Florida State’s Week 0 depth chart answered the biggest question around Mike Norvell’s offense: he really does intend to roll with two running backs.
Ahead of Saturday’s 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff against New Mexico State at Doak Campbell Stadium, the Seminoles finally released a depth chart, and it listed both Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr. as starters on offense. That lines up with what Norvell has said about wanting to use 21-personnel, with two backs and one tight end on the field, but seeing it on paper still raised the stakes on just how far he plans to take it.
Kromah enters the opener with plenty of momentum. The sophomore former four-star looked ready for a bigger role after rushing for 408 yards on 72 carries as a true freshman. Florida State added Texas transfer Quintrevion Wisner in the portal, which created some uncertainty about how the backfield would shake out, but Kromah appears positioned as RB1.
The more surprising name beside him is Singleton. Wisner is healthy enough to go in Week 0, but he missed much of fall camp with an undisclosed injury, and Singleton is the one listed to start next to Kromah. Singleton, now in his fourth year in Tallahassee, ran for 360 yards and four touchdowns on 51 carries last season.
Wisner should still have a role, and so should 6-foot-2, 225-pound Auburn transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels in the run game. That gives Florida State plenty of options, and plenty of bodies to keep involved.
For Norvell, though, this isn’t new territory. He’s back calling the shots after handing the headset to Gus Malzahn last year, and the run-game blueprint fits his Memphis background.
In 2018, the Tigers leaned heavily on two backs and had four NFL running backs on the roster. Darrell Henderson Jr. piled up 1,909 yards on 214 carries, Patrick Taylor Jr. added 1,122 yards on 209 carries, and Tony Pollard chipped in 552 yards on 78 attempts.
Kenneth Gainwell didn’t work his way into the mix.
That Memphis team was almost always using two backs, and it paid off. The Tigers averaged 3.00 points per drive, which ranked No. 11 nationally that season.
Whether Florida State uses 21-personnel that heavily all year is still to be determined. But the depth chart made one thing clear: that’s the direction Norvell is aiming for. And if Kromah and Singleton can produce at a level anywhere near Henderson and Taylor in 2018, the Seminoles should be in position to push this offense - and the program - in the right direction.
In Other News...
Sam Singleton Just Gave Florida State A Weapon It May Need
Sam Singleton Jr. gave Florida State something it can always use and not always find: a back who can tilt the field in more than one way. In the Seminoles 34-17 win over New Mexico State, he piled up 164 all-purpose yards, scored twice and made his presence felt as both a runner and a returner, including a pair of kickoff returns that helped swing field position. Coach Mike Norvell pointed to Singletons versatility and the way he affected the game in multiple phases, and Pro Football Focus also came away impressed with his offensive work.
For a Florida State offense still sorting out where its biggest weekly advantages will come from, that kind of performance matters beyond the box score. Singletons blend of burst, efficiency and special-teams value gives the Seminoles a cleaner path to creating favorable situations, especially when games tighten and hidden yardage starts to matter. The bigger question now is whether this was a one-game spark or the start of a role that keeps expanding as the season goes on. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Already Has An O-Line Problem It Cant Ignore
Florida States offensive line was always going to be a work in progress in 2026, with five new starters trying to settle in and especially a fresh battle developing on the right side. Chimdia Nwaiwu got the opening nod at right tackle, while Nate Pabst and Paul Bowling have also been part of the discussion, and the early weeks have already shown how important that spot is for an offense trying to find its footing.
Nwaiwus first start brought enough pressure and issues in the run game to make the decision far less straightforward than the staff likely hoped. With SMU next on the schedule, Florida State is already weighing whether to stay patient or make a change and see if Bowling offers a better answer at right tackle, a choice that could shape how the rest of the line settles in. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Has A Secondary Problem At The Worst Time
Florida State opened the season with a 34-17 win over New Mexico State, but the celebration came with a clear defensive concern hanging over it. The Seminoles secondary had too many issues staying connected in coverage, and New Mexico State was able to find space through the air more often than Florida State would like to see this early in the year.
Mike Norvell pointed to communication and execution problems after the game, which makes the timing especially uncomfortable with SMU next on the schedule. The Mustangs bring a passing attack that can punish busted assignments, so Florida States back end will need a cleaner performance fast if it wants the opener to be remembered for the win and not the warning signs. [Read more 🡒]