mens' basketball have become, I thought it would be fun to keep track of who we know are pulling these stunts. Just know...these kids couldn't care less about YOUR university, so why in the world would you care about them? I know that's a harsh statement, but sadly it's also the harsh reality of what the universities, the owners, and the legal system have created.

9/24 UNLV starting QB quits team because of NIL dispute
9/25 USC's starting DL Bear Alexander quits team
9/26 Washington LB Bryun Parham quits the team
9/27 SIX players for Indiana quit the team

These are just the ones I know of in just FOUR days, without even looking for them.

And on top of all this, ncaa football really is becoming just like the NFL (the national fixed league) by picking winners. Miami would like to thank the audience for participating. I only watched the last 34 seconds, but got to watch the "officials" take around FIVE minutes to decide it was "INDESPUTABLE". Too funny! Even the announcers and the "official" helping on the call thought that was a joke.

We've often enjoyed watching Lawrance Toafili and Ja'Khi Douglas these last five years. And we've often viewed them as complementary pieces in the FSU offense.

Now they're taking on considerably larger roles in 2024. Each scored touchdowns in the 14-9 win over Cal on Saturday.

Toafili leads FSU in rushing yards (147 and 4.9 yards per carry), and Douglas leads FSU in receiving yards (224) while averaging 17.2 yards per reception (second on the team).

This is likely where we say that Toafili and Douglas can't be primary pieces of FSU's offense. And they shouldn't be. FSU needs to keep pushing freshman Elijah Moore, redshirt freshman Jalen Brown and sophomore Hykeem Williams. (And, yes, Douglas needs to improve as a blocker, as do all of the receivers.) FSU also needs to get more carries for Kam Davis, Caziah Holmes, Sam Singleton and Micahi Danzy.

But the Seminoles also need Toafili and Douglas. Toafili undoubtedly should be in FSU's three-back rotation. And Douglas should be among the three-receiver sets.

Douglas has accumulated 961 career receiving yards and six touchdowns going into Saturday’s game at SMU. That doesn’t sound like much of a career over five seasons, but it has includes some crucial catches in big moments.

On Saturday, it was a game-winning 36-yard touchdown grab against Cal. Last year, it was a six-catch, 115-yard game at Pitt when FSU leaned on him while Coleman and Johnny Wilson were out due to injury. In 2021, he had a 59-yard reception on the game-winning drive as FSU defeated Miami.

“Just being me in the moments,” Douglas said. “When my number’s called, going out there and making the play. … When opportunity comes, make the play and make the best of it. That’s what I did.”

With Roydell Williams out for what Norvell has said is an “extended” period of time, Toafili is FSU’s leader in the running back room and in line to get significant rotational carries. Toafili now has 1,586 rushing yards, and he is less than 200 rushing yards away from joining the top 20 on FSU’s all-time list.

Toafili’s 17 carries against Cal were a career high. His 80 rushing yards were the most by a Seminole in a game this fall.

FSU's offense hasn't been fun to watch in 2024. (Here's hoping it gets better - soon.) We thought in the spring that Roydell Williams would be more impactful, that Jaylin Lucas would be a playmaker and Destyn Hill would deliver a productive year 2 at FSU. Injuries have changed the outlook of FSU's offense, not an excuse but a development that has forced the coaches to evaluate their personnel options.

Toafili and Douglas are part of the solution. Likely it's as bigger pieces to the puzzle than we figured. But they're essential pieces.

Kam Davis could become the first FSU true freshman to start a game this season Saturday at SMU.

There are a few criteria Mike Norvell is looking for before other freshman on offense join the rotation and Alex Atkins sees them getting closer in practice.

With Florida State campus closed and Hurricane Helene bearing down on Tallahassee in the near future, the FSU football team still went to work Wednesday morning. It was the final practice open to media members before Saturday night's road game at SMU (8 p.m. on ACC Network).

Here are the observations from the day's practice:

Mike Norvell said he thought he saw some improvements from DJ Uiagalelei Wednesday and I'm inclined to agree. I thought the quarterback was doing a much better job not holding the ball too long -- something that has been a problem through his first few games -- and distributing the ball. He operated well in 1-on-1s, throwing a perfect deep ball to Malik Benson, and 7-on-7 pass skelly, using the whole field to spread the ball around with a streak of very accurate passes. During this stretch of success, he completed a deep ball to Deuce Spann, found Landen Thomas and Darion Williamson over the middle, found Hykeem Williams for a third-down pickup at the sticks. He also found freshman running back Micahi Danzy on a few wheel routes for chunk gains in team periods. I'm not promising a breakthrough for Uiagalelei Saturday, but I will say I saw a bit more about how Norvell talked about how "close" Uiagalelei and the offense have been this morning.

