The latest rumor circulating, which is yet unsubstantiated, is from the Greg Swaim show. While I won't dispute any possibility, I do question several of his assertiions.
He Tweeted the following:
BREAKING: As we've said for a year, #FSU and #Clemson will not get a #B1G offer, due to neither being AAU accredited. But from Vegas the talk is the #SEC has now turned the pair down. With new sponsorship the B12 p4obably won't pay quite what the other two do, but with those two they'll pay double what the #ACC does.P.S. And it won't end there. The talk is the B12 will take six from the ACC.

Between national politics and conference expansion, you may feel like you are living in the Twilight Zone.

Things I could believe:
If I were Athletic Director Michael Alford I'd be open to exploring every possibility available so it wouldn't shock me if there have been some preliminary conversations, within the boundaries of the ACC agreement he is currently operating within.

Things I question:
1. The Big 10 won't offer FSU or Clemson because they are not AAU members. If the Big 10 chooses not to offer FSU it won't be because of AAU membership. I know FSU is advancing rapidly toward AAU membership and I've heard AAU membership is not a hard and fast requirement for the BIg10.

2. I also don't agree with his statement that the Big 12 will pay double what the ACC is paying if they land Clemson and FSU. Right now the ACC is paying more than the Big 12 and if the Big 12 were to be able to pay double what the ACC is currently paying (about $40 million) that amount would be equal to what the SEC will be paying ($80 million) and I find it impossible to believe the Big 12 will get equal money to the SEC even with FSU and Clemson in the Big 12.

When I see a Tweet like this I'll research it and share my opinion on it. Hope that helps.


Big 12 showing interest in FSU and Clemson?

Updates with FSU recording back-to-back picks in the first round. It's the first time since 1995 that two Seminoles have gone in the first round (Johnson and Yocum)

FSU sports information:

Florida State’s Luke Clanton completed a stellar three-week run on the PGA Tour with a tied for 37th place finish in the ISCO Championship at the Keene Trace Golf Club. He carded a 1-under par score of 71 for a 13-under total score of 275 as he played in for the third consecutive weekend in his third consecutive PGA Tour event.

Clanton is scheduled to play in the PGA Tour’s 3M Open (TPC Twin Cities, Blaine Minn., July 25-28) and the US Amateur (Hazeltine National Colf Club, Chaska, Minn., Aug. 12-18) in the coming weeks.

Clanton averaged 67.42 strokes in 12 rounds during the Rocket Mortgage Classic, the John Deere Classic, and the ISCO Championship. He played 10 of his 12 rounds below par, 11 of his 12 rounds at par or better, and closed his three-week run with eight consecutive rounds scored below par.

Clanton got off to a great start Thursday with three birdies in his first five holes to finish with a 2-under par 70 — nine strokes behind leader Pierceson Cody and tied for 84th place.

Clanton was in tie for 35th place after the first two rounds of play with a 36-hole total of 135 (70-65). He rebounded nicely from his first round score of 2 under par 70 to post a 7 under par score of in the second round.

Clanton was in a tie for 34th place with a three round total of 204 (70-65-69) after 54 holes. His score 69 on Saturday included three birdies and one eagle.

Clanton, who will return to Florida State’s campus and to the Seminole Legacy Golf Course for start of classes and his junior year in August, played in the ISCO Championship on a sponsor’s exemption. He also has a sponsor’s exemption for the 3M Championship later this month in Minnesota.

Clanton's Recent 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 (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 (TPC Twin Cities, Blaine Minn.)

August 12-18: US Amateur (Hazeltine National Colf Club, Chaska, Minn.)

Steve Allen, Jack Paar or Johnny Carson?

1986

Jack Paar Returns to The Tonight Show | Carson Tonight Show

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Here is the link to Rivals YouTube Channel. McCutcheon is scheduled to commit at 1pm eastern.

