COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: RB JAYLIN LUCAS
Florida State football missed an elite level of speed and explosiveness for its offense in 2024. Head football coach Mike Norvell referred to the Seminoles being "one of the fastest teams that he has ever coached" last offseason.
Unfortunately, the unit did not pan out in 2024. There were speedsters such as Malik Benson, Jalen Brown, and Jaylin Lucas who were supposed to put points on the scoreboard. However, the Seminoles were only able to muster 15.2 points per game.
The coaching staff was high on the explosive potential that former Indiana transfer Jaylin Lucas possessed. He was the younger brother of former wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas. Lucas recorded two carries for 13 yards and one reception for five yards in the season-opening loss to Georgia Tech.
This led Coach Norvell to discuss at the post-game media session that they wanted to give Lucas more opportunities in the offense. It was much of the same from the speedster, as he had two catches for 34 yards in the loss to Boston College.
"When it rains, it pours" for the Seminoles, as Lucas suffered a season-ending injury versus the Eagles. The redshirt junior is listed as a running back and special teams returner, but could be a piece that Coach Malzahn can move around to create mismatches across the opposing defenses.
This is his time to shine, and why I picked Lucas to win the Comeback Player of the Year Award.