Youth in the backfield for FSU

Jermaine Thomas has been thrown into an important leadership role just a year into his Florida State football career.

It helps that the newest Seminoles learning from Thomas are eager and attentive. True freshman running backs Lonnie Pryor and Chris Thompson are also talented.

"I have to do a little extra for the guys sometimes, sharing some of things that maybe other people may have not told me so that they are comfortable with the system," said Thomas, just one of two scholarship tailbacks on roster who participated in games for FSU. "I love their personalities – both are down to earth. Chris is pretty quick and I can't wait to see him get on that field this year.

"Pryor gives us size and he's picking it up quickly too."

Pryor finished with nearly 2,300 rushing yards as a senior at Okeechobee while earning Class 4A all-state first team honors.

Thompson, a two-time member of the Tallahassee Democrat's All-Big Bend team, was hampered a bit by injury in 2008 but rushed for nearly 2,300 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior at Madison County. Thompson immediately impressed FSU strength and conditioning coach Todd Stroud when he reported for the second half of FSU's summer workout program last month.

"Thompson is an extremely physically mature young man," Stroud said. "He's beyond his years from a physical standpoint. He would be right up there with (true freshmen Jajuan) Harley, (Bryan) Stork and Greg Reid as far as being a guy who looks like he is physically ready to endure the challenge.

"The biggest adjustment for a running back here is the volume of running that we do in training and adapting to it. It's very hard on the lower back. Neither of the guys have really adapted yet so it's been a tough adjustment for them."

True freshmen are not allowed to talk to the media until they make a significant contribution. That shouldn't take long in a backfield that lacks depth following the departure of leading rusher Antone Smith and now Marcus Sims, who in addition to fullback also played some at tailback. Tavares Pressley, who sat out his first season after tearing an ACL, and Ty Jones return with Thomas.

"It is good to have some numbers back there," Stroud said. "You have a big back in Pryor who is a very physical kid and is very smooth and very athletic. Then you have a slasher in Thompson. Very dense, very muscular. Very good change of direction. You have two changeups with a 6-footer who is over 200 pounds (in Pryor) and a compact guy who can make you miss."

Noteworthy

Thompson and Pryor are part of a 2009 recruiting class that now numbers 18. Lineman Aubrey Phillips, who recently left FSU, is headed to Auburn according to AuburnSports.com. The offensive lineman reported to FSU last month weighing 342 pounds and had not participated in FSU's afternoon workout with his new teammates prior to his leaving