Florida State Seminoles move S Karlos Williams to RB

After blowing out the Pittsburgh Panthers 41-13 on Monday night, the Florida State Seminoles have a bye week before facing the Nevada Wolfpack on September 21.

When the Seminoles take the field against the Wolfpack, safety Karlos Williams will have a new position.

The 6’1, 223 lb. junior has moved to running back. Williams, who has played mainly safety (and a little bit of linebacker) for the Seminoles, is also one of their primary kick returners.

Williams, originally listed by Rivals.com as a five star prospect and eighth best overall player in the class of 2011, has yet to crack the starting lineup for the Seminoles.

Corey Clark of the Tallahassee Democrat confirmed Williams’ move when he talked to Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher after practice Thursday. Fisher told Clark that Williams has moved to running back “full time,” but will also be involved in some defensive packages. Fisher explained he wanted to play Williams at running back since he signed in 2011, but Williams insisted on playing defense.

Running back depth has become a big concern for the Seminoles. Co-starter James Wilder, Jr. suffered what Fisher called a “banged up shoulder” and is day-to-day while redshirt freshman Mario Pender, who was expected to be third running back behind Wilder and Devonta Freeman, was ruled academically ineligible just before the season started. True freshman Ryan Green is the only other running back on the roster.

Williams has played in 27 career games for the Seminoles. His crowning moment came when he recorded the game-sealing interception in the 2012 ACC Championship game, a 21-15 Seminoles victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

His brother, Vince, spent five years with the Seminoles and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 206th overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft.