The FSU baseball team heads to Gainesville tomorrow night as one of two undefeated teams left in the country.

The Noles will change up their midweek starting pitcher this week, starting Andrew Armstrong for the first of three games against Florida this season.

The Osceola sat down for a one-on-one video interview as he prepares to visit five schools this spring and will announce his decision on who he is committing to on March 31st. It's only 15 minutes and he shared some of his thoughts on his decision.

The Rivals Camp Series stop in Southern California is always loaded at the wide receiver position and on Sunday there was tons of recruiting news coming from that group as well.

Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney has the latest on many big names.

Four-star point guard Daquan Davis is nearing a decision, choosing between Florida State and Georgia Tech. More from Rivals' Rob Cassidy:

Florida State loved having Jermaine Johnson, Keir Thomas and Jared Verse. The transfers were each impactful, albeit for a short time, but their ability to pressure the passer helped FSU’s scoring defense steadily improve from 67th nationally in 2021, to 20th in 2022 and 18th in 2023.

Coach Mike Norvell, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and defensive ends coach John Papuchis have rightly earned a reputation for developing edge rushers. Johnson was a first-round pick and a Pro Bowl selection, Verse is a slam-dunk first-rounder next month and Thomas has battled but retained his NFL roster spot.

All of this means transfers view FSU as a desirable destination — the chance to win games, compete for an ACC title and now a spot in the 12-team playoff while preparing for the NFL. This is what attracted Sione Lolohea (Oregon State), Marvin Jones Jr. (Georgia) and Tomiwa Durojaiye (West Virginia).

Papuchis wants to have a five-man rotation at end, essentially two rushers on the strongside and weakside as well as a fifth who can theoretically play both sides. The Osceola’s pre-spring position preview series continues with a look at the defensive ends, which has some homegrown talent that are likely to be backups and in the mix with the influx of transfers.

FSU sports information:

Rising senior middle blocker Khori Louis was one of 17 top collegiate volleyball players selected to the USA Volleyball Spring Training Camp from March 10-16, getting the honor of joining U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly and his staff.

Louis will be trained by U.S. Women’s outside hitter Jordan Larson and setter Jordyn Poulter, both members of the USA Volleyball gold medalist team at the 2020 Tokyo Games in 2021. Louis will train at Open Gym Premier Facility in Anaheim, Calif.

“I’m really proud of Khori for having earned this opportunity with her hard work and dedication to getting better every practice,” FSU head coach Chris Poole said.

The training camp will conclude with a Red-Blue scrimmage at 9:30 a.m. PT on Saturday that is free and open to the public.

“Our U.S. Women’s National Team staff is thrilled for the opportunity to work with this special group of college student-athletes and pumped to work in a larger-group setting with Jordan (Larson) and Jordyn (Poulter),” Kiraly said.

“It will be inspiring to watch these collegiate athletes and their development over the next few years, and to follow those who might work their way into the Women’s National Team program.”

Louis, a Tallahassee, native, has had an outstanding FSU career. Her 2023 season included her first All-American honors from both the American Volleyball Coaches Association and Volleyball Magazine. The middle blocker had a .432 attacking percentage and averaged 2.94 points per set. She was a catalyst in leading the Seminoles to a share of the ACC regular season championship.

FSU sports information:

The No. 16 Florida State softball team (15-5) begins their seven-game homestand with a couple of midweek matchups as the Noles will host South Dakota State in a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 1 p.m. on ACCNX with Ariya Massoudi and Jack Kavovit on the call . FSU will turn right around and host No. 10 Alabama on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on the ACC Network. Beth Mowins and Michelle Smith will be on the call for the top 25 matchup.

The Start of a Gauntlet

• In the next 8 days, Florida State is slated to host 7 total games at the Seminole Softball Complex, six of those games are against teams ranked in the top 10 and four of those games are currently ranked in the top 5.
• This will be just the second time in school history that FSU has played five consecutive games at the Seminole Softball Complex against top 10 opponents and the third time that FSU has played five consecutive games at home against ranked opponents.

Comfortable in the Spotlight

• The Florida State softball program has found themselves in the spotlight more than they have ever been and few have been better in big moments than the Seminoles.
• Since 2022, FSU has played 51 televised games and have posted an unbelievable 44-7 record in those games.
• FSU is 17-4 in their last 21 games against ranked opponents.

A True Home Field Advantage

• The Seminole Softball Complex has become one of the toughest places to play in the country in recent history.
• Since the start of the 2019 season, FSU is 133-17 at the Seminole Softball Complex.
• In the past two seasons, FSU is 45-4 at the Seminole Softball Complex.

