES!!!

Hard to believe it was 12 years ago that he was part of FSU's team that won the ACC tournament:

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Emphasis on proposed but note the two guaranteed spots for the ACC

From Yahoo's Ross Dellenger:

One of the potential models for a new College Football Playoff may be emerging.

In a format being socialized among major conference administrators, the Big Ten and SEC would each receive three automatic qualifiers into a 14-team field, with the ACC and Big 12 getting two each and the Group of Five’s best team qualifying as well. Such a model would feature three at-large spots to the highest-ranked teams outside of the automatic qualifiers.

Those briefed on the format discussed its details with Yahoo Sports Wednesday under condition of anonymity. They cautioned that the proposed model is nowhere near finalized and is not the only format option that emerged from a meeting last week of the CFP Management Committee, an 11-member group encompassing the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director.

However, this “3-3-2-2-1” format is being socialized among athletic administrators, usually one of the initial steps in the process of adopting a model. The format would start in 2026 as part of a new CFP television contract. In 2024 and in 2025, the 12-team field’s format is set: automatic qualifiers for the five highest-ranked conference champions and seven at-large spots.

Former FSU defensive end Jared Verse talked with reporters at the NFL Combine this morning about the various ways he was developed at FSU, how he has some regrets about opting out of the Orange Bowl and much more.

FSU sports information:

The Florida State beach volleyball team will be home this weekend in its first home tournament of the season. The No. 4 Seminoles will be hosting No. 16 Georgia State, Georgia, No. 17 Stetson, No. 19 Tampa, and ULM during this weekend’s Seminole Beach Bash.

FSU began the season 3-0 after sweeping Coastal Carolina, UNF and Jacksonville at the Dolphin Duels last weekend in Jacksonville. The sweep was spearheaded by juniors Audrey Koenig and Raelyn White winning all three matches on court one, while dropping just one set all weekend.

Tampa enters the weekend 2-2 on the season, splitting the Tampa Invite with victories over No. 17 South Carolina and No. 11 FAU, while falling to 18th-ranked Arizona State and No. 12 Georgia State. The Spartans have earned their first ranking in program history.

Georgia State also enters the weekend 2-2 after defeating Tampa and South Carolina and coming up short against FAU and Arizona State in Tampa last weekend.

Stetson begins the season undefeated at 4-0, defeating Mercer, Eckerd College, Southern Miss, and FGCU in DeLand, last weekend at the Stetson Spring Fling

ULM comes to Tallahassee 3-1 after defeating UT Martin, Lindenwood, and Southwest Baptist, but losing to Missouri State last weekend at Missouri State.

The Seminoles look to continue their hot start to the season, playing at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. on Saturday, and at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday. Live Stats from each match will be available on Seminoles.com

FSU isn't necessarily mentioned with every position group but here are links to Rivals' revised rankings:

Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers / tight ends
Offensive line

Defensive line
Linebackers

Haven’t even seen any names thrown around. Thanks.

FSU sports information:

The Florida State softball team has announced that they have added three games to the schedule. Florida State will play Jacksonville on Sunday at noon at Rattler Field on the campus of Florida A&M in Tallahassee. There will be no admission and the game will not be streamed.

FSU has also added a game against Florida Gulf Coast on March 10 in Fort Myers as part of the FGCU Spring Break Classic. FSU's game on April 17 against Alabama State will now be a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.

Wow. Surprised yet not surprised at the same time.

that Notre Dame is going to Big 10, especially since they will never get a bye without conference
affliation and will be limited in getting an at-large bid. The new AD was NBC executive. Florida State
and Notre Dame seems it lifts Big 10 equal or better than the SEC

Anyone going? Weather looks bad for Friday.

FSU 90 NCS 83 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly


The Good

A fast paced entertaining contest, the victory improves FSU's record to 15-13 overall, 9-8 ACC. Coming into the game, the Seminoles had beaten NC State 5 straight games in Tallahassee and 8 of the last 10. Make that 6 straight games and 9 of the last 11. FSU led for the entire game with the exception where NC State were in front for a grand total of 31 seconds. The win also keeps FSU within one game of being tied for 4th in the conference standings.

Coming into the game, the Wolfpack were 4-8 when trailing at halftime. FSU led 41-33 at the break. As mentioned already, the 'Noles won 90-83. Make that 4-9 for the Pack.

Tempo. NCS likes to play up tempo. They lead the ACC in fast break points at 15 ppg. FSU likes to play up tempo even more so. The Seminoles won the battle of tempo outscoring NC State 18-9 in fast break points.

