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Replies: 21
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Top TigerNet [32042]
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Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 11:10 AM
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I'm sure there are more cases than the only one I'm familiar with, but I know of one case where it was very successful.
Different era so the comparison is not totally valid to day.
1977-79 Sam Platt was a WR at FSU. A contributor his sophomore and junior years, but not a starter. He was moved to RB his senior year. Bobby Bowden ran the pro-style I formation. His bread and butter running play was the toss sweep. (John McKay referred to is as "student body right" or "student body left.")
Anyway, Platt ran for 983 yards (and caught 14 passes for 111 more) as FSU finished the regular season at 11, before losing to Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
I'd certainly take that as a good season for Randall. Especially since Bowden made the switch by necessity. He had no other guys on the squad who could even challenge Platt for the position. Bowden moved him to RB becasue the RB cupboard was bare.
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Game Day Hero [4552]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 11:27 AM
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Wow. It's surprising that Bobby didn't have a RB. Care to share what happened ? Injuries ?.
Perhaps it was before FSU had established itself as a national power and nobody wanted any part of the Seminoles.
The games with Miami are instant classics and often carried a great deal of weight in the national championship picture.
It seems they've always had great RB's
As a tiger I probably shouldn't admit this but Warrick Dunn made me wish he was on our roster.
I hope Randall has a great year.
My only concern is turnovers.
I think the LSU game will be decided by who wins the turnover battle.
With Randall playing RB for the first time and certainly no workhorse , that a strong and physical team like LSU will be coached to hold Adam up and punch the ball out.
If they ask too much of him the likelihood of that increases exponentially.
Hopefully they split carries with EZ and Gideon splitting at least half or more between themselves so Randall stays fresh.
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Top TigerNet [32042]
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The year was 1980.
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Jul 17, 2025, 12:44 PM
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1979 and 1980 were two great years for FSU. Bobby got there in 1976. He had to build the program from literally nothing.
1979 they went 11-0 and got beat by an outstanding Oklahoma team in the Orange Bowl In 1908 they went 10-1, losing to Miami 10-9. They played OU in a rematch and led the game until late in 4th quarter when OU drove for a TD and went for 2 to win 18-17.
But, after the 1979 season, FSU was thin at TB. They had a couple of young guys who would turn out to be very good, but neither was ready to step into the TB position in Bobby's offense. Same Platt was a RB in HS, but was converted to WR early at FSU.
Bobby was building a program, but it wasn't built yet. Still a lot of growing had to take place before the dynasty years. (He went 6-5 in 1981.) He didn't win 10 games again until 1987 when he started the 14 straight 10 win, top 5, seasons. (A record I don't think will ever be equaled.)
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Heisman Winner [83946]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 11:33 AM
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Doubtful it will work. Hopefully I'm wrong.
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Legend [6983]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 12:30 PM
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A bunch of players have played all new positions though. Its not far fetched for his build.
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All-TigerNet [5944]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 11:50 AM
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Brashard Smith is the notable SMU player who converted from wide receiver to running back. He began his college career at the University of Miami as a slot receiver, where he was recognized for his speed and versatility, also contributing in the return game. After transferring to SMU for the 2024 season, Smith transitioned to the running back position. In his first season as a full-time running back at SMU, he set school records for all-purpose yards and scored 18 total touchdowns, quickly establishing himself as a dynamic offensive weapon due to his dual-threat ability as a runner and receiver.
Smith had 6 catches for 34 yards and a TD plus rushed 24 times for 113 yards versus Clemson in The ACC Championship Game - 2 games ago.
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Rival Killer [3036]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 11:56 AM
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I was just about to say we saw one that made the switch and thrived during the acc title game with SMUs RB.
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Top TigerNet [32042]
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Legend [6983]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 12:03 PM
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There are NFL players that have done both. You definitely have to have the strength.
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Top TigerNet [32042]
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Billy Mitchell, Washington Redskins is one.
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Jul 17, 2025, 12:47 PM
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But, very few on this board are old enough to remember him, from back in the Jim Brown era.
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Top TigerNet [32042]
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Upon further pondering, I think it was Bobby Mitchell.
Jul 17, 2025, 3:13 PM
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Been 60+ years, so my memory is a little fuzzy.
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Orange Beast [6561]
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Remember, many college WR also played QB, RB, etc
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Jul 17, 2025, 12:17 PM
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when they were in HS. Best athlete syndrome, so I believe AR will be fine against the lesser opponents and have some issues against the big boys who have now been able to scout him some.
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Tiger Spirit [9595]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 12:37 PM
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I dont think it'll work to the degree that Randall goes out and has a Phil Mafah type season. But as a guy who gets a few carries a game, maybe catches a couple passes out of the backfield type player, I am confident he can be successful.
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Ultimate Clemson Legend [109450]
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We will find out soon.***
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Jul 17, 2025, 12:40 PM
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National Champion [7191]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 12:46 PM
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Most WRs are tall sprinters with slim legs and tend to run upright. If they have some lower body weight/strength and can learn to run with a lower pad level, they can become a good RB.
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Rival Killer [2668]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 1:25 PM
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My main concern is that he learns pass protection and can execute it.
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Top TigerNet [32042]
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BTW, I'm not predicting it WILL work.
Jul 17, 2025, 3:14 PM
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I'm optimistic it will. But, I'm just pointing out it CAN work.
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All-TigerNet [5988]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 3:24 PM
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I'm betting we see Randall have success there.
He's a thicker dude that can be tough to bring down once he gets going. We saw that against SMU + Texas with his big plays.
Even if he doesn't end up as the main bell cow back, I think he plays solid and makes 3rd down interesting as a pass protector and receiving back option.
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Legend [6983]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
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Jul 17, 2025, 3:35 PM
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He will be 6ft 2 and 225/230lbs.
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Associate AD [1096]
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Re: Wide receiver to running back. Can it work?
Jul 17, 2025, 3:40 PM
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I've got a good feeling about the position move.
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Clemson Icon [26072]
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Yes.
Jul 17, 2025, 4:05 PM
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He knows the offense and the blocking schemes and, at 6'2" and 230 pounds, he should be a pretty good blocker. We know he can catch better than Mafah and he's bigger and faster than Mafah. The ability to shift from back to wideout and vice versa without changing personnel will create matchup problems for defenses.
We have enough depth at the position this year that I don't see one guy getting the overwhelming majority of the touches, but I see this working and working well.
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Top TigerNet [32042]
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There is no doubt in my mind that Dabo and Garrett...
Jul 17, 2025, 5:31 PM
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.... have spent more than a few hours discussing how many ways and how many formations can they have Randall running a wheel route.
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Replies: 21
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