While Uiagalelei was better than Brock Glenn on the whole Wednesday, Glenn did lead a scoring drive in a one-minute drill during the first team period of practice. He completed a pair of passes and drew the defense offside on fourth and four to set up a 52-yard field goal which Ryan Fitzgerald hit as time expired. Glenn also threw an exceptional deep ball to Lawayne McCoy during pass-skelly 7-on-7.

The catch of the day belonged to Hykeem Williams. In 1-on-1s on the goal line, Williams mossed Azareye'h Thomas, leaping over him and reaching in front to snag a pass and land inbounds in the back of the end zone. It was an exceptional play and speaks to Williams' incredibly high ceiling. Ja'Khi Douglas also made a really nice leaping catch in the red zone Wednesday, showcasing his athleticism.

The freshman tight ends, Thomas and Amaree Williams, got involved in the passing game with frequency Friday, each making a few plays as they continue to jockey for playing time. Williams made an even better play as a blocker, though, pancaking a defensive back during a perimeter blocking period of practice. The big block drew a huge reaction from his offensive teammates who swarmed him.

Azareye'h Thomas keeps putting himself in position to make plays, adding another pass breakup in tight coverage during Wednesday's practice to halt a drive. Quindarrius Jones, who had three pass breakups in FSU's win over Cal, added another pass breakup Wednesday against the scout team, doing a great job tracking a deep ball to the end zone and nearly intercepting it.

There are multiple reports that 2025 RB prospect Ousmane Kromah from Lee County (Ga.) has pushed back his commitment date to October 5th. Kromah was originally going to decide between FSU, AUB, TENN and UGA and announce his decision this Saturday. He was on FSU's campus this past weekend to watch the Seminoles win over Cal.

The No. 7 Florida State soccer team (6-0-2, 1-0-1 ACC) hosts Clemson (4-3-2, 0-2-0 ACC) in a rematch of both the ACC Championship and College Cup Semifinals from last season. The Seminoles currently hold a 14-game unbeaten streak in conference play dating back to 2022.

Due to the forecasted path and expected strengthening of Hurricane Helene, Florida State’s home soccer game against Clemson was postponed from Thursday to Saturday at 6 p.m. Additional updates will be communicated as necessary via social and Seminoles.com.

Florida State meets Clemson for the 37th time, tied at third for the most played opponent in program history. The Seminoles have won the last eight matches over the Tigers dating back to 2018, including three victories last season.

FSU scored four straight goals on the road to defeat Clemson in the regular season before Onyi Echegini’s brace in the 2023 ACC Championship propelled the Seminoles to a fourth straight conference title. Florida State completed the third victory over the Tigers with goals from Kaitlyn Zipay and Jordynn Dudley to advance to the national championship match.

The Seminoles continue to extend and break program records on their impressive run dating back to last season. Florida State has scored in 42 straight games and holds a 31-game unbeaten streak, both of which are program records. FSU has recorded five shutouts to start the season and hasn’t conceded more than two goals in a game in the past 18 matches.

The reigning national champions concluded non-conference play unbeaten for a fifth consecutive season before beginning the first week of ACC play with six goals. Taylor Huff and Kameron Simmonds each scored two goals in the victory over Syracuse before Ashlyn Puerta scored the game-tying goal at SMU.

FSU has scored 30 goals in the opening eight games, the most in that span since 2009 (33) while conceding just four goals since the 2023 ACC Championship.

The Seminoles sent six players representing three nations to the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. Marianyela Jiménez and Venezuela picked up its first-ever point in the competition while Lara Dantas and Brazil reached the quarterfinals. The four Seminoles representing the United States earned bronze after an extra time victory over the Netherlands.

Gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. and general admission is free. The 6 p.m. game will stream on ACC Network Extra.

The Florida State cross country teams secured top 20 team finishes at the Nuttycombe Invitational on Friday at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course in Madison, Wisconsin.

As one the most prestigious regular season meets, the Seminoles battled against 32 of the 60 teams ranked in the USTFCCCA National poll.

“It was a great performance by the women’s team today highlighted by Bieke Schipperen,” said FSU Director of Cross Country Matt Kane. “She showed a tremendous amount of improvement over last year, improving her time on the same course by over a minute and a half. Overall, I feel like it puts us in a really good position as we head into the second half of the season.”

The Noles placed 16th as a team (409), securing a win over ranked opponent Iowa State (No.30). and Michigan (RV).

Racing in a field that contained 190 student-athletes, Bieke Schipperen led the women’s 6k, crossing the line in 17th with a time of 20:30.2, marking the first top 20 individual finish in her career.

