Pre-season Position Breakdown: Running Back

The 2013 BCS National Champions will be getting their 2014 campaign underway in Dallas on August 30th. After winning its first national championship in 14 years last season, Florida State looks to have a very good shot at defending its title. Though quarterback Jameis Winston will garner most of the attention, FSU looks to be solid from top to bottom as Noled Out continues its position previews.

With James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman each leaving after his junior year, the Seminoles will not have a ton of experience in the backfield this upcoming season. There however, is no shortage of talent as Florida State looks to have a stable of capable ball-carriers. As the 2014 nears, here’s a look at FSU’s situation at running back:

The Headliner
Karlos Williams, Senior
A 5-star safety recruit out of high school, Karlos Williams made a big impact in his first season at running back in 2013. Despite splitting time with more experienced backs in Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr., Williams finished with 730 yards rushing on just 91 carries. Williams’ 8.0 yards-per-carry average is even more remarkable when one considers that he began the year as a starting safety.

While Williams never carried the ball more than 13 times in any contest, the Davenport native broke the 100-yard barrier twice last season and scored 11 rushing touchdowns. Williams’ impact in the backfield was felt immediately as he took his first career carry 65 yards for a score in Florida State’s home opener against Nevada.

At 6’1″ and 225 pounds, Williams has great speed and the ability to run with power. With the majority of the reps going to Williams this upcoming season, few would be surprised if the converted safety put forward an All-ACC campaign in 2014 just as his teammate, Freeman did a season ago.

The Sleeper
Mario Pender, Sophomore
Due to injury and troubles in the classroom, redshirt sophomore Mario Pender has yet to make his Florida State debut on the field, but looks more than capable of big things. A former high school All-American, Pender has great burst and could become a complete back for Florida State. Pender has breakaway speed and at 195 pounds, enough size to run between the tackles.

The Future
Dalvin Cook, Freshman
One of Florida State’s most prized recruits this past offseason, Dalvin Cook should be able to hit the ground running — literally. With a 6’0″, 220-pound frame, Cook is an outstanding athlete and a lack of collegiate experience could be his only weakness this upcoming season. There is little that Cook cannot do as the Miami native looks to make an immediate impact both as a ball-carrier and as a receiver out of the backfield.

Other Names to Know
Ryan Green, Sophomore
A forgotten man in the Florida State backfield, Ryan Green was a highly recruited tailback out of high school. Though Green received very few meaningful reps a season ago, the St. Petersburg product averaged nearly five yards-per-carry. While Green will need to be more consistent, he did show flashes in mop-up duty a season ago.

Freddie Stevenson, Sophomore
Sophomore Freddie Stevenson was recruited as a linebacker out of high school, but has worked his way into a starting role as the team’s fullback. Stevenson will have big shoes to fill by replacing Chad Abram and Lonnie Pryor before that, but Stevenson showed his versatility during Florida State’s spring game by leading all rushers with 85 yards on 18 carries. Although Stevenson had proven to be a good athlete, how he performs as a lead blocker will ultimately define his season.

Overview
Florida State lost a lot of backfield experience this offseason with Freeman and Wilder leaving early, but still looks to be deep at that position. While the Seminoles have just 132 combined career carries from the running back position, FSU could actually have more talent top-to-bottom this upcoming season than last. Big things are certainly expected of Karlos Williams in 2014, but both Pender and Cook should serve as excellent compliments. Florida State does return a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback in Jameis Winston, but with four returning starters on the offensive line and a ton of talent in the backfield, the Seminoles could enforce their will a bit more on the ground after averaging over 200 yards-per-game rushing in 2013.

Pre-season Position Breakdown: Quarterback