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Florida State volleyball Head Coach Chris Poole announced the signing of three players for the upcoming 2024 season. Iane Henke, Caylan Russ and Johanna Sova will now mark five new players for a program that is hoping to build off the 2023 ACC Championship.

"We are fortunate to add three additional players this summer to give us the depth needed for a long season. All three of these young ladies have played for good volleyball programs and will bring good experience to our team," Head Coach Chris Poole said.

Iane Henke - 6-3 - Outside Hitter - Ulm, Germany - Anna Essinger Gymnasium Ulm - Cal State LA
Iane Henke looks to be a great addition to a squad that already returns its top two hitters from last year's ACC Championship team. Henke is a transfer from Cal State LA who won their first Division II National Championship this past fall. Henke shined the brightest when the lights were on as she recorded a career-high 21 kills in the National Championship Game against West Texas A&M. This season, Henke tallied 407 kills while starting all 34 matches for the Golden Eagles. Henke was a great all-around player as she led the team with 405 digs and also recorded 64.0 blocks to earn her First Team All-CCAA honors for the second consecutive season. Henke was also named to the AVCA All-America Honorable Mention. In 2022, Henke became the first player in Cal State LA history to win National Freshman of the Year honors. Henke also had great success off the court as she became just the third player in Cal State LA history to earn CSC All-America honors in 2023. Iane is the daughter of Tatjana Oravec and Stefan Henke. She hast two brothers, Jaro and Niko. Iane plans on majoring in psychology at Florida State.

From Coach Poole: "Iane played at a high level in Germany and is a very physical player. After spending two years at a Division II university, she was looking for an opportunity to play at the highest level. At 6-3, she is a great all-around player and has the skills to help us both on the right side and left side."

Caylan Russ - 5-6 - Libero - Winter Garden, Fla. - Windermere High School
One of the top liberos in the state of Florida is coming to the Capital City as Caylan Russ has signed with the Florida State volleyball team and will be on the Seminoles' 2024 squad that returns most of its top production from last year's ACC Championship squad that finished the season 23-9. Russ was a four-year letterwinner at Windermere High School and was ranked the No. 4 libero by Prep Dig in the state of Florida coming out of high school. Russ was a captain for her Windermere squad in 2023. During her senior season, she recorded 468 digs in 81 sets while serving 48 aces with just 23 service errors on the season. Prior to her senior year, she was invited to the Under Armor National Prospect Camp and also earned Honorable Mention honors from Prepvolleyball.com. In 2021, Russ helped Windermere to a terrific season where they finished the year as district champions, regional champions and state runners-up. Russ plans on majoring in biological science at Florida State. Caylan is the daughter of Chris and Sasha Russ and she has three siblings - Taliyah, Jaydyn and Kendall. Her dad, Chris, played football at South Carolina State. Her cousin is former Florida State wide receiver Kenny Shaw who was a member of the 2013 National Championship team.

From Coach Poole: "Caylan will add to our libero position for passing and defense. She is very athletic and has played for one of the top club programs in the country."

Johanna Sova - 6-5 - Middle Blocker - Tallinn, Estonia - Gustav Adolf Grammar School
Johanna Sova is going to add some great depth to a talented offensive room for the 2024 FSU volleyball team. Sova is currently a member of the Estonian National Team and was a three-time Estonian Championship winner and also was a member of the Estonian National U19 and U21 teams. She is the daughter of Elo and Vahur Sova and she plans on majoring in special education.

From Coach Poole: "Johanna is 6-5 and has a long reach and arm span. She has gained experience playing for the Estonia National Team and will be counted on to give us depth in the middle blocker position."

Simmons passed away at home at the age of 76. The cause of death has not yet been released, if determined.

The New Orleans native transferred into FSU after attending the University of Louisianna. I have been unable to find the years he attended FSU but I assume he graduated in 1969 or 70 based on his age. If any of you know, please share.

He wrote the following about his time at FSU on his Facebook account.

