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FSU sports information:

Florida State Women’s Basketball will get another opportunity to face historical program Tennessee in this year’s SEC/ACC Women’s Challenge, this time on the road in Knoxville at Thompson-Boling Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.

The conference challenge game is a rematch of last year’s early-season thriller when the Seminoles defeated No. 11 Tennessee, 92-91, on Nov. 9, 2023. The game was headlined by rising junior guard Amaya Bonner’s 11 fourth-quarter points, including a game-tying 3-point field goal to make it 91-91 with 52 seconds remaining.

This year marks the second season of the SEC/ACC Women’s Challenge, with the Seminoles hosting Arkansas last year at the Tucker Center.

FSU has finalized its 12-player roster for the 2024-25 season, which includes the return of high-scoring trio Ta’Niya Latson, Makayla Timpson and O’Mariah Gordon. The Seminoles are slated to bring back 75 percent of their scoring production from a year ago as well as 82 percent of their rebounds.

The Seminoles and Lady Volunteers are two of eight Division I programs to make the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournaments in each of the last 11 seasons. FSU is coming off its second straight 12-6 season in ACC play – its first set of back-to-back 12-win seasons in ACC play since 2014-18.

Tennessee will be led by first-year head coach Kim Caldwell, who was hired on April 7, 2024, after eight successful seasons coaching at Division II Glenville State (seven seasons from 2016-23) and Marshall (one season in 2023-24). Caldwell led the Thundering Herd to the NCAA First Round while also guiding them to a Sun Belt Conference title last year.

The Lady Volunteers are the fourth confirmed opponent on the 2024-25 schedule for FSU. The Seminoles play in the Paradise Jam from Nov. 28-30 in St. Thomas against Texas Tech (Thursday, Nov. 28), Missouri State (Friday, Nov. 29) and Gonzaga (Saturday, Nov. 30).

Fans can renew or purchase season tickets for the 2024-25 season by visiting seminoles.com/bbtix.

Anyone seen a preseason poll for women's college soccer? If not when does one typically come out for the upcoming season? Go Noles!

We'll have more stories from Link Jarrett's interview. The team is departing shortly from Howser. He was less than definitive about Jamie Arnold as the starter vs. Tennessee, but we all think that's how he will go:

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Starting with an 11-0 Opening Day win, an aura of Mike Martin Sr. has hung over this year's FSU baseball season. Months after 11's passing, FSU is headed to Omaha for the first time under Link Jarrett and he's not shying away from the ultimate goal of finally bringing home that elusive national championship.

"The mindset of this team and the approach is to go finish that off and go finish that off for him.”

The latest on many top prospects here:

Quick question, why aren’t the teams re-seeded for Omaha? Shouldn’t the #1 seed get to play the lowest remaining seed?

Stock Up


1-Ladarian Clardy: Ath: (Escambia HS-FL)-6'1-175: Turn on Clardy film and it is quite impressive. He has flown under the radar for most of his recruitment. Clardy has the size and length you want from defensive backs. He also is a very good athlete. He can play on either side of the football. He is very similar to AZ Thomas coming out of high school and we expect him to be a very good college prospect. FSU turned up the heat and looks to be one of his leaders.

2-Josh Petty: OT-(Fellowship Christian) -6'5-265: Petty was on our stock up on our last report. I am about to put in a forecast for the top rated tackle. FSU has put a move on for Petty. FSU needs help at tackle and it looks like they are about to finally reel in a big FISH. Petty has great feet. He moves extremely well and has the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line.

3-Shamar Arnoux - (Carrollton HS-GA): 6'3-170: Shamar is a prospect that I have had a high grade on for a while. It was no surprise that he went to FSU summer camp and performed well. He has the size and length to play corner at a very high level. He is a fluid athlete who can open up and run with receivers and backs in space. FSU wants bigger and longer corners and safeties and that is exactly what Shamar brings to the table. Not only is his stock up....Shamar visits officially on June 21st. look for a potential commitment.