Fast Start for the Offense

• The Florida State offense has been one of the best in the country through the first 20 games of the season.
• FSU is averaging 8.05 runs per game which is the best in the ACC and is fifth in the country. FSU is .350 as a team which ranks 10th in the country.
• FSU has scored 161 runs through 20 games this season which is the most runs through 20 games in the fastpitch era of FSU softball and is the most since 1978.
• In 20 games, FSU has scored 8 or more runs in 13 games. In 69 games last season, FSU scored eight or more runs just 22 times.
• FSU has scored 10 or more runs in five games so far this season after accomplishing that feat just eight times last season.
• 14 players have recorded a hit this season and four players (Beachum, Kerr, Ross and Edenfield) are all hitting above .375.

My Oh Amaya

• Fans have known the name Amaya Ross for awhile but mainly for her insane speed on the base paths. Now, Ross has found herself in the FSU lineup for more than just her speed.
• Ross has started all 20 games this season after making just 18 starts the past two seasons.
• Ross had one of the best weeks of her career at the Dugout Club Classic.
• In six games, Ross recorded 10 hits in 15 at-bats (.667) with six RBI and three triples.
• Ross was involved in 17 out of the Seminoles 47 runs scored in the Dugout Club Classic and was a perfect 5-for-5 on the base paths.
• Ross’s four triples is tied for third in the country.
• Ross is tied for seventh in the country with 16 stolen bases this season.
• Ross is the only player in the ACC to steal 15+ bases without being caught and is one of five players in the country and one of two players among power five conferences to steal 15+ bases without being caught.
• Ross is third on the team with a .408 batting average.
• Ross has stolen 43 bases in 46 attempts over the course of her career.

A Top 10 Shutout

• In the first game of the Clearwater Invitational, the Seminole pitching shut down No. 9 Stanford in a 4-0 win.
• Allison Royalty and Ashtyn Danley combined for a complete game shutout while allowing just five hits while striking out two.
• The shutout against Stanford was just the third time since 2018 that FSU had shut out a top 10 opponent.
• FSU was one of just two teams to shut out their opponent at the Clearwater Invitational joining Stanford who had a 1-0 win over Tennessee.

Tallahassee Native Jaysoni Beachum Clicking on All Cylinders

• Jaysoni Beachum has continued to be one of the biggest bright spots for the Noles to start the season.
• Beachum, a native of Tallahassee, leads the team with a .477 batting average and 31 hits.
• Beachum has hit six home runs and driven in a team high 21 runs.
• Beachum has recorded a hit in 20 out of the Seminoles’ 22 games this season.
• In her last eight games, Beachum has hit five home runs and driven in 11 runs.
• Beachum has the third-highest batting average among freshmen in the country and the 17th highest batting average in the country.
• Beachum has had two multi-home run games this season. Beachum is the first true freshman since Kalei Harding in 2021 to have a multi-home run game.
• Beachum has also locked down the hot corner for the Noles making 19 starts at the positions. Beachum has committed just two errors this season.

Ocho’s Hot Start

• Few had a hotter start to the season than Kalei Harding this season.
• Harding is currently hitting .343 with 21 RBI and four home runs.
• Against UCLA, Harding recorded four hits in five at-bats which was tied for a career high. Harding was the first FSU player since Kaley Mudge in 2021 at the Women’s College World Series against Alabama to record four or more hits.
• Against Charlotte, Harding hit two home runs, one being a grand slam, on her way to a seven RBI game.
• Her seven RBI tied Anna Shelnutt (2017) for the school record for RBI in a single game.
• Harding is fifth all-time in school history for career doubles (49), tied for sixth in school history for career home runs (36), sixth for career RBI (164) and eighth in school history for career slugging percentage (.572).

Torres Finds Groove in the Box and in the Field

• Replacing Josie Muffley is no easy task, but freshman Isa Torres has given her best shot and is off to a great start offensively and defensively for the Noles at the shortstop position.
• Torres is hitting .313 with 15 RBI and has made countless jaw dropping plays at shortstop including a Sportscenter Top 10 catch against Stanford at the Clearwater Invitational.
• Torres brought home seven runs this past weekend at the FGCU Spring Break Classic.
• Torres came through in the bottom of the seventh against Texas Tech as she hit a walk-off single to take down the Red Raiders on Feb. 10.

Reid Gaining Confidence in the Circle

• As one of the top freshman pitchers in 2023, Makenna Reid has begun to find her groove in the circle in 2024 after a tough start.
• In her last four appearances, Reid has pitched 12.2 innings while allowing just two earned runs and striking out 14 batters.
• In her first 9.1 innings at the FGCU Spring Break Classic, Reid allowed just two hits while striking out 10 and not allowing a run.
• In 2023, Reid was one of just three pitchers last season to not suffer a loss joining Alex Storako and Nicole May from Oklahoma.
• Reid was one of just five players to post a sub 1.00 ERA last season.
• Reid was the first Seminole since Sarah Hamilton in 2009 to finish with a sub 1.00 ERA.

