Category: Florida State Seminoles

FSU’s Braden Fiske shines in Reeses Senior Bowl game

Braden Fiske’s standout performance at the Senior Bowl, his disruptive presence in the backfield, and rapid initial burst, has emphatically amplified his draft prospects

Braden Fiske’s NFL draft stock keeps climbing. In a recent article, I highlighted his compelling performance throughout the Senior Bowl practice week, particularly noting his dynamic presence in practice sessions and one-on-one reps. His prowess, characterized by a unique blend of speed, power, and aggression, established him as a standout force on the line.

Despite facing challenges in a few reps against Miami’s Javion Cohen, Fiske’s overall dominance, especially in team exercises, underscored his ability to disrupt plays and command the line of scrimmage. Even with a relatively lighter frame, his explosive talent shone through, unequivocally affirming his readiness for the NFL stage. He simply gets off the ball like he was shot out of a cannon at 6’4 295 lbs.

This readiness was further validated during the Senior Bowl game, where Fiske’s performance silenced any lingering doubts about his capability to excel at a higher level. His relentless drive resulted in a constant presence in the backfield, a fact that did not go unnoticed. The game’s commentators frequently mentioned his name, at times dedicating minutes to laud his substantial impact on the game, particularly during the third quarter. NFL analysts Charles Davis and Brian Baldinger both raved about his performance postgame.

Fiske’s performance in the game speaks volumes: a sack, numerous stops in the backfield, and consistent pressure on the offense whenever he was on the field. His initial burst, among the fastest I’ve observed from an ACC interior lineman in recent years, was a persistent nightmare for the opposition. His exceptional play even sparked discussions among spectators and analysts about him being a deserving candidate for the game’s MVP, a remarkable consideration given that he switched teams at the last minute due to roster requirements.

The culmination of Fiske’s impressive week of practice was this game, where his name was mentioned more often than most skill position players, a notable feat for an interior lineman. This showcase is expected to significantly elevate Fiske’s draft stock. Currently, he is projected to go in the second or third round.

Fiske wasn’t the only player from FSU to leave a mark on the game. Jaheim Bell demonstrated notable yards-after-catch (YAC) ability and athleticism, turning a few catches into gains. His consistent performance throughout the week, marked by a natural knack for finding open space, suggests that he, like Fiske, is a name to watch as the draft approaches.

Clemson earns big road win at Florida State

A recap of the Clemson Tigers’ victory over Florida State on Saturday.

Maybe it was the team’s purple jerseys?

Whatever it was that helped turn the recent fortunes of the Tigers around, Clemson picked up a much-needed 78-67 victory over Florida State in ACC play Saturday at the Tucker Center in Tallahassee.

Clemson’s bench had 28 points, and four players finished in double digits. Chase Hunter led the way with 14 points, including a dunk with 34 seconds to play for the game’s final points.

The win was the Tigers’ (13-5 overall, 3-4 conference) third straight over Florida State (11-7 overall, 5-2 conference) dating back to last year.

It was also the team’s biggest victory of the season after a dreadful start to the new year saw the Tigers drop four of their first five games in 2024, including an embarrassing home loss earlier in the week to Georgia Tech.

Clemson rallied from an eight-point deficit midway through the first half against FSU to even the score at 30-30 by intermission.

Coach Brad Brownell said that he challenged his team at halftime to finish strong after second-half letdowns had defined the Tigers’ last four losses.

“I just told them we’d been here before,” Brownell said. “The hardest part for us is… can you stay connected and competitive enough to have enough fight to hold them off? Because they’re going to come running and climb on your backs.”

Clemson more than withstood the challenge, outscoring Florida State 48-37 in the second half.

Chauncey Wiggins sank a 3-pointer, and PJ Hall had a layup as Clemson found itself on a 7-0 run to start the half for a 37-30 lead.

The lead would grow to as many as 13 after Josh Beadle, another reserve having an impactful game, made a running layup and took a foul from Baba Miller to push the Tigers’ lead to 65-52 with 3:24 left.

When Florida State began fouling with under 90 seconds to play, Clemson sank its next six foul shots to close things out. The Tigers hit their last nine free throws overall.

“We missed a couple of free throws in those losses,” Brownell noted. “We just haven’t done the things you have to do to finish off games. Today, knock on wood, we did.”

Clemson shot 51 percent for the game and was 7-for-17 from beyond the arc. FSU never got into a rhythm against the Tigers’ zone defense and ended up shooting only 40.7 percent from the floor, including just 4-of-18 from 3-point range.

Jamir Watkins led Florida State with 15 points. Two other Seminoles players, Primo Spears (12 points) and Darin Green Jr. (13 points) finished in double figures as well.