Tempo Part II. The pace by the 'Noles took DJ Burns completely out of the game. The 275 pound forward was held scoreless well below his 12.2 ppg taking just two shots, no rebounds, and two fouls. His only claim to fame tonight was two assists. But he barely played in the game.

Defense did a decent on on NC State's leading scorer, DJ Horne who averages 17.6 ppg, scored 15 but really had to work to get that shooting just 6 of 17.

Turnovers. NC State is 9th in the country at taking care of the ball at 9.4 turnovers per game. Tonight the Pack gave the ball away 14 times leading to 12 points for FSU. Again credit tempo as FSU sped the Wolfpack up.

FSU is now one victory away from reaching a winning record this season. The importance of that is it would avoid Leonard Hamilton having back to back losing seasons for the first time in his career.

Offense. All very positive numbers with the 'Noles shooting 60% from the floor, 36% from the arc, and 79% from the FT line. All eleven who saw time on the floor scored.

Leading the team once again was Jamir Watkins with 19 points on 8 of 11 shooting. Primo Spears added 14 as well as 6 assists (three in the final minutes) and Cameron Corhen with 11.

Plays of the game: Spears and Watkins combining to force Horner into a very tough shot right before halftime that missed its mark. Initiated by Baba Miller's save as he was sailing OB, the quick pass up the floor to Jalen Warley who had the alley oop lob to Corhen, 49-37. Chandler Jackson's fall away from the right baseline plus the foul, 57-49. The emphatic blocked shot by Taylor Bol Bowen of Horne's attempt from just left of the basket. Immediately after that, Bol Bowen grabbed the defensive rebound starting a fast break lay up by Darin Green, 64-56. Ben Middlebrook's lovely pass to the FSU fans seated courtside. Warley with the long pass to Spears on a post route who dishes to Corhen for the slam dunk. 62-54. Watkins with the rebound taking it coast to coast banking in the floater, 82-70. Spears breaks the NCS press passing to Warley and the slam, 84-75. Spears again with an assist to Watkins and the one handed slam dunk, 86-76. Miller handling the pressure and sinking two FTs with 1:10 left, 88-79. Rather than risk a turnover from an errant pass, Warley with the heads up play calling a timeout with :52 left as he was surrounded by Pack defenders after receiving the inbound pass. Horne losing the ball with 37 seconds remaining thus ending any chance of a comeback by NC State.


The Bad

Darin Green injured early in the second period. I do not believe I saw him out there the rest of the game. If he was, he did not play much and he certainly was not on the floor in the last minutes.

The more than a handful of times FSU would make a play on offense only to not get back on defense allowing the Pack to answer.

The schedule makers did not do FSU any favors with putting the start time at 9 PM. With a game that was pushing to nearly 11:30, a big hand goes to those fans that did make it to the game and stayed for the almost 2.5 hours.

OK, he makes some of his shot attempts, but I sure would like to see Spears make better use of the high screen by taking his path closer to the screener to actually rub off the defender. By not forcing the defender to decide to go over or under the screen, Primo is too often taking a contested shot.

Memo to Primo: There is playing up tempo and there is jacking up a shot way too early in the possession as was the case with the score 66-64 and taking a shot from the right wing just seconds into the possession.

The refs missing yet another goal tending call in favor of FSU. That has happened in a couple of games recently.


The Ugly

Surely (not to be confused with "and don't call me Shirley") Miller has been in the situation where a timeout was called trying to inbound the ball after a made basket and then inbounding the ball following the timeout. Surely he has to know you cannot run the baseline after the timeout. Surely the coaches mentioned that in the huddle during the timeout. And even if they didn't, a second year player in college has to have been in that situation or at least seen it before. Thankfully it did not cost FSU.

Including the above play, the mental miscues late in the game such as the fouling of Pack players that stopped the clock as was the case with Watkins fouling not once but twice. The second foul left plenty of time (1:59) for NCS to close the gap even further. Thankfully only 1 of 2 was made and FSU still led 84-76. Or the ill-advised pass by Miller to the FT line that was intercepted. Or Warley with a critical 10 second violation.


Up Next

FSU hits the road to head to Georgia Tech for a Saturday 12 PM tip. The Yellow Jackets (12-16, 5-12) have this week off but are 2-1 in their last three games having beaten Syracuse and Miami and getting blown out by Clemson. Early in January, FSU jumped out to a big first half lead eventually winning over GT, 82-71. Saturday's game will be broadcast on The Deuce.