Update from Rivals on four-star PG Jerry Easter. No FSU visit set yet

I hope all of you Tallahassee folks are okay.

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The No.17/ NR Florida State outdoor track and field teams were led by Jeremiah Davis and Jordan Turner on the second day of the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championship at the George C. Griffin Track in Atlanta.

Three Seminoles finished in the top eight in the men’s field events, led by Jeremiah Davis who defended his title, winning with a season best of 7.97m in the long jump. Jordan Turner followed at 7.90m reaching the podium for bronze. Curtis Williams placed fourth with a season best of 7.81m.

Kyvon Tatham followed in 11th at 7.35m.

“The highlight of the day was the 1-2-4 finish in the men’s long jump,” said FSU track and field head coach Bob Braman. “All three had jumps that would nationally qualify at (NCAA) Regions in two weeks, so that group is in fantastic position.”

British Wilkerson finished fifth in the preliminary 400-meter, clocking a time 46.78, advancing to Saturday’s final. Alex Collier rounded out the event at 48.23, placing 15th.

Ismael Kone won the men’s 100 preliminary at 10.27. Kone will race in the final of the 100 and 200 on Saturday.

“Ismael has found his groove at just the right time,” added Braman. “He’s been dominate for two days in the sprints and British did really well in the 400.”

Tyson Williams and Anderw Korbamacher moved on to the final of the 110-meter hurdles in first and second place. Williams will be the top seed at 13.76, followed by Korbamacher (13.87).

Zach Trotter competed in the 800, placing 36th with a time of 1:53.92.

The men’s team currently sits in seventh place with a total of 23 points from the long jump.

The Noles placed three runners in the women’s 100-meter finals, led by Dajaz DeFrand who secured the top spot with a time of 11.23. DeFrand will compete in the 100 and 200 finals as the top seed on Saturday.

Liana Tyson placed third with a lifetime best of 11.39. Kaniya Johnson followed Tyson in fourth, striding with a personal best of 11.42. Johnson will also compete in the 200 final alongside DeFrand.

Alexandra Webster will be the second seed in the 100 hurdles, qualifying with a time of 13.16.

“Women’s sprints dominated the 100 prelims with a huge lifetime best for Liana and Kaniya,” said Braman. “Alexandra had a really easy heat win the 100 hurdles.”

Kaelyaah Liburd competed in the women’s 400, placing 11th with a time of 54.36.

Tori Carroll competed in the long jump, placing 10th with a mark of 5.89m. Skyler Reynolds concluded the event in 13th at 5.72m.

Jaden Francis placed 24th in the 800, establishing a time of 2:12.76.

The Seminoles will have a combined total of 14 performances in finals on Saturday.

The final day of ACC action will start the men’s triple jump at 2:30 p.m., followed by the men’s discus at 5:00 p.m.

All sessions will air on the ACC Network Extra and live timing will be available on flash results.

ACC Finals Schedule
2:30 PM – men’s triple jump-Laquan Ellis, Kyvon Tatham, Jayden Louis-Charles
5: 00 PM – men’s discus-Ahmari Avin
5:00 PM- men's 4x100 relay
5:10 pm- women's 4x100 relay
5:20 PM – men’s 1,500m – Martin Prodanov
5:30 PM – women’s 1,500m – Suus Altorf
5:30 PM- women's triple jump- Kayla Pinkard
5:40 PM- men's 110m hurdles Tyson Williams, Andre Korbmacher
5:50 PM- women's 100m hurdles- Alexandra Webster
6:00 PM- men's 400m- British Wilkerson
6:20 PM- men's 100m-Ismael Kone
6:30 PM-women's 100m-Dajaz DeFrand, Liana Tyson, Kaniya Johnson
7:10 PM- women's 400m hurdles- Tyra Wilson
7:20 PM- men's 200m- Ismael Kone
7:30 PM- women's 200m-Kaniya Johnson, Dajaz DeFrand
7:40 PM- men's 5,000m-David Mullarkey, Cooper Schroeder, Kidus Misgina, Zachary Cloud
8:05 PM- women's 5,000m- Bieke Schipperen, Ava Povich
8:30 PM- men's 4x400 relay
8:40 PM- women's 4x400 relay

Today is the NFL draft. Jaden Daniels is about to go #2 in the Draft overall. What is amazing about Daniels is that when he came out Willie Tagarrt had him rated the number one QB on their board. I know this because, I was very close to someone on the staff at the time. Willie wanted to take two quarterbacks. It was part of the reason why another quarterback Michael Penix was not taken the year before in Willie first year. Willie recruited Daniels and felt he was a done deal. At the time Walt Bell the OC had Sam Howell rated his top QB. Bell felt Howell was the better prospect and he had a great relationship already with Howell. Willie still recruited Daniels while Howell was taking visits to North Carolina. Bell assured Willie that Howell would sign with FSU. They laid off of Daniels and he ended up committing to Arizona State. FSU stuck with Howell and on NSD he chose UNC. This was basically beggining of the end for Willie as Daniels and Penix, FSU passed on to sign Howell. The program at that point never recovered. Willie did land Jordan Travis out of the Transfer Portal. Probably the only thing positive he did.

