Lonnie Pryor cried the day he switched to fullback.
Following an injury to Florida State's starting fullback at the time, Daniel Gard, running backs coach Dexter Carter told Pryor to take a snap at fullback one day at practice during the 2009 season.
“He pulled me to the side and was like, ‘Lonnie, just focus on playing fullback,’” Pryor said.
A four-star running back in high school, Pryor had dozens of offers from elite programs across the country. He knew a position switch would end his dream of being the first 1,000-yard rusher at FSU since Warrick Dunn.
“I bawled when I got home," Pryor remembered. "I called my high school coach."
After collecting himself, Pryor then called Jimbo Fisher, FSU's offensive coordinator at the time, and the two discussed the move for more than an hour over the phone. With other talented tailbacks on the depth chart, Fisher said this was the best way to get him on the field.
“It hurt my heart, man,” Pryor said.
Florida State fans are understandably eager to see Willie Taggart’s Gulf Coast Offense arrive this season.
"Lethal simplicity" and an up-tempo pace are welcomed changes following the methodical pro-style offense of Jimbo Fisher -- which seemed to wear down fans more effectively than it did opposing defenses the last few seasons.
However, the absence of a traditional fullback may prompt nostalgia for those die-hard FSU fans who treasure memories of the beloved characters who played the position over the years. Names like William Floyd, Edgar Bennett, Dayne Williams, Marion Butts and Mark Lyles come to mind, among dozens of others.
“I don’t think any other school has the same tradition we have when it comes to fullback,” James Coleman said.
Coleman played fullback for FSU from 2002-2005. He said legendary head coach Bobby Bowden once told him he was one of the top five fullbacks he ever coached.
“I think that’s B.S., because I can name five guys that I think were better than me,” he said.
Coleman, who writes about FSU football for college football website Gridiron Now, said he expects the existing fullbacks on FSU's roster to be used primarily in the passing game, in more of an H-back role.
“I think Coach Taggart will bring something to it that will be different than Bobby, but you’ll see toughness,” Coleman said. “Jimbo had it in the beginning.”
