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

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

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

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

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

FSU sports information:

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

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

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

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

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

FSU sports information:

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

This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.

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

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

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

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

Now to my point:

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

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

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

Consider the following:

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

Does anyone know when camp starts?

First amendment guy videoed me at bldg dept!

I’m a first amendment guy too but he was crawling up the fighting side of me for a moment

Right here:

If you look at Rivals' team rankings, FSU has a 4.1 average for their 10 commitments. Ohio State has a 4.0, but with 22 total commits sits atop the leader board. Only LSU, which sits at 10th (4.07-15 Total Commits), and Oregon, which is at (4.0-15 Total Commits) and 4th overall, have a ranking average above 4.0.

Javion Hilson is the No. 1 Weak side DE according to Rivals. That should be good enough for him to eventually land a 5th Star. Solomon Thomas is rated the No. 1 OG according to Rivals.com. He is listed as a 5-Star recruit. If Hilson gets a 5th star, and I would expect him to, FSU will have two legit 5 star prospects in their class.

Let us take a look at the class:

QB Tramell Jones - (4-Star) 6'1-190 - (Committed to FSU) FSU has locked their quarterback up for the 2025 class. After flirting with UF, Jones told The Osceola that he is shutting it down. Don't look for FSU to sign another quarterback.

RB Byron Louis - (4-Star-#7 Overall) 6'1-200 / Ousmane Kromah -6'2-220 (4-Star-#6 Overall) - FSU is going to land one of the two backs. It would be great for them to land both backs but let’s not get too greedy. Louis has been leaning FSU for a very long time. He took a visit to Georgia, and Miami really wants him. I like FSU's chances because of the Patrick Surtain tie. It worked with Gregory Thomas. I see the same thing happening with his recruitment. I say follow the visits with Louis...Jan, March, April and last in June 21. Kromah is going to commit soon. FSU/UGA are the top two. If he goes FSU, does Louis go to UGA or does FSU pull both?

WR CJ Wiley - (4-Star-15th Overall) 6'4-22 (Committed to FSU) Rivals has 14 receivers rated ahead of Wiley. No knock but I have to watch the other 14 guy’s film. Wiley is an elite receiver. I talk about ELITE traits. He has elite size. He has elite or close to elite hands. He is so smooth running routes. Wiley is a special talent. He is Keon Coleman but faster. I think Wiley is another player who could earn a 5th star at some point. I also think there should be two categories for receivers -outside and slot. CJ Wiley is an outside receiver.

Daylan McCutcheon - (4-Star-18th Overall) 6'0-175 - I feel Daylan could be the next commit. He is very good. He plays on the outside but we see him more as a slot receiver at the next level. Add him to this class and FSU has two very good players committed.

Holding Pattern - Joshua Moore (Committed to UF), Vernell Brown (UF Lean)

TE Chase Loftin - (4-Star-17th Overall) 6'5-220-(Committed to FSU) FSU pulled off an impressive win with Loftin. He will need time to develop but his skill set can't be questioned. He has size, speed and pretty good hands. He also runs good routes. There is not much not to like. I thought FSU would try and land two tight ends in this class. That may still happen but I now expect that spot to go to a transfer portal TE.

OL - Solomon Thomas - (5-Star-1st Overall OG) 6'3-280 (Committed to FSU), Peyton Joseph (4-Star-15th Overall-OG). (Committed to FSU)

FSU sits pretty at offensive guard with Thomas and Joseph. Anyone else they are looking at will be tackles. We can't stress this enough. Josh Petty is No. 1 on their board. We feel Petty will end up in the class. He is someone that could commit before the summer is out. If they land Petty, I am sure FSU would like to land one more tackle in their class. Ty Haywood is most likely going to go to Alabama. We will most likely see some more options emerge.

DE Javion Hilson (4-Star-1st Overall-WDE) 6'5-230-(Committed to FSU) I feel Hilson is one of the best if not the best DE in the country. He reminds me of Dallas Turner, who went round 1 from Alabama and played HS at Saint Thomas Aquinas. Hilson has elite quickness off the edge. Even when Hilson does not get to the quarterback he puts pressure on them.

Jared Smith (4-Star-4th Overall) 6'5-230 - FSU is going to have to fight Auburn for Smith. He took a visit recently and FSU felt so good about him and Grady ao they dropped Nick Clayton. This is big-game hunting. If Smith does not end up choosing FSU, we could see them circle back on Clayton.

DT Kevin Wynn - (4-Star-22nd Overall) 6’4-320 (Committed to FSU) / Myron Charles – (4-Star-1Oth Overall SDE) (Committed to FSU) FSU is sitting in a position of strength at DT. They have two of the better defensive tackles in the Southeast. Charles chose FSU over Texas and Miami. Wynn comes from Georgia, where they are loaded at that position this year. With these two committed FSU can wait and see what happens with Jalen Wiggins and Justus Terry. I expect Wiggins to flip eventually and Terry to end up at Georgia.

