Gang Green Nation
The New York Jets recently signed former FSU running back Lawrance Toafili. Today we break the rookie Toafili down in detail.
The 23-year old Toafili is listed at 6’0″ and 185 pounds and was undrafted out of Florida State this season. He rushed for almost 2,000 yards, caught 92 passes and scored 19 touchdowns in five seasons with the Seminoles.
Background
Toafili was a four-star high school recruit following a productive high school career that saw him post three thousand-yard seasons.
He headed to Florida State in 2020 and started two of eight games in the strike shortened season as a true freshman. He showcased big play ability as he averaged 9.6 yards per carry on 37 carries and rushed for two touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 120 yards. His best game saw him rush for 117 yards on just seven carries against Duke, including a 73-yard touchdown.
In 2021, he started two of nine games but his overall production was down, although he still averaged 5.1 yards per carry and caught 10 passes for 116 yards and two scores.
Toafili’s role increased slightly in 2022 as he started six of 13 games and he had his best year in terms of rushing touchdowns (five), total touchdowns (six), receiving yards (268) and yards from scrimmage (725). His performance against Georgia Tech with 154 yards from scrimmage and two scores was one of the best games of his career.
His production in 2023 was similar, as he made five starts in 13 games and set a career mark for rushing yards with 463.
2024 finally promised to be a chance for Toafili to be a number one back and he did start 11 of 12 games and had a career high number of carries to lead the Seminoles in rushing but ultimately ended up with a career-low 4.2 yards per carry average and only 456 rushing yards in total. His 25 receptions were a career high though.
Toafili may have had an outside chance to be a late round draft pick until he ran a slow 40-yard dash at his pro day. He ended up being invited to the Jets’ mini-camp on a tryout basis and wasn’t signed, but then got a deal early on in training camp when Zach Evans retired.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Toafili brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Toafili is undersized, although he weighed in at 194, which is nine pounds heavier than his current listed weight, at his pro day. He displays burst on film but his chances of being drafted vanished when he only ran 4.69 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day. He had been projected to run 4.47.
Despite the slow 40-time, his explosiveness and agility numbers were about average. He also only managed 11 bench press reps, though.
Usage
Toafili is more than just a tailback, as he had plenty of success as a...
