Mike Norvell calls Lawrance Toafili 'star of camp' for Seminoles

Florida State running back Lawrance Toafili is a two-year rotation running back for the Seminoles. He averaged a couple of carries per game for FSU as a freshman and sophomore and is eyeing a spike in his number of touches as a junior. Seminole head coach Mike Norvell, also entering his third season in Tallahassee, is encouraged by what you Toafili has shown him thus far in training camp.

Norvell even claimed the third-year running back is one of the top performers across the entire team in fall practices. Here was what he said recently regarding Toafili:

“He’s just done a remarkable job. I mean, he’s one of the stars of this camp so far. I mean, just the growth, the physicality, the size that he’s put in, the mentality of how he’s running, I mean it has really been impressive to watch. We know what he does in space, but, you know, I think he’s becoming a complete back.”

Norvell also praised the way Toafili attacked in certain situations.

“He hit a couple today that, you know, one on one, you got to make those decisions, and he lowers it lower in his pads, you know, keeping his eyes up and running his fit. That’s what you want from your backs. You’re always moving forward and I think he’s definitely getting better.”

So, sounds like the Seminole veteran is primed for a leap in production in 2022. Even if Toafili isn’t the starter or majority carrier, he figures to be a much more consistent part of the rotation than he was in his first two years.

Mike Norvell assesses production of FSU’s running back room in first scrimmage

While speaking with the media following the event, Norvell also assessed the production of all the Seminole ball carriers.

“I think each of them had their moments,” began Norvell. “Plays where they made people miss. Ran for tough yards. Continued to churn their legs and create a little bit of extra yardage at times when there was not space.”

“I like that group. I like the toughness, the mentality that they have. They were able to create some things on their own, and obviously when they got a seem they were able to make some things happen as well. So it was an all in all pretty good day for them.”

Continuing, the Florida State leader explained what the other running backs besides Toafili did to impress him at the event.

“Rodney [Hill] is a young freshman, had a couple of explosive plays. Trey Benson is continuing to get better. Treshaun Ward had a really good night as well. CJ Campbell was unavailable tonight, so it was those guys. We’re continuing to mix, I know you guys saw it — Ja’Khi Douglas is a guy that can kind of do a lot of different things, so we got him some work in the backfield and that showed up, as well.”