How ‘Bout Those Freshmen??

• The No. 3 overall 2023 recruiting class made quite the impact on opening weekend.
• All six freshmen have made a start for the Seminoles this season and all have recorded a hit.
• Jaysoni Beachum and Isa Torres have each started every game for the Seminoles this season.
• Ashtyn Danley has made nine starts this season for the Noles in the circle. Danley’s best performance came against Stanford where she held the Cardinal scoreless for the final two innings to earn her first career save. Danley currently holds a 2-0 record.
• Mimi Gooden has made seven appearances in the circle for the Noles including a start against Florida A&M where she threw a complete game shutout. Gooden has allowed just five earned runs in 15.1 innings for a 2.28 ERA.
• Angelee Bueno made the start at first against Texas Tech. In six at bats, Bueno has recorded three hits. Bueno has also scored three runs.
• Kennedy Harp made her first career start against FGCU on March 10. Harp hit her first career home run against Purdue on March 8. Harp has five hits this season which include one single, two doubles, a triple and a home run.

Kerr Continues Hot Streak

• Redshirt junior Jahni Kerr is back for the Seminoles after a breakout season in 2023.
• As one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school, Kerr struggled in her first two seasons as a Seminole as she dealt with the implications of COVID and was recovering from a knee injury that she suffered her freshman season.
• The tide turned for Kerr in 2023, and it all started with a home run in a primetime ESPN slot against Alabama at the 2023 Clearwater Invitational. Kerr came into the game starting in just three out of the Seminoles nine games and was 2-for-10 at the plate.
• Kerr went on to start 58 out of the Seminoles’ remaining 59 games in 2023 and became one of FSU’s top hitters.
• Kerr led the team with a .356 batting average while adding eight home runs and 40 RBI in 2023.
• Kerr earned First Team All-ACC honors for the first time in her career and was named to the Preseason All-ACC Team.
• So far this season, Kerr is hitting .412 with 15 RBI including one home run.

Flaherty Returns to Lead the Noles in the Infield and on the Base Paths

• No one was more dangerous on the base paths last season than Florida State’s Devyn Flaherty.
• Flaherty stole 31 bases on 32 attempts which led the ACC.
• Flaherty cracked the all-time top 10 list for most career stolen bases in school history. Flaherty is sitting at 89 career stolen bases and needs 1 stolen base to move to eighth, 5 for seventh, 17 for sixth and 32 for fifth.
• Flaherty was one of four players in the NCAA in 2023 to steal 30 or more bases while only being caught once.
• Flaherty is coming off her best weekend of the season at the FGCU Spring Break Classic. Flaherty hit .364 over the weekend, driving in two runs and going a perfect 4-for-4 on stolen bases.

A True Utility

• No one has embraced the utility role more in her career than Kalei Harding.
• Harding, who was recruited as a catcher, has played all but three positions (Pitcher, catcher, second base) during her career at Florida State.
• Harding is one of just three active players in the NCAA to have played six or more positions in their career.
• This season, Harding has already played left field, right field, third base and first base.

Ms. Mudge Hopes to be Ms. Consistent Again for the Noles

• When she’s not on the Congress floor talking Name, Image and Likeness, Kaley Mudge has been a consistent force at the top of the lineup for the Seminoles.
• Mudge was FSU’s leadoff hitter in 55 out of the 69 games in 2023.
• Mudge ended the season second on the team in batting average (.346) while adding five home runs and 43 RBI.
• Mudge also continued to make highlight plays in left as she made three jaw dropping home run robberies against Oklahoma, Duke and Virginia Tech.

Edenfield Looking to Build off Hot Start as a Seminole

• After redshirting her freshman season, Michaela Edenfield has taken the sport by storm and has been one of the nation’s best power and clutch hitters.
• In her first two seasons, Edenfield has recorded two 50+ RBI seasons. Edenfield is one of just six Seminoles who have ever recorded two 50+ RBI seasons as a Seminole.
• Edenfield joined Jessi Warren and Sydney Sherrill as the only Seminoles to have 50+ RBI in their first two seasons in the Garnet and Gold.
• Edenfield will look to join Warren as the only two Seminoles who have recorded three 50+ RBI seasons. Warren had four 50+ RBI seasons as a Seminole.
• Last season, Edenfield was phenomenal when it mattered most. In 2023, 25 out of her 39 hits (64%) resulted in a run being scored. So far in 2024, 11 out of Edenfield’s 21 hits (52%) have resulted in a run being scored.
• Edenfield hit her first career walk-off against Nicholls as she hit a single to score a run for the Noles to win the game. Later that day, Edenfield hit a walk-off home run to end the game in the fifth inning against Nicholls.
• Edenfield currently sits fifth in FSU history with 37 career home runs.
• Edenfield has had a great start to the 2024 season as she has hit a team-leading eight home runs and has driven in 22 runs while hitting .396.

