FSU Season Preview: The Seminole Offense

Dec 7, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Karlos Williams (9) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs

Florida State lost both Devonta Freeman and James Wilder after last season, but frankly the Seminole run game is likely to be even better this year — even despite their departures.

Karlos Williams is a truly gifted back, a rare combination of size, speed and instincts. Last year, Williams made the switch to running back after the Pittsburgh game. It’s rare a player flips from defense to offense in the middle of the year (without an injury forcing the move), period. But Williams did more than just switch, he gained 730 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 91 carries. What limited Williams last year, according RB coach Jay Graham, was the fact he still had to learn the more nuanced parts of the position.

Williams played running back in high school, sure, but you don’t typically see high school teams asking a player of Williams’ caliber to stay in the backfield and block. Blitz pick-up is not something a lot of these talented young backs do well when they arrive at FSU. Think about it, you need those kids with the ball in their hands at the high school level. Few schools have enough offensive playmakers to be able to afford to keep a highly-touted back in the backfield on passing downs. When Williams flipped over to offense, he knew the concepts behind the defense’s blitz schemes (after all, he’d spent his first two and a half years at safety), but not how to work within the protection scheme to pick them up as a blocker.

But make no mistake about it, with the ball in his hands Williams was the best back on the team last year.

This year he has had the benefit of a full offseason to learn the position and he will likely get the majority of the carries this year. If any one of Jameis Winston’s teammates have a chance to end Winston’s Heisman hopes and win it themselves — it’s Williams.

Beyond Williams, five star true freshman Dalvin Cook looks to have emerged as the number two back during Fall camp. Redshirt sophomore Mario Pender is also likely to get involved in the mix.

Sophomore Ryan Green, has home-run speed and could also contribute as a change of pace back, though he has been slowed by injuries during camp.