Florida State at The Voice of College Football

Breaking Down Florida State's 2027 Recruiting Class | Florida State Seminoles LIVE 332

Episode Notes: Breaking Down Florida State's 2027 Recruiting Class Florida State Seminoles LIVE 332 Hosts: Gus Wilson & Cole Kruger Date/Context: July 8, 2026 (post-4th of July episode) CLASS OVERVIEW * Current Status: 13 commits (5 four-stars, rest three-stars). * Rankings: 36th nationally, 8th in ACC (third-fewest commits in conference). * Comparison: Down significantly from last year’s class (34 commits, finished 2nd in ACC). * Expected Final Size: Hosts predict 13–15 total commits. * Key Observation: No five-star commits; heavy reliance on three-stars. Emphasis needed on blue-chip prospects who can contribute early. Concerns Raised: * Struggles winning in-state Florida talent (Miami #4, Florida #8 nationally). * Low commit numbers possibly tied to NIL, program culture/identity, and coach loyalty vs. program loyalty. * Questions about Mike Norvell’s recruiting track record and player development. * Many commits from out-of-state (Georgia, Mississippi, etc.). DEFENSIVE COMMITS (8 PLAYERS HIGHLIGHTED) Positions covered: 2 Safeties, 2 Edge, 2 DL, 2 LB. No corner commits yet. Notable Three-Stars: * Jamari Foreman (S, Fort Lauderdale, FL) – One of few Florida kids. * Eric Valks Jr. (DL, Mississippi) – Beat Tennessee. * Ulrich Johnson III (LB, Kennesaw, GA) – Beat Georgia Tech. * Jackson Hawley (Edge, Roswell, GA) – Beat Michigan/Georgia; vocal about “bringing this place back.” * CJ Ahubanwa (Edge, Norcross, GA) – Beat Virginia Tech/Kansas; similar motivational quotes. Four-Stars (Standouts): * Anthony Cavallaro (Edge, Largo, FL) – Beat UCF/USF/UF; 6'4", 230 lbs; top-40 edge in FL. * Jernard Albright (S, Springfield, GA / St. Francis Academy) – Flipped from South Carolina; 6'2", 205 lbs; top-200 player; favorite defensive commit; athletic, versatile. * Sam Lejeune (DL, Poplarville, MS) – Beat Mississippi State; 6'6", 265 lbs; high-level production + track athlete; one of the top-rated in class. Defensive Themes: Good size and athleticism; beating Power programs out-of-state; culture-fit quotes from several. OFFENSIVE COMMITS (5 PLAYERS) * Connor Wynn (TE, Jacksonville, FL) – Early commit (sophomore year); 6'5", 235 lbs; limited tape; compared to Chase Lofton. * Logan Flaherty (QB, Port Charlotte, FL) – Dual-threat; similar style to Kevin Sperry; strong high school stats. * Majay Thompson (WR, Shelby, NC) – Speedy slot/shifty (4.44 40); track athlete. * Sean Green (WR, Kingsland, GA) – Four-star; 5'10", 160 lbs; committed over Georgia/Virginia; monitor post-commit visits. * Jada Miles (RB, Baton Rouge, LA) – Biggest offensive highlight; 6'2", 203 lbs; dynamic, explosive; beat LSU/Ohio State/Auburn interest; great vision/hands; Cam Martin’s first HS commit as RB coach. Offensive Themes: No offensive line commits (major red flag). Heavy out-of-state focus. Jada Miles seen as potential superstar. KEY TARGETS / WATCH LIST * DeJuan Yarbrough (Interior OL, Chandler, AZ) – Composite four-star; announcement July 11. * Tashaun Poole (S, Macon, GA) – Top-75 player; crystal ball to FSU; potential immediate impact; pair with Albright. * Chandler Dyson (QB, Warner Robins, GA) – Four-star; FSU was early favorite but Ole Miss/Georgia Tech gaining. OVERALL TAKEAWAYS & OUTLOOK * Strengths: Quality over quantity in some spots (Albright, Lejeune, Miles); beating bigger programs on certain recruits; motivational, program-proud commits. * Weaknesses: Low volume, no five-stars, missing trenches (especially OL), in-state losses. * Future Needs: Win more Florida battles long-term; add OL and corners; retain high-end commits like Miles/Poole. * Optimism: Several commits express desire to “bring FSU back”; out-of-state pipeline working in places like Georgia. * Broader Context: Recruiting tied to on-field success, NIL stability, and program identity under Norvell. Hosts’ Tone: Balanced but concerned about current trajectory; excited about individual high-upside commits and potential for improvement. Episode mixes recruiting deep-dive with program-level discussion. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ranking The Top 5 Players of the Norvell Era + More! | Florida State Seminoles LIVE 331