Richard Simmons​

Part 2
I liked USL. But, I wanted more. I called Uncle Milton and asked him to send me to a better college. We chose Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.
Before you knew it, he sent me the money. What a massive campus! I decided to major in fashion illustration and graphic design.
I stayed in an experimental building called Cash Hall. Very appropriate. Two sides were for the men and the other two sides were for the women. There were separate elevators to take you to your floor.
One lady that I met was named Becky Slack. She became my best friend. I am still in contact with her with her and she has been a librarian for decades.
I went upstairs to my dorm room and said hello to my roommate then I went downstairs to have lunch. When I went back to my room, there was yellow caution tape across the door.
The policeman told me I could not go back in there. While at lunch, my roommate put a plastic bag over his head and put tape around his neck. He died.
I was so shaken, I asked to be moved to a different room. I had nightmares for weeks.
There was a lady who saved me. Her name was Gabrielle Dempsey. She was my art teacher and was married to a very smart man named Bruce.
Gabrielle told me that I had some talent and helped me put together a portfolio of my work. FSU had an exchange program. You could go to France, Germany, or Italy. I chose Italy.
The plane landed in Pisa. The Florence airport was not yet built. Then we took a bus to Florence. There were students from all over the country who stayed in an old mansion …Villa Fabbricotti.
There were about 30 of us. During meals, we had to speak Italian. You had to learn the language quickly or you would starve. What can I say about Florence, Italy…I sketched Michelangelo’s David.
I could not believe my eyes. There were so many piazzas. I would walk on the Pontiveccio…a bridge that was packed with shops. We only went to school 4 days a week and for the rest of the week we would hitchhike to different cities. Back then it was safe.
I hitchhiked with Mindy Goodfriend. She was almost six feet tall and had beautiful legs….and wore cut off jeans. We would walk to the Autostrada. We would put out our thumbs and I could not tell you how many cars stopped.
The drivers would all ask the same question, “Hai fame?” We would say yes. They would pull off to a restaurant and we would lunch on pizza and sandwiches. Then after our trips, we would return back to the Villa.
For an hour a day I sketched. I used a pen called a rapidograph. You would take it to the ink well and fill it up. Mine always got stuck and I would shake it.
One day when I was shaking it near my chest I stabbed myself. The other students heard me scream and came to my room. I still have the little red scar on my chest…
After my time was up, I went back to FSU. And with my portfolio in hand, I went back to New Orleans.
Love,
Richard

A quick roundup here of mock drafts and where James Tibbs and Cam Smith are projected.

The MLB Draft begins on Sunday at 7 p.m. (ESPN and MLB Network)

Hope I am wrong but I put a future cast in for usc.

I don't know what you call them officially, but recently there have been several places that have opened around us that are large warehouses with trampolines set up. My niece had her birthday at one yesterday. I had the best time. The had a dodge ball court set and we (the adults) there played for over an hour. Today, I can't move because my legs and back are so sore...but highly recommend it if you have one in your city.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...RcENQDqAgsVQhjh2iifC5hqebjkOa7y_TO5_mrwlE3jWs

I will be out of pocket for the next few days. Recruiting has slowed a bit. Daylan McCutcheon is going to pull the trigger and this one came down to FSU vs. USC. It looks like the Trojans will be his likely destination. After a hot start to the summer recruiting the last couple of weeks have put a damper on things. I put a prediction this morning for the Trojans. Pat and I believe Nick like FSU in this race. Things are fluid in these situations and I rather be wrong and FSU get their 2nd receiver in this class.


WR recruiting - After pulling in a ton of receivers in last year’s class and landing CJ Wiley that FSU is still in a position of strength. They are looking at Kaliq Lockett from Texas. They are still recruiting Vernell Brown from Orlando Jones, Dallas Wilson from Tampa Bay Tech (Oregon Commit), Malik Clark (Rock Hill HS-South Carolina). I could see them going after Naeshaun Montgomery from Miami Central who performed well at camps this off-season. Joshua Moore while committed to UF will still be recruited hard. Any player committed to UF right now is flimsy at best. Landing Wiley was huge as it allows FSU to pick and choose who to go after. I am not concerned at this point.

