FSU's Joshua Burrell opens up about move to running back as season opener nears

With Florida State looking to shore up its running back room following the recent injury to reserve CJ Campbell, redshirt freshman wideout Joshua Burrell saw extensive time at running back during the final few practices of preseason camp.

Burrell spoke with the media about the move on Friday and described how the transition has gone this week, discussed his knowledge of the FSU offense, where he’s had to adapt as he’s joined the running backs group and more.

Here’s the complete Q&A with Burrell:

* ALSO READ: Shakeup in FSU backfield: RB CJ Campbell lost for season, Josh Burrell moves to RB

Q: How is the move to running back going and can you talk about the conversation that led up to it?

A: Coach [Alex] Atkins and Coach [Mike] Norvell, they reached out to me over the weekend. Just talking about the opportunity of doing both. Utilizing my skill set. Being in the backfield, they feel like I can do a good job with the ball in my hands. They opened the opportunity to me, and they said I can say no if I wanted to, but I was open to it, and it’s been a smooth transition so far.

Q: Why were you open to it? Did you just see it as another opportunity of getting on the field quickly?

A: For sure. I feel like I can do a good job with the ball in my hands, too. It gives me an opportunity of getting on the field. I am always open to new opportunities.

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Q: When was the last time you played running back?

A: I would probably say middle school. I did a little bit in the backfield in high school, screens and stuff like that. But it wasn’t really running between the tackles and stuff like that. So I’ve gotta get back used to doing that for sure. The coaches in the running back room, they are definitely helping with that.

Q: How have the past few days been transitioning into that role?

A: The past few days, they have been smooth. I have been in the running back meetings. It’s been new, just getting used to the new guys. I always had a relationship with other guys, so it hasn’t been a fresh, new thing. But it’s been smooth. Just working on pass protections and stuff like that. Running between the tackles and running routes out of the backfield. I have definitely enjoyed it.

Q: Who’s are some of the guys in that room who are kind of taking you under their wing?

A: Literally all of them. You’ve got Tre Ward, Trey Benson, L.T. (Lawrance Toafili), little Rod[ney Hill]. You’ve got great coaches in Coach YAC [David Johnson] and Coach Austin [Tucker]. They are definitely helping me out in the film room. In practice, they are always behind me. Even when I’m not in, I am getting those mental reps and they are helping me out. They’re always beside me.

Q: How was that first pass-protection rep?

A: It was actually smooth. It’s a process getting to know who I am supposed to have and who the offensive line’s responsibility is. That’s another thing: I’ve got to know the O-line now, what their responsibilities are. It was a smooth rep. I’ve just gotta get used to blocking linebackers now. They have different skills sets as well, instead of blocking corners and safeties.

Q: We talked to Treshaun Ward after your first practice at running back, and he said it didn’t look like a first day. Were you surprised how natural it felt for you?

A: Like I said, I think I do a good job with the ball in my hand. I definitely give credit to everyone else in the room for helping me out. When I took my first couple of reps, it was smooth and felt natural. When I got the ball in my hands, I saw the hole open and took off. I had some reps in the backfield, running up the sideline and stuff like that. It felt natural catching and being a playmaker.

Q: Coach Norvell mentioned former Memphis Tiger Antonio Gibson as a comparison. Is there anyone you are watching right now to get a sense of what it’s like to play both positions?

A: In my recruitment, I actually watched Antonio Gibson’s highlights before I got here. They mentioned him in my recruitment as how they could possibly use me in the offense. I always have watched that. …That’s what got me here as well. … It really excited me and I like the opportunity. … He started at receiver when he went in. That versatility, that playmaker aspect being able to do both. You have to be a smart player to know all those roles.

Q: When were you 100 percent coming off the surgery last year?

A: I got injured the second week of the season last year. I had surgery back in October. I was doing rehab, treatment and all that stuff back until February or March of this year going into spring ball. … I had good help with our athletic training staff. Now I would say I am 100 percent. Going into spring ball, it was me getting back to 100. Definitely over summer workouts and with our weight room staff with Coach [Josh] Storms, it definitely helped me out. I am definitely 100 percent now.

Q: How is CJ Campbell doing after the injury? I know it’s a tough situation for him.

A: He’s doing good and he’s in a good mental space. I definitely reach out to him. He’s one of my closer guys on the team, we always are doing something together. That’s my guy, and I can’t wait for him to get back.

Q: How has it been working with running backs coach David Johnson this week?

A: Yeah, it’s been smooth. That’s my guy I work with on kickoff return and stuff like that. I already had that relationship. He’s got a nickname for me called, ‘Bam Bam.’ One of the guys off Flintstones, so I don’t even know who “Bam Bam” is or that correlation (laughs). … We had that relationship, though. He calls me “Bam Bam” every time he sees me. Now, it’s starting to spread across the team and other guys are starting to call me “Bam Bam.” Coach YAC definitely started it and we’ve had that relationship. Going in that running back room has been smooth.

Q: Are you excited for game week and Duquesne on Aug. 27?

A: Oh yeah. Coming off the injury, I was just hurt. Being on the sideline on my little scooter, just watching the games and wishing I was out there. It’s exciting knowing fans are going to be back in Tallahassee. Packed stadium, just getting this season going and I look forward to it.

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