FSU sports information:

The No. 16 Florida State softball team (15-5) defeated Florida Gulf Coast University (15-9) on Sunday 13-6 to finish the FGCU Spring Break Classic with four victories.

The Eagles got out to an early 4-0 in the first inning but the Noles bounced back behind the big bat of freshman Isa Torres, as she delivered a two-RBI single in the top of the third inning to help bring FSU to within one.

FGCU responded in the bottom of the inning and pushed its lead back up to 6-3. In the top of the fourth inning, Jaysoni Beachum delivered a clutch two-RBI double to pull the Noles back within one.

FSU found themselves down 6-5 in the top of the fifth inning until a Hallie Wacaser single and a Kennedy Harp sacrifice fly gave the Noles their first lead. The momentum continued with a Devyn Flaherty RBI single up the middle to give FSU an 8-6 advantage.

Michaela Edenfield then delivered a grand slam that broke the game open for FSU. The Noles bats caught fire and delivered eight runs in the fifth inning giving them a 13-6 lead that held firm through the end.

Makenna Reid pitched 3.1 innings and allowed just two earned runs while striking out four. She picked up her fourth win of the season and improved her record to 4-0.

As a team, FSU had nine hits and drew five walks. Torres and Flaherty led Florida State with two hits each, and Flaherty scored a team-high three runs.

The Seminoles are back in action Tuesday for a doubleheader against South Dakota State at JoAnne Graf Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The PGA TOUR’s Florida swing continues at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge – an iconic venue for one of the most iconic players of all time.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard is the second of three player-hosted invitationals (along with Tiger Woods’ The Genesis Invitational and Jack Nicklaus’ the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday) on the TOUR’s schedule this year and is the fourth of eight Signature Events.
Here's everything else you need to know before play begins in Orlando.