What is crazy about Daniels is I used to post on another FSU site. It was a private board and when Daniels hit the portal at ASU, I wanted FSU to go after him. Posters on that site said Daniels stunk and Jordan was way better. Jordan did perform better than I ever thought. The good thing is it worked out for both parties. Daniels went to LSU and had success and Jordan helped turn FSU around.

This week we visited American Heritage, Chaminade and Saint Thomas. All three programs will once again be very good in 2024. American Heritage has DB Gregory Thomas and RB Byron Louis. They have a couple of other prospects as well we will mention. Chaminade is led by their wide receiver corps. After losing Jeremiah Smith and Joshisa Trader, Chaminade reloaded with the position this spring. They have WR Denarius Gray (2026), Jasen Lopez (2026) and Jabari Brady (2026). All three will be very good this upcoming season. Finally we went to Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas is led by senior defensive lineman Trevor Sommers. He is a big, physical kid who has committed to University of Pittsburgh. We also attended Miami Norland who has both Darryll and Mandrell Desir. The two have flown under the radar until this spring. Look for both to be heavily recruited this fall.

American Heritage Plantation

RB Byron Louis- 5'11-200 (2025) Louis looked great at practice. He is a big, physical back that is also athletic. We watched him do some foot drills and this kid cuts on a dime. He also is explossive. We like how smooth he is running with the football. Louis is a major priority and from what we heard FSU looks to be in a good spot for Louis.

DB Gregory Thomas-6'2-190 (2025) One thing you notice right away is Thomas size. He is a legit 6'2. He has the size and length you want in the secondary. He is going to end up at safety but many schools are recruiting him as a corner. We don't feel that Thomas is fluid enough. We feel FSU is in the lead for Thomas.

WR Malachi Toney-5'11-170 (2026) Toney is a much different looking prospect this year. He has filled out and is weighing close to 190 pounds. He is a bigger slot receiver at the next level. His quickness is what makes the difference with him this year. Not sure FSU has gotten into this kids recruitment at all. They will take a swing at Toney but we are not sure if FSU has a legit shot at Toney.

QB-Dia Bell-6'2-180 (2026) Bell continues to develop at the quarterback position. He has improved his arm. He is accurate throwing the ball down the field. He has good anitcipaton on the field. Look for him to end up being one of the premier quarterbacks in Florida. (FSU needs to offer Bell to have a shot at him.


Chaminade

Jabari Brady-Chaminade HS -Athlete

DB Chris Ewald-6'0 170 (2025) FSU is in no rush to land a corner. If they do it will be to hold out for the very best. Ewald is a very good prospect but they took a ton of defensive backs last year and for FSU to go all in for Ewald some other guys would have to commit elsewhere. Look for Ewald to end up coming to FSU summer camp and potentially getting recruited. (Chances of landing: will come down to need)

WR Jabari Brady-6'2-190 (2026) Brady is a big, long, athletic prospect. He lines up at receiver. He could end up playing on defense. You recruit this kid based on his potential. Once on campus you worry about where to place him.

OT-Ben Gula-6'5-275 (2026) Gula comes over from Cypress Bay HS. He is one of the more impressive looking prospects in South Florida. FSU will keep an eye on him this spring and see how Gula develops. He is a kid that could end up one of the top offensive lineman in the nation.

RB-Derreck Cooper-6'1-190 (2026) I trully believe this kid is going to end up one of the top backs in the nation. He was not dressed out in pads but Cooper did work out. He is a prospect that has all the tools to be an ELITE player in college. Keep an eye on the Chaminade star.

WR-Jesen Lopez - 6'0-170 (2026) Lopez is a electric. He is someone that needs and wants the football. He is going to end up a very good prospect. Watch how quickly this kid racks up offers.

QB Zachary Katz-6'1-180 (2027) Katz is one of the top young quarterbacks in South Florida. He throws a very nice, catchable ball. Give him some time and there is no telling how Zatz develops.

