Reports broke last week that Texas A&M has an interest in Fisher should the Aggies fire Kevin Sumlin after this season, which they reportedly are. This week, reports have emerged that Tennessee, which just fired Butch Jones, is also interested in Fisher. Auburn, which may be replacing head coach Gus Malzahn, would also very likely be interested in Fisher.

On Thursday, Fisher was asked about the possibility of these other jobs ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Delaware State.

On the matter, Fisher said, “I’m never going to speak about personnel. I’m never going to speak about jobs.”

When prompted again, his answer remained exactly the same.

Fisher’s non-answer is nothing new. He has been quick to dismiss the discussion of other jobs in the past.

Still, with a new coach-friendly buyout in hand, Fisher’s refusal to outright deny interest may not be instilling confidence in fans and the administration in Tallahassee.

But first, we discuss ramifications of the Boston College game and Jimbo Fisher’s latest press conference.

Listener questions

Due to time constraints, we do not edit listener questions.

Thinking for the next 2-4 years would you rather keep Jimbo as coach or go after someone like willie Taggart? I like Jimbo but I don’t see him getting the program back on track to compete for a title.

-Was there a fight between the coaches after the Boston College game?

-Did a coach really have to take a commercial flight back the next day?

-Have coaches already told Jimbo they are resigning?

-Which coaches aren’t speaking to each other?

-Did coaches actually walk out during practice?

-How does the Florida situation impact FSU? Timetable? Battling for coaches? Poaching coaches?

-What is the importance of having a football only facility? Is there some quantifiable benefit to having a football only facility or is this just a situation where coaches just want a shiny new toy? What is the possibility we end up losing two of our dynamo assistant coaches (Tino and Addison)? Any possibility we hire them to be full time coaches? Thanks guys keep up the good work.

-Here is a question for your next mailbag. Hypothetically, if Jimbo does jump to another job (Texas A&M), do you really have confidence that the AD can make a good hire? I don’t with how he handled the contract for Jimbo.

-Did Jimbo consciously hire average coaches after big 2012 turnover to ensure continuity?

-With Jimbo Fisher always talking about the college football arms race, do you think it's wise of him to consider hiring an analytics person to his support staff this offseason? Think this may help him in areas such as better understanding 4th down math. If so, Bud you'd be a perfect fit for the job. Looking forward to your response and Go Noles!

-Bud and Ingram - great podcast product. Love it - hope you won’t quite on us. Got this q for the next mailbag - obvious question but begs to be asked - why can’t JF not get his freshman QB ready to play? Week in and out we see teams with True Fr. (i.e. VT) and showing out. Why the hell is JF trying to boil the damn ocean? Bigger question- Why do we even have a kid whose been on campus less than 5 mos playing? When will JJ “where’s the beer at” going to free up roster spot? And At this point is JF just really playing not to get blown out in every game remaining? As opposed to actually trying to game plan to win?

-A little podcast overlap here. A question for y'all inspired partly by something they discussed recently on PAPN. Anyway. Godfrey recently noted (and I've heard it before) that every AD -- every single one -- has a short list for HC if it came to that. So who do you think would be on Wilcox's? I know things change. I know Jimbo is not likely to leave, all things being equal. I know there could be candidates who wouldn't be foreseeable. But just, right now, who would you think would be on that list he has in his back pocket? Neal Brown? Scott Frost? Fedora (I know, but before this year it wouldn't have seemed ridiculous)? Kiffin?

-I’ve followed FSU closely since ~ 07 and have been a listener of your podcast since 2014 and look forward to each one every week. I have a few questions after watching the BC game. Will Jimbo ever adopt an up-tempo offense? It seems that his offense operates better at a faster, no-huddle pace. I know it’s a small sample size but his 2 minute offense (no-huddle) before the half has gotten points up for them quite a bit. How does he not see that his slow offense isn't working? Will he ever run the QB more? This is embarrassing to watch. Especially when he takes all this pride in calling his own plays. He needs to take a look at some spread offenses like Clemson or even an OK State type of offense and incorporate that into his scheme. It would show the talent gap against most opponents and wouldn’t be as complex as his current system so we could get 4 & 5 star receivers on the field before their junior year. Do you think he’ll bring in a better “co-coordinator” that would incorporate these changes or do you think he FSU won’t have a spread offense under Jimbo? Love your podcast and gave it 5 stars on iTunes. Keep up the good work guys.

