Tag: Seminoles

Newbury Park High junior quarterback Brady Smigiel fires a pass during a practice on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. After setting county single-season (52) and career TD passes (98) as a sophomore, Smigiel will lead a powerful Panthers offense in the newly formed Conejo Coast League.

Reports: Florida State loses commitment from 4-star QB Brady Smigiel

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Brady Smigiel, a four-star quarterback in the Class of 2026, decommitted from Florida State on Sunday, according to multiple media reports.

A three-year starter at Newbury Park (Calif.) High School, Smigiel had verbally committed to the Seminoles in June 2024 over finalist Michigan and more than 30 other programs. Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly made an in-home visit on Saturday, and UCLA, South Carolina and Washington also have made recent visits.

Smigiel, listed at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, is ranked the No. 63 overall prospect in his class, No. 5 at his position and No. 10 in California, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

“He definitely is planning on taking some trips,” his father and coach, Joe Smigiel, told On3Sports before Sunday’s news. “After the amazing season he had … and (being) named Mr. California for all classes he has gotten a bunch of interest.”

As a junior, he threw for 3,521 yards, 49 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ran for 11 TDs and more than 400 yards. Smigiel has a total of 147 TD passes and more than 11,000 passing yards in three seasons.

Florida State went 2-10 last season under head coach Mike Norvell, who has a new offensive coordinator in former UCF head coach Gus Malzahn. The Seminoles moved quickly on Sunday, making an offer to four-star QB Bowe Bentley of Celina (Texas) High School.

Bentley, listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, guided Celina to an unbeaten record and the Texas 4A D-I state championship in 2024. The junior is ranked No. 292 in the class, No. 18 at QB and No. 39 in Texas in the 247Sports Composite.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Coach Mike Norvell giving $4.5M to Florida State initiative

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Florida State coach Mike Norvell has restructured his contract to include a $4.5 million contribution to a new fundraising campaign for revenue sharing with student-athletes, the university announced on Monday.

The Vision of Excellence university initiative was designed to help with the student-athletes’ overall experience as well as coaching, facilities and fan engagement, the university said.

“I presented this to our administration in an effort to boost the support of our student-athletes while recognizing that the results and expectations need to be upheld to the highest level,” Norvell said in the statement.

“I wanted to be proactive in my financial assistance through this time of transition as we all push forward to get back to the standard of Florida State football. Great days are ahead, and I’m grateful to coach these players and lead this staff. We have been hard at work to uphold the tradition here at Florida State, and I believe this step will help accelerate the process to where I know we are going.”

Division I schools are permitted to share at least $20.5 million in revenue with their athletes starting on July 1 under a new House settlement agreement.

Norvell has coached the Seminoles since 2020 and is 33-27, including 2-10 this season after going 13-1 in 2023 with the team’s first Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 2014.

He received a multiyear contract extension after the 2022 season and an enhancement in January. Norvell, who is set to be paid $9.9 million in 2025, is under contract through 2031. He has an overall head coaching record of 71-43, including four seasons at Memphis (2016-19).

“He is a high-character person who took an honest assessment of what the program needed from its leader to move forward,” FSU director of athletics Michael Alford said in the statement. “I’m excited about the future of Florida State football. FSU will continue to be a leader in the new structure of collegiate athletics, and that includes how we provide for our student-athletes. It will take additional support. I’m not going to be shy about encouraging others to follow Coach Norvell’s actions and contribute however they can.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Florida State Seminoles helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Florida State hires Tony White as defensive coordinator

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Florida State tabbed Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White to the same post on Thursday.

White, a two-time Broyles Award nominee for the nation’s top assistant coach, spent the past two seasons with the Cornhuskers.

The addition of White comes three days after the Seminoles hired former UCF head coach Gus Malzahn as their offensive coordinator.

White, 45, will replace Adam Fuller, who was fired as defensive coordinator by head coach Mike Norvell last month. Fuller was one of three assistant coaches dismissed in the aftermath of a 52-3 loss to Notre Dame, including offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins.

“I’m excited to bring Tony White into the Nole Family in such an important role on our staff,” Norvell said. “His aggressive, innovative defensive scheme provides opportunities for playmakers to shine and is extremely difficult on opposing offenses. Tony has a proven track record coordinating elite defenses against some of the best competition in the country, and I’m looking forward to his impact on our return to the Florida State standard.”

White also was the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Syracuse (2020-22) and the defensive passing game coordinator/cornerbacks coach at Arizona State (2019).

Florida State lost to rival Florida 31-11 on Saturday to complete a 2-10 season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell before the game against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Reports: FSU set to hire DC Tony White from Nebraska

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Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White is set to join Florida State in the same capacity, ESPN and Rivals reported Monday.