Saint Thomas

DB Travares Daniels II - 6'1-190 (2025) -Daniels is a prospect to keep an eye on. He can play either defensive back or linebacker at the next level. He is someone that can drop back into coverage. He can also come up and play the run. Keep an eye on Daniels.

DB Justice Fitzpatrick-6'0-170 (2025) Fitzpatrick is the brother of Minkah Fitzpatrick who played for Alabama. He now is on Saint Thomas roster. Keep an eye on this spring.

DE/OLB Trevoris Finley -6'3-230 (2027) Finley is a prospect that is raw but you can see his talents. He is someone that is going to develop over the next two years to play at a high level.


Ben Gula -Transferred from Cypress Bay HS to Chaminade this spring.

FSU (36-10) opens a three-game series at Pittsburgh (21-25) on Friday at 6 p.m. (ACC Network Extra). The Seminoles are 7-7 on the road in 2024 but face a Panthers team that is 6-18 in league play.

LHP Jamie Arnold (8-2, 2.37 ERA) is on the mound for the Seminoles. Arnold is coming off a rough outing against NC State, but he will often go deep into games.

Pitt's starting pitcher remains TBD for all three games.

Curt has a preview of FSU, with Link Jarrett playing a familiar face in Mike Bell. They were teammates on the FSU baseball team in 1994 and kept up with each other as young assistants on the recruiting trail.

Conner Whittaker is set to return to the mound for FSU. While Link Jarrett has said it will likely be in a reliever role (25ish pitches), FSU's coach also said it could be as a Sunday opener.

Here's Arnold's game by game numbers:

Any chance Jacobs transfers back with hill out for the season

Let's chat here as Florida State plays Georgia Tech on Friday afternoon. Start time will not be 3:30 as Clemson-Duke is going to the ninth inning, tied 3-3.

Seminole Boosters invites all fans to gather to show support for the Women's Golf Team as they head out to the NCAA Golf Tournament.

RSVP here on Eventbrite.

Join us at the Moore Athletic Center to cheer on our Women's Golf team before they depart for the NCAA Championship tournament.

Date: Monday, May 13, 2024

Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: Moore Athletic Center - University Center D - First Floor

Parking: Parking is available in the Visitor's Center Lot located next to the Unconquered Statue. A golf cart will be available to shuttle guests from the parking lot to the Moore Center. ADA parking is available in front of gates B and C.

This is a quick roundup from Rivals' Jacey Zembal of portal activity by ACC school (arrivals and departures). Not much activity for most schools (hello, Clemson), although Miami made some significant additions post-spring practice:

I keep getting these transfer portal announcements and other updates on my phone and then repeats them same ones
1-2 months later. These are waking me at night which is not good. I need these to stop all together.

FSU sports information:

Florida State All-American Lottie Woad, the 2024 ACC Player of the Year, has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2024 ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel. The 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion is set to lead the Seminoles into the 2024 NCAA Championship Finals in Carlsbad, Calif., beginning May 17. She finished in third place at the NCAA Las Vegas Regional Championship (May 8) to lead Florida State to its school-record eighth consecutive appearance in NCAA Championship Finals.

Woad has been on the ANNIKA Award Watch list throughout the 2023-24 season, as she was named to the pre-season watch list in September, as well as to the Spring watch list for the prestigious award in March.

Woad enters the 2024 NCAA Championship finals as the Seminoles’ leader in stroke average (70.10), rounds scored at par or better (12 of 18), rounds scored at 75 or better (15 of 18), collegiate wins (one) and top 10 finishes (seven). Woad has finished in the top 10 of each of her collegiate tournaments as a sophomore including finishing in a tie for first place at the ANNIKA Invitational in September. She also finished in a tie for second place in the Florida State Match Up at the Seminole Legends Golf Course and in the IJGA Collegiate Invitational, as well as in third at the NCAA Las Vegas Regional Championship and the Schooner Fall Classic.

Woad has finished under par in each of her seven collegiate tournaments this year and is a cumulative total of 34 strokes under par since the start of the Seminoles’ fall season began in September. She is a total of 55 strokes under par for her 18 match career at Florida State.

Woad is the fourth Florida State golfer in the last six seasons to be named a finalist for the ANNIKA Award. Frida Kinhult finished as the runner-up for the award in 2019 while Beatrice Wallin (in 2021) and Charlotte Heath (in 2023) were also finalists for the award presented to the National Player of the Year.