FIELD NOTES: Austin Eckroat will head north from Palm Beach Gardens to Orlando in search of back-to-back TOUR titles, fresh off a victory at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches in a Monday finish. Eckroat, who finished No. 3 in the inaugural PGA TOUR University Ranking in 2021, became the second PGA TOUR University alum to win on TOUR after Ludvig Åberg. Eckroat won the Cognizant Classic by three shots and will make his Bay Hill debut this week … Defending champion Kurt Kitayama looks to continue his solid play so far in 2024 and hopes to become the first back-to-back winner at Bay Hill since Matt Every in 2014-15. Kitayama is 5-for-5 in made cuts on TOUR this season … Reigning FedExCup champ Viktor Hovland is back in action. Hovland last teed it up at The Genesis Invitational where he finished tied for 19th. He has recorded back-to-back top-10 results at Bay Hill, including a runner-up in 2022 … Current world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is back in action and looking to continue his excellent form at Bay Hill. Scheffler has gone T4-1-T15 in his last three Arnold Palmer Invitational starts, and he hasn’t finished worse than T17 in his last five TOUR starts – including three straight top 10s … Other notables include Rory McIlroy (the winner in 2018 and runner-up a year ago), two-time winners from last season Lucas Glover and Max Homa, recent major champs Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark, past FedExCup champs Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay, and plenty more star power.
Of note: The Arnold Palmer Invitational will once again act as a qualifying event for The Open Championship, with three spots available to those not already qualified.
SPONSOR EXEMPTIONS: European Ryder Cuppers Nicolai Højgaard and Shane Lowry are both teeing it up at Bay Hill … Højgaard missed the cut at his Arnold Palmer Invitational debut in 2022 but comes to Orlando having found the weekend in five straight TOUR events. He also won the DP World Tour Championship in November … Lowry finished 67th at Bay Hill a year ago but comes into the week after finishing tied for fourth at the Cognizant Classic – his third straight top-five finish at PGA National … Adam Scott looks to continue his hot play of late on TOUR. Scott has notched four straight top-20 finishes on TOUR dating back to last year. This will be his 13th start at Bay Hill with a career-best showing of third place, both in 2004 and 2014. That’s a promising pattern for this week … 2018 PLAYERS champion Webb Simpson rounds out the sponsor invites given to TOUR pros. Simpson finished 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last season – his first start in Orlando since 2017.
David Ford, a junior at the University of North Carolina, earned his way into the field thanks to winning a vote of his peers at the 2023 Palmer Cup. Ford, the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and a first-team All-American was part of the winning USA team at the Palmer Cup. Beginning in 2017, the winning team has voted for one individual to receive an exemption into the Arnold Palmer Invitational – with Åberg and Collin Morikawa among the previous winners. This will be Ford’s third PGA TOUR start. Ford, who is third in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, played The RSM Classic in November alongside his twin brother, Maxwell.
SIGNATURE EVENT STORYLINES: With his first PGA TOUR victory, Eckroat earned his way into the Arnold Palmer Invitational (along with the remaining four Signature Events this season) … Mark Hubbard and Thomas Detry were bumped from the Aon Next 10 after the Cognizant Classic, with Eckroat making a hearty jump after his win. Erik van Rooyen also slid in with a tie for second at PGA National … Min Woo Lee, who finished second alongside van Rooyen, jumped into the second spot on the Aon Swing 5 to earn a spot at Bay Hill … The others in the Aon Swing 5 remained unchanged week-over-week with Sami Valimaki, C.T. Pan, Stephan Jaeger and Justin Lower rounding out that group … The Arnold Palmer Invitational will be the fourth Signature Event of the season … The next Signature Event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the RBC Heritage in mid-April. The Aon Swing 5 standings for Harbour Town start with the Puerto Rico Open and continue through the Valspar Championship, Texas Children’s Houston Open and Valero Texas Open … The Aon Next 10 for the RBC Heritage is comprised of the current-year FedExCup standings through the Masters Tournament.
COMCAST BUSINESS TOUR TOP 10 UPDATES: With his tie for fourth at the Cognizant Classic, Jake Knapp jumped from No. 8 to No. 5 in the standings … Chris Kirk also jumped one spot in the standings from No. 4 to No. 3 after a final-round, 6-under 65 at PGA National … Cognizant Classic winner Austin Eckroat jumped 78 spots in the standings to No. 17, about 50 points back from a spot in the TOUR TOP 10.
FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 700 FedExCup points.
COURSE: Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, par 72, 7,466 yards. Bay Hill will once again host the Arnold Palmer Invitational, as it has every year since 1979. It’s a mostly flat layout but features water challenges on most holes and demands a high level of ball-striking to score well. A shotmaker’s delight, Bay Hill is as testy as any PGA TOUR venue across the last half decade, with single-digit under-par winning scores in three of the last four seasons.
72-HOLE RECORD: 264, Payne Stewart (1987)
18-HOLE RECORD: 62, Andy Bean (Round 2, 1981), Greg Norman (Round 2, 1984), Adam Scott (Round 1, 2014).
LAST TIME: Kurt Kitayama let a star-studded cast of chasers back into the mix after making a triple bogey on the par-4 ninth Sunday, but a clutch birdie on the penultimate hole of the tournament followed by a nifty lag putt from 47 feet (to tap-in range) secured his first PGA TOUR title. Kitayama put together a virtuoso statistical effort – he ranked T1 in driving accuracy, T1 in greens in regulation and No. 3 in Strokes Gained: Putting. Kitayama shot back-to-back even-par 72s at Bay Hill over the weekend, weathering Sunday’s triple bogey with steady back-nine play to hold off an impressive pack including Rory McIlroy and Harris English, who shared second place one shot back. Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler finished a shot further back at 7-under and tied for fourth. Scheffler was looking to go back-to-back at Bay Hill but shot a 1-over 73 in the final round.

HOW TO FOLLOW: (All times ET)​

Television:

• Thursday-Friday: 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel),
• Saturday-Sunday: 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2:30-6 p.m. (NBC)

PGA TOUR LIVE:
PGA TOUR LIVE is available exclusively on ESPN+

• Main Feed: Primary tournament coverage featuring the best action from across the course
• Marquee Group: New “marquee group” showcasing every shot from each player in the group
• Featured Groups: Traditional PGA TOUR LIVE coverage of two concurrent featured groups
• Featured Holes: A combination of par 3s and iconic or pivotal holes

PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and free on PGATOUR.COM/liveaudio:

• Thursday-Friday: noon-6 p.m
• Saturday-Sunday: 1-6 p.m.

Congratulations again to last week's winner @Bill From Tampa

Not much movement with those scores, Mrs BFT holds onto the overall lead.



good luck to everyone this week

A lot of weekend reaction here:

Here's an interesting read for the day from ESPN with quite a few voices on the inside of Alabama's search to replace Nick Saban. Some intriguing (and relevant) things about how Norvell was a top candidate from the jump, where FSU could have pursued had he left and how it sure sounds like he was the No. 1 candidate and decided not to take it.

FSU had a big weekend with some of the premier players in the nation visiting. Justus Terry the five star DL from Manchester, Georgia. Kaliq Lockett a five start receiver from Sachse, Texas. Koby Howard from Chaminade Madonna High School in Hollywood, Florida. There were many other top rated prospects who also visited and we will check out. FSU has gotten many of their top targets on campus early in the recruiting process. Now we will have to wait and see who they can pull from the 2025 class.


