Florida State’s backfield keeps taking hits, and Samuel Singleton Jr. is not on track to be part of the immediate fix.
After the Seminoles lost Ousmane Kromah to a lower-body injury that ended his 2026 season, head coach Mike Norvell said Singleton Jr. is still dealing with a recovery that will take time. Florida State had not ruled Singleton Jr. out for the year, but Norvell made it clear a quick return is off the table.
“Full transparency, not the next couple of weeks,” Norvell said. “I'm not saying that there's not a chance, but it'll be a little bit of a long process. We've not declared him out for the season because there's still a path, but it would be late.”
Singleton Jr. was injured last month after a long catch-and-run against Alabama, and some fans were hoping the bye week would give him enough time to get back on the field. That’s not happening. If he does make it back this fall, it would come late in the year.
His absence matters because he had started to become a real weapon for Florida State. Before getting hurt, Singleton Jr. had 20 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown, along with 8 catches for 162 yards and 2 more scores. At the time of his injury, he was one of the Seminoles’ top receivers.
He also finished last season strong after being pushed into a starting role. Singleton Jr. rushed 51 times for 360 yards and 4 touchdowns, highlighted by a career-high 91 yards and a touchdown in his first start against Wake Forest.
For now, Florida State is piecing things together with Quintrevion Wisner, Amari Thomas, Zay Parks, and Gavin Markey carrying most of the load in the backfield.
The Seminoles are back in action against Clemson on Saturday, October 31. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.
In Other News...
ACC Coach Chuck Amato Remembered For The Legacy He Left Behind
Chuck Amato, whose coaching journey included a meaningful stop at Florida State before he became the head coach at NC State, has died at 80, closing the book on a career that stretched across several programs and decades. Amato spent seven seasons leading the Wolfpack from 2000 to 2006, guiding them to a 49-37 record, four bowl victories and a school-record 11-win season in 2002, all while building on the reputation he had already established as a longtime college football coach.
For Florida State fans, Amatos name carries the kind of familiar weight that comes from being part of the sports coaching fabric long before he ever took charge elsewhere. His path also included a stint at Akron, and he retired in 2018 after leaving behind a broad footprint in the game, one now being remembered for the stability, success and longevity he brought wherever he worked. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State's Backfield Suddenly Has One Huge Job Before Clemson
Florida States running back depth took a major hit this week, leaving Quintrevion Wisner and Amari Thomas as the only healthy backs in the room after Ousmane Kromahs season-ending injury. It is the kind of turn that immediately changes how a staff has to plan a week, especially with Clemson looming and the Seminoles trying to steady themselves after a rough stretch.
Mike Norvell said he remains confident in where the program is headed, even with the recent setbacks piling up around the roster. The day also brought sad news off the field, with former FSU assistant and NC State head coach Chuck Amato dying at 80 after battling throat cancer, a reminder of how tightly connected the sports present-day urgency can be to its past. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Just Exposed A Miami Problem Other Teams Will Notice
Miamis double-overtime win over Florida State came with a clear warning sign attached. Darian Mensah spent much of the night under duress, as the Hurricanes allowed 14 quarterback pressures, their most since Sept. 27, 2024, and the Seminoles kept finding ways to disrupt the pocket with stunts and twists that tested the protection from the edges inward.
Samson Okunlola and Matt McCoy had a difficult time sorting out those looks, and coach Mario Cristobal pointed to Florida States twisting maneuvers as the source of some of the breakdowns. Center Ryan Rodriguez said the answer has to come from sharper recognition and better technique, because if Miami keeps leaving that kind of pressure on its quarterback, other defenses will notice the film and come after the same weak spots. [Read more 🡒]