Five-star safety Karlos Williams will make the transition to tailback, a move that will still give him playing time on both sides of the ball for Florida State.
Williams began practicing a considerable amount at tailback on Wednesday afternoon, coach Jimbo Fisher said.
He still will often play defensive back in dime situations, Fisher said.
“He’s a natural running back,” Fisher said. “Extremely natural. He can run a 10.5 (in the) 100 meters. Can catch, can run, is very natural with the ball in his hand. I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen in the past few days.”
Tailback is not an unfamiliar position for Williams, who ran for 564 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior in high school. But he was also considered the nation’s top defensive back in the class of 2011, and had been strictly a defensive player and kick returner with the Seminoles the past two seasons.
Williams had 32 tackles and an interception last season as a sophomore.
FSU is shorthanded at tailback, so Williams could see playing time as a backup beginning with the Seminoles next game at home against Nevada on Sept. 14. James Wilder has a shoulder injury, and Fisher hopes he will be ready for the game.
But if Wilder can’t go, FSU will be down to just Devonta Freeman and true freshman Ryan Green.
“I think he can provide not just depth there but some spark,” Fisher said.
