As we continue our Florida State position preview series, we move on to the running backs. In 2024, Florida State struggled to establish a consistent ground attack, averaging around 90 rushing yards per game, which ranked near the bottom of the FBS. Just one year after a 13-1 season in which the Seminoles averaged nearly 35 points per game, FSU dipped to 2-10 and fielded one of the least productive offenses in the country.
New offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn flipped the narrative of the Seminoles offense last season, helping Florida State finish inside the top 20 nationally in rushing offense, top ten in total offense, and No. 22 in scoring offense at 33 points per game. Malzahn’s creativity in the run game was on full display the first week of the season, as Florida State rushed for 230 yards and four scores en route to a 31-17 victory against Alabama.
With Malzahn retiring and head coach Mike Norvell set to assume play-calling duties, leaning on one of the deepest running back rooms in the ACC will be a priority in 2026.
2026 Florida State Position Preview
Key Returners
Spearheading the unit is sophomore Ousmane Kromah. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman, tallying 72 carries for 408 yards while also adding 147 receiving yards and a score. A former consensus four-star prospect, Kromah enters a crucial stage of his development as he makes the jump from year one to year two.
The depth behind Kromah is immense. Samuel Singleton Jr.is back after averaging an impressive seven yards per carry in 2025. Singleton carries a background rooted in special teams, being named a FWAA Freshman All-American kick returner and the Special Teams Newcomer of the Year in 2024.
His explosive running style complements the balanced nature of Kromah. Both Singleton and Kromah earned starts for the Seminoles last fall, but what the rotation looks like depends on how Mike Norvell plans to utilize the running capabilities of Auburn transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels.
An experienced quarterback with proven rushing production at several different stops, Norvell could tailor his system to include QB power and draw schemes, which could, in turn, impact the reps for the running backs.
Regardless, Kromah and Singleton headline a talented running back room, but there is even more depth to the rotation. Returnee Zay Parks rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown a year ago. With Gavin Sawchuk and Caziah Holmes gone, there is a chance that Parks sees an increased workload next season.
Newcomers
The Florida State coaching staff added two transfers to the running back room, Quintrevion Wisner (Texas) and Gemari Sands (FAU). Wisner has extensive collegiate experience, appearing in 38 games with 21 starts at Texas. In his career, Wisner has 369 carries for 1,734 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with 457 receiving yards and two additional scores.
Wisner arrives as one of FSU’s most accomplished portal additions and immediately raises the floor of the running back room. There is hope that he can replicate the Third Team All-SEC season he had in 2024, where he rushed for 1,000+ yards and set the single-season Texas running back record with 44 receptions.
Sands started four games for the Owls last year, totaling 465 rushing yards and 217 receiving yards. A three-star transfer per 247Sports, Sands is a nice insurance option in the case of injury and could fight for a spot in the backfield.
Freshman Amari Thomas rounds out the running back room. Thomas was rated as the No. 11 running back in the Class of 2026 after rushing for 1,799 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior at Blountstown High School.
Outlook
The tandem of Kromah, Singleton Jr., and Wisner projects to be one of the better rotations in the country. How a new starting offensive line gels together could determine if the talent at running back gets maximized or not.
Breaking in a new starting quarterback with a new look front line in the same season is not an easy task to do, but if the offensive line develops quickly, Florida State has the depth and talent at running back to remain one of the ACC’s most dangerous rushing attacks in 2026.
