Fansided

30 college football players with big shoes to fill in 2017

By Brad Weiss

Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Jacques Patrick (9) runs the ball past North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb (49) during the second half of the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Jacques Patrick (9) runs the ball past North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb (49) during the second half of the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jacques Patrick

Running Back, Florida State

During his time with the Florida State Seminoles, Dalvin Cook became the most prolific runner in the program’s history. Cook, who was a second round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2017 NFL Draft, was a workhorse for the team, and really helped in the development of quarterback Deondre Francois last season. Replacing a player of his caliber is going to be tough, but head coach Jimbo Fisher knows he has another good one in Jacques Patrick.

This is an exciting time to be a Seminoles fan, as this roster is built to do something special this season. As a freshman, Francois proved he can win big games, and gained the respect of every player on the team. It will be interesting to see how he does now that he does not have Cook to rely on in the backfield, but his new running back certainly got enough experience last season.

Patrick carried the ball 61 times for the Seminoles last season, averaging over five yards per carry. He also found the end zone four times, which is a lot considering he was playing behind the best running back in the Atlantic Coast Conference. His best game came against South Florida on the road, when he rushed for 124 yards on 20 carries, while scoring a touchdown. That performance gave Seminoles fans a glimpse of what is to come.

The junior from Orlando, Florida was a five-star recruit in high school, and had it not been for Cook, may have started as a freshman. However, he has put his time in, and it is now his turn to show why he was the No. 3 rated running back in the country during his time in high school. Florida State also brought in five-star running back Cam Akers this season, so it could be a two-headed monster in Tallahassee in 2017.

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