OT- Josh Petty - Still hearing good news on the Petty front. Landing Petty gives FSU three legit lineman. Petty is a tackle prospect and a good one. He is one of the top targets left on FSU board. I am close to putting a future cast in for Petty.

DE-Jared Smith - It looks like Smith is leaning towards Auburn. This is a bit disappointing as now both Smith and Grady look to be off the table. Part of the reason FSU passed on Nick Clayton is that one of Smith or Grady was expected in the class. I would not be shocked to see FSU go after Clayton again. I am a big fan of Clayton and felt FSU should have taken his commitment to start with. You can always go after Grady and see if you can flip him from Ohio State.

DT- with Myron Charles and Kevin Wynn committed FSU is in great position with DT's. I still expect them to go after Jalen Wiggins and Jeremiah McCloud. Former FSU recruit Jarquez Carter from Newberry in Gainesville is most likely going to end up in Ohio State class. FSU is still recruiting Justus Terry. May as well take a shot and see what happens. Terry is the top DT target on the board.

LB-FSU has Ethan Pritchard committed. I would expect them to continue to recruit Tavion Wallace. Been told that there is still communications going between FSU and Wallace. This is one of those situations that you have to see how the 2024 season goes. My prediction is that Wallace comes around and chooses FSU in the end. TJ Alford - All I can tell you is FSU has someone in their corner with TJ. My source close to TJ has told me that he feels FSU has a very good shot at flipping him. TY Jackson is supposed to take an official to FSU in November. His mother went to FSU. Their family is an FSU family. I still feel like FSU will pull in at least one more LB recruit if not two.....This is a marathon not a sprint.

RB-Ousmane Kromah is going to commit before the season. As we have stated for a while now, Kromah is down to UGA and FSU. AU could slip in there but they already have a commitment from Alvin Henderson. Kromah is a big time target for FSU. If he pulls the trigger for UGA that pretty much means Byron Louis ends up in FSU class. I still feel confident that Louis ends up in FSU class if Kromah picks the Noles. FSU could sign two studs this year at RB.


DB- Over the past couple of seasons FSU has done well with DB recruiting. Jaboree Antoine from Louisiana is down to FSU and Miami. It looked like the Hurricanes had the momentum but now FSU may have taken the lead. He would be another great addition to FSU class. FSU is recruiting Ben Hanks but we expect him to choose either Miami or UF. Onis Konanbanny is down to FSU and Tennessee. Keep an eye on his recruitment. I like where FSU sits with Bryce Fitzgerald. I almost put a future cast in for FSU. Columbus is a Miami school but this one right now is FSU/UF. Ladarian Clardy is another prospect FSU has a shot at. He is looking at Ole Miss and FSU. The odds are FSU lands one of these guys at some point.

Final Thoughts: Recruiting has changed...that being said I feel that if Seminoles fans are patient this class will end up with around 19-20 very good players. With their average ranking being amongst the best this class can still end up in the top 10. Just have to ride this thing out. UF and Arkansas success or failures on the field this year will have a major impact on FSU class.

Looking for 5 together hopefully, but can parse our seating if required. Not much left on ticket master or FSU offerings....