Ranking The Top 5 Players of the Norvell Era + More! | Florida State Seminoles LIVE 331 Hosts: Gus Wilson & Cole Kruger Date: June 24, 2026 (mid-offseason discussion) Length: ~35+ minutes Source: FSU at The Voice of College Football (FSUVOCFB) KEY TAKEAWAYS * Deep dive ranking the top 5 players of the Mike Norvell era at Florida State, factoring in college production, impact on team success (especially 2022–2023), development under Norvell, and NFL performance. * Consensus top tier: Jordan Travis and Jared Verse as clearly 1–2 (interchangeable). * Heavy emphasis on the 2023 championship-contending team and defensive stars. * Additional segments: 2026 season outlook/ceiling, CFB 27 rankings, recruiting teaser, and ACC kickoff notes. HOSTS’ TOP 5 RANKINGS GUS WILSON’S LIST 1. Jordan Travis (QB) * 3-year starter, second all-time FSU passing yards, tied for second in passing TDs (with Jameis Winston), fourth in rushing TDs. * 2022–2023: ~6,000 pass yards, ~600 rush yards, 58 total TDs, 10 turnovers, 21–3 record. * ACC Player/Offensive Player of the Year (2023), 5th in Heisman voting despite late injury. Beloved leader and Norvell development success story. Iconic plays (e.g., long TD run vs. Florida). 2. Jared Verse (EDGE) * Anchored elite 2023 defense (18 sacks, 29.5 TFL). * NFL: 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, multiple Pro Bowls, traded for Myles Garrett (shows elite value). Dominant at next level. 3. Deuce Robinson (WR) — Current Seminole * First 1,000-yard receiver since 2019 (Scary Terry era). High-upside talent, projected another big year and top-64 NFL Draft pick. Clears recent WRs like Keon Coleman/Johnny Wilson in production and projection. 4. Jermaine Johnson II (EDGE) * One dominant season: 70 tackles, 19 TFL, 12 sacks, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, All-ACC. Norvell’s first first-round pick. Flashes in NFL despite injuries; recently traded to Titans. 5. Kalen Deloach (LB) * 5-year player, 3-year starter, 212 tackles, 24.5 TFL. Standout 2023 (10.5 TFL, 7 sacks, key forced fumble/recovery TD vs. Clemson that helped preserve 13–0 start). Loyal from the beginning. COLE KRUGER’S LIST 1. Jared Verse (factored in strong NFL success). 2. Jordan Travis. 3. Jermaine Johnson II. 4. Ryan Fitzgerald (K) — Automatic for years, first-team All-American, program leader in many kicking stats, bright spot in rough 2024 season. Storied FSU kicker legacy (Janikowski, Aguayo, etc.). 5. Braden Fisk (DT) — One-year impact at FSU (43 tackles, 9 TFL, 6 sacks) alongside Verse; led NFL rookies in sacks (9); strong NFL start with Rams (now with Myles Garrett). Honorable Mentions (Both Hosts): Keon Coleman, Renardo Green, Asante Samuel Jr., Azariah Thomas, Trey Benson, Joshua Farmer. Deuce Robinson noted as close but needs one more season for some. OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED * 2026 Season Outlook: Ceiling around 8–4 (possibly 9–3); floor ~5–7/6–6. Tough schedule (Alabama + ACC gauntlet). At least 3–4 penciled losses expected. Norvell buy-more-time potential with solid year. * FanDuel Betting Notes: * Over 6.5 wins (+138) highlighted as good value. * ACC title odds +4000 (not advised). Gamble responsibly. * CFB 27 Rankings: * Doak Campbell Stadium ranked #21 toughest place to play (hosts argue it deserves top 15 when FSU is elite; criticized several higher rankings like Ohio State, Clemson, Oklahoma). * Deuce Robinson tied for 3rd-highest WR overall (91–92 OVR) — behind only top talents like Jeremiah Smith. Great for dynasty/RTG modes. * ACC Kickoff Media Event: Norvell attending with Deuce Robinson, Ashton Daniels (projected Week 1 QB), and Jabril Rawls. Seen as logical veteran choices. * Recruiting Teaser: No live show next week. Deep dive into 2027 class in two weeks (second week of July). FSU gaining traction on some targets; discussion on Tashawn Poole expected. CLOSING * Standard calls to like, subscribe, comment, and follow hosts (@ByGusWilson, @colekru9). * Emphasis on fan engagement and excitement as the 2026 season approaches. Overall Tone: Positive nostalgia for Norvell’s best players and 2022–2023 peak, balanced with realistic 2026 expectations and hype for current talents like Deuce. Strong chemistry between hosts with good banter and stats recall. Perfect offseason ranking content for FSU fans. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Florida State Scheduling News + Freshman Making A Week 1 Impact | Florida State Seminoles LIVE 330