-Went to our first game of the season this weekend in Tally. Just wanted to say thank you to our sponsors at MadSo/Township for helping my friends and I forget the sorry excuse of a coaching staff we have in Tallahassee for one night. -- Via Stephen Cline

-Hi guys- Great job on everything you do in covering FSU. You always give it to us straight, which is appreciated. My question (several questions) is….do you think that Jimbo will potentially hire a DC who is LB oriented, or will he be more likely to stay with what he has historically done and pursue a DC who is a secondary coach? Also do you think the extra coaching slot will be used for the offensive side of the ball, or defensive side? Would it be prudent to hire a DC who is just a DC and have actual position coaches specific for each level of the defense?

-If FSU does not make a bowl game, would Fisher be able to begin the fire/hire process sooner? And if so, is that an advantage?

-Just watching the mindset that Georgia's defense plays and how every player on defense wants to destroy anything that moves. When FSU hires a new DC is that something that a new defensive coordinator could bring? Or is Jimbos message and system/process is what yields the teams mindset?

-Love the show - I listen to every episode. Also, I’ve made everyone I know buy Louisiana Hot Sauce. My question is for Bud. Bud - On November 26, 2012, you wrote the following article. Jimbo planned to hand off play calling duties as part of a 5-year plan. Jimbo went on to say he had a 10-year plan. Any thoughts on how this is going? Has anyone mentioned anything about handing off play calling duties in the future? 2017-2012 = 5 years. Thanks again and keep up the great work guys!

-Having 9 assistants in college football, and Jimbo being a hands on offensive guy, it's never made sense to me that he's structured the coaching staff with 5 offensive assistants, and 4 defensive assistants. With changing multiple coaches seeming likely, wouldn't it make more sense to go with 4 offensive assistants and 5 defensive?

-Also assuming Patrick returns for his Sr. year and Cam Ackers more than likely being the feature back moving forward how confident do you all feel about Laborn/and White both sticking around when touches will be minimal going off the history of Jimbo and how he distributes carries?

-I'm growing addicted to the podcasts, in spite of the terrible team results. If SharkMac gets canned, and Jimbo could replace any of our staff with any of the current UF staff, would any Gator coach be an automatic upgrade? If so, how likely would it be for Jimbo to actually pursue these folks?

Normally this would be a look-ahead game with Louisville on deck but this FSU team can’t afford to overlook anyone left on its schedule as it will be a fight to get to bowl eligibility.

The status of injured wide receiver Keith Gavin remains in question but for the most part FSU is just as healthy for the Duke game as it was for the Miami game. Jimbo Fisher’s teams have not fared well outside of Florida and following an emotional loss to Miami one has to wonder about the psychological morale of this team.

Looking at Duke, they have some issues of their own as they’re 116th in the country averaging 4.4 yards per play on offense but the defense has been adequate allowing 4.9 yards per play good for 32nd in the country.

Griffith is the 61st ranked recruit in the country, tenth at his position, and 12th within the state of Florida in the 247 Composite Rankings. Griffith is good friends with center commit, Verdis Brown, as both transferred from Mount Carmel High School in Chicago to IMG Academy and they’ll continue their careers together in Garnet and Gold.

Griffith committed to FSU over offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Penn State, Alabama, and many others.

Houston Griffith is ranked nationally as a corner-back but will likely play safety at FSU. On tape he is very physical; he could become an athletic safety with superior range in the mold of former FSU All-American Terrence Brooks.

He is at his best up in a wide receiver’s face when lined up at corner and when playing in the box he handles congestion well sticking his nose in there to play the run.

He shows the ability to track the ball well in the air and has good route awareness breaking on short passes in front of him from a distance. He could play corner-back in a pinch but he’ll make his money as a free safety; check out his junior highlights here.

Griffith is the second highest-rated recruit in FSU’s seventh-ranked class which now has nine four-star recruits and ten three-star recruits (two of which are on the cusp of four-star status) FSU’s class ranks second in the ACC just behind Miami and seventh in the nation just ahead of Florida.

Jimbo Fisher made no secret of the fact that his team is ready to get back on the field, missing actual competition even if the team has been able to practice for a few weeks.

“They want to play. There’s no doubt. We didn’t play as well as they wanted to so they definitely want to play,” Fisher said. “But at the same time, we need to make sure we are prepared. They definitely want an opponent and we are going to get a good one, that’s for sure.”

In spite of this lengthy absence, Fisher has seen positives to take away from this unusual stretch. For one, it provides a chance to improve the team’s health after a grueling fall camp. Additionally, it has allowed the team to really prepare for the stretch that lies ahead.