4-Ousmane Kromah-(Lee County GA) 5'11-200: Kromah is a volatile stock. You have a chance to hit it big and land him or crap out. This kid changes his mind daily. Right now FSU sits in a very good spot with Kromah. We have Georgia right up there with the Seminoles. This is a two team race. He recently visited and FSU seemed to hit it out of the park. This is one you won't want to watch the daily stock reports. He is going to take this down to the wire. FSU has done a very good job recruiting him. Even if he did sign with Georgia this is one that could end up coming back to FSU (See Marvin Jones Jr).

5-Chase Loftin-(Millard South-NE): FSU got Loftin on campus. He had a great visit and the Seminoles have made a move. Land Loftin and Davidson and FSU problems at tight end are over. These two would be great additions. I feel real good about Davidson. Loftin they still must beat out Nebraska for him.



Stock Down

1-Ziyare Addison -Sumner HS (FL): 6'5-290 (Committed to Oregon): Addison was all FSU for most of the spring. He took a visit to Oregon and no shock here, fell in love with the Ducks. He pulled the trigger for Oregon and decided to shut it down. While his recruitment is shut down right now let’s see how this one plays out. Eugene is a long way from home and these things don't tend to last. Let’s see where this is in November and December.

2-Kaliq Lockett-(Sachse-TX): 6'2-175-Pulling elite players from out of Texas is no easy feat. He does take a visit to FSU on June 14th so we will see where FSU stands. Alabama on the 17th, LSU on May 31st, Texas June 21st, and Texas A&M June 7th. That is a ton of heavy lifting for FSU. While he will visit FSU, they are fighting an uphill battle for his services. We will hear after his visit had FSU hit it out of the park.....and then radio silence.

3-Elyiss Williams-(Camden County-GA): 6'7-235: (Committed to Georgia) Not only is he committed to Georgia, Williams has shut his recruitment down. With Hollis Davidson and Loftin on the board this recruitment does not mean much anymore for FSU. They sit in a good spot with two elite prospects.

4-Mariyon Dye-(Elkhart HS-IN): 6'5-270: When you recruit out of state prospects your chances of landing them are not very good. Dye will take a visit to FSU in June. He fits the mold of defensive ends that FSU likes. He has some of the same physical attributes of Jared Verse. He has size and length off the edge. He can stop the run. You can have him rush the passer. He is one of the top defensive ends I watched film on. He is going to be a tough pull.

5-Riley Pettijohn-(McKinney-TX) 6'1-215: FSU was on Riley. He showed some interest early on. That interest has seemed to stop. He visited Ohio State on May 31st, visits USC, Texas and Texas A&M on back to back to back weekends. With no official visit set to FSU their chances are slim to none at this point.


Stock stayed the same......

1- Joshua Moore - WR - (West Broward HS-FL): 6'4-200 -Moore had an impressive spring. FSU has been one of his leaders for the past few months. We still very good about Moore and FSU. Moore has great size. He has above average speed. He displays good hands. At 6'4, Moore is a match up problem for smaller defensive backs. He reminds us of Willie Haulstead who played at FSU.

2- Hollis Davidson - TE (McIntosh HS-GA): 6'5-240: Davidson is set to take a visit on June 21st. We would not be surprised to see FSU land a commitment at that time. Davidson is one of the top tight ends on FSU board. He is someone that FSU needs to land so they can improve the tight end room. He has the size to help out in the run game as a blocker. He can also go out and catch the ball. He is a complete tight end and that is something FSU seems to be lacking at this time.

3 - Tavion Wallace - LB - (Wayne County-GA): I put a future cast in for Wallace. It is only a matter of time before he commits to FSU. One of the most important recruits on the board. FSU needs linebackers and he is probably the best one they are recruiting at this time.

4 - Gregory Xavier Thomas - S - (AH Plantation-FL): I have liked where FSU has stood for a while. That being said I do have some slight concerns with Clemson. Thomas has had time to pull the trigger. I always have reservations on recruits who are trending but don't pull the trigger (Ziyare Addison). You want to get this kid in the boat already and move on to other recruits.

5- Myron Charles - DT - (Port Charlotte, FL): Charles has had FSU his leader for a while. We have heard this before with players like Addison. Charles is a prospect at a position of need. He is one of the top rated defensive tackles on FSU board. FSU has a great relationship with Charles. As we have mentioned Texas has made a major move and has Charles a priority recruit. He just visited Austin with his mom and it went really well. He is another recruit that needs to pull the trigger for FSU or there will start to be concerns.

