Competition Breeding In Florida State's Running Back Room On Cusp Of 2023 Season

As preseason practice begins to phase into game prep against LSU, the Florida State Seminoles are not slowing down, but rather turning up the intensity at practices. Last year, the running game was a strength for the offense, in part due to Trey Benson’s breakout year, turning himself into one of the top running backs in the country.

This year, the running back room looks just as strong, and running backs coach David Johnson is a key reason they are looking as good as they do. After being named running backs coach and recruiting coordinator in January of 2020, coach Johnson is entering his fourth season with the 'Noles, and is coming off a year where the 214.1 rushing yards per game was the highest the program had seen since 1995.

With Trey Benson coming off the season he had last year, and still showing signs of improvement, there is no doubt he will be a star on the field this season. With that being said Lawrance Toafili, Caziah Holmes, Rodney Hill, and CJ Campbell Jr. are all forcing each other to work harder and pushing themselves to new limits.

True freshman Samuel Singleton is someone who might be benefiting from this competition the most. Being surrounded by the best forces you to push yourself, and according to coach Johnson, that’s exactly what he’s doing.

“Sam’s doing a good job, he wants to continue to learn," Johnson said. "He’s in that room with those guys, they’re doing a good job of kinda taking him along and he understands the process.”

One player coach Johnson gave praise to was not a member of his running back room, but rather someone he has worked with during special teams drills.

“He’s special,” Johnson said. “Keon Coleman is different.”

With Coleman expected to be a major playmaker at wide receiver, and now taking reps in punt return, expectations are high for the transfer as he suits up for the Seminoles for the first time on September 3rd.

Another player Johnson doesn’t get to coach every day is Jordan Travis. With that being said, he noted that all the drills he has his players do are to help the quarterback succeed, as he is steering the ship.

“You gotta keep 13 upright, that’s our main focus, because if he goes we go.”

With Travis acting as the driving force this season, there is a good chance the Noles live up to, if not exceed expectations this season.

“Jordan comes to work every day, he’s intense, he understands exactly what’s going on, and he’s helping the younger guys around him,” said Johnson.

One thing the Seminoles do best is work together and support each other. Whether it is on or off the field, the players and coaches know that without a good support system, there will be no success on the field. While the sheer talent on this team is exceptional, the comradery and relationships between the players and coaches are what make this a top-ten team ahead of the season.

Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the 2023 season.

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