That stretch, which begins September 23rd and continues with a series of 10 games in 10 weeks, has been seen as a potential positive for Fisher as well.

“If you start playing well, it can be a good thing,” Fisher said of the daunting series of games that lies ahead. “You can look at it as needing a rest, but if you’re playing well, you manage it well, your mind is in the right place and you have the right demeanor, it definitely can.”

Note: Today’s Florida State football practice was a little different from the perspective of the media. We weren’t allowed to film highlights and were only allowed to take photographs.

Offense:

Taking snaps on the offensive line on Thursday from left to right were; Derrick Kelly, Landon Dickerson, Alec Eberle, Brock Ruble and Rick Leonard

Also taking snaps on the offensive line, left to right, were; Josh Ball, Ethan Frith, Corey Martinez, Mike Arnold and Josh Ball

The Florida State running backs were practicing balls security once again.

The quarterbacks were also working with the wide receivers as they do every practice.

Defense:

Imagine Derwin James running some pursuit drills.

Special Teams:

Ricky Aguayo made all four of his field goals from 45 yards or closer. The only one he missed was a field goal of 49 yards, a distance we had not seen him kick from in fall camp. The kick had the distance, but was wide left.

Injuries/Absent:

Once again, we are not allowed to report on injuries or who was absent from practice until head coach Jimbo Fisher addresses it following practice. This section will be updated when he does so.

Already announced were the season-ending injuries to offensive linemen Baveon Johnson (knee) and Jauan Williams (shoulder). Both had surgery.

Last week on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’, Jameis Winston briefed rookie Sefo Liufau about a harsh reality that comes with playing in the NFL.

“You can be cut anytime brother,” Winston explained to the former Buffs quarterback.

The tables were turned in this week’s show, with the rookie imparting some knowledge to the veteran about rescuing goats. Yes, you heard me correctly. Goats.

About 18 minutes into episode three, Liufau is talking to Winston about his girlfriend, her family, and the four goats they rescued. Unable to contain himself without laughing, Winston is in awe, refusing to believe there is such a thing as goat rescuing.

“Are you serious? You can rescue goats?” Winston inquires.

“Yeah, what did you think I meant?” Liufau responds.

“It’s not like dog rescue,” Winston says. “Because I was about to say, they’re [Liufau’s girlfriend’s parents] really rich if they rescuing goats like dogs.”

Here are my takeaways:

1. One of the better moments from HBO’s Hard Knocks series in recent memory. Love getting this sort of access. Jameis Winston is hysterical and needs his own show someday.

2. I had no idea there was such a thing as goat rescue either, but a quick google search yields quite a few volunteer organizations aimed at saving these four-legged creatures.

3. In addition to Liufau making the Buccaneers 53-man roster, I’m seriously hoping Jameis Winston rescues a goat.

Expect Liufau to get some serious air time in next week’s episode which will feature the ever popular rookie talent show. HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ continues Tuesday, August 29 at 10pm ET. In case you missed the first three episodes, you can catch them in their entirety this Saturday, August 26 beginning at 2:30pm ET.

Fisher also gave an update on linebacker Matthew Thomas who has been out of practice with an “illness.” He remained adamant when saying he expects the senior back. WR Da’Vante Phillips, who is suspended, is still with the team per Fisher.

After the recording cut out (due to Facebook’s length policy) Fisher announced that he expects defensive back Tarvarus McFadden to handle punt return duties and defensive back Derwin James at kick returner with wide receiver Keith Gavin.

The head coach also displayed his displeasure with the targeting rule that carries over from season-to-season. Defensive back Trey Marshall will miss the first half against Alabama after a fourth quarter targeting call in last December’s Orange Bowl.

You can see the full press conference below, or you can click on this link.

The lengthy 6’2 213 lb. linebacker shined in camp on Thursday, using his body to get our in front of passes and his showing off his coverage skills in one-on-one while standing out in individual drills.

Florida State is Tindall’s 18th total offer and Thursday was the first time he stepped foot on campus. Tomahawk Nation’s Bud Elliott saw Tindall in The Opening and believed the incoming high school senior was the best player there.

Although Tindall is a four-star ranked No. 133 overall and No. 5 among outside linebackers and No. 3 in South Carolina in the 247 Composite rankings, this is due to the other outlets that contribute to the composite rankings not having any recent updates. 247 has Tindall ranked the No. 22 overall prospect in the country, No. 1 OLB and No. 1 player in South Carolina.

