FSU’s Ousmane Kromah poised to be a breakout freshman in a crowded backfield
The leap from high school to college football is a tough hill to climb for most freshmen, but Florida State’s Ousmane Kromah is already making a strong case that he belongs among the game’s most elite newcomers. The 6-foot-1, 218-pound freshman running back arrived on campus in May after missing spring camp, yet he has quickly become a standout in preseason practices.
Kromah’s rapid ascent isn’t surprising to those who watched his high school career at Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County High. Over his final three years, he piled up 4,643 rushing yards, 1,456 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns (55 rushing, 19 receiving). Those numbers, paired with his size and burst, helped him land as a four-star recruit and flip from Georgia to Florida State late in the recruiting cycle—a decision Norvell himself called one of his biggest wins at FSU.
Coach David Johnson, who works with the Seminoles’ backs, has been emphatic about what makes Kromah special. “He’s different. He loves football, extremely smart, understands football, he’s really competitive,” Johnson said. “He wants to make sure he’s doing everything right. He’s trying to be perfect on every rep. It’s rare from a freshman. He’s not afraid of contact. He really gets up when it’s time to go against the linebackers in pass (protection drills), and that’s different for a young guy.”
Kromah has also drawn praise for his versatility and intangibles. He has spoken about the challenge of adjusting to college football, noting there isn’t a huge gap between the two levels in his view. That mindset has shown up on the field, where he has impressed in Florida State’s first two preseason scrimmages. After the first scrimmage, Norvell highlighted a standout block on a blitz pickup that showcased Kromah’s willingness to mix it up in pass protection. “Ousmane, one of his first plays in there was a pass protection, blitz pickup. I haven’t seen many freshmen running backs that will stick his face in it like he did. It was violent, and it’s exciting,” Norvell said.
Kromah echoed the sentiment with his own motto: give everything he has, and let the results speak for themselves. “This is what I live by: I’m going to give it all I got, and if I get thrown around, that’s what happens. I’m just going in with all I’ve got and whatever happens, happens.”
The second scrimmage in preseason added to the hype, with Norvell naming Kromah among the best performers in the red zone, citing two touchdown runs in that session. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn confirmed that Kromah has already seen time with the first-team offense at times during Sunday’s scrimmage and noted that the staff is slowly introducing him to new installs and game plans. “We are throwing a lot of new installs at him. We’ve been kind of slowly working him in with different groups and even with the 1’s some to see how he would react. So far so good,” Malzahn said. “He is very talented, I think everybody knows that. He’s learning to play without the ball in college and he is a fast learner with that. Overall, he has progressed at a good level so far.”
With the 2025 opener against Alabama looming, Kromah has extra motivation. He said the matchup is a dream of his and that by then he intends to know “the whole offense” well enough to contribute. “This (Alabama) game is something that I’ve dreamed about,” he said. “Realistically, I’m approaching it with a different mindset as far as preparation. By the time that comes, I’m going to know the whole offense.” His goals for that game are simple: “Do what they need me to do. I’m not going to do anything extra. I’m not going to try to be a savior like they say. I’m just here to play football.”
What this could mean for Florida State
– Early contribution in a backfield that’s still sorting its roles could give Kromah a legitimate chance to crack a reduced rotation in Gus Malzahn’s scheme, potentially solidifying a two- to three-man mix rather than a broader group.
– His combination of run skills, receiving ability, and pass protection willingness provides tangible versatility the staff can lean on in multiple packages, including red-zone and goal-line situations.
– The timing on his arrival—arriving in May and still making an immediate impact—suggests a standout work ethic and quick adaptability, traits the staff values as they aim to build a consistent offense around a strong running game.
Additional notes for readers
– Keep an eye on how Florida State leverages Kromah in pass protection and blitz pickup, areas where the staff has already singled him out for his toughness.
– Watch for how the backfield rotation evolves as the season progresses, especially as Malzahn continues to install his system and determine the best on-field combination for efficiency and explosive plays.
Summary
Ousmane Kromah has quickly established himself as a standout freshman at Florida State, translating a storied high school career into early impact in preseason drills. With praise from coaches, a growing comfort with the offense, and a path toward meaningful playing time, he could play a pivotal role for the Seminoles as they prepare for a challenging schedule that includes a season opener against Alabama. If his trajectory continues, Kromah could become a cornerstone of Florida State’s backfield this year and beyond.