FSU sitting in a good spot here ..

after a strong camp the other day, Shamar Arnoux says he and the staff have settled on a June 21-23 official visit date. Auburn gets his first OV, this coming weekend.

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With aan assistant coach hired away, this is the time to hire our new coach in waiting. I still think the USF coach is the one FSU needs to target

Came here to vent!

I don’t understand people who take joy out of killing an innocent animal

Just because they can

A client of mine has a place out in the sticks I’m remodeling

Lots of wildlife which I love

I go down the roads slow so not to run any over

My client took me to dinner last night
Upon returning to the 2.5 mile dirt road back to the cabin he sees a possum and intentionally steers towards it

I get pissed and tell him how bad that is

He says he missed it but today I see it dead

I rip his ass for real

I know it’s just a possum to him but to me it’s one of Gods creatures and to maliscously just kill it really upset me

I was raised if you kill a critter you eat it!

We spoke with Kreul following the Elite Camp and he went in depth on his day and getting the offer from Norvell.
https://floridastate.rivals.com/new...ted-to-receive-offer-from-mother-s-alma-mater

2025 (Offers)
Jeremiah McCloud –Gadsden County HS (FL) 6’3 280 (Committed to UF) (2025): McCloud is a prospect we have been high on for over a year now. He has a chance to be a very good tackle at the next level. He is quick off the ball. You will see him play inside or outside. He shoots the gaps quickly. You will see him live in the backfield. He has good hands. You will see him get off blocks. He will be very good against the run. He also is one of the better pass rushers from inside.

Mariyon Dye-Elkhart HS – (IN) 6’5-270 (2025) : Dye looks like the defensive ends FSU has the past few years. He is similar to Jared Verse. He has the ability to get off the ball quickly and into the backfield. He has very good closing speed. He is a finisher. He overwhelms offensive tackles at this level. He has a chance to be a very good player at the next level.

Nicholas Clayton – Buchholz HS (FL) 6’5-210 (2025): Turn on Clayton film and you will come away impressed. He is severely underrated. He has a quick first step off the ball. He can get after the quarterback. He has the size and length to help set the edge on run plays. He is a complete player. We really like him film and think Clayton is one of the better defensive ends in the state of Florida.



2026 (Offers)
Kendall Guervil-Fort Myers HS (FL) 6’4-270 (2026): Kendall can wreck opposing offensive lines. He gets off the ball quickly and recreates the line of scrimmage. He is very good against the run. He has power and uses it on the football field. His quickness causes problems for opposing offenses. He is a prospect we expect FSU to go after hard.

Jake Kreul-Bishop Moore-(FL) 6’2-220 (2026): We were wondering when the offer would come for Kreul. He is one of those kids who goes hard on every play. He has some nice pass rush moves. He has some quickness off the ball. Jake gives you a guy who can run. The biggest question with Jake is how much bigger will he get? If he can get to 250-260 pounds than he will dominate.

Zavion Griffin Hayes –Rolesville (NC) 6’6-270 (2026): North Carolina has produced guys like Mario Williams. That is what this kid looks like. He is big, long and athletic. He can get up the field and put pressure on the quarterback. You will see him slide down the line of scrimmage and tackle the ball carrier. He is tough to block. He is only going to get bigger and stronger. He may have as much upside as any player FSU is recruiting at defensive end.

Rodney Dunham-Myers Park (NC) 6’4-220 (2026): Dunham is a prospect we really like. You will see him on his first play tip the ball, catch it and return it. He has very good athletic ability. He is someone that may even be able to play linebacker. His versatility is what you have to like. He is a prospect that can line up anywhere on the defensive side of the football. He has very good pass rush skills. He has the size to help set the edge and stop the run.

Daverin Geralds: Collins Hill (GA) 6’2-270 (2026): He is a sawed off lineman. Does he play defensive end or do you kick him inside to play tackle. If he does move inside does Deuce get big enough? He is disruptive up front. He will get by slower lineman and cause problems for opposing offenses. He does a good job of reading what the opposition is trying to run.

