Josh Burrell reveals which NFL running back, former Mike Norvell player he watches
Josh Burrell is moving from wide receiver to running back for Florida State, but he has the blueprints for success already.
According to Burrell, he’s been studying one of Mike Norvell’s former players who’s had immense success with the same switch, watching tape of former Memphis and current Washington Commanders ball carrier Antonio Gibson.
“In my recruiting, I actually watched Antonio Gibson’s highlights before I got here. Just seeing how they used him. They mentioned him in my recruitment, just how they could possibly use me in the offense,” stated Burrell. “I’ve always just kind of watched that and it’s opened my eyes. I like the one eye, that’s what got me here as well. Even when they called me over the weekend about the possibility of playing running back, I went and watched his highlights again. It was like, some of his games at Memphis.
“It really excites me, and I like the opportunity. It’s been a smooth transition.”
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Continuing, Burrell explained some similarities he believes he shares with the aforementioned Gibson.
“He started at receiver when he went in, and he’s a bigger receiver. Probably the same size as me,” stated Burrell. “A little bit bigger and a little more weight. Just like that versatility, that playmaker aspect — being able to do both.
“You’ve got to be able to be a smart player to know the offense and know all those rules, so being able to do that has opened new opportunities for me, and I’m definitely excited about it.”
The change worked for Antonio Gibson — perhaps it’ll work as marvelously for Josh Burrell at Florida State.
Josh Burrell details transition from wide receiver to running back
After practice on Friday, the Seminoles’ star athlete continued to detail his transition from wide receiver to running back.
“Coach Adkins and coach Norvell reached out to me over the weekend, just talking about the opportunity of doing both, utilizing my skill set of being a backfill,” said Burrell. “They feel like I can do a good job with the ball in my hands, and they opened the opportunity to me and said I could say no if I wanted to. But I was open to it. And it’s been a smooth transition so far.
“I feel like I can do a good job with the ball in my hands too. It gives me an opportunity to get on the field (more), and I’m always open to new opportunities.”
Moreover, Burrell joins a room with players like Treshaun Ward, Trey Benson, and Lawrance Toafili already in it. This also comes as CJ Campbell suffered a season-ending injury. Burrell is ready to take on the new challenge, but it might be tricky considering that the last time he played the position was before high school.
“I’d say middle school. I did a little bit in the backfield in high school, like screens and stuff like that, but it wasn’t really like running between the tackles. So, I gotta get that used to doing that for sure. But the coaches in the running back room, they’re definitely helping me out with that.”