Florida State Upgrades Its Running Back Room - But Was It the Right Move?
Florida State has just about finalized its 2026 roster, with 104 of 105 spots spoken for following an aggressive run through the Transfer Portal. The Seminoles brought in 23 transfers, plus a couple of JUCO additions, to reshape the roster heading into next season. The question now is: did they hit their marks, especially when it comes to filling needs with quality?
Let’s zoom in on the running back position - a spot that saw some turnover and, clearly, a significant investment.
RB Room: Upgraded, But at What Cost?
Heading into the offseason, running back wasn’t necessarily screaming for a full overhaul. It was a mid-tier priority - not ignored, but not at the top of the list either.
Still, FSU made a decisive move to revamp the room, adding two backs from the portal: Tre Wisner and Sands. Both bring something to the table, though in very different ways.
Tre Wisner (Grade: 89)
Wisner is a steady, reliable presence in the backfield.
He’s not going to wow you with elite athleticism or bruising power, but his vision and subtle quickness give him a knack for staying on schedule - a trait that’s more valuable than it sounds. Over the past two seasons, he’s posted a 43.5% success rate on runs, which puts him in the 74th percentile nationally.
That’s not just good - that’s dependable production against real competition.
And that’s the key with Wisner. He’s not flashy, but he’s proven.
He’s logged over 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 as a starter for Texas, and he’s built to be an every-down back if needed. He brings durability and consistency - two traits that are often overlooked until you don’t have them.
There’s clear RB1 upside here, and the coaching staff seems to believe he can lead the charge in 2026.
Sands (Grade: 84)
Sands is a different kind of addition.
He’s not going to be your lead back, but he fits the mold of a versatile third-down option. He can catch, he can block, and he’s got just enough burst to keep defenses honest.
He’s the kind of player who doesn’t need 15 carries to make an impact - he just needs the right role.
In that sense, Sands offers good value. He’s a complementary piece, someone who can step in and contribute in specific situations. He won’t be the centerpiece of the offense, but he doesn’t have to be.
The Bigger Picture: Why Go All-In?
Now here’s where things get interesting.
FSU didn’t just lose bodies at running back - they lost usage. Gavin Sawchuk hit the portal, Jaylin Lucas took his gadget-role skills elsewhere, and Roydell Williams, a sub-starter, is also gone.
None of them were game-breakers, but they played roles. Replacing that depth made sense.
But what raised eyebrows was FSU’s aggressive pursuit of a new RB1 - and the potential ripple effect on the rest of the room.
The fan base has high hopes for Ousmane Kromah, a young talent who’s shown flashes and carries a lot of promise. Sam Singleton also came on late last season.
From the outside, it looked like FSU had a potential one-two punch already in place. But the coaching staff clearly saw things differently - and they have more data than any of us.
Still, bringing in Wisner - a two-year starter with production under his belt - signals that he’s not coming in to ride the bench. He’s likely your starter, which pushes Kromah and Singleton into 2A/2B roles. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does raise the question: was this the best use of resources?
Wisner is solid. He’s not a game-changer, but he’s consistent and proven.
The kind of back you can trust to move the chains and protect the football. But if you’re going to invest this heavily in a new RB1, wouldn’t you want someone more dynamic - a surefire Day 2 NFL talent?
That kind of splash would make the decision to reshuffle the depth chart easier to justify.
Final Take: Better, But Not Perfect
There’s no question the running back room is better than it was a year ago. Last season, it was average by Power Four standards.
This year, it’s deeper, more versatile, and more experienced. That’s a win.
But there’s still some lingering tension between what was added and what was needed. Wisner and Sands are good players, but the investment suggests FSU was looking for something more - a true difference-maker. And while Wisner might not be that, he’s certainly a stabilizing force.
In the end, FSU upgraded the room. It’s more complete, more reliable, and better positioned to support the offense in 2026.
Whether that upgrade was worth the price - especially in terms of opportunity cost for younger backs - is a fair question. But on the field, this group should perform at a higher level.
And that alone is reason for optimism.