Football

The big news in college football today is not Florida State football related, or at least not directly related. But the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners have formally applied to join the SEC, beginning in 2025. Many college football experts though expect the transition to happen much faster than that.

This realignment has put all of college football on notice as the SEC seemingly tightens its grip on the nation’s premier football conference (yes, I’m an LSU alum so maybe some bias there). But the point remains that this feels like the first domino in a major realignment for the sport as the rest of the Big XII is likely going to go hunting for a new conference to call home, something that will almost certainly impact the Florida State Seminoles for years to come.

For now and likely for a very long time, Florida State will be one of the cornerstone programs in the ACC though you wouldn’t know it from the Preseason All-ACC team. The Noles landed zero selections, which will likely just turn into bulletin board material for them. Unsurprisingly, the Clemson Tigers led the way with eight players on the team. Here’s a look at the rest of the selections.

Still the Noles are certainly looking the part this year as they took part in day one of photo and video shoots for what’s hopefully a turnaround season in Tallahassee.

One of the groups in need of a turnaround is the linebackers. They underperformed in 2020 so LastNoleofKrypton breaks down the position group heading into 2021’s put up or get passed up season.

As the season inches closer, the COVID-19 pandemic is making a resurgence as cases of the Delta variant rise across the country. Florida is the nation’s leader in those cases, which has led FSU to call off two of their August events — the kickoff luncheon and football fan day — for the second year in a row.

Mike Norvell has spent much of this offseason putting his program’s stamp throughout the state of Florida. Earlier this year, that included football camps kids. Next month, it’ll mean taking part of his team’s camp on the road as well as the Noles plan to head to Jacksonville for practices at UNF.

Hopefully, those efforts from Norvell will usher in the next wave of great players for the Seminoles.

Speaking of, FSU alum Bryant McFadden tossed out some perfect offseason fun... who do you have on the FSU Football Mount Rushmore? B-Mac took Deion Sanders, Ron Simmons, Peter Warrick and Charlie Ward. As announced above, I’m new to FSU, but some names that come to mind for consideration are Dalvin Cook, Jameis Winston, Jalen Ramsey, and Warrick Dunn. It seems limited to players, but I think it also makes sense for Bobby Bowden to hold down one of those spots. What do you think? Who would belong on an FSU Mount Rushmore?

Recruiting

Mike Norvell and his staff have been relentless on the recruiting trail for the last few months and our Tomahawk Nation team has been on top of all the developments for you. Our latest Triple Option podcast recaps the Seminole Showcase including some of the newest recruits to commit to wear the garnet and gold.

That work from Norvell’s staff is evident at the top of the rankings MaxPreps dropped of the best high school players in the country heading into the 2021 season. At No. 1, Florida State commit for the class of 2022 CB/WR Travis Hunter from Collins Hill in Georgia.

Basketball

The NBA Draft gets underway on Thursday and former Seminole Scottie Barnes is expected to be among the first names of the board. The Athletic reporting he will be one of the first five players taken because the Magic plan to take him if he’s still available at their pick.

Meanwhile, back on campus in Tallahassee, the FSU women’s basketball team is getting its final week of summer workouts underway.

Baseball

The easiest way to sum up baseball is to tell you to follow Brett Nevitt on Twitter if you aren’t already. He’s on top of all things around the program including former players signing with their pro teams...

Or guys showing out in the minors and/or summer league work...

Bryce Hubbart continues to be one of those players continuing to shine this summer as he’s put together some incredible stats, most notably a 45:8 K-to-BB ratio.

Softball

A pair of the Noles softball family will be coming from the Tokyo Olympics with some hardware. Team Canada assistant coach Lonni Alameda and catcher Kaleigh Rafter claimed bronze. Congratulations!

Golf

Former Seminole Kim Metraux will be heading to Tokyo next week representing Switzerland. She’s the second Nole competing on the links in these Olympics alongside Matilda Castren, who’s representing Finland. The two are the first FSU golf Olympians.

Former FSU golfer Hank Lebioda withdrew unexpectedly from the 3M Open late Friday night. Tuesday morning, he shared that he did it so he could fly to Florida to be with his father who was in the ICU. Thankfully, Lebioda says he dad is expected to be alright.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Hank and his family for his dad’s continued recovery.

Alumni

NFL players are returning for the start of camp across the country. Some already in, others just starting to report. Brian Burns is getting set to enter year three for the Carolina Panthers, and he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite up there.

He’ll potentially have the assignment of sacking a fellow FSU alum twice this year if Jameis Winston can win the starting job for the New Orleans Saints. It could be a make or break QB competition for Winston as he enters his 7th season in the league on a prove-it deal with the Saints.

Meanwhile, Graham Gano continues to be a mainstay in the league as he now hits a baker’s dozen as a pro.

Devonta Freeman is currently without an NFL team but he’s pushing forward and making gains off the field as he’s set to become an FSU graduate.