I'm pleasantly surprised:

On Wednesday, Florida State gave the media access to four newcomers who each exhibited the qualities we've become accustomed to seeing in Mike Norvell recruited players. OL Jacob Rizy, a Harvard graduate, RB Micahi Danzi, DB Ricky Knight III and WR Elijah Moore were comfortable at the podium, answered questions thoughtfully and thanked the media afterwards for their time and interest.
[/UPSELL]
After the interviews Bob and I spent some time with Ryals Lee, who works in athletics, about the quality of the people who are attracted to FSU and he verified our instinct about the type of person Norvell is bringing in. Ryals was a photographer for the Osceola 40 years ago so we have a similar reference point.
With no disrespect to the freshmen back then, it certainly appears to me that the prospects we are interviewing each week are more comfortable with the media today than they were four decades ago. Maybe its due to all the media they are exposed to in high school today and with all the 7 on 7 camps and other recruiting exposure. Maybe its because we are seeing more kids whose parents attended college and have helped to prepare them, many of whom themselves had a collegiate athletic experience.
I'm not sure why these kids are so well prepared but we thought you might take some pride and satisfaction in knowing the quality of people choosing to play for your university.

What is your thoughts on how this season will go? Do we go back-to-back or come up short?

Also, UNC had a mass exodus. What are your thoughts on their program right now?

FSU adds a commitment from Ole Miss freshman LHP Wes Mendes. He was ranked 93rd by Perfect Game coming out of Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit:

Some good nuggets on various prospects. Included is a California WR, Israel Briggs, who is gaining attention from FSU, UF, Texas A&M, Cal:

FSU sports information:

Former Florida State soccer player Emily Sams (Madril) has been added to the 22-person roster for the United States Women’s National Team in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics as an alternate. She joins Casey Krueger (Short) and Jenna Nighswonger as former Seminoles representing the USWNT in Paris, the first time three Seminoles will represent the United States in women’s soccer.

Sams played three seasons over five years at Florida State with 62 appearances and 61 starts, scoring six goals with seven assists for 19 career points as a midfielder and defender. She earned United States Coaches All-American honors in 2020 and 2021 while being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.

The defender played a season with BK Häcken in Sweden before being drafted third overall by the Orlando Pride in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Through two seasons, she has made over 35 appearances on the Orlando backline and held 14 clean sheets for a 40% clean sheet percentage in games played. Orlando is currently top of the table in the NWSL with 38 points after 16 matches with no losses through the season up to this point. The Pride currently hold the longest unbeaten stretch in NWSL history at 17 matches.

Sams has yet to make her United States Women’s National Team debut but was invited to the pre-olympic training camp.

The United States will begin its Olympic journey on July 25 against Zambia at 3 p.m. ET.

FSU sports information:

Nine five-time honorees – Vic Allen (Women’s Tennis), Cole Anderson (Men’s Golf), Maddie Anderson (Beach Volleyball), Ryan Fitzgerald (Football), Devyn Flaherty, Kaley Mudge, Emma Wilson (Softball), Rachel Johnson (Women’s Cross Country), and Peter Varjasi (Men’s Swimming) – are among the 289 Seminole student-athletes named to the 2024 ACC Academic Honor Roll released by the conference office.

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You knew it would come and now it has. Oregon has asked for the case to be thrown out. Will it?
First Title IX lawsuit regarding NIL

Let’s assume I am not biased in favor of Florida State, though I am. Strongly so.

Let’s also assume I have no bone to pick with the University of Florida. which I don’t.

I’d prefer that UF won every game of their season except one, and I would want FSU to be the team that beat them. It’s a win-win for both teams in what otherwise is a zero-sum game. Someone’s got to lose on any given Saturday, and I prefer it not be FSU. Plus, it helps FSU to beat a great Florida team and not a weak one. The greatness of any team is measured by the greatness of its opponent. That observation should not be debatable. Beyond that, I don’t pull against any team. I only pull for my own.

Now to my point:

In 1996, undefeated UF lost to undefeated Nebraska 62-24 in the Fiesta Bowl.

In 2003, undefeated FSU lost to a one-loss Georgia team 63-3 in the Orange Bowl.

Which losing team got the worst of it that day, FSU or UF? I’d say, neither one. On any given night, things happen, some predictable, some not.

