Fall Camp Preview: Five FSU Camp Battles to Watch

Sep 14, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Ryan Green (24) runs the ball past Nevada Wolf Pack defensive back Markus Smith (7) during the second half of the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back

Barring an injury or something spectacular, Karlos Williams is going to be the starter this season. Beyond that, there are three backs looking to compete for a very finite number of carries. Williams was a revelation after switching from safety to running back following the Pittsburgh game last season. With a full offseason to focus on learning the offense and the nuances of the position, Williams could be poised for a huge season.

After Williams, Dalvin Cook, Ryan Green and Mario Pender are all competing for touches.

Cook seems like the early favorite to be Williams’ back-up, some even think he will push Williams for carries as the year goes on. Florida’s 2013 Mr. Football came highly touted. A five-star back, he flipped from UF to FSU before signing day and has been racing through fans’ imaginations ever since. Cook has all the tools to be the next great Florida State running back, but it will be how well he does the little things — like blitz pick-ups, for instance — that determine how much he sees the field early on.

Former St. Pete Catholic standout Ryan Green is now a sophomore. He missed the end of Spring practice with a shoulder injury but is healthy again and — if the flashes he showed in reserve duty last season are any indication — could be capable of adding even more speed to the Florida State backfield. Coaches and teammates call Green one of the quickest players on the team. That, coupled with his top-speed, could make him a nice home run threat this season.

And don’t forget about Pender, who is now a redshirt sophomore and — after enrolling early two years ago — is looking to make it on to the field for the first time this season. A sports hernia forced Pender to take a redshirt his first year, last year academic ineligibility cost him the season. This year he’s healthy and eligible and looking to remind FSU fans who he is and what he can do.