Cornhuskers defensive line coach Terrance Knighton will join White at FSU, according to the Rivals report.

White, who spent the past two seasons at Nebraska, will replace Adam Fuller, fired as DC by head coach Mike Norvell last month. Fuller was one of three assistant coaches fired in the aftermath of a 52-3 loss to Notre Dame, including offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins.

White, 45, was also the DC at Syracuse (2020-22) and Arizona State (2019).

It was reported over the weekend that Gus Malzahn resigned as head coach at UCF to become the new OC at FSU next season.

FSU lost to rival Florida 31-11 on Saturday to complete a 2-10 season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Charleston Southern Buccaneers quarterback Kaleb Jackson (15) is tackled by Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Byron Turner Jr. (54) during the first quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Florida State pounds Charleston Southern for second victory of season

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True freshman Luke Kromenhoek threw three touchdown passes and Caziah Holmes ran for two more as host Florida State routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Seminoles (2-9) convincingly snapped a six-game losing streak and ensured that the Buccaneers (1-11) would finish theirs on a 10-game skid.

Florida State has not had much to celebrate during one of its worst seasons in program history. But on Saturday, the Seminoles overcame a rough start and put together one of their more complete efforts of the season.

Florida State had not scored more than 21 points in a game prior to Saturday’s contest and its 175 rushing yards more than doubled its average (80.5 per game) this season. No single runner had over 40 yards, but seven rushers combined for that output on 34 attempts. The Seminoles entered the game ranked 130th out of 133 FBS teams in rushing offense.

Holmes, a senior, finished with three carries for 38 yards, including touchdown runs of 3 and 18 yards.

Kromenhoek gave Florida State a sliver of hope for its quarterback future as he completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and no interceptions. He threw TD passes for Amaree Williams, Ja’Khi Douglas and Hykeem Williams.

The highlight was a 71-yard touchdown pass to Douglas on the first play from scrimmage of the second half to put the Seminoles ahead 24-0. Douglas finished with 82 yards receiving on three catches, and 10 different Florida State players caught passes for 240 total yards.

The Seminoles went 6 of 10 on third downs after averaging only a 25 percent conversion rate all season. Their defense held Charleston Southern to 275 total yards (57 rushing) and forced two turnovers.

Florida State was unable to hang on to the shutout, however, as Bucs quarterback Kaleb Jackson found Landon Sauers for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jackson completed 22 of 32 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Bucs defense recorded three sacks led by Davion Williams, who had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

The Seminoles will conclude their season next Saturday at home against rival Florida.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils defensive end Wesley Williams (97) celebrates a down during the first half of the game against Florida State at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Duke uses defense to notch first-ever win against Florida State

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Chandler Rivers’ interception return for a touchdown highlighted Duke’s strong defensive performance Friday night as the Blue Devils defeated Florida State for the first time, winning 23-16 at Durham, N.C.

Star Thomas ran for 88 yards and a touchdown and Todd Pelino kicked three field goals for Duke (6-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), which had lost all 22 previous meetings with Florida State.

The Seminoles (1-6, 1-5) outgained the Blue Devils 291-180 in total yards but sputtered late as their miserable season continued. Florida State reached Duke territory on its last two possessions, which ended with a fumble and failed fourth-down play.

Samuel Singleton Jr. returned the second half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to pull the Seminoles within 17-13. Pelino made it 20-13 on his 44-yard field goal in the third quarter and added a 39-yarder to put the hosts up 23-16 with 8:58 remaining.

Florida State moved to the Blue Devils’ 37-yard line on its ensuing possession before Kam Davis fumbled. The Seminoles got the ball back at their own 41 with 2:41 left but eventually failed on fourth-and-24 from their own 48.

Quarterback Brock Glenn was benched after he committed turnovers on three straight Florida State snaps in the first half. He returned late in the third quarter, finishing 9-for-19 for 110 yards and two interceptions for the Seminoles. Backup Luke Kromenhoek was 3-for-7 for 19 yards.

Maalik Murphy was 12-for-24 for 70 yards for Duke.

The Blue Devils punted on their first four possessions before Rivers stepped in front of Florida State receiver Jalen Brown for an interception and raced 36 yards untouched to the end zone to put the hosts up 7-3.

Glenn fumbled on the next snap, with Duke taking over at the Seminoles’ 36. Thomas later scored from 2 yards out on a fourth-and-1 run.

Ozzie Nicholas’ interception led to Pelino’s 27-yard field goal with 10 minutes left in the first half. Ryan Fitzgerald’s 53-yarder with 1:46 remaining cut the deficit to 17-6.

Fitzgerald opened the scoring with a 23-yard field goal and pulled Florida State within 20-16 on a 38-yarder early in the fourth.