QB

Brady Hart-Cocoa-6’5-185 (2026) –Hart led Cocoa to a state title this past year. He is one of the up in coming quarterbacks in Florida. He is more of a pocket passer than a true dual threat. He can make most of the throws asked of him. It will be interesting to see if his skill sets fit what Mike Norvell wants in a quarterback.

Troy Huhn-Mission Hills-6’4-200 (2026) –Huhn like Hart is a big quarterback. He stands around 6’4. He has a big time arm. You turn on his film and he steps back and can sling the ball. He reminds me of Drew Bledsoe. His ball placement on film looks good. He puts the ball where his receiver can catch it. He does hold the ball a little low and then brings it back up to release it. He will need to work on his mechanics.

Comments: This comes down to their evaluations this summer. FSU usually gets quarterbacks into their camp and decide who their guy is going to be. Hart and Huhn are both big, pocket passer types of quarterbacks. They are different type of quarterbacks than the ones FSU has recruited the past couple of years.

RB

Byron Louis-American Heritage-6’1-200 –Louis is one of the top rated running backs in Florida. He has some size. He also runs with a nice blend of speed and quickness. He can cut on a dime. You will see him cut and lose no momentum. He gets to the edge when needed. He has a running style which is downhill. Louis is not easy to catch. FSU is going to have to beat out Ohio State for Louis. They do have his former coach at FSU which could give them an edge.

Iverson Howard-Quince Orchard-5’11-190- Howard nickname is the rocket. You turn on his film and the first thing he is doing is returning a kick for a touchdown. He has quick feet. You will see him make a defender miss in the open field. He has some speed. You have to like that the kid is elusive. He is decisive in his running style. He does a good job of getting the ball and going. There is no wasted motion in his running style. He is not rated as high as Louis on my board but you can see why FSU is recruiting him.

Comments: Louis is one of their main targets. His recruitment is open at this time and FSU is one of his main schools that Louis will choose from. Howard is probably an option but not one of FSU top targets at this time.

WR

Kaliq Lockett-Sachse HS-6’2-175-Lockett has good hands. You will see him catch the ball away from his body. He has very good body control. He seems to have pretty good speed. He is very productive after the catch. He makes a ton of ridiculous passes on film. He is a very good route runner. Lockett film is impressive. You can see why he is highly rated and being recruited heavily.

Koby Howard-Chaminade Maddona-6’0-175 –Howard is not the biggest receiver (6’0) and he is not the fastest. He does have some quickness. He is a player that makes plays. Put him on special teams and you will see him make something happen. He is the type of player you get the ball in his hands and let him do his thing.

Comments: Lockett would be a big time get by FSU but the odds right now are probably under 50 percent that they land him. Howard was leaning towards Tennessee but the Seminoles have made a move. They may be the favorite at this time.

TE

Aaron La-Lutheran -6’6-215 –FSU needs a tight end in their class this year. What we like is that you will see him line up wide. He will also line up over a tackle. He can line up anywhere on the field and make plays. He is a miss-match for most defenses. He has solid hands. He also runs pretty good routes. La is raw but you can see the upside with him.

Comments: FSU needs a tight end. La comes from California and that is not an easy pull for the Seminoles. It will be interesting to see who they will have to go against.

OL

Tavaris Dice-Langston Hughes HS-6’4-280 –FSU needs tackles and Dice may give them one. He is built like someone that is already in college. He comes off the ball well. You would like to see him use his hands better. He seems to have shorter arms. That may be a concern in college. Is he a true tackle? If not where do you play him guard or center.

Matthew Parker-Jackson Prep-6’8-300: Parker is a massive human being. He is big and long. You watch him on fil and you will see him wreck guys who go against him. He comes of the ball and just drives them backwards. He does need to get stronger. Like to see him get stronger in the lower body. He is a good enough athlete to play on the left side.

Kayden Stryhorn-6’4-280 –He has some versatility. Kayden can play tackle, guard or center in college. He can move. You will see that Kayden is athletic. He will be used as a pulling lineman. He is someone that moves well laterally. He does not seem super long. He is probably more of a right tackle or interior lineman in college.

Josh Petty-Fellowship Christian School-6’5-270-Petty needs some work on his technique. He does not always get down in his stance. He does come off the ball well. You will see hi lock onto a defender and drive them backwards. He does a good job of keeping his feet moving. His strength is run blocking. We would like to see him more in pass pro.

Maki Stewart –Millikan HS-6’4-320-Stewart comes from California. He needs to improve his technique. He comes off the ball and looks off balance at times. He will shoot straight up off the ball and allow defenders to get under his pads. Like to see him move laterally better. Seems like more of a guard than a tackle. Bends or leans over at times to block a defender.

Micah Smith-Vero Beach-6’6-280 (2026) –Need to see more film to give a full evaluation. He has the physical traits.


