Half of Florida State’s 12 opponents finished among the 41 best rush defenses in 2015, and the Seminoles’ offensive line group was constantly shuffled.
Yet Dalvin Cook averaged 7.86 yards per carry, most among Power 5 running backs with at least 50 carries.
A big reason for that is the play of 6-foot-5, 241-pound redshirt freshman tight end Ryan Izzo, who blocks like a sixth offensive lineman while also contributing as a security blanket in the passing game. Blocking tight ends don’t earn the recognition as the ones who more closely resemble receivers, but in Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher’s pro-style offense, a tight end equipped to neutralize bigger defensive ends is necessary.