As Josh Petty's commitment date nears there is a lot of talk about Georgia Tech making a late surge to take the lead in his recruitment. There are five total FutureCast in the Rivals Network for Petty. Three of those as of right now have Petty committing to the Seminoles.

That number used to be four, but Rivals National Analyst Sam Spiegelman has flipped his prediction to Georgia Tech. Of the two other national recruiting service sites, one has two predictions both for GT, while the other has three predictions with one to FSU and two to GT.

There have been rumors that GT has gone "all in" on Petty and earlier this week there was a rumor that Ohio State was making a late push for the offensive tackle.

According to one source inside the Rivals network GT has made a big push from an NIL standpoint and his family would like him to stay close to home. That same source said that of last weekend Petty was leaning toward FSU and heading into this weekend he is leaning towards GT.

Petty took unofficial visits to GT and FSU during the last weekend in July. He has a sister that will be a freshman at FSU this year.

Either way Petty seems ready to get to his commitment date. Petty spoke with GT Rivals site earlier this week and here are a couple of quotes from that article.

"To be honest, I'm beyond excited,” said Petty after Fellowship Christian’s practice on Thursday evening. “It's hard to describe my feelings almost. I've been wanting this moment since I was a kid. I said it over and over again that I wanted to be in the position I'm in, and it blew up beyond expectation to be honest. I was shocked at how this recruitment came and how blessed I was in this opportunity in this field of football. Yeah, it's just a little bit of everything right now. I've got butterflies running through me. I've got everything.


"I'm ready to check it off the box big time,” added Petty. “Yeah, I've been waiting to do this for God knows how long. Just being able to check that box and tell the other coaches that I'm thankful they recruited me but this is what is happening now. Being able to announce the decision and get everything off my chest will be really good."

From his comments he seems to have made a decision already but with three days left this could go back and forth a couple of times.

Recruiting is always fluid but seems more so than ever with the NIL.

A look at all the five-stars now in the 2025 class:

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First impressions: Jerry Kutz and Patrick Burnham on Day 15 of FSU's camp, GT prep begins, Kevin Knowles' big day and more

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FSU sports information:

Redshirt junior defensive linemen Joshua Farmer and Patrick Payton were named to the Bednarik Award Watch List on Monday afternoon. The award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the outstanding defensive player, will honor its 30th recipient this season.

Farmer, from Port St. Joe, recorded 32 tackles, including 7.0 for loss with 5.0 sacks, two quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and one forced fumble over 13 starts in 2023. The redshirt junior earned second-team All-ACC recognition and was named FSU’s Most Improved Defensive Player last season.

Farmer recorded a career-high five tackles at Clemson, with 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks in FSU’s 31-24 overtime victory. He added five tackles in the regular season finale at Florida, a 24-15 FSU win. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Farmer had 15 tackles and 2.0 sacks while leading all ACC freshman with 6.0 tackles for loss.

Payton, a Miami native, started all 14 games in 2023 and recorded 44 tackles, including a team-high 14.5 for loss with 7.0 sacks, 10 pass breakups, seven quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. The 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and 2023 All-ACC honorable mention, Payton’s 10 pass breakups were the most by an ACC defensive lineman since 2016 and tied for fourth overall in the conference in 2023, while his 14.5 tackles for loss ranked sixth in the conference.

Payton tied his career-high with seven tackles, including 2.0 for loss with 1.0 sack, and added two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup in the ACC Championship Game victory over No. 14 Louisville. He posted a career-best 2.0 sacks in wins over Florida and Wake Forest, and his 3.0 tackles for loss against the Demon Deacons was a career-high total. In the win at Clemson, he registered three solo tackles, including 1.0 sack and two pass breakups, the second which deflected a fourth-down pass in overtime to clinch the victory.

Farmer is also on the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) and Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player) watch lists.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced November 12 and three finalists will be unveiled November 26, with the winner named during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 12.

Florida State, the defending ACC Champions, will open the season August 24 at 12:00 p.m. ET in Dublin, Ireland, for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic against Georgia Tech on ESPN.

Preseason Watch Lists
Bednarik Award – best defensive player – DL Joshua Farmer & DL Patrick Payton
Mackey Award – best tight end – TE Kyle Morlock
Rimington Trophy – best center – OL Maurice Smith
Davey O’Brien Award – best quarterback – QB DJ Uiagalelei
Walter Camp Player of the Year – QB DJ Uiagalelei
Lou Groza Award – best placekicker – K Ryan Fitzgerald
Ray Guy Award – best punter – P Alex Mastromanno
Wuerffel Trophy – community service – OL Maurice Smith
Thorpe Award – best defensive back – DB Shyheim Brown
Nagurski Trophy – best defensive player – DL Joshua Farmer
Outland Trophy – best interior lineman – DL Joshua Farmer & OL Darius Washington
Maxwell Award – best player – QB DJ Uiagalelei

Looks similar to the Coaches'...

