Noles News: FSU opens week as 2.5-point underdog to Gators

Recruiting

Florida State picked up another commit along the defensive line on Sunday, earning a pledge from three-star Damaad Lewis:

2026 Florida State recruiting class

• QUARTERBACK: 4-star Jaden O’Neal (OK)

• RUNNING BACK: 4-star Amari Thomas (FL)

• WIDE RECEIVER: 3-star Jonah “JP” Winston (AL)

• WIDE RECEIVER: 4-star Efrem White (FL)

• WIDE RECEIVER: 4-star Brandon Bennett (FL)

• WIDE RECEIVER: 4-star Devin Carter (GA)

• WIDE RECEIVER: 4-star Jasen Lopez (FL)

• TIGHT END: 4-star Xavier Tiller (GA)

• TIGHT END: 3-star Corbyn Fordham (FL)

• OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4-star Da’Ron Parks (WV)

• OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 3-star Mike Ionata (FL)

• OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 3-star Jakobe Green (FL)

• OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: 3-star Luke Francis (London, UK)

• DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 3-star Damaan Lewis (NC)

• DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4-star Earnest Rankins (GA)

• DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 4-star Franklin Whitley (SC)

• DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 3-star Chris Carbin (GA)

• DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 3-star Wihtlley Cadeau (GA)

• DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: 3-star Judah Daniels (FL)

• LINEBACKER: 4-star Izayia Williams (FL)

• LINEBACKER: 3-star Karon Maycock (FL)

• LINEBACKER: 3-star Noah LaVallee (GA)

• LINEBACKER: 3-star Daylen Green (FL)

• DEFENSIVE BACK: 3-star Jordan Crutchfield (FL)

• DEFENSIVE BACK: 4-star Chauncey Kennon (FL)

• DEFENSIVE BACK: 4-star Darryl Bell III (FL)

• DEFENSIVE BACK: 3-star Sean Johnson (MD)

• ATHLETE: 3-star Darryon Williams (FL)

Football

Florida State said over a month ago that it would be waiting until the end of the season to make a decision on Mike Norvell’s future — instead (contrary to the rumors started by #insiders) the university released a statement on Sunday saying that Norvell would be back with the Seminoles in 2026, with major changes coming to the way the program operates:

Jordan Silversmith wrote on how the decision to retain Norvell feels like continuing to dig down an effort to escape a hole:

The Tomahawk Nation staff offered some additional thoughts on the decision:

After FSU lost to NC State in nightmare fashion, Curt Weiller wrote that it felt like the latest example in proving Norvell’s tenure is cursed:

In case you missed it, FSU vs. UF will kick off at 4:30 p.m. this Saturday:

Basketball

On Friday, FSU men’s basketball put together yet another impressive offensive performance to move to 4-1:

FSU women’s basketball fell to Illinois on Sunday:

Soccer

Florida State soccer is on to the Elite 8 after a win over Georgetown:

All Sports

FSU women’s volleyball earned two wins over Carolina schools this weekend, upsetting No. 15 UNC and taking down Duke, both in four sets:

The win over the Tar Heels serves as the Seminoles’  first ranked win of the season. Florida State improves to 48-26 all-time over North Carolina and maintains a 32-8 advantage over UNC in the friendly confines of Tully Gym.

Florida State hit a season-high .353 as a team, managing 58 kills. The Seminoles had seven service aces to the Tar Heels’ three and put up 10 blocks to UNC’s eight.

Against Duke, the Noles got great production from the middle attack as Delaney Ewing and Nenu Kpea combined for 20 kills on 32 attempts while also teaming up for 10 blocks. FSU recorded a team-high 15 blocks while holding Duke to just a .167 hitting percentage.

Florida State cross country capped off its season at the NCAA National Championship on Sunday:

Rylee Blade concluded her first collegiate season in the top-120 of the nation, after placing 120th with a time of 20:02.9. Bieke Schipperen closed out the first half of her junior season in the top-150 after crossing the line in 144th at 20:11.5. Isaac Hirshman Chandler wrapped up his final collegiate cross country season, finishing in 229th at 31:03.09.

Florida State will begin its indoor season on January 16 at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational in Gainesville, Florida.

No.16/NR Florida State swimming and diving closed out the four-day Georgia Invite on Friday:

Against five top-20 opponents, the Seminoles notched seven top-five finishes, including one victory, with three top-10 times in school history.

The 16th-ranked Seminole men placed third as a team with 759.50 points, ahead of No. 13 LSU (578.50), No. 14 Alabama (522) and Georgia Tech (274). No. 4 Florida (947) and No. 8 Georgia (799) took first and second. The women finished fifth with 490.50 points to best Georgia Tech (256). No. 7 Florida (1,044.50) was first, followed by No. 11 LSU (708), No. 16 Alabama (697.50) and No. 18 Georgia (680.50).