Will Jacques Patrick Turn Florida State into Run-First Team in Post-Winston Era?

Florida State secured a significant commitment Monday evening when running back Jacques Patrick pledged to the reigning national champions. The coveted Orlando playmaker pledged during a ceremony celebrating his inclusion in the Under Armour All-America Game:

The long-awaited announcement provides Florida State with a prolific rusher who is capable of carrying the load as an every-down back. Patrick, a 6'1.5", 230-pound prospect, chose the Seminoles over fellow finalists Florida, Texas A&M, Alabama and Ohio State. 

Though he was projected to commit to Florida State by 100 percent of expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball, Patrick remained predominately tight-lipped throughout latter stages of the recruiting process. He enters the final stretch of his senior season ranked seventh all-time among Florida high school athletes with 7,323 career rushing yards, per Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel.

He trimmed his choice to the Seminoles from 54 scholarship offers, sending another strong signal that Florida State will focus on pounding opponents with a run-heavy attack in coming years.

Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston is widely expected to enter the 2015 NFL draft after his second season as starting quarterback. The Seminoles have young passers ready to step up on the roster and currently hold commitments from a trio of quarterbacks in the 2015 class, but talent behind center pales in comparison to what Florida State has stockpiled in the backfield. 

Patrick, rated third nationally among running backs in 247Sports' composite rankings, joins fellow 4-star rusher Johnny Frasier in a class that now includes 19 commits. Frasier, rated fifth in those rankings, is another immensely productive high school senior who commands consideration as a featured weapon.

The North Carolina standout has rushed for 4,500 yards and 65 scores at Princeton High School since the start of last season. No team in the country can boast quite a tandem nearly three months away from national signing day.

To put things in perspective, Patrick and Frasier have combined to rush for nearly 12,000 yards and 168 touchdowns since 2012.

In addition to this heralded duo, the Seminoles will count on continued maturation from freshman running back Dalvin Cook. The Miami Central High School product was a 5-star signee in February and erupted for his first 100-yard rushing game as a Seminole earlier this month against Syracuse.

If Patrick and Frasier each remain committed and join Cook at Florida State, head coach Jimbo Fisher can find plenty of potential while developing an offense without Winston at the helm. His trio of premier backs could play together for up to three seasons and rival any backfield in America. 

The Seminoles offensive attack surely won't involve the same level of aerial assault moving forward, but with Patrick on the bandwagon, opposing defenses better be ready for a punishing ground game in Tallahassee.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.