As the offseason marches on, we'll continue examining each position on the Florida State football team -- evaluating what went right and wrong in 2017, and looking at what's in store for the Seminoles under a new coaching staff in 2018.
Next up is FSU's running back position, which might be the deepest and most talented position on the roster.
Previous installments: Linebackers | Defensive backs | Defensive ends | Defensive tackles
State of the Program: Running backs
2017 SUMMARY
For the third year in a row, it was the running back position that was the highlight of Florida State's offense. Despite the departure of Dalvin Cook to the NFL, the Seminoles didn't experience much of a dropoff when it came to running the football in 2017.
Veteran Jacques Patrick had a solid season in his first year as a co-starter, and true freshman Cam Akers lived up to the hype as one of the nation's top prospects in the 2017 signing class. Akers broke Cook's freshman rushing record, finishing with over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns, and Patrick added 748 yards and seven more scores.
The Seminoles also got quality contributions from backups Amir Rasul and Ryan Green, while letting talented freshmen Khalan Laborn and Zaquandre White take a year to redshirt and get acclimated to college football.
HIGHLIGHT OF 2017
FSU's rushing attack was the backbone of the offense all season, particularly once freshman James Blackman took over at quarterback, so there are several games to choose from. But because of the bizarre circumstances surrounding the game, we'll go with Louisiana-Monroe as the season highlight for this group.
With the Seminoles' program rocked by the sudden departure of head coach Jimbo Fisher on Friday afternoon, FSU's running backs stepped up in a big way 24 hours later, leading the team to a 42-10 rout that secured FSU's bowl eligibility for the 36th consecutive season.
As a team, FSU rushed for 305 yards and five touchdowns on 45 carries; Patrick led the way with 155 yards and two scores; Akers had 117 yards and two more; and even Green delivered a 15-yard touchdown scamper. The rushing attack provided an important security blanket for the Seminoles, who were playing their first game under interim head coach Odell Haggins.