He talks being a new five-star, his FSU commitment and more:

https://youtu.be/NO_PmT1KFiU

The latest in this week's Rumor Mill:

FSU sports information:

Florida State junior All-American Luke Clanton earned his third top-10 PGA Tour finish of the summer of 2024 as he finished in fifth place in the Wyndham Championship at the Sedgefield Country Club. He totaled scores of 67-68-62-69 for a four-round total of 266 (-14). His 5th place finish marked his third top-10 PGA Tour finish of the season with a T2 finish at the John Deere Classic and a T10 finish at the PGA Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Clanton is the first player since Jack Nicklaus in 1961 to record three top-10 finishes in the same season as an amateur on the PGA Tour.

Making Clanton’s finish most incredible was the fact that he played 39 holes on the final day of competition (Sunday) – three holes to complete his second round, 18 holes to complete his third round, and 18 more holes to play his final round – after much of the first two days of the championship were moved because of the remnants of Hurricane Debby in the Greensboro area.

“It’s awesome being out here,” Clanton told a national audience on CBS following his final round. “To understand that I’m out here playing on the PGA Tour, and playing against the best players in the world, is pretty sweet. I played really well this week; I couldn’t make a few putts coming down the stretch. But again, I think it’s that confidence builder for me knowing that I can compete out here. It’s awesome.”

Clanton stood 13 under through his first three rounds (and 54 holes), trailing Matt Kuchar by one stroke while Kuchar had six holes remaining in his third round.

Clanton fired an 8-under 62 in his third round and was tied for the lead at 13 under when he headed back out for his final 18 holes.

Clanton has made five cuts in six PGA Tour starts this summer and has remained steadfast in his desire to return to Florida State to help the Seminoles chase an NCAA Championship. Clanton shot his 8-under 62, his third round of 63 or better, the most of any player on the PGA Tour since he made his debut at the U.S. Open in June. Clanton’s score of 62 ranks as his lowest single-round score of his summer in a PGA Tour event.

“Winning out here (on the PGA Tour) is really hard,” said Clanton. “You’ve got to be near-perfect. I think the biggest thing for me is just learning, understanding more and more. I’m 20-years old and I still am an amateur. I’m still learning every single day I step out here. Today was a big learning experience – 39 holes in one day, a 4:50 wake-up – that’s definitely a first for me. If I keep learning week-by-week, and hopefully keep connecting the dots, it might come soon.”

Clanton had a share of the lead as he played the 11th hole, his second hole of his final round, when Kuchar made bogey at 14 in his third round.

Following his play at the Wyndham, Clanton – the No. 3 ranked amateur in the World Amateur Golf Rankings – boarded a plane and flew to play at the 124th U.S. Amateur Championship at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. With a 3:09 (ET) tee time on Monday, his will play in a dynamic trio that includes the No. 1 (Gordon Sargent), No. 2 (Jackson Koivun), and No. 3 (Clanton) ranked amateur players in the world.

“I’m pretty excited to go to the U.S. Am,” said Clanton. “It’s one of my most favorite events of the year. Hopefully I’ll go out there and compete.”

Clanton will be joined by five of his current Seminole teammates at the U.S. Am – Gray Albright, Jack Bigham, Andrew McLauchlan, Michael Mayes, and Tyler Weaver.

By making the cut at the Wyndham and finishing in the top-10, Clanton has now earned 13 PGA Tour University points. Collegiate players who earn 20 PGA Tour University points can take up PGA Tour membership at the conclusion of their next academic year. Clanton begins his junior season at Florida State on August 26.

Clanton's Summer Results/Upcoming Schedule

June 13-16: US Open (T41, 76-69-69-74=288; 2nd Lowest Amateur; One of two amateurs in the top 50)
June 27-30: PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic (T10, 69-68-75-72=274; Low Amateur; Only Amateur in the top 40)
July 4-7: PGA Tour John Deere Classic (T2, 63-67-67-63=260; Low Amateur)
July 11-14: PGA Tour ISCO Championship (T37, 70-65-69-71=275; Low Amateur)
July 25-28: PGA Tour 3M Open (71-72=143; MC)
August 8-11: PGA Tour Wyndham Championship (5, 68-67-62-69=266; Low Amateur)
August 12-18: US Amateur (Hazeltine National Colf Club, Chaska, Minn.)

Ron Dugans has seen what everyone who has watched FSU this preseason has seen from the wide receiver room.Some moments of brilliance and serious speed amongst too many mistakes.

"We've made some really good plays, but we've left some out there also."

Anyone know how soon it will open?

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Jaboo had some moves!

After months of discussion, we're only a few weeks away from finding out how DJ Uiagalelei fills the big shoes of being Jordan Travis' successor as FSU's starting quarterback.

