How FSU football's Samuel Singleton Jr. has continued to improve, earn carries at RB
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Samuel Singleton Jr. had 15 carries in the four games he played this season.
Then last Saturday against Wake Forest, he had 14 carries in his first career start for Florida State football.
In a crowded running back room, Singleton’s name was called, and he took advantage in the backfield. Sophomore running back rushed for a career-high 91 yards and a touchdown in FSU’s 42-7 victory over the Demon Deacons. His longest run was a 27-yarder.
After a productive night, Singleton is listed as a co-starter on the depth chart for Clemson week. Head coach Mike Norvell knew that he was ascending and needed him to create a spark on the offense.
Singleton did just that.
“I think Sam took advantage of his opportunity, and I’m really proud of him,” Norvell said.
“He’s somebody who shows up every single day with the right mindset. With the right approach. He’s trusting his process, and he really knows there are still a lot of areas where he can continue to get better, but he was ready for that moment, and I was just really proud of him.”
How Samuel Singleton Jr emerged into the starting role
Singleton is in his third season at FSU (4-4, 1-4 ACC). Since the day he enrolled, he had shown promise despite being buried in the depth chart. He remained consistent every practice from the spring ball to fall camp, improving his game while he waited his turn.
The more that he flashed, the more that he got on Norvell and Gus Malzahn’s radar during fall camp.
“What I’ve really appreciated about his journey is that he understands exactly where he is. He understands the things that he needs to continue to grow and be better at, and every single day,” Norvell said.
“He’s been here for a few years, and I cannot think of a day when he hasn’t shown up and just poured it in. These last few weeks, and you can go back, and you can look at spring, there’s a flash. He would have his moments. At fall camp, there would be a flash, but now it’s really starting to take hold.”
This season, Singleton has rushed for 258 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries, making him the fourth leading rusher for the Seminoles. Even with a limited number of carries, he averaged 8.9 yards per carry.
Norvell saw that confidence is in Charleston, South Carolina, native whenever the ball is in his hands. With plenty of room to grow, Norvell is pleased with the progress he has been making.
“He knows there are still a lot of areas that he’s got to grow and get better, but it’s also a lesson to a lot of guys that are on our football team,” Norvell said.
“It’s just stay the course and continue to control yourself and those areas where you can get better, and great things can happen. It was a great game for him, but I think it’s just the beginning for what’s ahead.”
Tommy Castellanos unsurprised by Samuel Singleton Jr. starting
While it came as a surprise to some about Singleton finding his way in the rotation, it was not for Tommy Castellanos.
The FSU quarterback expressed how thrilled he was with the sophomore running back for nearly rushing for 100 yards against Wake Forest, warning everyone that the best is yet to come.
“We have great other running backs that have been producing, doing a really good job of playing football for us, and some injuries happened, and he had his time to shine,” Castellanos said.
“So, like I said, when your name is called, he was ready and he performed, and like I said, you guys for these last four games, Sam will be in there.”
Florida State football 2025 schedule
- Aug. 30, Alabama, W,31-17
- Sept. 6, East Texas A&M,W77-3
- Sept. 20, Kent State, W, 66-10
- Sept. 26, at VirginiaL 46-38 double OT
- Oct. 4, Miami,L, 28-22
- Oct. 11,Pittsburgh,L, 34-31
- Oct. 18, at Stanford,L, 20-13
- Nov. 1Wake Forest, 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 8 at Clemson, 7 p.m.
- Nov. 15 Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 21 at North Carolina State (Fri.), 8 p.m.
- Nov. 29 at Florida, TBA
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football RB Samuel Singleton Jr. answers the call vs Wake Forest
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