FSU football doesn’t just have one of the top backs in college football according to Athlon Sports – they are one of a few teams with two backs on the list.
While there have been plenty of college football teams who like to claim that they are “QBU”, “DBU” or whatever position they want to take credit for, the FSU football team has plenty of argument for being considered “Running Back U” over the past few decades. Names like Dunn, Thompson, Freeman and Cook are among those who shined in college and the pros.
Entering the 2018 season, the Seminoles could possibly have the best running back duo in college football – and it isn’t just fans of the Noles who are saying that.
In a recent preseason ranking by Athlon Sports of the best 50 running backs in college football when the season kicks off in three months for FSU football, the Seminoles were among just five teams in the FBS that placed two backs on the list – sophomore Cam Akers at No. 7 and senior Jacques Patrick at No. 31.
"Akers was one of the top recruits in the 2017 signing class and showed flashes of his potential in his debut with the Seminoles…Look for Akers to be even more involved in the offense this fall under new coach Willie Taggart.After ranking as a four-star recruit coming out of high school, Patrick worked as the backup to Dalvin Cook from 2015-16 and received a career-high 132 carries last season. Patrick made the most of those opportunities, recording 735 yards and seven rushing scores"
For FSU football last season, a legit argument could be made that the only reason that Seminoles were able to continue their streak of winning seasons and bowl games was because Akers (with over 1,000 yards to set the freshman record) and Patrick were able to take some pressure off true freshman quarterback James Blackman when he was thrust into the starting lineup.
In 2018, Akers and Patrick are going to be sharing most of the load at running back no matter whether it’s Blackman or Deondre Francois under center. After the spring, five star back Khalan Laborn also joined the conversation – adding to the “RBU” reputation that is going on in Tallahassee with the garnet and gold.
Next: Deondre Francois talks James Blackman’s freshman year
The other four teams with two backs on the list included Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma – all who made the College Football Playoff last season with Ohio State being the other team on the list.