Why running back Ousmane Kromah could be Florida State's x-factor in 2026

Florida State football doesn't have any excitement going on right now, as they finished with a 5-7 record last year. The Seminoles defeated Alabama in the opener, then it all went downhill.

Head coach Mike Norvell has faced scrutiny for his squad's performance in four of the last six seasons. It is understood that Florida State has championship-level expectations and even had fans thinking that they were College Football Playoff contenders after the Alabama win.

The Stanford road loss was the nail in the coffin for the program, as plenty of individuals have shown displeasure in Mike Norvell. The negativity is through the roof, but what positives are there to talk about with Florida State?

Ousmane Kromah could be a special piece for Florida State in 2026

The offense was nothing special last year, but wide receiver Duce Robinson was a man among boys. With that said, the Seminoles will benefit from the legacy player coming back to Tallahassee next season.

Robinson is great and deserves to be celebrated, but fans aren't talking enough about sophomore running back Ousmane Kromah returning to the Seminoles' backfield. Kromah was a former four-star prospect who Florida State battled Georgia and Auburn before he signed on the dotted line in December.

Kromah was already a talented player that the Bulldogs didn't want to see leave the state of Georgia, as he recorded 4,643 yards and 55 touchdowns during his career at Lee County High School.

The fan base thought that a squad that was coming off a 2-10 campaign in 2024 could use a talented back like Kromah. Unfortunately, former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and the Seminoles never utilized him properly, as he only had double-digit carries in just two of the twelve games during the 2025 season.

Florida State seemed to be playing "musical chairs" at the running back position. This was frustrating to see because just when it felt like a playmaker was catching their stride, they were taken out of the game.

While I am not expecting fans to buy into the hype, and it is more of a "prove it to me" state of mind right now in Tallahassee, fans should expect Ousmane Kromah to be an x-factor for Florida State's offense in 2026.

Florida State football's social media accounts have spent plenty of time raving about Kromah and his abilities as a running back. It is time for him to put it all together. The frame, explosiveness, and power are there on film.

Ousmane Kromah will be an x-factor on the Seminoles' offense in 2026 because head coach Mike Norvell will be responsible for calling the plays. The Georgia native was someone that Norvell went out of his way to seal the deal on during his recruitment process. He loves to establish the running back to set up the play-action passing game. Kromah can be an every-down back that he can rely on.

The Seminoles did add former Texas running back Tre Wisner via the transfer portal and still have veteran Samuel Singleton Jr. on the team. However, without question, Kromah is the most talented back on the roster, and it is time for him to show what he is made of.

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