Sam Singleton’s injury leaves Florida State without a key playmaker and opens the door for Tre Wisner to take on a much larger role.
The Florida State Seminoles 50-36 loss to Alabama delivered more than another frustrating result for Mike Norvell’s team.
The Seminoles also lost one of their most versatile offensive weapons.
Running back Sam Singleton Jr. suffered a leg injury during a 65-yard catch-and-run in the second half against the Crimson Tide. Norvell initially expressed hope that the injury wasn’t serious.
“Yeah, you know, I mean, obviously, we’ll be able to get back to Tallahassee and see exactly where that, what that is,” Norvell said during his postgame media availability. “You know, it was unfortunate. You know, Sam’s been playing at a very high level. You know, very hopeful that it’s nothing, you know, severe. But I don’t have any of that information right now.”
Norvell revealed Monday that Singleton will miss an extended period, although there remains optimism that he can return sometime this season.
That leaves Florida State trying to replace much more than 20 carries for 73 yards.
Singleton had emerged as a legitimate receiving weapon out of the backfield. Through three games, he caught eight passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, ranking second on the team in receiving yards. His 235 yards from scrimmage also ranked second on the Seminoles.
The underlying numbers reinforce his value.
Singleton has forced three missed tackles on only 20 rushing attempts this season, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), while 54 of his 73 rushing yards have come after contact. His 77.5 fumbling grade is also his highest individual PFF category through three games.
Replacing that versatility becomes the challenge.
It also creates Florida State’s biggest opportunity yet to see what it has in Texas transfer Quintrevion “Tre” Wisner.
Wisner arrived in Tallahassee as an experienced addition to a talented backfield, but injuries during fall camp put him behind early. With Ousmane Kromah establishing himself as Florida State’s lead runner, Wisner has been largely relegated to a complementary role.
Through three games, he has only five carries.
The production, however, has been encouraging when his number has been called. Wisner has turned those opportunities into 34 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt.
Offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. described Wisner as a veteran who has been “waiting in the wings for more opportunities.”
Those opportunities have arrived.
Kromah remains the clear centerpiece of the rushing attack with 53 carries for 311 yards and three touchdowns, but Florida State cannot reasonably ask him to absorb every snap Singleton leaves behind. Wisner now becomes the logical candidate for a significant increase in workload.
During three seasons at Texas, Wisner accumulated 1,734 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 369 carries. He also demonstrated the receiving ability that could become particularly important without Singleton, catching 66 passes for 457 yards and two touchdowns.
That experience gives Florida State something it desperately needs while attempting to regroup from consecutive losses.
Singleton’s absence shouldn’t dramatically change Kromah’s standing as the No. 1 back. Instead, the bigger question is what happens when Kromah needs a breather and who inherits the receiving and change-of-pace opportunities Singleton was turning into explosive plays.
That’s where Wisner’s role could grow quickly.
Florida State’s season has already reached an important juncture after surrendering a 21-6 advantage against Alabama and dropping its second consecutive game. Losing Singleton only adds another problem for an offense that needs answers.
For Wisner, however, one of those answers could finally be him.