“Being named a finalist for the ANNIKA Award is a wonderful honor for Lottie,” said Seminole Head Coach Amy Bond. “I’m really looking forward to watching Lottie continue to become the golfer she is working to become. She is an amazingly hard worker and it’s great to see where her work ethic is taking her as a golfer.”

Rose Zhang (Stanford) became the 10th ANNIKA Award winner in 2023, and the third consecutive winner from Stanford.

I am going to start doing occasional updates here on the status of the case. I won’t likely talk about the B1G/SEC issues or the business side because I don’t know the business side. I just know I get enough calls and texts to realize people are trying to keep up. I also know that I see a LOT of silliness on social media. This is an attempt to simply update as objectively as I can.

If litigation issues come up or anyone has any legal questions about this stuff, just let me know.

FSU sports information:

The No. 17/NR Florida State outdoor track and field teams opened the 2024 ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championship in Atlanta by qualifying six student-athletes for Saturday’s final rounds.

Tyra Wilson, Suus Altorf, Dajaz DeFrand and Kaniya Johnson finished in the top eight of the women’s events on Thursday for the 17th-ranked Noles, while Ismael Kone and Martin Prodanov advanced for the men.

Wilson finished fourth in prelims of the 400-meter hurdles, advancing to Saturday’s final with a time of 58.04. Ava Klein followed in ninth with a time of 58.93.

Martin Prodanov competed in the men’s 1,500, clocking a qualifying time of 3:44.25, qualifying for Saturday in ninth place.

“Tyra performed really well in the hurdles,” said FSU track and field head coach Bob Braman said. “Martin ran really savvy with an automatic qualifying time in his event.”

Kone won his heat in the 200, advancing to Saturday’s final with a time of 20.68 in second place.

Altorf will be the second seed in the 1,500, qualifying with a time of 4:15.11. Agnes McTighe followed in 25th with a time of 4:32.90. Bieke Schipperen rounded out the event in 33rd with a time of 4:36.84.

DeFrand cruised to a first-place finish in the heats of the 200, advancing to Saturday’s final with a time of 22.81, ahead of Johnson in third, clocking a lifetime best of 23.26.

“Ismael was really good in the 200 today as was Suus in the 1500,” added Braman. “Dajaz and Kaniya were really impressive in their events, qualifying easily for Saturday.”

The men’s team started the afternoon in the hammer throw with Cooper Crowell earning 17th with a mark of 48.30m.

Joe Farley led the Noles in the 10,000, placing 19th with a time of 30:34.54. Lucas Bouquot concluded the event in 26th at 31:03.98.

Anna Sentner competed in the women’s 10,000 placing 15th with a time of 36:29.41

The Noles will begin day two of the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championship on Friday with the men’s long jump at 3:30 p.m., followed by the men's 110 hurdles at 6 p.m.

All sessions will air on the ACC Network Extra and live timing will be available on flash results.

Highlights from FSU quarterback commit Tramell Jones at last weekend's Orlando OT7 camp:

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The second-seeded Florida State softball team (41-13, 19-5) will begin its quest for its 20th ACC Championship on Thursday as they will take on 10th-seeded Notre Dame in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament.

First pitch is set for 5 p.m. on the ACC Network, although the schedule is a bit behind today. Duke needed 10 innings to outlast BC in the first game, prompting Clemson-Virginia to start late. We’ll try to keep you posted if the FSU game starts later than 5 p.m.

Florida State men’s golf coach Trey Jones earned ACC Co-Coach of the Year while Tyler Weaver was selected as the ACC Freshman of the Year to highlight several All-ACC honorees as the league’s top student-athletes and coaches were recognized on Thursday afternoon.

Four Seminoles were chosen to the 15-member All-ACC Team, including first-time selections Gray Albright, Luke Clanton and Weaver as well as three-time member Frederik Kjettrup. The four members tie last year’s program record for most All-ACC Team selections.

Jones earned his third ACC Coach of the Year award, also being named in 2008 and 2015. After guiding the Seminoles to the NCAA Match Play Semifinals in 2023, FSU has backed up its run with another strong year in 2024 that includes a runner-up finish at the ACC Championship, a No. 6 overall ranking, match-play wins over Florida, Arizona and Georgia Tech and tournament wins at the Valspar Collegiate Invitational and the Jackson Stephens Cup.

FSU’s year-long success has led it to a No. 1 seed at the NCAA Stanford Regional, which begins May 13-15.

