Florida State Football scholarship count, expected transfer portal needs: Running Back

Now that the regular season is over, the No. 14-ranked Florida State football team plunges headfirst into bowl preparations following a breakout 9-3 campaign in head coach Mike Norvell’s third season at the helm.

Also in the month of December, a flurry of player movement within college football is set to occur between NFL Draft declarations, transfer portal movement (the portal opens on Monday, Dec. 5), and attrition from graduated veterans and seniors.

This week, we’ll be breaking down the expected scholarship count and possible needs at each position group on the FSU offense and defense. How does each position segment look heading into the offseason, and what areas do the ‘Noles need to address?

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Scholarship Count: 5

At running back for Florida State, there isn’t a single player with exhausted eligibility despite the group ranking as a major strength this fall. Redshirt sophomores Treshaun Ward and Trey Benson split the starting duties, while third-year back Lawrance Toafili also has two more years left to play in college.

The other two options going forward include Penn State transfer Caziah Holmes and freshman Rodney Hill. Holmes sat out the 2022 season on Saturdays, but he took part in practices and other team activities as a redshirt sophomore since enrolling this fall. Hill played in four games as a true freshman, which means he can retain his redshirt unless he plays in the bowl game. That is not expected to happen.

Along with those five scholarship running backs, capable redshirt freshman C.J. Campbell could be elevated from preferred walk-on at any point. Campbell has drawn plenty of praise from the staff, appearing in five games this season.

Performance in 2022

Florida State punished opposing defenses with a run game that ranked as one of the best in the nation statistically. The Seminoles rolled to over 200 rushing yards in each of the last seven games of 2022, a streak that led the nation and tied a program mark set back in 1987.

Benson was a breakout performer for FSU this fall, especially in the second half the season, finishing just under the 1,000-yard mark with 965 yards and 9 touchdowns. Toafili had over 700 yards from scrimmage, while Ward was a productive starter earlier in the year before missing time due to injury.

Expected departures

While none of the running backs are graduating, Benson and Ward are two who could potentially try their talents at the next level this offseason. Benson raised his NFL stock considerably as one of the most improved backs in the country, and he said after Friday’s Florida game that he will consider his options. Ward, meanwhile, just completed his fourth year in college while posting back-to-back solid seasons.

Committed prospects: 1

Sam Singleton is one of nine consensus four-star prospects currently pledged to the Seminoles for the 2023 class. The speedy Singleton is capable of playing as a freshman but likely will enter a group where he won’t be forced to immediately contribute. The Orange Park product could also flourish in a supporting role as a pass-catcher.

Holmes also will be considered a new addition in 2023. The Penn State transfer was a four-star prospect out of Cocoa, Fla., in 2020. Holmes had 227 yards and 2 touchdowns and averaged 4.5 yards per carry as a true freshman two years ago with the Nittany Lions.

Potential transfer portal needs in 2023

Whether Florida State targets a running back out of the transfer portal likely will depend on what Benson and Ward decide to do. If both or even one of the two talented rushers returns, FSU could stand pat here unless a home-run option presents itself. The Seminoles are still actively recruiting five-star back Cedric Baxter, but they won’t necessarily target other high school options if he sticks with Texas.

What to watch for in Spring/Outlook for 2023 season

This group could be a major strength yet again next fall. While there are still some details to sort out at the top, depth is very strong at running back for FSU, especially if Holmes or Hill take a step up.

The development of Hill, who added weight to his frame while gaining 144 yards and a touchdown in limited duty, could be very intriguing. He showed star potential when he saw the field in 2022.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.