LB Ethan Pritchard - (4-Star-21st Rated OLB) 6’2-200 - (Committed to FSU) Ethan has flown under the radar because he committed early to FSU and did not show interest in any other programs. He is a good athlete. Believe he played in the secondary and is now a backer. Can be an every-down backer. He can run. He can play in coverage. You can have him come off the edge and rush the quarterback. FSU has a major need at LB and is now going to have to rely on its ability to FLIP someone. Tavion Wallace just committed to Arkansas and TJ Alford is committed to Ohio State. Ty Jackson is also another option at linebacker.

DB - Gregory Thomas - (4-Star-22nd Overall) 6’2-200 (Committed to FSU) After landing a stellar defensive back class in 2024, FSU is on the verge of doing so again in 2024. Thomas is a kid that can play either CB or S. FSU will look to bring in 2-3 more defensive backs in this class. We expect Max Redmon to become a Seminole.

Final Thoughts: FSU had a nice hot streak going and then all of the sudden the LB misses seemed to put a halt to that momentum. FSU is going to land a top rated running back in the next two months. They are also leading for Josh Petty. He would be the best OT prospect FSU has landed in over a decade. I know there are some that are upset with the linebacker recruiting but I do believe that Wallace will end up in FSU class in December and the Noles will land one other backer (Alford or Jackson) in this year’s class. The one thing is FSU coaches are looking for quality over quantity. They are in a position of strength and you could not say that 2-3 years ago.

How do you rank the head coaches on FSU's schedule for 2024?

1) Dabo Swinney-Clemson: The Osceola's always talks about football being a merit-based profession, hard to argue with Dabo's results.

2) Bill O' Brien-Boston College: His time as a college head coach is limited but he did a great job in a short-time at Penn State and has success as an assistant at the college level at GT. Very good play-caller. 15-9 with the Nittany Lions under some severe sanctions by the NCAA. Was 52-48 as a head coach in the NFL.

3) Mack Brown-UNC: Wins everywhere he goes but father time is catching up with him. 282-149-1 as a college coach. One national title. I think his best days are behind or I would have him at number two and I think he more of figurehead at this point in his career so probably should go more towards the middle of the pack but out of respect, he is at three. And the fact that he just can't seem to beat FSU should knock him down the list.

4) Billy Napier-Florida: The deck is stacked against him in 2024, if he is as good as I think he is, he will be back in 2025. He is 11-14 at Florida but 51-26 overall as a head coach.

5) Marcus Freeman-Notre Dame: He is entering his third season at ND. Has won 70-percent of his games in two seasons.

6) Brent Key-Georgia Tech: He is 11-10 in two seasons at GT and got the Jackets to a bowl game last season. GT is noticeably tougher under Key than they were under Geoff Collins, and you would expect that out of someone who played and coached for George O'Leary as well as coached for Nick Saban. I almost put him in front of Freeman since he took over a more difficult program.

7) Rhett Lashlee-SMU: went 7-6 in his first year at SMU followed by an 11-3 season in 2024. He is a Hugh Freeze disciple and a very good play caller. Brings the Mustangs into the ACC with some momentum.

8) Ryan Satterfield-Memphis-He took over for Mike Norvell at Memphis and has not had a losing season. Came into last year under some pressure after going a combined 13-12 in 2021 and 2022. The Tigers went 10-3 last year which probably saved his job. He is 31-19 in four plus seasons.

9) Mario Cristobal-Miami: He should be ranked higher based off his record as a HC, but I still can't unsee what I saw at the end of the Georgia Tech game last season when all he had to do was take a knee to win. He doesn't, and you know the rest of the story. Also, he lost a game at Oregon in similar fashion. He is 12-13 at Miami and 74-73.

10) Manny Diaz-Duke: He went 21-15 at Miami after taking over for Mark Richt. Just never seemed like a good fit. He never had a losing record in ACC play, though.

11) Justin Wilcox-California: Wilcox hasn't had a winning season since 2019 and only two at Cal since he took over in 2017. He is 36-43 overall with the Bears.

Tim Murphy just retired at Harvard, compiling a 200-89 record at the school and wrapping up 45 years of coaching at various levels of college football. He readily acknowledges the opportunities to earn a degree at Harvard but also the ability to prepare football players for the next step.

Harvard has produced grad transfers, sending all-Ivy League prospects on to finish their college careers at SEC, ACC and Big Ten schools as well as Notre Dame in recent years. This includes grad transfer Jacob Rizy, who earned a pair of degrees this spring and is now at Florida State.

“He's a legitimate major college athlete, body type and football player,” Murphy told the Osceola. “He's also such a bright kid that he can play multiple positions. What makes him special are his intangibles. He's tough, he's physical, he's a great leader and teammate, and he's always that guy that comes to practice and workouts with an infectious smile. Plays through pain when he's banged up. His teammates will love this kid because of all of those things.

“He should be playing at this very high level of college football, but I think it's intangibles that make him special.”

Rizy played in 22 games, starting 20, in his three seasons at Harvard (the 2020 Ivy League season was cancelled due to COVID). He was a two-time All-Ivy League selection, including a first-team pick in 2023 as the Crimson went 8-2.