–Field Level Media

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Patrick Payton (11) defends Louisville Cardinals running back Jawhar Jordan (25) during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Florida State edges Cal in defensive struggle for first win of the season

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Patrick Payton had three sacks for the game and Marvin Jones Jr. had two on the host Florida State Seminoles’ final defensive series to help seal a 14-9 victory over California on Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

Florida State (1-3) snapped a four-game losing streak and avoided what would have been its second 0-4 start since 2021 while handing the Bears (3-1) their first loss in what was the first ever meeting between the schools.

Cal starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed 22 of 36 passes for 303 yards to lead the Bears, who played their first ever game in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

But Mendoza was sacked six times with the last one by Edwin Joseph to force a game-clinching loss on downs with 54 seconds remaining.

Joseph, a redshirt freshman, also came up with the lone turnover forced by FSU when he recorded an interception.

The Bears will lament missed opportunities in the kicking game, which could have kept them unbeaten.

While kicker Ryan Coe connected from 25, 29 and 51 yards out, he also had a costly miss from 36 yards early in the third quarter and had a 38-yard attempt blocked with 6:07 left in the fourth.

Cal suffered an injury scare when offensive lineman Sioape Vatikani suffered an injury with 1:43 remaining in the third quarter. Vatikani remained on the ground for several minutes.

Moments after Vatikani was carted off the field, Coe booted his 51-yard field goal to put Cal ahead 9-7.

But Florida State, which entered the game ranked 124th of 133 FBS teams in scoring offense, found a way to score some points in the clutch.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei connected in stride with Ja’Khi Douglas for a 36-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass to put the Seminoles ahead with 11:08 remaining in the fourth.

Uiagalelei completed 16 of 27 passes for 177 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Another improvement for the Seminoles came in a running game which ranked 132nd in the nation entering the week. Lawrance Toafili ran for 80 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries as the Seminoles ran for a season-high 107 yards overall.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Jaylin Lucas (13) is tackled by Boston College Eagles defensive back Carter Davis (28) during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Florida State RB/KR Jaylin Lucas out for season

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Florida State running back and kick returner Jaylin Lucas is out for the season, coach Mike Norvell announced on Monday.

Lucas sustained an undisclosed injury during the Seminoles’ 28-13 loss to Boston College on Sept. 2. Florida State had an open date this past weekend following a disastrous 0-2 start to the season.

Lucas accumulated 88 all-purpose yards in two games: 36 on two kickoff returns, 39 on three receptions and 13 on two rushing attempts.

He transferred to Tallahassee after two seasons at Indiana, where he racked up 546 rushing yards, 329 receiving yards and 1,163 kick-return yards in 23 games from 2022-23.

Lucas has a redshirt year available and will have two remaining seasons of eligibility, according to Norvell.

“I know he’s going to do a great job of continuing to help the guys on the field,” Norvell said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Thomas Castellanos helps Boston College stun No. 10 FSU

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Thomas Castellanos threw for 106 yards and two of his three total touchdowns as visiting Boston College earned a 28-13, season-opening win over No. 10 Florida State in an Atlantic Coast Conference game Monday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

In Bill O’Brien’s debut as coach, the Eagles (1-0, 1-0 ACC) possessed the ball for 39:09, rushed for 263 of their 369 total yards and scored in four red zone trips en route to their first season-opening victory over a ranked opponent since 1976.

Kye Robichaux rushed for a touchdown and caught another from Castellanos, who was 10-for-16 passing and also added 73 rush yards as Boston College built a 14-0 lead and never looked back.

Former Florida State running back Treshaun Ward led the Eagles with 61 receiving yards and a touchdown while rushing for 77 more.

Florida State (0-2, 0-2) quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was 21-for-42 for 272 yards and a touchdown, but threw an interception and was sacked three times.

Kentron Poitier had three catches for 79 yards and a score in the loss.

The Seminoles are the fourth preseason AP Top 10 team to start 0-2 in the past 10 seasons, earning that dubious distinction for the second time in that span (2017). Only four teams — now including Florida State this season — ranked in the top 10 since 1970 started 0-2 with a pair of losses to unranked teams.

In the first quarter, Boston College orchestrated a 14-play, 71-yard scoring drive while limiting the hosts to just 51 seconds of possession. Three third-down conversions fueled a red-zone march that culminated with Castellanos diving in for a 4-yard touchdown four seconds into the second quarter.

Ward was the top target on the Eagles’ second touchdown drive, taking a 13-yard catch-and-score to the front corner of the end zone at the 9:58 mark. Four plays earlier, he also had a key 42-yard reception and burst up the sideline.

Florida State worked inside the 10-yard line on its final two second-half series before settling for two field goals by Ryan Fitzgerald.