Episode Notes: Florida State Scheduling News + Freshman Making A Week 1 Impact | Florida State Seminoles LIVE 330 Hosts: Gus Wilson & Cole Kruger Podcast: Florida State Seminoles Live (presented by FanDuel) / FSUVOCFB (Voice of College Football) Date/Context: Recent episode discussing 2026 FSU football updates (June 17, 2026). OVERALL SUMMARY Gus Wilson and Cole Kruger discuss recent scheduling announcements for the 2026 season, fan reactions to the neutral-site Georgia game in Nashville (2028), assigned kickoff times, betting odds via FanDuel, and freshmen projected to make immediate impacts. The tone is optimistic about talent but mixed on scheduling logistics and fan travel. They highlight revenue potential, stadium appeal, and depth chart opportunities for young players amid injuries and competition. 1. SCHEDULING NEWS & NEUTRAL SITE GAME * Georgia Series Update (2028): The canceled home-and-home series is replaced by a neutral-site game in Nashville, Tennessee (new stadium). Other considered sites: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, Tampa. * Reactions: Mixed. Nashville's city appeal (Broadway) and future Super Bowl hosting (2031) praised, but travel inconvenience for fans/students from FSU/Georgia noted. Stadium expected to be excellent. Not ideal vs. Orlando (Camping World Stadium criticized). Fans (especially FSU) upset on social media. * Hosts prefer neutral-site openers but question canceling home-and-home for this. Potential as a season kickoff game. Key Quotes: * Cole: "Nashville... is going to be beautiful when it's done... But for the average FSU and Georgia fans... it doesn't make a lot of sense." * Both agree revenue is a plus; excitement may build closer to the game. 2. 2026 KICKOFF TIMES ANNOUNCED * Aug 29 vs. New Mexico State: 7:00 PM, Doak Campbell Stadium, The CW. * Sept 7 vs. SMU: 7:30 PM, Doak, ESPN (Labor Day). * Sept 19 at Alabama: 3:30 PM, ABC (post-bye). * Oct 9 at Louisville: 7:00 PM, ESPN (Friday). * Nov 13 at Pitt: 7:00 PM, ESPN (Friday). * Nov 27 vs. Florida: 3:30 PM, ABC (Friday). Unannounced Games: Central Arkansas (Sept 26), Virginia (Oct 3), at Miami (Oct 17), Clemson (Oct 31), NC State (Nov 21). Likely mix of noon/3:30/7:30 based on performance; Clemson/Miami expected primetime. Reactions: * Friday games (Louisville/Pitt) and SMU logical for TV. * UF rivalry on Friday 3:30 PM called "brutal" for travel/tailgating (post-Thanksgiving). * Primetime opportunities good if team performs; noon possible for lower-profile games. 3. FANDUEL ODDS (EARLY LINES) * vs. New Mexico State: FSU -29.5, O/U 52.5. Hosts see it as large but coverable at home; lean under or NMSU due to spread size. CW PTSD reference (Jordan Travis injury). * vs. SMU: FSU +2.5 (SMU favored), O/U 54.5. Surprising closeness; expects movement toward SMU. High-scoring potential praised for both offenses. Gambling Note: Gamble responsibly/legally. 4. FRESHMEN PROJECTED FOR IMMEDIATE 2026 IMPACT Focus on true freshmen with spring buzz, depth chart openings, and athleticism (many dual-sport/track/basketball backgrounds). Emphasis on special teams, rotations, and avoiding redshirts for top talents. OFFENSIVE SIDE * Amari Thomas (RB, 5'11", from Mariana, FL): Speedy, shifty; limited RB touches behind transfers/returners but strong candidate for kick/punt returns and 3rd-down/hybrid role. Chose FSU over in-state rivals. Ranked ~#177 nationally. * Devin Carter & Jasen Lopez (WRs): Standouts in spring (due to injuries); pushing for 3rd receiver role behind Deuce Robinson/Micah Danzy. Four-stars with big-school offers (Carter: Georgia/Bama/Clemson; Lopez: Miami/UF/OSU). Track/basketball athletes; expected playing time/rotations. Short but explosive. * EJ White (WR, from Vero Beach, FL): Athletic (track hurdles/dashes/jumps); good spring but likely more redshirt candidate. Competes for 3rd WR spot. Chose FSU over Miami/UF/Bama. Additional: Malachi Marshall (QB, #1 jersey) hyped for arm talent; potential early reps/backup push over Sperry depending on Daniels' play. Summer clips promising. DEFENSIVE SIDE * Franklin Whitley (DL, 6'6"-6'7", 265-276 lbs, from Greenville, SC): Four-star with tools for immediate rotation (Tony White praise). Basketball MVP background; effort/execution key. Depth chart room on DL. * Jordan Crutchfield (DB, 6'3", 217 lbs, from Fort Pierce/Vero Beach area): Size upgrade for secondary; spring surge. Versatile in Tony White's 5-DB sets; potential early snaps if corners struggle (esp. vs. SMU speed). Chose FSU over rivals; track background. Themes: Spring reps from injuries helped; multi-sport athletes fit scheme. New Mexico State opener as key evaluation game for young talent. 