"Coach Lawing told me I am a good player, I get off the ball good, I can bend and he wants me at his school," Neal told Noles247. "When they told me they were offering me a scholarship as a defensive end, I took it and I committed."

"I feel good, I feel like this is home. I talked to coach Jimbo, he's a real cool guy, he's very inspiring and loves having me committed."

A very raw football prospect; Neal is all about upside showing the ability be a strong-side defensive end or maybe grow into an offensive tackle one day.

Neal is the 14th commitment of FSU’s 2018 recruiting class which is ranked 10th nationally and has 7 4-star and 7 3-star prospects.

His visit was expected, as he recently told SB Nation he was planning to make return trips to all his major suitors (Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and USC). Despite that, fans of FSU have fretted since Fields has recently made return trips to some of his other favorites, but not Florida State (Fields did make it down for the June session of Jimbo Fisher Camp).

Fields is 6’3” and 221 pounds. He’s started just one year at Kennesaw (Ga.) Harrison, but had an excellent season. He’s a tremendous runner and has recently shown he can throw the football with nice touch and accuracy to go along with great decision-making. Fields is one of the highest-rated quarterbacks ever.

Watch this video of Fields as he exhibits his skills and describes his game.

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And hilarity ensues.

Social media has achieved ubiquity in American culture, and in no place is that more apparent than across college campuses nationwide. Student athletes, due to the intense spotlight they can draw as standout performers, are often scrutinized for the decisions they make using social media, and this can bring about very serious reactions. The football team’s self-imposed in-season social-media ban comes readily to mind, and Jimbo Fisher has even spoken of monitoring players’ social media activity in the past.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t also some fun to be had with student-athletes’ participation in platforms like Twitter, and Florida State coaches from numerous sports recently took to YouTube to read some of their players’ tweets. Reactions ranged from pure confusion to laughter, to even some good-natured insults. Among others, coaches included feature men’s and women’s basketball coaches Leonard Hamilton and Sue Semrau, baseball manager Mike Martin, and offensive line coach Rick Trickett.

Two Florida State blockers had a lot to say about the Tigers’ talented unit.

Going up against the Clemson defense is no easy task, a fact that members of the Florida State offense are well aware of.

Starting tight end Ryan Izzo and starting left guard Kareem Are both addressed the media on Tuesday and the central point of both conversations surrounded Clemson and how to shut them down.

Are’s interview circulated around how to limit what Clemson’s talented defensive line is able to do against FSU’s offensive front as well as how important it will be to get off to a fast start in Saturday’s game, an issue that has plagued Florida State for the entire season so far.

Izzo, on the other hand, praised Clemson for how well they have reloaded this year after losing so many key members of the 2015 defense that led them to be national runners-up in addition to questions on what has limited FSU from finishing drives.

For the full interviews, check below:

Offensive lineman Alec Eberle was named a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team award.

Following Florida State football practice on Tuesday, offensive lineman Alec Eberle was named to the Allstate Good Works Team in surprising fashion when he walked into the team’s dining room. Prior to the announcement, the sophomore from Mechanicsville, Virginia had no idea he was going to receive the award on that day, however knew he was a nominee and winning was a possibility.

The award, one of the most esteemed off-the-field awards handed out in college football, is based on community work. In his instance, Eberle, president of Florida State’s chapter for Uplifting Athletes, helped and organized an event with Kidz1stFund that raised over $16,000 for Fanconi anemia, a rare blood disorder that affects children, including coach Jimbo Fisher’s son, Ethan.

Eberle joins a team that also includes fellow ACC players; Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, Duke’s DaVon Edwards and Georgia Tech’s KeShun Freeman. Eberle was voted on from a panel that includes former award winners, current media members, as well as current and former AFCA presidents.

More depth up front for the ‘Noles.

Florida State’s top-ten 2017 recruiting class added its first offensive lineman on Tuesday evening, gaining the verbal commitment of tackle Brady Scott of Kennesaw, Georgia’s Mount Paran Christian School. Scott earned a scholarship offer from the ‘Noles after attending Jimbo Fisher Camp earlier this year in July, and he also visited for the Seminoles’ game against North Carolina.

Scott is currently a three-star composite prospect, but he has an impressive 6-6 frame that is currently carrying just 260 pounds. That’s small, but then again, Florida State will be able to add the kind of weight it wants within collegiate nutrition and strength programs.

Presently considered the country’s 96th best OT, Scott also had football offers from Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Western Kentucky, and Appalachian State. He was previously a baseball commitment to South Carolina.

This story was first reported by Chris Nee of Noles 247.