Weaver becomes FSU’s first ACC Freshman of the Year since John Pak in 2018, and joins an exclusive club of five freshman of the year winners (Brooks Koepka, 2009; Hank Lebioda, 2013; Jack Maguire, 2014; Pak, 2018). He enters the NCAA postseason with a 71.71 scoring average this season, owning two Top 10 finishes in his 11 tournaments played.

Weaver finished second overall at the 2024 Seminole Intercollegiate, and placed seventh at the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational. Weaver owns nine rounds this season in the 60s.

Clanton is the ACC’s top-ranked player at No. 2 nationally, earning three victories this season in consecutive fashion. Clanton won the Seminole Intercollegiate, the Valspar Collegiate Invitational and the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial – becoming the first Seminole ever to win three straight tournaments.

Clanton is on the verge of the school-record for lowest scoring average at 69.30, and is a Ben Hogan Award Semifinalist. He has eight Top 10 finishes in 12 tournaments played this year. The Hialeah, Fla., native also won consecutive ACC Golfer of the Month honors and was named the SwingU Golfer of the Month for March 2024.

Kjettrup becomes the fifth Seminole to make the All-ACC Team three times, joining Matt Savage, Koepka, Lebioda and Pak. He was a co-medalist at the ACC Championship, and is second on the Seminoles this year with a 70.56 scoring average.

The Denmark native has five Top 10 performances in his nine tournaments played this year, and will be another key performer in FSU’s NCAA postseason aspirations.

Albright has enjoyed his best season as a Seminole, shooting 71.22 and owning four Top 10 finishes in 10 tournaments played. Albright won the Watersound Invitational against an elite field.

He ranks second on the Seminoles with 19 rounds at par or less, and is one of four Seminoles who has played in 10 or more tournaments this year. Albright has recorded nine rounds this year in the 60s.

2024 ACC Men’s Golf Player of the Year

Christo Lamprecht, Georgia Tech

2024 ACC Men’s Golf Freshman of the Year

Tyler Weaver, Florida State

2024 ACC Men’s Golf Co-Coaches of the Year

Andrew DiBitetto, North Carolina

Trey Jones, Florida State

2024 All-ACC Men’s Golf Team

Gray Albright, Florida State

Michael Brennan, Wake Forest (Co-Medalist)

Luke Clanton, Florida State

David Ford, North Carolina

Maxwell Ford, North Carolina

Peter Fountain, North Carolina

Austin Greaser, North Carolina

Ben James, Virginia

Scotty Kennon, Wake Forest

Frederik Kjettrup, Florida State (Co-Medalist)

Christo Lamprecht, Georgia Tech

Bryan Lee, Virginia

Dylan Menante, North Carolina

Sebastian Moss, Louisville

Tyler Weaver, Florida State

FSU sports information:

The No. 10 Florida State men’s tennis team will take on No. 7 Tennessee in the third round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championship on May 11 in Knoxville, Tenn. The Seminoles are looking to advance to the quarterfinals for only the second time in program history.

FSU will face Tennessee at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Barksdale Stadium with the winner advancing to the final site in Stillwater, Okla. With a win, the Seminoles would advance to the final site for the first time since the revised format in 2019. Florida State’s last meeting with Tennessee came almost exactly two years ago when the two teams clashed in the super regional round in Knoxville.

Florida State hosted and advanced through the Tallahassee Regional with No. 23 Florida, No. 36 UCF, and No. 71 North Florida last weekend. The Seminoles defeated North Florida 4-1 in the first round before not dropping any singles sets against UCF to advance through Tallahassee in the postseason for the first time since 2009.

The Seminoles claimed their first-ever ACC Championship this season with four victories in four days, defeating No. 65 Virginia Tech, No. 11 NC State, No. 7 Wake Forest, and No. 2 Virginia to become the lowest seed to win the championship and the first team to win four matches in four days at the event. FSU continues its season at 23-7 with 15 victories away from home and 12 wins against ranked opponents.

Antoine Cornut-Chauvinc began his postseason with two ranked wins on Court 1 through the first two matches. The ACC Player of the Year won all four sets and claimed his 25th singles victory of the season. Cornut-Chauvinc is projected to face the No. 1 player in the nation, Johannus Monday, in the matchup at Tennessee.

Loris Pourroy played one of his most complete weekends, winning all four sets and blanking his UCF opponent 6-0 in the second and final set on Court 2. Pourroy hasn’t lost to an unranked player since January.

After originally choosing NC State over FSU, Auburn linebacker transfer Cam Riley changed his mind, committing to FSU Wednesday after decommitting recently from NC State which he originally chose.

Big boost of experience and depth to the middle of the FSU defense.