Florida State’s Biggest X-Factor is the running backs

Most of the offseason attention has focused on transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels and whether he could be a game-changer, but will Florida State's running back room be the real spark that lifts FSU to another level while turning the expectation for Daniels from just being a game manager?

With Mike Norvell facing a make-or-break season, he may have put together a running back room that is among the nation's best. And it could be exactly what was needed for Florida State to return as an ACC contender in 2026.

The Seminoles, despite losing their top two rushers from a year ago, could have one of the top units in the country. The optimism about the room is high, with Phil Steele ranking Florida State's running back room No. 10 nationally.

“This should be a much more productive unit than the last two years,” Steele wrote. “It’s one of the strengths of the team.”

 While some have already made their projections, running backs coach Kam Martin has come out and said the starting job is up for grabs in an open competition where all six backs have the opportunity to earn the starting role. However, Ousmane Kromah, Samuel Singleton Jr. and Texas transfer Quintrevion Wisner are viewed as the top three contenders fighting for the role.

“There is going to be competition in this fall camp,” Martin said. “I want to see who can go down the field and not get taken out. That’s what I want to see. Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve had a guy that can do that”

All three running backs have the talent and game-changing ability to have an honest chance to win the competition coming out of fall camp.

Kromah, a former four-star prospect out of Lee County High School in Leesburg, Georgia, appeared in all 12 games as a freshman last season. He finished third in rushing yards last season with 408 yards on 72 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Kromah never found the end zone running the ball in his first year.

Singleton, a former four-star recruit from Fleming Island High School, enters his fourth season at Florida State. Last year, he rushed 51 times for 360 yards and four touchdowns, averaging  7.1 yards per carry, with his longest run of 54 yards showcasing his big-play ability.

Wisner arrives in Tallahassee after three seasons at Texas, where he appeared in 38 games with 21 starts. Last season, he rushed for 597 yards and three touchdowns on 131 carries, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. In 2024, Wisner led the Longhorns with 1,064 rushing yards on 226 carries, giving Florida State another big-time option in the backfield.

Having multiple backs capable of earning the starting job has Martin excited to see who steps up to take hold of the competition during camp.

“I’m excited for who is going to take charge,” Martin said. “Who is going to take charge? Who is not going to come out of the game when things get hard? I want someone who can take over the game. All six of those guys can do it.”

For Florida State, the ability to establish the run early will play a critical role in the offense and not just in moving the chains. For Norvell, establishing a consistent rushing attack should open up the play-action game, allowing the offense to control the tempo.

Being able to control the game on the ground puts Daniels in situations where he won't have to carry the offense on his own. Something crucial for him to find success, especially given that he has thrown nearly as many interceptions (22) as touchdown passes (24) during his collegiate career.

In a season where Norvell is out of excuses and has little to no margin for error, his future may come down to whether the running backs live up to their potential. The run game should be the straw that stirs the drink, making relying solely on Daniels to win games unnecessary.