Florida State freshman Ousmane Kromah reflects on Alabama debut, faith in Mike Norvell

TALLAHASSEE — Ousmane Kromah stood behind the microphone Tuesday, fielding questions ahead of Florida State’s home game against Kent State. The Seminoles are 2-0, ranked No. 7 in the country, and brimming with confidence after opening the year by toppling Alabama.

For the freshman running back from Lee County, it’s a long way from the skepticism he faced when he flipped his commitment last fall from Georgia to Florida State.

“You don’t know how many people told me I was stupid,” Kromah said with a smile. “But Coach [Mike] Norvell came to me and told me he had a plan. He looked me in my face and told me, ‘Trust me.’ You can feel when somebody is genuine and sincere. As soon as I heard that, I knew I had to come to Florida State.”

Baptism by fire

Kromah’s first test came against the Crimson Tide. His first touchdown catch in garnet and gold was memorable — even if he thought it could have been more.

“It was a good feeling, but personally to me I was supposed to have two touchdowns in that game,” he said. “I had to cherish it, but I was supposed to have two.”

The biggest adjustment, Kromah admitted, has been the speed and physicality. “Are they physical for real?” he wondered of Alabama before the opener. “They were physical, no doubt, but nothing crazy.”

The grind is daily. “The speed of the game is different. More time working and practicing,” he said. “We’ve got one of the best defenses in the country, so they are going to get me where I need to be.”

Trust and competition in the backfield

Florida State’s running back room is loaded with talent — and not just Kromah. Albany native Kam Davis, another prized recruit, is part of the group, which has depth to rival any in the ACC.

“We are always going to compete because anybody in that running back room could start,” Kromah said. “We are never envious of each other. Yak [running backs coach David Johnson] doesn’t go for that. He tells us, ‘Y’all are brothers and you gotta love each other and take care of each other.’ We check up on each other all the time. Yak instills that into us.”

A leap of faith paying off

Norvell’s insistence on trust was what sold Kromah, and three games into his career he’s certain the decision was right. “It’s not so much a plan, it was just ‘Trust me,’” he said. “I know next year is not the same as this year. The other times he said he had a plan, he proved it. I didn’t feel like he was going to lie to me then.”

For Kromah, the critics who doubted his move from Georgia to Florida State are fading into the background. His focus is on Saturday, Kent State, and the season ahead with the Seminoles suddenly in the thick of the College Football Playoff conversation.