FSU football: Grading our top 10 BOLD predictions for 2023
By Kelvin Hunt
![TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 19: A Florida State Seminoles helmet is seen after a game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 19: A Florida State Seminoles helmet is seen after a game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9f70465fd36d42c89b6efb03d56a9326c3178ff912f27b5f4c087fe510935526.jpg)
Trey Benson will surpass 1,300 all-purpose yards
"Running back projections in Mike Norvell’s offenses are difficult because he usually uses a stable of backs. I expect more of a three-man rotation this year, with Trey Benson as the lead back. He was 10-yards short of 1,000 rushing yards last year, and that was after not doing too much in the first half of the season. I expect his familiarity in the offense and increased confidence in the previously injured leg to prove why he should thought of as one of the best running backs in college. I project Benson to get around 180 carries on the season, equating to around 1,100 rushing yards if averages 6.1 yards per rush. If Benson gets around 1,100 rushing yards, he’d only need 200 receiving yards(he had 144 last year) to surpass the 1,300 yards all-purpose mark. I expect fewer tackles for a loss in the run game, and Benson can fall forward for 2-3 yards with his size alone. If he consistently does that and takes a few long runs to the house? All of those are positive signs he could pull this off."
A lot of factors impacted this projection. FSU never having their expected starting offensive line was an issue.
Trey Benson battled injuries later in the year, and missed some opportunities the offensive line created in some games. Benson only had six carries against lowly North Alabama, which didn’t allow him to pad his stats a bit.
He was very boom or bust, but was more of a factor in the receiving game. Benson fell short of the projected 1,300 total yards. He finished with 1,132 total yards in 13 games.