Elizabeth Barlow followed at 20:52.2 (39th), while Anna Sentner followed in 102nd with a time of 21:27.4. Brooke Mullins made her Seminole debut placing 105th at 21:29.5. Emily Brown was the fifth FSU scorer at 21:59.7 (152nd).

On the men’s side, for the second straight meet, Kidus Misgina turned in the top time for the Noles crossing the line in 16th at 23:45.9.

Matthew Neill followed in 37th with a career best time of 24:03.2. Zach Leachman was the third Seminole to cross the line at 86th with a time of 24:35.4. Joe Farley clocked a career best of 24:40.2, placing 99th. Coleman Cronk rounded out the scoring for FSU in 118th at 24:59.1.

In a field that featured 15 teams that were ranked or receiving votes, the Seminoles placed 15th (356).

“Overall, really satisfied with how the men executed the race in Wisconsin today, “said assistant coach Ian Frazier. “Today was all about learning the course and seeing where we stack up against the nation's best, and I think we did just that. Highlights include a very smart run by Kidus and a big finish from Matt Neill.”

“Not only that, but nearly every guy out there had a big PB on the course over last year,” Frazier added. “We still have a few things to clean up late in the race, but once we do that, I’m confident that we will be in exciting spot heading into pre-nationals.”

Florida State will host their first home meet of the season for the FSU XC Invite at Apalachee Regional Park on Oct. 11.

Due to the forecasted path and expected strengthening of Tropical Storm Helene, Florida State’s home soccer game against Clemson has been postponed. The game was originally set for Thursday at 7 p.m. and is now tentatively scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.

Would you rather have the outfield backdrop be College Town or Chief Osceola Statue/Doak?

Homers hitting tin roof of bars in college town would be cool. But an evening game with Chief Osceola and Doak lit up in the background, animals of section b going crazy, walk off fashion!

FSU sports information:

The Florida State men’s swimming and diving team is ranked No. 18 in the CSCAA Preseason Poll, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) announced.

The men’s team will begin the season at No. 18 and the women are receiving votes.

FSU is one of eight ACC teams in the men’s preseason top-25, including top-ranked California, and another conference opponent is receiving votes. In the women’s poll, nine ACC squads are ranked or receiving votes, led by No. 1 Virginia.

The Seminole men were No. 18 in the final poll of the 2023-24 campaign and checked in as high as 16th during the season. The women were receiving votes for much of the year and entered the top-25 at No. 23 in December.

After this weekend’s FSU Invite was canceled, and the Seminoles will now open the 2024-25 season from October 11-12 at the Morcom Aquatics Center. The All Florida Invitational is set for Friday, October 11, as the men and women compete against Florida Southern College and the women also face North Florida and West Florida. On Saturday, October 12, both teams will square off against ACC foe Georgia Tech. Admission is free both days.

Florida State also will compete at the Morcom Aquatics Center on October 19, January 24 and January 27.

FSU sports information:

The World Exposure Report named Florida State women’s basketball players Ta’Niya Latson and Makayla Timpson to its top 50 players to watch for the 2024-25 season on Friday.

Latson ranked 14th on the list, while Timpson was 48th.

Latson, who was the second-highest ranked player on the list from the ACC heads into her junior year with 1,354 career points, averaging 21.3 per game. She also has 101 steals, 279 rebounds over 64 games played.

A two-time WBCA All-American honorable mention and two-time All-ACC First Team selection, Latson ranks 16th in Florida State history in points scored and tied as the fastest player to surpass the 1,000-point barrier.

The Miami, native, has scored 34 points in five career games, the most of any Seminole in program history.

As a rookie, Latson was named the WBCA Freshman of the Year after becoming the first freshman in ACC history to lead the league in scoring (659 points).

Timpson has registered 187 career blocks and 744 rebounds in 98 games played. Her 31-career double-doubles rank third, just 10 off the program record set by Natasha Howard (2011-14) at 41. She ranks fourth in career blocks and 12th in rebounds in FSU history.

Timpson became the single-season program leader in double-doubles (18), blocked shots (87) and rebound (341) following 2023-24. She finished in the top 15 nationally in blocks per game (10th), double-doubles (13th) and rebounds (14th).

The Edison, Georgia, native, is a two-time ACC All-Defensive Team selection. Timpson was named to the All-ACC First Team in 2024 and Second Team in 2023. In 2023 she was voted the league’s Most Improved Player.

The Seminoles were also recognized Wednesday in the way too early top 25 by ESPN, ranking 19th. FSU is slated to bring back 75 percent of their scoring production from a year ago as well as 82 percent of their rebounds.