Comments: Not sure how many of these guys FSU has a legit shot at. Tavaris Dice seems to be the one kid FSU may pull. The other guys on the board are talented but right now would be tough pulls. Parker is from Mississippi. Good luck with him.


DT

Justus Terry –Manchester HS-6’5-275-Terry is committed to Georgia. The fact that FSU was able to get this kid on campus is a huge accomplishment. He is a man child. These are the types of players that change your defense. He comes off the ball and just dominates. He is dominant against the run. Good luck trying to run at him. He just bullies offensive lineman. He can rush the passer but that is not his strength. Terry has a chance to be really good in college.

Andrew Maddox-Oak Grove-6’4-290-Hard for me to get excited about a kid from Mississippi. FSU does not have a ton of success in the Magnolia State. Maddox is another grown man. He is big and will take on blocks. You watch film and see who the first guy is off the ball, Maddox is every time. He is super quick off the snap. He gets into the backfield before a lineman can even touch him. He is as good as you will see on film. He is one of the best defensive lineman in the country.

Kevin Wynn-Green County HS-6’4-320 –Wynn is another gifted lineman from Georgia. He is not at the level of Terry but who is? Wynn is a space eater. He has a wide body and is tough to move off the ball. You will see him use his hands well. He gets off the ball pretty well. Many times, Wynn is going against someone that can’t handle him one on one. He is someone that could command a double team. His strength is playing the run.

Floyd Boucard-Miami Central-6’3-280-Saw him at UA and really like him. Floyd has power. He is built like a tank. He is very physical. You will see him get violent with his hands. He has quickness to beat most offensive guards and centers off the ball. He is someone that you play inside and let him wreak havoc.

Myron Charles-Port Charlotte-6’5-270-Charles is really good. We like that he can beat you with either power or finesse. He has very good hands. You will see him have quick hand movement which allows him get free of lineman. He can play outside or you can move him inside. Charles is a prospect who has not come close to reaching his potential.

Malik Autury-Opelika-6’6-320 (Committed to Auburn): BIG. He looks like a man child playing high school football. He is a little bit robotic for a defensive lineman. He is someone that is going to be tough against the run. Not sure what he brings as a pass rusher. He is a bigger kid that dominates guys in high school.

Comments: Terry and Maddox are game changers at defensive tackle. I don’t think it is a stretch to say Maddox is the better player. These two at DT would change your entire defense. FSU has a very good chance at pulling Charles. Land him and go all in on Maddox and Terry. Those two are potential NFL Draft picks one day.

DE

Mariyon Dye-Elkhart Central-6’5-240-Dye moves around on defense. You will see him play defensive end. You will see him line up as a linebacker. He is versatile. He is quick with his hands. Turn on his film and Dye is not easy to block. He does a good job of containing of setting the edge. He does not get broken down easily. He is a pretty good athlete for a defensive end.

Comments: Dye is a nice player but if I am going to travel to Indiana, I would like to see more on film. He is a good player. I think that Dye is someone that is probably better suited to playing in the BIG 10 or Notre Dame.


LB

Darrell Johnson-Dodge County-6’3-200-Johnson has lined up at quarterback, receiver and defensive back. He has the ability to move around and make plays. When he lines up at quarterback it is usually to run. He does not really step back and throw. He is a play maker with the ball in his hands. We expect him to play receiver or defensive back in college. FSU was his leader and looked like he was going to commit to them. He has recently visited Alabama and the Tide may have turned.

Gavin Nix-IMG Academy-6’0-230: Nix is an intriguing prospect. Where does he play in college? Does he play defensive end. Do you play him at linebacker? He has played some defensive back. He is well put together. One thing you will see Nix do is close quickly. Once he commits there is no doubt that Nix is going to run you down. He wraps up well. He is physical in the run game.


DB

Jontavius Wyman-Jonesboro-S-6’1-170 (2026) – Here is a prospect who may be a late bloomer. He plays on both sides of the football. He has pretty good size and length. He is someone that finds his way to the football on defense. You watch his film and realize Wyman has nice range. He has pretty good speed. You would like for him to have another gear.


Athlete

Amari Clemons-5’11-180 (2026) Clemons is a good athlete. You see him line up at linebacker and running back. He is not easy to bring down on offense. You will see him run through defenders. He is quick. You will see him cut on a dime and take off. He has pretty good speed. If Clemons was from outside of his area the kid would be better known. He is someone that we feel could draw more attention during spring football.

Comments: Clemons is the only so called athlete they brought in this weekend. His film is quite impressive. The only question is his competition. He is dominating guys at the high school level.

Rivals analyst Adam Gorney takes a look at some of the top 2026 quarterbacks, including a few considering FSU:

Prospects are back on the road and a ton of news has been coming out in recent days. Here’s the latest in this week’s Recruiting Rumor Mill from Adam Gorney.