FSU sports information:

Rising Florida State men’s swimming and diving freshman Logan Robinson was selected to represent USA Swimming for the 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships that will be held in Canberra, Australia, from Aug. 21-24.

Robinson earned his spot on the roster after finishing as the top available junior at the 2024 U.S. Olympics Trials in the men’s 200-meter fly, where he finished 13th behind a personal best of 1:58.08.

“We could not be happier for Logan,” FSU head coach Neal Studd said. “He has worked hard for this, and we are excited to begin working with him to continue his development.”

A native of Pensacola, Fla., Robinson was the 2023 FHSAA 3A state champion in the 100 fly (47.18) and 200 free (1:36.72).

While representing Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club, Robinson was a seven-time finalist at the 2024 NCSA Spring Championship finalist. He was also a two-time finalist at the Speedo Junior National Championships in 2023 where he finished fifth in the 200 free (1:50.62) and sixth in the 200 fly (2:00.04).

Four-star ATH Vernell Brown has set a commitment date for July 21st. He will chose between his four finalists, Florida, Florida State, Miami and Ohio State.
Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media

I view this is a classy statement. And of course he would be fielding a bunch of Clemson-related questions. Three FSU veterans will represent the team along with coach Mike Norvell at ACC Kickoff on July 22:

"I was honored to be invited by the conference office to represent Florida State at this year’s ACC Kickoff. The experience of attending that event in 2021 and 2022 is among the highlights of my time in college, and I appreciate being viewed as one of the conference’s top players heading into this season. However, I feel strongly that Florida State should be represented by players who were part of last year’s ACC championship team. The players who helped put this program back on top of the ACC should have the opportunity to be recognized for their contributions. This team is more than its quarterback, and I’m excited for my teammates who will experience this fantastic event."

We'll have four more interviews with FSU football newcomers at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

OL Jacob Rizy, RB Micahi Danzi, DB Ricky Knight III and WR Elijah Moore will be speaking with the media.

We'll have some short notes below in the thread and more from the interviews later in the day.

2025 safety prospect Max Redmon will announce which of three schools he will commit to tonight. Redmon will choose between Florida State, USF and Illinois. Redmon is ranked as the number one safety prospect in the state of Florida for this recruiting cycle by the Osceola's Charles Fishbein. He ranks just ahead of Hylton Stubbs (Miami commit) and Bryce Fitzgerald who will commit to either FSU, LSU, Miami and Florida on August 16.

Both Fish and I have FutureCast in for Redmon to commit to Florida State. Both of us have believed for quite some time that Redmon has wanted to commit to the Seminoles.

Defensive back Greg Thomas committed to FSU last week. FSU is also still involved with uncommitted defensive backs Bryce Fitzgerald, Ladarian Clardy, Jordan Young and Jaboree Antione which could have an impact on Redmon's decision to commit to FSU or FSU's decision to take Redmon.

(The agreement between FSU and Learfield was up. This deal with FSU-Legends includes radio broadcast and other multimedia rights)

FSU sports information:

Florida State University Athletics and Legends, a global premium experiences company, announced today a new 10-year multimedia rights partnership. This strategic collaboration aims to enhance the university’s multimedia rights and maximize its commercial platforms, positioning Florida State for success in the evolving collegiate landscape.

This agreement expands the relationship between FSU Athletics and Legends. Legends also currently supports premium seating for the $260 million renovation of Doak Campbell Stadium and manages hospitality, including concessions, premium suites and clubs, and catering for FSU Athletics.

“This partnership between Legends and Florida State Athletics creates a dynamic collaboration between like-minded organizations at a time when the importance of alignment has never been greater,” said Michael Alford, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Florida State. “Together we can capitalize on a limitless array of new opportunities for revenue streams while also maximizing our potential in established avenues as well. This will enable us to meet the growing needs of our student-athletes while also maintaining financial stability for the services we provide in areas of fan engagement and experience.”

Legends brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the partnership, having established itself as a trusted partner for numerous marquee institutions that are leveraging the company’s best-in-class expertise in revenue generation and premium experiences.

“Florida State University is a forward-thinking institution that understands the importance of aligning revenue streams to position for success in the new collegiate landscape,” said Mike Behan, President of Legends College. “The recent NCAA settlement has further emphasized the need for universities to explore innovative ways to optimize their commercial potential. Legends is proud that FSU has entrusted our team to build on our partnership to capitalize on this opportunity and further solidify its position as a trailblazer in collegiate sports.”

As part of the partnership, Legends will collaborate closely with Florida State Athletics to enhance multimedia rights, including broadcasting, licensing, and sponsorship opportunities. The company has formed Florida State Global Partnerships and will build a resolute staff that will be integrated with the FSU Athletics team to drive success for the multifaceted partnership.

This is the latest partnership for Legends burgeoning college business, which includes multimedia rights partnerships with the University of Notre Dame, the University of Miami, and Georgia Tech. Legends provides leading universities, collegiate organizations, and events with an industry-leading, comprehensive service solution covering research, project development, premium ticket sales, sponsorships, food and beverage, merchandise, business intelligence, marketing, and philanthropic fundraising and engagement.

Florida State has added to its 2025 secondary class.

This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.