Consider the following:

In 1996, UF had a Heisman winning quarterback and a great passer. They had two of the country’s best wide receivers, each of whom was a consensus All-American. They had just won four consecutive SEC Championships, and the next year they won their first National Championship with a 52-20 rout of FSU in the Orange Bowl. Plus, they had an established coach of national renown. Many experts picked UF to win the game against Nebraska, if only for UF's great quarterback, Danny Wuerffel, their overall team speed, their high-scoring offense and their tenacious defense, along with a brilliant head coach.

Coming into the game, Nebraska was ranked #1 and Florida was ranked #2. I do not know of any consequential players on the UF team who transferred to another school prior to the game or by-passed the game to protect their NFL draft status. Nor did Nebraska. So let’s call it even in that regard. Yet, at game’s end, Nebraska had scored 62 points, and UF only 24. Both teams had their regular starting lineup on the field.

In 2023, FSU had to face an undefeated Georgia team with a pure freshman quarterback who had little college game experience, the first and second string QBs having gone down to injury late in the season. Regarding the various opt-outs for the game, either to the transfer portal or the NFL draft, both teams had similar numbers, but that’s where the comparisons end. Georgia won easily, 63 to 3. To my knowledge, Georgia didn’t lose any of its first team players on either side of the ball. They stayed because they wanted the “W” and their improved draft status. Kudos to them. From their point of view, they were still in the game. I understand that.

Unfortunately, FSU lost its most valuable starters, including its #1 and #2 wide receivers, its #1 defensive end and several other defensive starters, plus key backups. FSU still had what appears to be a potentially great head coach, but he now was coaching raw talent. And Georgia had a treasure-trove of proven talent and depth that FSU lacked. Kudos again to Georgia. They waited decades for such a roster. Alternatively, FSU’s all-stars saw nothing to be gained by risking their future on a pointless game. So they acted in their own self-interest, as most of us do on a daily basis. After the opt-out smoke cleared, the gulf between Georgia and FSU only widened in Georgia’s favor. All the experts could see it. So could Georgia and FSU fans.

Some of you readers may want to add to this comparison, or else correct any misrepresentations I might have made, but I will return to my original question:


I would only say, “Who cares?” The facts are what they are. Both losing teams played their best, as most teams do, but maybe “it just ain’t your day,” for whatever reasons.

Just remember to keep the game in perspective and ignore the ignorant.

FSU is on the rise. Doubt it if you will, but you will be mistaken. Norvelle, his staff and his team will prove you wrong. They are Seminoles, the only unconquered tribe. Bobby Bowden taught us that much. He ate big gators for lunch.

We were at like 87 last I remember and we added more transfers since then? So we have to process a few guys this fall? Or were some of those transfers PWOs? Will we ever get some official info on this?

On Wednesday, Florida State gave the media access to four newcomers who each exhibited the qualities we've become accustomed to seeing in Mike Norvell recruited players. OL Jacob Rizy, a Harvard graduate, RB Micahi Danzi, DB Ricky Knight III and WR Elijah Moore were comfortable at the podium, answered questions thoughtfully and thanked the media afterwards for their time and interest. After the interviews Bob and I spent some time with Ryals Lee, who works in athletics, about the quality of the people who are attracted to FSU and he verified our instinct about the type of person Norvell has been bringing in.
Ryals was a photographer for the Osceola 40 years ago so we have a similar reference point.
With no disrespect to the freshmen back then, it certainly appears to me that the prospects we are interviewing each week are more comfortable with the media today than they were four decades ago. I don't know if this is a national trend among prospects or whether Mike is laser focused on these qualities but every kid we've interviewed the last couple years looks you in the eye and represents themselves and their family well.
Maybe its due to all the media prospects today are exposed to in high school, with social media, and with all the 7 on 7 camps and other recruiting exposure. Maybe its because we are seeing more kids whose parents attended college and have helped to prepare them, many of those parents themselves with a collegiate athletic experience.
I'm not sure why these kids are so well prepared but we thought you might take some pride and satisfaction in knowing the quality of people choosing to play for your university.