Florida State Football: 5 players to watch in 2017 spring game

Sep 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Jacques Patrick (9) dives forward in the second half as South Florida Bulls linebacker Cecil Cherry (33) defends in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Florida State Seminoles won 55-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Jacques Patrick (9) dives forward in the second half as South Florida Bulls linebacker Cecil Cherry (33) defends in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Florida State Seminoles won 55-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 11, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Jacques Patrick (9) picks up a first down against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Florida State won 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Jacques Patrick (9) picks up a first down against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Florida State won 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick may be the most likely candidate to fill the big shoes of Dalvin Cook. He is an all-purpose back, with speed and size. The ‘Noles are looking like national title contenders with this much depth in their running game.

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The up-and-coming running back averaged 62 carries in his first two seasons with the Seminoles and rushed for 664 yards. With Dalvin Cook out of the picture, those numbers should get even higher. Patrick’s size means that he is tailor-made for brutal, short-yard runs.

Patrick finished all 13 games last season and finished 2016 as the number 2 rusher for the Seminoles. Patrick is a power back at 230 pounds–he isn’t Dalvin Cook, though. Patrick should have some help in the form of five-star freshmen Cam Akers and Khalan Laborn.

The ‘Noles struggled with pass protection all last season and their offense lacked cohesiveness. Their biggest rival for the ACC crown–Clemson–will also be trying to fill some massive holes in their offensive line after the departure of Deshaun Watson.