Entering the day Saturday, Florida State had won all five of its ACC contests since January began.

UP NEXT: Clemson has a break in midweek action before resuming play next Saturday at No. 7 Duke. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST from Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game will be televised by ESPN.

Clemson Tigers vs. Florida State Seminoles: How to Watch/Stream/Listen

A look at how and where Clemson fans can stream Saturday’s ACC contest against Florida State.

Clemson is hoping to keep its once-promising basketball season from slipping any further. Since ACC play resumed at the start of January, the Tigers have dropped four of their first five contests in 2024.

The team’s next challenge, a road trip to Tallahassee to take on a streaking Florida State team, won’t make things any easier.

The Seminoles (11-6 overall, 5-1 conference) have won all five games against ACC competition since conference play resumed on Jan. 3.

Florida State beat Miami, 84-75, on the road Wednesday night to. further state its case as one of the ACC’s best teams. Heading into the weekend, only No. 4 North Carolina is ahead of the Seminoles in conference standings.

FSU forward-guard Jamir Watkins is atop the team’s leaderboard, averaging 13.1 points per game. Primo Spears and Cam Cohen, two reserves, each had 16 points off the bench in the Seminoles’ win at Miami.

Meanwhile, Clemson is headed in the opposite direction.

The Tigers (12-5 overall, 2-4 conference) suffered their worst loss of the season on Tuesday night when they coughed up a nine-point lead in the final 1:33 of regulation against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets went on to win in double overtime.

PJ Hall had a career-high 31 points in the loss, three nights after he turned in 26 points in the Tigers’ win over Boston College.

Series Notes and Recent History

Florida State leads the all-time series, 46-35. The Tigers won both contests a year ago, 82-81, in Tallahassee and 94-54 at Littlejohn Coliseum.

How To Watch

Hereā€™s a look at how and where Clemson fans can watch, listen, and stream Saturday’s game.

Date: Saturday, Jan. 20

Time: 4 p.m. EST

Where: Donald L. Tucker Center

TV Channel: ACC Network

Live Stream: ESPN+

Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | TuneIn App | SiriusXM (Channel 194)

Broadcast Teams

ACC Network: Mike Monaco, Randolph Childress

Clemson Radio Network: Don Munson, Tim Bourret

ACC asks court for injunction against Florida State

The ACC has asked a North Carolina court for an injunction against Florida State.

The ACC has asked a North Carolina court for an injunction against Florida State to ban the university from participating in all conference affairs due to the school’s ongoing attempt to withdraw from the league’s Grant of Rights agreement.

The move is the latest in what is shaping up to be a messy divorce between the ACC and Florida State, which joined the conference in 1991.

In new motions filed Wednesday, the ACC addended its lawsuit in a North Carolina court to ask for an injunction against Florida State, accusing the school of having “a direct and material conflict of interest” with the conference.

The league alleges that Florida State released confidential information (deemed “trade secrets”) between the conference and television partner ESPN when it held a public Board of Trustees meeting on December 22. Florida State filed legal actions against the ACC in Leon County, Florida that same day.

The ACC initially filed suit against Florida State on December 21. In doing so, the league asked a North Carolina court to proactively declare the ACC’s Grant of Rights clause a legally binding contract.

Florida State’s lawsuit seeks to challenge the validity of the Grant of Rights clause — and the $130 million “withdrawal fee” that would come from FSU leaving the conference before June 30, 2037, when the Grant of Rights is set to expire.

Florida State has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the ACC’s media rights deal in comparison to those of other conferences, namely the SEC and Big Ten, andĀ has threatened on multiple occasions to leave the ACC.

Elite 11 Finalist Trever Jackson commits to Seminoles

In a major snag for Florida State University, Trever Jackson, a standout quarterback and Elite 11 Finalist, has committed to the Seminoles. Jackson, previously aligned with Ole Miss, brings impressive talent to an already talented QB lineup for FSU’s 2024 season.

Florida State has made another significant addition to its roster, securing the commitment of Trever Jackson, a highly-touted quarterback from the class of 2024.

Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 190 pounds, Jackson hails from Winter Garden, Florida. His journey to FSU was marked by a previous commitment to Ole Miss, which he retracted in late October.

This commitment follows the Seminoles’ recent successful signing of Luke Kromenhoek, another top prep quarterback. Both are Elite 11 Finalists. With only two scholarship quarterbacks available for the Orange Bowl, FSU further strengthened its lineup by securing Oregon State’s DJ Uiagalelei, bringing their quarterback count to four for the spring.

