The Florida State Seminoles are looking to run the ball early and often in the 2025 season, and their effectiveness will likely determine how the season will go. The Seminoles have had great success running the ball under head coach Mike Norvell, but it all fell apart in 2024.
That forced some changes as Norvell went out and hired his mentor and old boss, Gus Malzahn, as FSU’s new offensive coordinator. He utilizes a run-first offense that will pound the rock to set up explosive pass plays. It will be vital that the running backs (and the offensive linemen ahead of them) take a step forward during the 2025 season if the Seminoles want to get back to the highs of the Norvell era and once again compete in the ACC.
The good news is that they have a very crowded room that features multiple different skill sets. They do lack a proven No. 1 option, but Malzahn’s system has churned out productive players no matter the location, and he has some talented players to work with.
Now, here is a closer look at the running backs ahead of fall camp.
RB Departures
Incoming RBs
Projected Depth Chart
Starter: Gavin Sawchuk/Roydell Williams
Backup: Ousmane Kromah/Jaylin Lucas
FSU has plenty of options at running back entering the 2025 season and how reps are split during fall camp will be interesting to monitor.
While both Sawchuk and Williams struggled last season, factors out of their control contributed to both, as they each suffered injuries and were playing behind extremely poor offensive lines. Sawchuk is the more proven of the two, but FSU’s coaching staff has spoken extremely well of Williams this offseason.
Kromah is the most talented player in the room, and it is hard to see a world where he isn’t contributing as a freshman, even if it takes some time for him to adjust to college after not enrolling early. Lucas is a wildcard due to his speed and ability to catch the football. Expect him to get the ball in a variety of ways as they try to generate some more explosive plays.
Other RBs to know
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Previewing FSU’s running back room ahead of the 2025 season
Reporting by JD McCarthy, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