Updates on Tavaris Dice, Jaime Ffrench, Koby Howard and others:

FSU is in the top three here, for me.

Debating a few pertinent questions in college football, including some thoughts on moving up the Early Signing Period as well as if Mike Norvell was Alabama's second choice:

FSU sports information:

Florida State diver Samantha Vear punched her ticket to the 2024 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships after finishing third on 1-meter at the NCAA Zone B Championships at the Jack Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium on Sunday.

Vear will compete in her second NCAA’s that will run from March 20-23 back at the University of Georgia along with Edith Jernstedt, Maddy Huggins, Jenny Halden and three FSU relays.

Looking to place within the top 10 in order to advance to nationals, Vear finished prelims in second place, scoring 286.80, sitting about 30 points away from the diver in 10th place. In finals, Vear added 295.40 to take third.

Through 12 rounds, Vear received marks of 6.0 or higher on 10 of her dives, finishing with a score of 582.20.

“Sammy did a great job today,” FSU head diving coach John Proctor said. “All of the ladies did great today, and I am proud of them. We’re off to good start.”

Izzy Gregesen also competed in the final of 1-meter, placing 17th with a score of 501.75.

Kayleigh Clark placed 22nd (243.05), followed by Jessica Buntman in 25th (242.25) and Vivian Johnson in 32nd (232.10).

The women will compete on 3-meter on Monday, starting at 3:15 p.m. The top eight on 3-meter and top seven on platform on Tuesday will advance to nationals. Due to her qualification on 1-meter, Vear can add 3-meter to her list by finishing within the top 12.

Jesco Helling, Darwin Nolasco and David Vargas will start the competition on Monday at 11 a.m. on 1-meter. The top seven on both 1-meter and 3-meter and the top 10 on platform will move on to nationals.

March 11

Men’s 1-meter

Prelims – 11 a.m.

Final – 1:15 p.m.

Women’s 3-meter

Prelims – 3:15 p.m.

Finals – 6 p.m.

March 12

Men’s 3-meter

Prelims – 11 a.m.

Finals – 1:15 p.m.

Women’s platform

Prelims – 3:15 p.m.

Finals – 5 p.m.

March 13

Men’s platform

Prelims – 11 a.m.

Finals – 12:40 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s Team – 2:30 p.m.

FSU 83 Miami 75 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly


The fact that I could only watch the game on the phone on the music stand while playing a concert. That's bad. Or good depending on your POV.

The fact that the director caught me watching the phone on the music stand and didn't mind. That's good.

The fact that in the few minutes during intermission that I could listen to the TV guys and mostly heard everything else that had nothing to do with the action going on on the court. That's ugly.

FSU earning a winning record overall and .500 in the ACC thus avoiding back to back losing seasons for the first time during the Leonard Hamilton era. That's good.

Winning on Senior Day. That's good.

Leonard Hamilton moving into a tie for 4th place all time in ACC regular season wins. That's good.

Sweeping Miami for the season. That's good.

Beating Miami for the 12th time out of 13 games. That's good.

FSU avoiding having to play on Tuesday ending up as the 9th seed. That's good.

Win two or three games and maybe FSU will play in the NIT. That's good.

Miami finishing the season on a nine game losing streak. That's ugly ............ for them.

Miami fading in the second period as has been the case for most of the nine losses. That's good. For FSU.

Former Seminole Matthew Cleveland playing for a team that after going to the Final Four last season went 15-16 overall, 6-10 ACC this season and will definitely be sitting home as soon as they lose in the ACCT. That can't be what he had in mind when he signed with the Hurricanes. That's ugly. For him.

Cleveland "leading" the team in plus/minus with a minus 11. That's ugly. For him.

Darin Green with 26 points including 8 of 15 from three point land. That's good.

The rest of the FSU team going 4 of 18 from the same three point land. That's ugly.

Jamir Watkins with another double double (16 points, 11 rebounds). That's 17 straight games in double figures for Watkins. That's good.

FT's. 15 -19. That's good. Especially when Miami got to the line only 10 times and made just six.

Primo Spears with 2 steals giving him 100 for his career. That's good.

Miami shooting 48% for the game. That ain't good ........ for FSU.

The FSU bench crushing the Miami bench 41-6. That's real good.

FSU forcing Miami into 17 turnovers while committing just 9 themselves. That's good.

Up Next. Virginia Tech (18-13, 10-10) as the 8th seed. FSU split the season series with FSU winning 77-74 and losing 83-75 nearly one month ago. In that game, VT hit 11 three pointers and outscored FSU at the FT line by nine. Tip off is set for Wednesday at noon. Not sure which channel it will be broadcast on, but it will be one of the 312 networks from by the four letter network.