After what can only be described as a disastrous campaign last season, a quiet sense of optimism is building around the Florida State Seminoles football program. Coach Mike Norvell and his staff have been hard at work, addressing key weaknesses and identifying new playmakers who are ready to make an immediate impact. One of the most exciting of these emerging talents is a true freshman running back named Ousmane Kromah. This talented back’s early performance in the preseason has Seminoles fans buzzing about the team’s potential for the 2025 season and beyond.
Kromah, a highly-touted recruit, has wasted no time in making his presence known. While not an early spring enrollee, the talented freshman has wasted no time making his presence felt in the program. He has quickly impressed coaches and teammates with a rare combination of physical prowess and mental acuity. Running backs coach David Johnson (per Tomahawk Nation) has called him “different,” noting his extreme competitiveness and focus on perfecting every single rep. This maturity and dedication from a player so young is a powerful indicator of his potential to be a star.
A key moment (once again, per Tomahawk Nation) highlighting Kromah’s readiness for the college game came during a recent scrimmage. Coach Norvell specifically pointed out a “violent” pass-protection block that Kromah delivered. Pass protection is usually a skill that only veteran backs have the aptitude (and sometimes even the willingness) to excel at. Kromah’s success demonstrates not only his physical strength but also his advanced understanding of the game and his willingness to do the dirty work, a trait that endears a player to both coaches and teammates. There is a common (and true) saying that the fastest way for a running back to get playing time is to be a good pass blocker. Kromah’s playmaking ability was also showcased in another scrimmage, where he found the end zone twice with red-zone touchdown runs. It’s clear he is a complete player.
The emergence of a player like Kromah is a significant development for Florida State, especially given the program’s emphasis on a balanced offensive attack. A powerful running game takes pressure off the quarterback, opens up passing lanes, and makes the entire offense more dynamic and unpredictable. With quarterback Castellanos and new offensive coordinator Gus Malzhan at the helm, a strong running game will be crucial to the team’s overall success. As the below graph emphasizes, a strong running game correlates with a strong passing game. And since a strong passing game usually leads to more wins, it stands to reason that running the football better will greatly improve FSU’s chances for success.
It’s become clear that Norvell is moving away from being overly dependent on a single star player. While having a singular star (see Jordan Travis) has helped the Seminoles catalog wins, it also has served as a clear single point of failure (see FSU’s postseason exclusion after Travis’ injury). By building a balanced offense around players like Kromah, the Seminoles are setting themselves up for a more consistent and sustainable brand of success.
The outlook for the Seminoles is clearly positive, with a projection that the team will be better than many people expect this season and has a real chance to win around nine games. This is a testament to the hard work of Norvell’s staff and the promising talent they’ve brought in, with Kromah being a prime example of their recruiting and player development success. The freshman running back is not just another player on the roster; he’s a potential catalyst for a successful season, and a reason for Seminole fans to believe in a bright future.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the SMI College Football Show YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