The Seminoles will host Tampa on Oct. 23 in an exhibition.

Hey guys, posting this for those who hadn't seen prior. We just put out some highlights from the Rivals Five-Star.

There is absolutely no way Norvell is freely trotting dj out there over and over like this. Everyone in America can see dj is 100% inept and should have been benched 3 games ago.

This is what FSU needs.
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Hey guys, for anyone who may not have seen prior, here are highlights from Tramell Jones at the Rivals Five-Star in Jacksonville back in June:

FSU sports information:

Senior defensive back Kevin Knowles II is among the semifinalists for the Jason Witten Man of the Year Award. Now in its eighth season, the Witten Award is the first to primarily focus on a player’s leadership, both on and off the field.

A Hollywood, Fla., native, Knowles has participated in events with Hope to Dream, reading at W.T. Moore Elementary School, Boys Town, the FSU President’s Council for First Generation students, serves on the LYFE Board and SAAC through Florida State Athletics and narrated an event with the Black Student Union.

On the field, Knowles has started each of the past four seasons, including all four games in 2024. He was part of a Florida State defensive secondary that led the country in 2023 by allowing just 46.9 percent completions.

Twenty semifinalists will be announced on October 22. Three finalists will be named for the award on Monday, December 16. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 12, 2025.

Friday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. ET
Virginia Tech at #7 Miami
Series: Miami leads series, 25-15
Last meeting: Miami, 20-14 (2022)
ESPN: Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst), Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 371

Saturday, Sept. 28, Noon ET
Western Kentucky at Boston College
Series: First Meeting
Last meeting: N/A
ACCN: Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst), Morgan Uber (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 983

Saturday, Sept. 28, Noon ET
Holy Cross at Syracuse
Series: Syracuse leads series, 24-5
Last meeting: Syracuse, 41-3 (2019)
ACCNX: Noah Reed (play-by-play), Craig Haubert (analyst)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 139 / SiriusXM 194
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2 p.m. ET
Northern Illinois at NC State
Series: NC State leads series, 1-0
Last meeting: NC State, 41-14 (1997)
The CW: Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst), Caleb Gebhart (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 386
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 955 / SiriusXM 976

Saturday, Sept. 28, 3:30 p.m. ET
#15 Louisville at #16 Notre Dame
Series: Series is tied, 2-2
Last meeting: Louisville, 33-20 (2023)
Peacock: Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst), Zora Stephenson (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 85 / SiriusXM 129
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 85 / SiriusXM 129

Saturday, Sept. 28, 3:30 p.m. ET
Louisiana at Wake Forest
Series: First Meeting
Last meeting: N/A
ACCN: Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Rocky Boiman (analyst), Coley Harvey (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 988

Saturday, Sept. 28, 4 p.m. ET
North Carolina at Duke
Series: North Carolina leads series, 65-41-4
Last meeting: North Carolina, 47-45 (2023)
ESPN2: Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 385
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 955 / SiriusXM 975

Saturday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m. ET
Stanford at #17 Clemson
Series: Clemson leads series, 1-0
Last meeting: Clemson, 27-21 (1986)
ESPN: Mark Jones (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst), Quint Kessenich (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 139 / SiriusXM 194 / SiriusXM 384
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 / SiriusXM 974

Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. ET
Florida State at SMU
Series: First Meeting
Last meeting: N/A
ACCN: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Dana Boyle (sideline)
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955

The volleyball match between Florida State and Miami that was set for 5 p.m. on Saturday in Coral Gables, Fla., has been moved to Noon on Sunday due to inclement weather in the Tallahassee area. The match can be seen live on ACCNX.

One of the most positive storylines through Florida State’s first four games is the youth movement on defense. Second-year Seminoles, whether they are sophomores or redshirt freshmen, have earned valuable playing time in 2024.

And it’s quite the pivot for FSU’s coaching staff, which clearly didn’t go into 2024 with this plan. Nobody thought the Seminoles would be 1-3 at this point in the schedule, but there have been significant changes in how much younger defensive players have been used and there are long-term benefits to earning significant playing time.

Just two second-year players — linebacker Blake Nichelson and safety Conrad Hussey — saw any snaps on defense in the opener against Georgia Tech. By the BC game, seven second-year Seminoles were playing and then five were on the field for 20 or more snaps in the 14-9 win over Cal.

Top rated player according to Perfect Game. Dad is Corey Fuller. Already committed to Link and the Noles.

What are chances he suits up for the Noles? He would be equivalent to a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕ for you football recruiting junkies.

Oh btw Gary Sheffield son, Noah Sheffield is already in Tallahassee with Noles.

LFG!