It's clear in the interim that DJ is comfortable running FSU's offense and the coaches are confident in his abilities.

Tallahassee Democrat Sports Editor Jim Henry, who was once an Osceola editor, ran this story about the demolition of Burt Reynolds Hall.
Lots of great memories in that building, which at the time was state of the art among football dormitories.

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The coaches by mutual decision didn't keep stats or put out video. There was no TV or stream.

FSU led 5-1 at the half - scoring four straight goals to open the game - and won 5-2.

FSU's goal scorers: Solai Washington, Heather Gilchrist, Jordynn Dudley, Mimi Van Zanten and Wrianna Hudson.

Addie Todd started in goal but all three keepers got some time on the field.

FSU opens at South Florida on Thursday/Aug. 15.

Former FSU backup Rodney Hill appears to be 3rd or 4th running back at Arkansas. Arkansas Democrat Gazette quoted Hill on 8/11/24: "...my parents were running my money ... my parents got a bad agent and he was texting other schools like he was me, so when that got back to the head coach I had to leave Florida State ... I wasn't trying to leave, so I just had to and the portal was closing up. Florida A&M was next door, so I just had to go there for a month".

Not sure how to post them here but I got them a few hours ago. Credit to Matt Baker. I know many don’t like him. I’ve gotten to know him a little through this and he’s a good dude. Smart and trying to push the right issues. Anyway, I want to not take credit even though I know they’re all over.

Anyway, I’ll upload if someone can tell me how. I sent the docs to Jerry so he has them.

I want to be clear. I defended the records case and moody. I hope I still can but I’m not sure. The docs are ridiculously redacted. There’s really no point in reviewing them if you want to really analyze the issues.

This is a giant middle finger FU from the ACC to our AG and the entire population of Florida. If she doesn’t push back, this was an embarrassing stunt and I apologize for suggesting it may be anything else.

FSU held its second preseason scrimmage this morning.

Some younger players again took advantage of a larger rep count, Ja'Khi Douglas flashed after a rocky camp and Mike Norvell said his team is in "pretty good shape" health-wise two weeks out from GT.
https://t.co/1qzE54Q6fO

Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger, and Emily Sams helped the United States win the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games on Saturday by defeating Brazil 1-0. The win marks the first time former Seminoles have claimed a major international championship with Team USA.

Krueger, Nighswonger, and Sams bring home the second straight Olympic gold for the Seminoles after Gabby Carle was a part of Canada's winning team in 2020.

The three defenders are the first gold medalists for the Seminoles at the 2024 Olympics and become just the sixth group to claim gold for Florida State.

Krueger becomes the first Seminole to claim multiple medals at the Olympics after earning bronze in the 2020 edition. Nighswonger and Sams earned their first Olympic medals.

Krueger appeared in all six matches while Nighswonger made five appearances throughout the tournament. The two defenders helped keep clean sheets over Zambia, Japan, and Germany while Krueger held the shutout in the final match over Brazil. The Seminoles conceded only one goal while on the pitch for the United States.

The United States claimed its fifth Olympic gold in the women’s football tournament, its first since 2012. The U.S. won all six of its matches for only the second time in team history. The Stars and Stripes tied its tournament best of 12 goals and conceded only two goals, the fewest in the nation’s history in the competition.

FSU sports information:

Florida State All-American Morgane Metraux finished in a tie for 18th place with a four-round score of 2-under par 286 as play in the 2024 Olympic Women’s Golf Tournament at Le National Golf Course concluded. She finished as one of 24 players in the 60-player field to play under par golf for the four-round, 72-hole championship as she made her Olympic debut.

Metraux was the third player in school history to play in the Olympics and is the second player in school history to earn a top-20 finish in Olympic competition. Seminole All-American Matilda Castren finished in 10th place at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic games.

Lydia Ko of New Zealand won the gold medal, Esther Henseleit of Germany won the silver medal, and Xiyu Lin of China was awarded the bronze medal.

“I had an amazing experience,” said Metraux of her time in Paris. “It's unlike any other event I've ever played. To be able to represent your country on such a stage is incredible and have so many supporters here for me cheering my name, cheering for their country, it's been incredible.”

Metraux earned the incredible experience of playing in the final group of golfers on the final day of the championship.

“It's where you want to be. There's no better place to play golf on such a stage than the final group. The emotions are high when you play in a setting like this. Honestly I had fun. Today was a great experience and I'll draw a lot on it.”

The best surprise of the final day of competition came as her sister, Kim, arrived in Paris on the morning on the final round.

“Yes, that surprised me,” said Metraux. “It was fun. I didn't expect it at all, and apparently my whole family and friends knew all about it. They hid it really well from me. It was cool to just see her come on the range this morning.”