Running backs: Five things to know about FSU's backfield in 2016
Editor's Note: With preseason practice just over a month away, Warchant is previewing the upcoming Florida State football season by looking at each position group on offense, defense and special teams. The first installment in our preview series is running back.
| Name | Year | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dalvin Cook |
Jr. |
5-11 |
206 |
|
Ryan Green |
R-Jr. |
5-11 |
205 |
|
Gabe Nabers* |
Fr. |
6-2 |
220 |
|
Jacques Patrick |
So. |
6-2 |
233 |
|
Amir Rasul |
Fr. |
5-11 |
188 |
|
Freddie Stevenson* |
Sr. |
6-1 |
243 |
|
Johnathan Vickers |
Jr. |
6-1 |
227 |
The Big Picture
Consistency was an issue for Florida State's offense throughout the 2016 season -- at every position other than running back.
Then-sophomore Dalvin Cook emerged as a national star, carrying the ball 229 times for a Florida State-record 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns. He led the Seminoles to a 10-3 campaign and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl appearance.
FSU also received contributions from then-freshman Jacques Patrick, a former five-star prospect who provided a glimpse of the future when he did play. Patrick averaged 5.0 yards per carry and rushed for 314 yards with five touchdowns.
As a team, the Seminoles ranked 62nd in the nation in total rushing with 2,187 yards. FSU finished 16th in yards per attempt (5.1), 38th in touchdowns (27) and 69th in yards per game (168.2) in 2015.
Also returning for FSU's loaded backfield is fullback Freddie Stevenson and junior running back Johnathan Vickers. Junior Ryan Green returns to running back as well after spending last year at defensive back.
FSU's lone loss at the position was redshirt senior Mario Pender. The oft-injured Pender suffered through a collapsed lung in 2015 and was dismissed from the team in May after he was arrested for domestic battery.
The Seminoles, however, do add a pair of true freshmen -- speedy tailback Amir Rasul and fullback Gabe Nabers.
Cook Declares His Candidacy
With a series of impressive individual performances, Dalvin Cook thrust himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation last season (the award ultimately went to Alabama junior running back Derrick Henry). Cook enters 2016 as a strong candidate for that honor -- he's part of a group that includes Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and LSU running back Leonard Fournette. McCaffrey and Watson finished runner-up and third to Henry.
Should Cook win the award, he would be the fourth Heisman Trophy winner in school history and the first non-quarterback to claim the prize.
Competition aside, Cook will also be up against recent history. Since 2000, only two running backs have claimed the award. Alabama's Mark Ingram won in 2009 and was followed by Henry six years later. Former Southern Cal star Reggie Bush's Heisman in 2005 was vacated following an NCAA investigation.
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