In 2021, Jashaun Corbin ran for 887 yards and averaged 6.2 YPC. He also had 7 touchdowns. That same year Treshaun Ward averaged 6.36 YPC. In 2022 Trey Benson had 990 yards and averaged 6.43 YPC. Ward once again averaged 6.61 yards per carry. In 2023 Benson had 906 yards and averaged 5.81 YPC. Toafili averaged over 6.7 YPC as did Cazaiah Holmes. Outside of his first season at FSU and in 2024, Mike Norvell has had very good rushing offenses. He also does a very good job of spreading the wealth amongst the running backs. I have said as long as he is at FSU they should be able to rush the football. Last year I believe was not a typical year under Mike Norvell. His success running the ball and how many of his backs have made it to the NFL is a big reason I believe that Ousmah Kromah chose the Seminoles last year. So with running back being important to FSU and coach Norvell who are the top backs in the state of Florida?
Derreck Cooper UA - Camp 2024
1) Derrek Cooper - Chaminade-6'1-200 - Cooper came onto the scene last year at the UA Combine in Miami Gardens. Try and put a linebacker on Cooper out of the backfield. Good luck with that as Cooper is almost impossible to cover with a linebacker. He runs great routes out of the backfield. He is one of the better ones I have ever seen do so. As a RB he reminds me of Derrick Henry in HS. Big, fast, athletic. You watch him run and Cooper can do so with power or finesse. He was offered early by FSU and they almost landed a commitment from him. (Player Comp: Derrick Henry)
2) Javian Mallory - West Boca - 6'0-210-When healthy and on the field Mallory is a beast of a running back. He runs well between the tackles. He can also get to the edge. He is the type of back that picks up 4 yards, 3, 5, 6 and then all of sudden breaks off a 50 yard touchdown. He is going to wear a defense down. His biggest issue right now is staying healthy. His running style while punishing to defenders also causes him to take to many shots. West Boca has a back that ran well in his absence. It may be in his best interest that his carries this year are cut down. (Player Comp: Alex Collins)
3) Amari Clemons- Marianna -5'10-180 - (Committed to FSU) -What is not to like about Clemons. He is one of those players who right now is ranked a 3* but will get a bump after camps this spring and over the summer. He is one of the fastest backs in Florida. He runs effortlessly. I like the way this kid runs away from defenders. He has the ability to break long runs from anywhere on the field. (Player Comp: (Player Comp: Kyren Williams)
4) KJ Baker - Somerset Academy- 5'8-170 - There is fast and there is KJ Baker. He runs a 10.2 (100m). Last year at FSU summer camp he was in the 4.4 range. Baker is a difference maker every time the kid touches the ball. I talk about ELITE traits. His speed is ELITE. Great kid and comes from a good family. His father I believe was recruited by FSU. Baker just needs the right system to play in college. (Player Comp: Devon Achane)
Final Thoughts: Cooper is the top back on the board. He is the one game changer in this year’s class. He has both size and speed. The crazy thing with Cooper is many schools are going to recruit him as a safety or linebacker. He can make an impact on either side of the football. FSU got off to a great start with landing Clemons. They add a Mallory or Cooper and you are looking at one of the best backfield classes in the country.
Derreck Cooper UA - Camp 20241) Derrek Cooper - Chaminade-6'1-200 - Cooper came onto the scene last year at the UA Combine in Miami Gardens. Try and put a linebacker on Cooper out of the backfield. Good luck with that as Cooper is almost impossible to cover with a linebacker. He runs great routes out of the backfield. He is one of the better ones I have ever seen do so. As a RB he reminds me of Derrick Henry in HS. Big, fast, athletic. You watch him run and Cooper can do so with power or finesse. He was offered early by FSU and they almost landed a commitment from him. (Player Comp: Derrick Henry)
2) Javian Mallory - West Boca - 6'0-210-When healthy and on the field Mallory is a beast of a running back. He runs well between the tackles. He can also get to the edge. He is the type of back that picks up 4 yards, 3, 5, 6 and then all of sudden breaks off a 50 yard touchdown. He is going to wear a defense down. His biggest issue right now is staying healthy. His running style while punishing to defenders also causes him to take to many shots. West Boca has a back that ran well in his absence. It may be in his best interest that his carries this year are cut down. (Player Comp: Alex Collins)
3) Amari Clemons- Marianna -5'10-180 - (Committed to FSU) -What is not to like about Clemons. He is one of those players who right now is ranked a 3* but will get a bump after camps this spring and over the summer. He is one of the fastest backs in Florida. He runs effortlessly. I like the way this kid runs away from defenders. He has the ability to break long runs from anywhere on the field. (Player Comp: (Player Comp: Kyren Williams)
4) KJ Baker - Somerset Academy- 5'8-170 - There is fast and there is KJ Baker. He runs a 10.2 (100m). Last year at FSU summer camp he was in the 4.4 range. Baker is a difference maker every time the kid touches the ball. I talk about ELITE traits. His speed is ELITE. Great kid and comes from a good family. His father I believe was recruited by FSU. Baker just needs the right system to play in college. (Player Comp: Devon Achane)
Final Thoughts: Cooper is the top back on the board. He is the one game changer in this year’s class. He has both size and speed. The crazy thing with Cooper is many schools are going to recruit him as a safety or linebacker. He can make an impact on either side of the football. FSU got off to a great start with landing Clemons. They add a Mallory or Cooper and you are looking at one of the best backfield classes in the country.