Ranked as the No. 348 player nationally and the No. 22 quarterback, Jackson shows promise despite being considered somewhat raw with a high upside. An Elite 11 Finalist, notably winning the “Rail Shot Challenge,” Jackson’s recruitment journey included 28 offers and an official visit to Pittsburgh in the summer of 2023.

His initial top choices were UCLA, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma. This latest commitment to FSU marks a significant step in his athletic career and a notable addition to the Seminoles’ quarterback lineup.

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Four-Star Edge Rusher Chooses Florida State Over Alabama

FSU flips Alabama commit, Javion Hilson.

Florida State has successfully swayed Javion Hilson, a four-star edge rusher from Cocoa, Florida, away from Alabama. Hilson took to social media, through HayesFawcett, to broadcast his decision to join the Seminoles.

Previously leaning towards FSU throughout most of 2023, Hilson had committed to the Crimson Tide in December. During a spring tour of Tallahassee, he expressed a strong connection with the team, noting his versatility on the defensive line and his fit in FSU’s 4-2-5 defense. He feels as if he can play anywhere the team needs on the defensive line.

His initial pledge was to the Alabama Crimson Tide, but Florida State managed to draw the 6-foot-3.5, 225-pound athlete to their program.

With offers from over 30 colleges, including prestigious programs like Florida, Georgia, LSU, and Ohio State, Hilson’s skills are widely recognized.

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Former Alabama LB Shawn Murphy strengthens FSU’s unit

The Noles add to their linebacker room.

Florida State has strengthened its defensive lineup by securing Shawn Murphy, a former Alabama linebacker.

Quickly moving through the Transfer Portal, Murphy visited Florida State, confirming his commitment shortly after. This move fills a critical gap in the Seminoles’ roster, particularly at the linebacker position, where Murphy’s arrival is a first from the transfer portal for the Seminoles this offseason.

Standing at 6-foot-2-inches and weighing 225 pounds, is anticipated to bring a fresh dynamic to the team. He joins the roster as its 14th transfer, and notably, the fifth player to switch from Alabama to FSU. Murphy joins Roydell Williams and Malik Benson among others.

Murphy, a native of Manassas, Virginia, will enter his third collegiate year in 2024. His freshman year with Alabama saw him participate in five games, making two tackles and a pass defended. The following season, Murphy played in 13 games mostly on special teams, and recorded three tackles.

Before his collegiate career, Murphy was a standout high school player. Ranked as the No. 141 national prospect and the No. 12 linebacker by 247Sports. He also earned recognition as Virginia’s No. 3 player. His high school accolades include 113 tackles, 20 for loss, six sacks, and two interceptions in his senior year, leading to the prestigious 2021 Butkus Award and participation in elite games like the Under Armour All-America Game.

Murphy’s decision to join Mike Norvell, turning away from other top programs like Florida and Ohio State, marks a significant development for the Seminoles.

Florida State adds two big-name SEC transfers including a Florida lineman

Just one day after head coach Mike Norvell signed an extension, the Seminoles brought in an Alabama running back and a Florida offensive lineman.

Just one day after Florida State announced head coach Mike Norvell signed an extension, the Seminoles reeled in two big transfers from the SEC, including one big rival.

Former Alabama running back Roydell Williams and former Florida offensive lineman Richie Leonard IV both committed to join Norvell in Tallahassee next season.

Williams spent the past four seasons with the Crimson Tide, rushing for 1,168 yards and 11 touchdowns in an Alabama uniform. His carries increased in each of his four seasons, culminating in his best season in 2023. He ran for 560 yards and five touchdowns on 111 carries, the highest single-season marks of his career in all three categories.

Leonard started every game for the Gators last season, and PFF credits him with 1,250 snaps across the past three seasons. He earned a pass-blocking grade of 63.7 and a run-blocking grade of 63.9 last season.

Both transfers will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Social media reacts: Mike Norvell staying at Florida State

Mike Norvell is staying put at Florida State.

Florida State coach Mike Norvell took to X, the social media platform still commonly referred to as Twitter, shortly after noon on Friday to announce that he was staying put in Tallahassee.

Norvell, the recipient of the 2023 Bryant Award, had been one of the names rumored to be in the running for the Alabama coaching job after the news of Nick Saban’s retirement rippled across college football on Wednesday.

In his fourth season in Tallahassee, Norvell led the Seminoles to a 13-0 regular season and an ACC championship. His team narrowly missed the College Football Playoff in favor of 12-1 SEC champion Alabama, and Florida State was subsequently blasted 63-3 against Georgia in the Orange Bowl following numerous opt-outs and other departures from the program.

