Seminole Sunday Sauce — Dec. 17, 2023: Four FSU Football Players Earn All-American Honors
Let’s just say it was a crazy week for Florida State football.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has subpoenaed the College Football Playoff Committee. Patrick Payton and DJ Lundy are among the notable FSU players who have expressed interest in the transfer portal. Armondo Blount’s flip back to Miami appears imminent and the Seminoles are actively pursuing a pair of transfer quarterbacks in Cameron Ward and DJ Uiagalelei. Oh, and head coach Mike Norvell has been named a finalist for the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award.
Through all of that, four Seminoles were recognized as All-Americans this week, headlined by defensive end Jared Verse. Verse was named a second-team selection by the Associated Press and a first-team honoree from the American Football Coaches Association. For the year, Verse finished with 41 tackles, 12.5 for loss, nine sacks and a forced fumble.
Next to Verse, defensive tackle Braden Fiske was named a third-team All-American by the AP. A transfer from Western Michigan, Fiske is coming off a monster performance in the ACC Championship. For the year, he finished with 26 tackles, nine for loss and six sacks.
FSU’s other two All-Americans came on special teams. James Rosenberry Jr., the team’s long snapper, earned AFCA All-America first team honors. He was a reason for big seasons by kicker Ryan Fitzgerald and punter Alex Mastromanno.
Mastromanno was named a second-team All-American selection by AFCA. The Australian punter averaged 45.3 yards per punt and had 24 of his 60 boots downed inside the 20-yard-line.
With Early Signing Day approaching, recruiting will be the focus over the next week. The Seminoles currently have the No. 3 class in the country for 2024, according to the 247Sports Composite, but at least one flip is expected.
FOOTBALL
Record: 13-0
Ranking: No. 4 AP Poll; No. 3 USA Today Coaches Poll; No. 5 College Football Playoff
Past Week: Idle
Upcoming: vs. Georgia (Orange Bowl, Dec. 30)
Recognitions: Jared Verse, DE (AP All-American second team,. AFCA All-American first team); Braden Fiske, DT (AP All-American third team); Alex Mastromanno, P (Sporting News second-team All-American); James Rosenberry Jr., LS (AFCA All-American first team); Mike Norvell, HC (Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award finalist)
Commitments: Efrem White, 2026 4-star ATH* (No. 41 overall*)
Decommitments: None
2024 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 3 nationally, first in ACC (23 total commitments)
Wrap-up: FSU will look to finish strong on the recruiting trail. Early Signing Day is set for Wednesday.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Record: 4-5 (0-1 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (0-1), lost to SMU on Saturday, 68-57
Upcoming: vs. North Florida (Tuesday); vs. Winthrop (Friday)
Recognitions: None
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2024 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 79 nationally, 15th in ACC (1 total commitment)
Wrap-up: FSU’s struggles continued with a loss to SMU this week. The Seminoles will play two more games in the non-conference.
SOCCER
Record: 22-0-1
Ranking: No. 1 United Soccer Coaches; No. 1 overall seed NCAA Tournament
Recognitions: Onyi Echegini, M (Honda Award finalist)
Wrap-up: After an outstanding season, it is officially the offseason for FSU.
Swimming and Diving
Ranking: Men No. 17 CSCAA
Past Week: Idle
Upcoming: CSCAA Open Water Championships (Sunday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU will take part in its final event of 2023 on Sunday.
Women’s Basketball
Record: 7-3
Ranking: No. 22 AP; No. 22 USA TODAY Coaches Poll
Past Week: (0-1), lost to UCLA in Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase on Sunday
Upcoming: vs. Drexel (Sunday); vs. Alabama State (Wednesday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU was humbled by UCLA in Connecticut but should have a chance to finish the non-conference strong.
*Recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite rankings
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
