In 2017 Florida State football will have to replace the most productive running back in school history. Dalvin Cook was drafted by The Minnesota Vikings with the 41st overall pick to help replace Adrian Peterson. Now, Florida State will have to try and replace him.
Conventional wisdom says they will take a step back, but Florida State football does a lot more reloading than rebuilding these days. As great as Dalvin Cook was during his record breaking career, Florida State’s backfield will probably be their biggest strength this season.
The Seminoles will have two five star running back recruits coming into the program this year, Cam Akers and Khalan Laborn.
Akers was the number 1 ranked running back in the country and the number 2 player overall. The Mississippi native and former high school quarterback accounted for 8,140 passing yards and 5,103 rushing yards in his four years as a starter. He also tallied 149 total touchdowns.
Laborn was the number 1 ranked all-purpose back in the country. As a starter he compiled over 4,000 yards rushing and 45 touchdowns in his career with an average of 10.5 yards per carry. He was also MVP of the 2017 Under Armour All-American Game.
The Virginia Beach product is definitely ready for the spotlight. He elected to wear number 4, Dalvin Cook’s old number, and he announced his commitment to FSU by hopping out of a Lamborghini and waving a giant FSU flag at the Nike sponsored “The Opening” combine.
Junior, Jaques Patrick and sophomore, Amir Rasul will compete with the two freshman for a majority of the carries this season. Both Patrick and Rasul have game experience. Patrick served as the primary backup for Cook last season.
The running back by committee movement will be pretty fun to watch in 2017.