5. OTHER NOTES & ALL-ACC MENTIONS (PHIL STEELE) * All-ACC Selections: Deuce Robinson (1st team WR), Chris Jones & Jabril Rawls (2nd team), Nate Papp (3rd team OL). * Surprises: No Mandrell/Darryll Desir; questions on RBs (Kromah/Wisner) and interior line. Deuce praised as elite (potentially better peak than Keon Coleman). CLOSING * Live Wednesdays 8 PM ET. Socials: @byGusWilson, @ColeCrewNine, @TheVOCFB. * Excitement for 2026 season despite past struggles; focus on offensive firepower and young depth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. 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Will Florida State Be BETTER or WORSE in 2026? | Florida State Seminoles LIVE 328

Episode Notes: Will Florida State Be BETTER or WORSE in 2026? Florida State Seminoles LIVE #328 Hosts: Gus Wilson & Cole Kruger **Platform: Florida State at the Voice of College Football (FSUVOCFB) OVERVIEW Gus Wilson and Cole Kruger break down Florida State's projected 2026 offense position-by-position compared to 2025, then analyze common opponents on the schedule to predict if the Seminoles will perform better or worse. The episode leans optimistic overall on the offense despite some challenges. KEY POSITION GROUP BREAKDOWNS Quarterback Room * Verdict: Better depth, toss-up on starter output. * Ashton Daniels (experienced, similar style to Tommy Castellanos), Kevin Sperry, and Malachi Marshall provide stronger depth than the 2025 group (Castellanos, Brock Glenn, Sperry). * Experience edge to Daniels, but turnover concerns remain similar. Running Back Room * Verdict: Biggest upgrade / Clearly better. * 2026 features a strong "Thunder & Lightning" duo in Quintravion Weisner (proven portal addition) and Usman Chroma (high-upside sophomore). * Depth includes Sam Singleton. Far superior speed and talent vs. 2025’s Roydell Williams, Gavin Sawchuck, and Jalen Lucas. Wide Receiver Room * Verdict: Slight step back in raw talent, but potentially better production. * Lost high-upside transfers (Lawayne McCoy, Hykeem Williams). Retained Javon Boggs, Deuce Robinson, and Micah Dancy. * Squirrel White’s minimal 2025 impact (only ~52 yards) means the room may not lose much production. Boggs & Dancy are maturing. Tight End Room * Verdict: Better depth and continuity. * De’Zario Riles expected to mirror Randy Pittman’s blocking-heavy role. * Stronger backups in Landon Thomas and Chase Lofton (high upside redshirt freshman). Amari Williams was mostly a defensive player. Offensive Line * Verdict: Leaning better (50/50 on exact performance). * Key additions/returns: Xavier Chaplin (blindside) and Andre Otto. * Deeper guard room and more competition. Hard to evaluate fully without camp/tape, but better anchors than 2025. SCHEDULE COMPARISON (COMMON OPPONENTS) Focus on whether FSU performs better or worse than in 2025: * Alabama (Road): Worse — Tough road opener after bye; hard to replicate 2025 home performance. * Virginia (Home): Better — Revenge game at Doak; Virginia expected to regress. * Miami (Road): Worse — Miami remains elite; 2025 loss was more lopsided than the score suggested. * Clemson (Home): Better — Halloween night game in Doak; both programs trending down but easier at home. * Pitt (Road): Worse — Pitt returns talent and is rising in the ACC; Friday night road game. * NC State (Home): Better — Very low bar from 2025’s poor performance. * Florida (Home?): Better — Rivalry game; hard to play worse than recent embarrassments. Overall Schedule Takeaway: Split decision on common opponents (~3 better, ~3 worse), but home/road dynamics and revenge factor heavily influence outcomes. OVERALL VERDICT * Offense in 2026: Better on paper, especially at RB and depth across most groups. * Running game improvement is the biggest key to success. * Special teams (not deeply covered) also expected to improve. * Hosts are cautiously optimistic that FSU will be a more competitive and fun team to watch offensively. Next Episode: Defensive depth chart and "Better or Worse" analysis. Recommended Clips / Highlights: * Running back room discussion (biggest excitement) * Offensive line uncertainty * Schedule predictions (Alabama/Miami vs. Virginia/Clemson) This episode serves as a solid mid-offseason temperature check for Seminoles fans. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Postseason in Full Swing / Florida State Primetime LIVE 16

Episode Notes: Florida State Primetime LIVE #16 – "A Postseason in Full Swing" Hosts: Jacob Smith & Gus Wilson Date: ~May 2026 (Tuesday episode) Platform: FSUVOCFB QUICK SUMMARY A balanced episode covering the end of FSU softball, the start of baseball regionals, early football recruiting updates, and some program culture/NIL talk. Optimistic tone on baseball chances, realistic concern on NIL retention, and light-hearted closer. KEY SEGMENTS 1. Softball Season Recap * Season ended with a loss to UCF in Regional Finals — described as a major letdown given high expectations. * FSU was viewed as one of the top teams in the country and a potential national title contender. * Transfer portal concerns: Issa Torres (potentially the highest-paid woman athlete in college sports if she enters) and Mimi Gonzalez announced intent to transfer. * Outlook: Expect to host regionals again next year; program remains prestigious. 2. NIL & Booster Backing Discussion * Money is now the dominant factor across college sports. * FSU has lost developed talent in football, basketball, and softball due to the portal/NIL era. * Baseball & softball benefit from national prestige, so they don’t need to “overpay” as much as smaller programs, but strong booster support is still essential to retain stars. 3. Baseball Regionals (Tallahassee Regional) * Seeding: FSU as #10 seed. * Opponents: Coastal Carolina, Northern Illinois, St. John’s. * Historical notes: * Best record vs. St. John’s (2-1 in 2016). * Strong all-time vs. Coastal Carolina (13-1). * Very limited history vs. Northern Illinois. * First game: FSU vs. St. John’s (Friday, 3 PM). * Format explained: Double-elimination regional (need 4 wins to advance). * Outlook: Favorable draw compared to some other regions. Northern Illinois & St. John’s are hot (14-6 in last 20), but FSU should be able to advance with strong pitching and timely offense. * Potential path: Winner of Tallahassee likely faces Alabama region winner in Super Regional; Georgia Tech projected as toughest likely Super Regional opponent. * Season goal: Making Super Regionals would be a success; Omaha run would be a big win given injuries and inconsistencies. 4. Football Updates * Recruiting: * 2027 3-star QB Logan committed (lifelong FSU fan). * 2027 4-star DB Makai Williams (first commit in class) facing strong late pushes from Wisconsin and LSU. * National Championship Odds (FanDuel): FSU at +50,000 — similar to teams like Georgia Tech, Arizona, etc. Heavy skepticism in the market. * FSU-Georgia neutral site game (2027): Narrowed to Nashville or Orlando. Hosts lean Nashville for fan split/travel, but Orlando would be a quasi-home game and better for Florida recruiting. * Mike Norvell: 3-1 vs. SEC teams when not playing Florida. Discussion on not making him the “sole villain” for current struggles — broader issues at play. 5. Light Segment – Basketball Banner * FSU’s infamous “#4 Final Ranking” banner was removed from the rafters. * Purchased by Barstool Sports (Big Cat / PFT) from Luke Laux — now generating publicity and potential content. OVERALL TONE & TAKEAWAYS * Positive: Baseball postseason excitement, recruiting wins, program prestige in baseball/softball. * Concerned but Hopeful: NIL/booster realities and football perception. * Strong chemistry between Jacob and Gus; good mix of analysis, history, and fan perspective. Best for: FSU fans wanting a comprehensive catch-up on spring sports + early football summer buzz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.