FSU running backs cap off strong spring with big plays in showcase

They weren’t expected to be the main attraction on Saturday. That was new FSU quarterback transfer DJ Uiagalelei.

But as has been the case for much of this spring, it was the Seminoles’ running backs who produced most of the big plays on offense during the team’s Spring Showcase inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

While splitting carries evenly, the five scholarship running backs who played on Saturday combined to rush for 158 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. Those were the offense’s only touchdowns of the afternoon.

“Whenever the running backs got an opportunity to get into space or got a running seam, they took advantage of it,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “Those guys are all very capable.”

Senior Roydell Williams, who transferred in from Alabama this spring, led the way with five carries for 50 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown scamper. Senior Caziah Holmes also busted a 20-yard touchdown run and finished the day with 44 yards on six carries.

Florida State running back Roydell Williams rushed 5 times for 50 yards in the Seminoles’ spring showcase. (Ben Spicer/Warchant)

The Seminoles’ other senior tailback, projected starter Lawrance Toafili, was only given a few carries but scored the first touchdown of the day on a 5-yard run.

Speedy Indiana transfer Jaylin Lucas rushed for 34 yards on five carries, and redshirt freshman Samuel Singleton finished with five carries for 22 yards.

Lucas, Williams, Toafili and Holmes also each caught one pass during the showcase. Highly touted freshman Kam Davis was on the sidelines, however, and was not in uniform.

“We’ve got a lot of different weapons,” Toafili said. “You know we added some guys. … Today I felt like it was a day where we showed our capability and our versatility.”

Improving the running game has been a top priority for FSU’s coaches after a less-than-stellar performance in that area in 2023.

As good as Trey Benson was individually, rushing for 905 yards and 14 touchdowns, the Seminoles ranked 77th nationally with 150.2 rushing yards per game and 4.54 yards per carry. One year earlier, the Seminoles ranked 14th nationally with 214.1 yards per game and 5.47 yards per attempt.

There was one negative on Saturday for the running backs — they coughed up a pair of fumbles — but overall, Norvell said, it was a strong conclusion to a positive spring for the rushing attack.

“Collectively as a unit offensively, the embrace and understanding of the importance of the run game is something those guys have taken a great deal of focus on,” Norvell said. “And I think that’s really shown up these last two weeks of spring.”

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

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