Florida State football coach Mike Norvell raves about running back Lawrance Toafili

Lawrance Toafili brought the explosiveness and playmaking ability to earn plenty of playing time in his first two seasons at Florida State.

What Toafili seemed to lack, though, was the makings of a complete running back.

That narrative could change soon after how much Toafili has developed this offseason. Now at 6-foot, 187 pounds, Toafili looks more durable and capable of handling the physically demanding responsibilities that can come with his position.

The Seminoles held their 16th practice of the preseason Tuesday, and Toafili looked the part again.

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“He might be our most improved player on the roster,” FSU head coach Mike Norvell said. “He’s had his explosive moments. He’s had an impact here. But really excited about the steps that he’s taken in his game.

“I love all aspects of what I’m seeing from his continued development. And he had a really good scrimmage Saturday night.”

Since he joined the Seminoles via the 2020 recruiting class, Toafili has shown a lot of flashes. His 9.62 yards per carry as a true freshman ranked first in the ACC and second nationally. He’s also just the fifth player in FSU history with a rushing and receiving touchdown of at least 70 yards.

Still, Toafili had more to prove before he could be considered an every-down back. As a redshirt freshman last season, Toafili struggled with durability. Hampered by an injury, Toafili played in just nine games. He only recorded 16 carries in the final seven games after reaching 16 rush attempts through the first two.

After watching Toafili’s approach this offseason, fellow Seminole running back Treshaun Ward is sold on his outlook.

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“He took the weight room seriously,” Ward said. “He got a few pounds on him. You can just see it. He’s breaking more tackles now. He’s more confident. He can see the blitzes coming through now. He is a whole smarter dude now. He’s got his I.Q. up, his weight up. Now he’s faster and doing better out of the backfield and on the perimeter.”

Ward, Toafili and Oregon transfer Trey Benson are expected to be FSU’s top three running backs this season. Whether Toafili could overtake Benson as the best running back out of that trio remains to be seen.

But he has positioned himself nicely to at least secure more of a featured role.

“Size, speed, strength, understanding –e has embraced all phases,” Norvell said. “And he is very confident in what we are asking him to do. Our running back position, you have to do a lot. From the passing game to protections to the tracks, the running game and the natural things that will show up. But it’s a lot on him.

“He has been able to have a select role in what we have been doing. But now, you are seeing the complete back coming. It really has to do with the physical development and the mental, understanding and the confidence that he’s been able to develop as well.”

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Joshua Burrell shines after position switch

Norvell appeared to be uncomfortable with making the comparison.

But Norvell couldn’t help but be reminded of Antonio Gibson after watching redshirt freshman Joshua Burrell impress in practice Tuesday.

In his two seasons with Norvell at the University of Memphis, Gibson played wide receiver and running back. Now, he’s the starting running back for the Washington Commanders. Burrell started cross-training at both positions Tuesday after exclusively playing receiver.

“He’s a very versatile athlete,” Norvell said. “He looked great today. It was a really good first day for him. With his size, speed and he has great feet. He has been really coming on at receiver. I like the things that I’ve seen from him.

“And we will still have a mix of that as we are going. But with our depth there, we want to make sure we have all plans covered. But I thought he did a really good job today.”

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At receiver, Burrell would likely find a tough time seeing much action this season. The Seminoles appear to be comfortable with their options like Johnny Wilson, Malik McClain, Ontaria Wilson and Mycah Pittman.

With his skill set, though, Burrell could receive some high-leverage reps in a hybrid role. The 6-2, 217-pound Burrell certainly would be FSU’s biggest and tallest running back on the roster. In his small sample size at running back, Burrell looked natural with the ball in his hands.

“With it being his first day today, he kind of surprised me,” Ward said. “There are a lot of things that go into being a running back like reading the keys and things like that. He just came out there and excelled.

“He looked like he was supposed to be with us the whole time. He did really well today.”

Norvell said he approached Burrell about the transition over the weekend.

“Josh is one of the smartest football players we have on this team,” Norvell said. “He understands all positions across the board at receiver. Now, we are going to incorporate a little bit of the running game and some of the things protection and route wise from the backfield. …

“It was something that he embraced, and it showed up well today.”

CJ Campbell injury update

Part of the reason why Burrell made that move, Norvell explained, is because walk-on running back CJ Campbell recently suffered an undisclosed season-ending injury.

Campbell claimed FSU’s Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year honors in 2021 and continued to stand out in practice this offseason.

“It’s unfortunate,” Norvell said. “CJ was a guy who was really coming on in the running back room. He really did a phenomenal job in our special teams unit. So it’s definitely going to be a big hit to us. …

“He has done a phenomenal job. He has a great future for us at Florida State. Just sad for that young man to not be able to play for us this season.”

2022 FSU football schedule

Aug. 27: Duquesne, 5 p.m. (ACC Network)

Sept. 4: vs. LSU, New Orleans, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)

Sept. 16: at Louisville, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Sept. 24: Boston College

Oct. 1: Wake Forest

Oct. 8: at N.C. State

Oct. 15: Clemson

Oct. 29: Georgia Tech

Nov. 5: at Miami

Nov. 12: at Syracuse

Nov. 19: Louisiana

Nov. 25: Florida, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football coach Mike Norvell praises running back Lawrance Toafili