It was also an inauspicious start to the second half for the Seminoles, as Uiagalelei’s fourth-and-5 pass was intercepted by Max Tucker and returned 58 yards across the field. Two plays later, Robichaux caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Castellanos.

Uiagalelei found Poitier for a pair of 29-yard catches to trim Florida State’s deficit to 21-13, but the visitors marched 75 yards on the next eight plays and made it a two-score game on another Robichaux touchdown.

–Field Level Media

FSU football players participate in fall practice as the team prepares for Georgia Tech at the Albert J Dunlap training center on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.

No. 10 Florida State, Georgia Tech kick off 2024 season in Dublin

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For 229 days, the college football world has awaited the return of the ever-changing sport.

No team is more eager to get back to the proving grounds than No. 10 Florida State.

Georgia Tech and Florida State kick off the 2024 season on Saturday in Dublin, Ireland. Saturday marks the ninth college football game played in the country.

A College Football Playoff bridesmaid in December, the Seminoles return depth from the 13-1 conference-championship winning team. Florida State brings back 73 players, including nine All-ACC members, an unprecedented number in today’s transfer portal-dominated landscape.

In the backfield, the Seminoles are led by fifth-year senior Lawrance Toafili, who rushed for 463 yards in 2023, when he backed up Trey Benson. Toafili was last year’s ACC Championship Game MVP and enters the season as Florida State’s leading returner in rushing and all-purpose yards.

The offense returns a receiving core of nine Seminoles who combined for 86 receptions for 1,195 yards and five touchdowns. Although the unit lost Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson and Jaheim Bell to the NFL Draft, a pair of experienced players in Mackey Award watch list tight end Kyle Morlock (19 receptions, 255 yards in 2023) and Ja’Khi Douglas (14-243) look to anchor the group.

Maybe the most vital piece of the Florida State roster is fifth-year transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. He takes over for Jordan Travis, the 2023 ACC Player of the Year whose season ended with a knee injury that shifted the Seminoles’ fortunes. Travis was a fifth-round pick of the Jets in April.

After an inconsistent career at Clemson from 2020-22, Uiagalelei found more success at Oregon State in 2023, passing for 2,638 yards and accounting for 27 total touchdowns.

Back in the ACC for a final go-around, the veteran quarterback is considered a key in the Seminoles’ bid for their first College Football Playoff appearance in a decade.

“DJ has played in a lot of football games,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “He’s seen it all. He’s been through the highs and lows. I could not be any more pleased with what I’ve seen since he got here in January. He’s playing with a lot of confidence. I’m excited to see him go play like he’s prepared. If he does that, I think he could have a very special season.”

In front of Uiagalelei, Florida State returns all-conference offensive linemen Darius Washington and Maurice Smith.

Florida State was left out of the playoff last season in part because of injuries at the quarterback position. But the Seminoles are 23-4 the past two seasons and don’t need a pep talk before taking the field in 2024.

Georgia Tech enters the season coming off its first winning campaign since 2018, and first bowl win since 2016. Brent Key has the program anticipating renewed success, but the Seminoles have dominated the series with a 13-4 advantage in regular-season ACC meetings (2-0 in ACC title games).

Dual-threat quarterback Haynes King, who threw for 2,842 yards and 27 touchdowns, while adding 737 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground in 2023, is back behind center for the Yellow Jackets.

“When I say (Haynes) has every skill and every bit of ability to be the best quarterback in the country, I mean it,” Key said. “We’re very excited for him.”

Last year’s leading rusher Jamal Haynes (1,059 yards, seven touchdowns) also returns for Tech.

Florida State’s offense gets plenty of publicity. The Seminoles have some youth on the other side of the ball, but defensive back Azareye’h Thomas said the group’s mindset paves the way for positives.

“They have speed, speed, speed. Our defense will have to mind our Ps and Qs,” Thomas said of playing Georgia Tech’s track athletes at wide receiver. “It starts in the meeting room. We watch film so that when we come out to practice, it’s easy.”

Key overturned a staff that ranked 97th in the country last year in points allowed. Duke’s defensive coordinator, Tyler Santucci, relocated to Atlanta. Under Santucci, the Blue Devils allowed just 19 points per game, best in the ACC.

“That’s why I got hired,” Santucci said. “Stop people, create takeaways … get the ball back to the offense and don’t let them score touchdowns. That’s not pressure. That’s our job.”

Georgia Tech is playing internationally for the second time. The Yellow Jackets topped Boston College 17-14 in the inaugural Aer Lingus Classic in 2016.

“It’s a great opportunity for Georgia Tech,” Key said. “It’ll be great for people to see the GT on a worldwide stage.”

–Field Level Media