FSU tailback Toafili faster, stronger, smarter this year
In a season filled with its fair share of ups and downs, Florida State running back Lawrance Toafili emerged as a bright spot for the Seminoles in 2020.
The true freshman became a legitimate threat with the ability to confound defenses as a rusher and a passing threat.
“Lawrance is a really talented player,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “Not only with what he does running the ball, but the ability to catch the ball no matter where he’s aligned, whether it’s releasing from the backfield or lining up in the slot. He’s a matchup problem for defenses because of that versatility.”
The Seminoles used Toafili’s athleticism in a variety of ways, lining him up at the wideout and slot positions and in the return game.
But it was at tailback where Toafili saw most of his work, rushing for 356 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-high 117 yards against Duke in the regular-season finale. Five of his 37 runs went for 20-plus yards, including a career-long 49-yard run against Louisville Oct. 24.
He was the second-leading receiver among the running backs with 12 catches for 120 yards.
Toafili has benefited from FSU’s offseason conditioning program this winter, reshaping his body while building strength and speed. His growth impressed the coaching staff, which has taken notice this spring.
“I think he’s doing a good job,” running backs coach David Johnson said. “He’s getting stronger and he’s getting faster. He’s a really mature kid. He’s getting a better understanding of the offense overall, and one thing about him, you can put him anywhere. You can split him out, put him in the backfield. Whenever you put the ball in his hands, he’s going to make something happen.”
“I feel like I’m building on and learning so much more,” Toafili said. “The game is starting to slow down for me. I’m getting comfortable in the offense and being able to know what I’m doing.”
To afili’s maturation has been a plus for a team looking to take the next step in Year 2 under Norvell. The Seminoles finished near the bottom of the ACC in scoring offense (25.8 ppg) but were fifth in the conference in rushing offense (199.89 ypg).
He was the third-leading tailback behind redshirt sophomore Jashaun Corbin (401 yards) and La’Damian Webb (369). But Webb’s decision to transfer could open the door for a larger role in 2021 for Toafili, along with fellow freshman Treshaun Ward and Auburn transfer D.J. Williams.
“We want to run the ball,” Johnson explained. “We want to be a run-first team. We want to have that identity.”
FSU opened last season as one of the youngest teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 30 players, including Toafili, making their college debuts.
“I’m excited about the player he’s going to be for this offense, and you could see that in his confidence in some of the things he did as a freshman,” Norvell said of Toafili’s potential. “He’s embraced that. I think he has huge potential for what he can be moving forward.”
Williams adjusts
Although he’s only been with the team a few months, Williams has been adjusting well to his new surroundings.
“I think he’s coming along and he’s fitting in the room well with those guys. They accept him in the room. He’s a hard worker and he’s starting to understand the offense,” Johnson said. “It’s going to take him some time because we play extremely fast. We’re throwing a lot at him.”
Williams signed with Auburn as part of its 2019 recruiting class as a 4-star prospect out of Sebring. He appeared in 15 games, rushing for 599 yards and five touchdowns.
“I think D.J. is going to be all right,” Johnson added. “It’s a process for him right now, and I understand that, so right now I’m trying to make sure he knows where to line up, he knows his assignments and allows himself to play fast.”