As Florida State moves into the nearly two weeks of fall camp before its season opener against New Mexico State at Doak Campbell Stadium, several emerging players are making strong cases for larger roles.
While established names such as quarterback Ashton Daniels, receiver Duce Robinson, the Desir twins and defensive back Ja’Bril Rawls continue to draw attention, a handful of other Seminoles have steadily elevated their stock.
Here’s a look at five players trending upward as FSU prepares for Week 1.
Ousmane Kromah, Running Back
Kromah has put together an impressive camp and appears poised for a breakout sophomore season.
After finishing as Florida State’s third-leading rusher with 408 yards as a freshman, Kromah has emerged as a leading candidate to handle the bulk of the workload in the backfield. His combination of power and explosiveness has stood out throughout camp.
A 1,000-yard season is no longer an unrealistic target. Florida State hasn’t produced a 1,000-yard rusher since Cam Akers, and Kromah looks capable of ending that drought if he continues his current trajectory.
Samuel Singleton Jr., Running Back
Singleton continues to show why he remains a valuable part of Florida State’s crowded running back room.
Entering his fourth season with the program, Singleton has positioned himself squarely in the competition for carries. Before suffering an injury late last season, he was averaging 7.1 yards per attempt and flashed the big-play ability that has long intrigued the coaching staff.
Although Kromah and Tre Wisner have generated much of the attention, Singleton remains firmly in the conversation for a significant role and could push for starting opportunities as camp continues, especially with Wisner banged up.
Jasen Lopez, Wide Receiver
Few newcomers have generated more buzz this fall than Lopez.
The true freshman has drawn repeated praise from coach Mike Norvell, who has highlighted both his playmaking ability and consistency throughout camp. Lopez has routinely capitalized on opportunities when his number is called, earning increased attention from coaches and teammates alike.
Norvell has already indicated that Lopez is expected to contribute this season. If his progress continues at the current pace, he could quickly become a fixture in Florida State’s receiver rotation and potentially challenge for a starting role.
Jalen Anderson, Edge Rusher
Anderson continues to make strides as he adjusts to Power Four football.
Norvell cited Anderson’s performance following Sunday’s scrimmage, noting another productive outing for the edge defender. The junior college transfer has shown steady improvement throughout camp while competing for the JACK position.
As he becomes more comfortable with the speed and physical demands of the college game’s highest level, Anderson appears to be playing with increased confidence. The game is beginning to slow down for him, a promising sign with the opener rapidly approaching.
Chris Jones, Linebacker
Jones has all the makings of Florida State’s next impact linebacker.
The Southern Miss transfer arrived in Tallahassee after recording more than 130 tackles last season and has quickly impressed during camp. His physical style and ability to disrupt plays near the line of scrimmage have made him a standout presence on the defensive side of the ball.
Jones possesses the size, athleticism and instincts Florida State expects from its linebackers, and his transition to ACC competition appears to be progressing smoothly.
Florida State 2026 schedule
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Five FSU football standouts who are trending up after second scrimmage
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