Multiple reports say Norvell’s new contract at FSU will pay him more than $10 million a year over the next eight years.

Here’s how fans and media members reacted to Norvell’s announcement.

NCAA tightens grip as FSU hit with early NIL era sanctions

FSU assistant gets 3-game suspension for NIL related violations.

Florida State finds itself at the epicenter of a groundbreaking NCAA crackdown, one of the first sanctions related to NIL to be imposed by the NCAA.

The crux of the issue lies in Florida State’s Offensive coordinator Alex Atkins. Atkinsā€™ involvement in arranging a meeting between Amarius Mims, a Georgia offensive tackle, and a key member of Rising Spear, a NIL collective associated with FSU.

During this meeting, the prospect was reportedly offered an NIL deal worth approximately $15,000 per month for his first year at the school. This act of facilitating a meeting and the subsequent NIL offer constituted a breach of NCAA regulations, as it was deemed an impermissible recruiting inducement.

The NCAA’s investigation found that Atkins, by driving Mims and his parents to and from this off-campus meeting, engaged in impermissible recruiting contact. NCAA rules stipulate that boosters, like those running a NIL collective, cannot have such direct, in-person, off-campus interactions with recruits. Atkinsā€™ role in arranging and facilitating this meeting crossed these boundaries.

The NCAA also charged Atkins with unethical conduct. This was based on findings that he provided false or misleading information about his knowledge and involvement in the violations. He denied facilitating the meeting between the booster, Mims, and Mims’ family.

However, he was truthful about other aspects, such as acknowledging his role in transporting them. This particular aspect of the case was treated as a Level II violation due to its specific circumstances.

The repercussions? They’re as severe as they are historic. Atkins faces a three-game suspension in the 2024 season and a two-year show-cause order. This show-cause order isn’t just a slap on the wrist. Some liken it to a scarlet letter in the coaching world, it could hinder his employment prospects in the future. In Atkinsā€™ case, heā€™s expected to stay with FSU, but he’s under the NCAA’s microscope.

The full list was released Thursday night. They include the following:

  • Two years of probation.
  • A two-year show cause order for the assistant coach, including a suspension from the next three regular-season games, a two-week restriction on recruiting communication, and required attendance at an NCAA Regional Rules Seminar attendance. ā€¢ A restriction from off-campus recruiting during the fall of 2023 for the assistant coach.
  • A three-year disassociation from the booster.
  • A one-year disassociation from the collective.
  • A $5,000 fine plus 1% of the football budget.
  • A 5% reduction in football scholarships over the two-year probationary period, amounting to a total reduction of five scholarships.
  • A reduction in official (paid) visits in the football program in the 2023-24 academic year by seven. The school also will not roll over six unused official visits from the 2022-23 academic year.
  • A reduction in football recruiting communications for a total of six weeks during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years.
  • A reduction in the number of in-person recruiting days during the 2023-24 academic year by six evaluation days during fall 2023 and 18 during spring 2024.

The NCAA’s full confirmation and report: Here

The NCAAā€™s action against FSU is unprecedented, signaling a new era in its approach to NIL-related issues. While NIL rules remain murky territory, the NCAA is taking a stand against any misinterpretations or exploitations of these guidelines. This all comes just weeks after FSU made themselves the first to challenge a grant of rights in court. On Dec. 22, 2003, FSU was the first to challenge the legality of the league’s grant of rights and its $130 million withdrawal fee.

Florida State University’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, Michael Alford, has stated in response to the NCAA’s recent disciplinary action. The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions announced a negotiated resolution with FSU for infractions involving Atkins.

Alford stated, ā€œWe are pleased to reach closure to this situation and view this as another step in strengthening our culture of compliance at Florida State University. We take all compliance matters very seriously, and our full cooperation with the NCAA on this case is a clear example of that commitment. We remain committed to compliance with all NCAA rules including disassociation of the booster and the collective.ā€

While some may perceive the rules governing NIL and recruitment interactions as overly meticulous or even petty, their violation represents a breach of the NCAA’s regulatory framework. These regulations are not arbitrary; they are meticulously crafted to ensure a level playing field and maintain the integrity of college sports according to the NCAA.

Amidst this turmoil, FSU’s football program is also navigating other turbulent waters. They were notably excluded from the College Football Playoff despite a stellar season, a decision that sparked widespread controversy and legal challenges. Moreover, some speculate that FSU’s head coach, Mike Norvell, is in the running for Alabamaā€™s head coaching position, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

As NIL continues to evolve, so too will the landscape of college sports, where the line between permissible and impermissible activities remains as delicate as ever.