Keshawn Stancil-Clayton HS (NC) 6’3-260 (2026): Stancil is another player who can play outside in an odd man front or kick him inside in a 4-3. He is big and physical. He is someone that will hold up against the run. You would like to see more productive from him. He has above average burst. We feel for him to really excel, Stancil needs to add weight and move inside.

Kai Wesley: Orem HS (UT) 6’8-210 (2026): Not a ton of film on Wesley. He comes from Utah. I doubt FSU has much of a shot at landing him. It would be interesting to see what he looks like in person. There is footage of him playing 7 on 7 football and he looks like a good athlete.


2027 (Offers)

Ben’Jarvius Shumaker: Choctaw County-(MS) 6’3-270 (2027): Anytime a prospect along the defensive line gets offered this early they must be good. Ben is from Mississippi so asking FSU to pull this kid maybe asking a lot. He is strong for a kid his age. You will see him physically whip guys who are older than him. We will continue to monitor Shumaker.

Florida State hit the easy button on Friday with a 20-run win. A day later, the Seminoles grabbed the hammer and broke glass in an emergency.

In the bottom of the ninth on Saturday, UConn's Matt Malcolm hit a leadoff home run off Conner Hults to tie it at 8-8. Then a single and a sacrifice bunt. Link Jarrett had already turned to two of the most dependable bullpen options in Hults and Brennen Oxford. Both relievers are reasons why FSU got to this point, but at this point the Seminoles needed a fireman.

Jarrett’s opening statements are comprehensive. After Saturday’s 10-8 win, he turned to his left and shared appreciation for James Tibbs III for more than just his three home runs that afternoon. And he turned to his right and Conner Whittaker for more than just his 3.2 shutout innings.

Within his comments there was a dark-place commentary: “If this doesn’t go well.” Jarrett didn’t have to go there but he was acknowledging the obvious, that if the latest pitching roll of the dice by Jarrett and pitching coach Micah Posey didn’t hit on seven yet again, well, who knows how Sunday and a game 3 play out.

They scared…

FSU's College World Series opener next weekend will be vs. No. 1 overall seed Tennessee.

FSU is 7-4 all-time vs. the Volunteers but this will be the first matchup between the two in Omaha. Game day/time will be announced tomorrow night once the field is all confirmed.

and the Corps of Engineers are holding off on some replenishment projects. Interesting read.

In response to questions from Grist, a spokesperson for the Corps gave no indication that the agency will budge on its policy, which it has begun to enforce elsewhere in Florida and in other coastal states like South Carolina.
Even when Pinellas County tried to obtain separate temporary easements to build new emergency dunes at the top of its beaches, many residents still refused, in part out of a concern that new dunes would block their ocean views. This further stalemate with homeowners has forced the county to build a piecemeal dune behind coastal properties, leaving holes in front of the homes and hotels where the owners didn’t want to grant an easement.
This broken dune won’t do much come storm season, according to René Flowers, a Pinellas County commissioner who has been pushing the Corps to deliver the sand.
“When you have a break in the chain, then all of the work that you’re doing is not as impactful in protecting as it would be,” she said.
Rob Young, a professor of geology at Western Carolina University and a frequent critic of beach nourishment projects, says Pinellas County should fund the nourishment itself through sales tax increases rather than relying on the federal government to pay for new sand. He pointed out that some beach towns on the Outer Banks of North Carolina have taxed tourism to pay for sand after the federal government stopped covering the costs.
“For a lot of people, the privacy is more important to them than the risk of destruction,” he said, referring to residents who refused to grant easements. “The solution is very easy—pay for your own risk.” Young added that many nourishment projects don’t seem to be worth the money they cost. He pointed to the Jersey Shore, where a $1 million beach nourishment project washed away in just one year.
The knowledge that beach nourishment might not be a good investment doesn’t do much to help local leaders like Flowers, the Pinellas County commissioner, who is bracing herself for a hurricane season that meteorologists predict will be one of the most active in decades.

Here's a look inside the numbers at FSU's side of the College World Series, giving a look at how FSU matches up against Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia.

Bottom line: The Seminoles will face some incredibly potent offenses in their first few games in Omaha.

FSU has landed a commitment from another in-state transfer pitcher. USF LHP Joey Volini announced Monday night he's joining the Seminoles next season. He had a 4.05 ERA across 40 innings over two seasons with the Bulls.