Florida State lost some veteran production with the departure of Lawrance Toafili at the end of last season. With an exciting young group of running backs, the Seminoles are looking to add some experienced production to the room and have prioritized Utah State transfer running back Rahsul Faison in the portal.

The Seminoles were the first program to host Faison on an official visit and the graduate transfer loved every bit of his time in Tallahassee.

“The coaches are really great people. That stood out to me the most — was the coaches,” Faison said on his visit. “I feel like they have a special thing going this (upcoming) season. I loved every bit of it.”

“Just how real they were,” he continued. “They were real honest and excited. They have a plan for me if I were to go here, so I loved the plan they have set out for me. I could really see myself (going here) for sure.”

Originally signing with Marshall out of high school, Faison instead spent two years at the JUCO level (Snow College) before committing to Utah State in 2023. In his last two seasons at Utah State, Faison has rushed for over 1,800 yards — including an extremely productive season in 2024 where he rushed for 1,109 and eight touchdowns.

If he used his final year of eligibility at Florida State, he would be joining a Gus Malzahn offense that loves to run the football.

“Coach Gus’ offense speaks for itself — what he is able to do with the running backs. So obviously someone like myself who is a running back and wants to have a big time year. I loved every bit of it for sure,” Faison said. “The success he was able to have with them. He has had multiple NFL running backs. They had successful college careers and they will be great pros as well.”

Faison would also be joining a room that has not only been well-stocked but very competitive under running backs coach David Johnson. With two exciting young backs in Kam Davis and soon-to-be true freshman Ousmane Kromah, Florida State wants Faison to be an older voice.

“They were very honest with me, they were real. They got a great young group of guys, some guys that can really run the ball and do a lot of things well in the backfield. They told me that I can add to that and be a big impact on the team,” Faison said.

Following his official visit to Florida State, Faison has planned visits to Alabama, Utah and North Carolina. While he expressed that he was very much playing things by ear in terms of the flexibility of his recruitment, he did say that he wants to make sure he makes the right decision as he “cannot go wrong” with only one year of playing time left.

As far as early returns are concerned, Faison thinks that place could be FSU.

“They passed my expectations for sure, absolutely,” Faison said. “This place is amazing. Obviously they had a down year last year but everything they have being built this season and the players they are able to bring in. It’s going to be special this season.”

“New year, new me!” Utah Jazz rookie Cody Williams exclaimed after his January 1st eruption. Williams, the 10th selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, has struggled to plant himself on solid ground thus far into his first year as a pro.

Shooting a horrific 23% from distance and 31% from the field in limited minutes, the former McDonald’s All-American and brother of OKC standout Jalen Williams has left plenty of meat on the bone in his first taste of NBA action. Ironic, considering Cody’s physique.

But something may have flipped on New Year’s Day. It would be too cliche to suggest that the rookie is improving thanks to a freshly enacted resolution, so I’m not going to say it. Yet, a career-high 35-point outburst with the Salt Lake City Stars is plenty to get anxious observers to breach the surface and take in the winds of change.

Shooting 13 for 21 from on field goals, including 5 for 8 from long range, this is the type of output that Utah has craved since assigning Williams on this development-first avenue.

With pull-ups, open 3s, and even dives to the rim, Utah’s first-round pick is a capable 3-level scorer when he chooses to be. Standing in the corner all day is not conducive to developmental advances for a player like Williams, so seeing the athletic wing get involved both on and off-ball is a promising sign.

Could this be a one-off? Sure, especially as Cody fights for more consistency, we may not see another 30+ point finish again this season. Even in the G-League, he’s been timid, overpowered, and overshadowed by just about everyone on the floor. But when he shows what he can do, it’s hard to deny the potential if he can even out.

Every piece of good news regarding player development is good news for the rebuilding Jazz. Let’s hope Cody keeps it cooking.

SALT LAKE CITY — Several new Utah laws went into effect Jan. 1, including one that changes the way license plates are bought, handled and manufactured in the state.

Now, Utah vehicles only need one license plate instead of two. Front plates are no longer required.

“The standard issue license plate cost will now be $7.50,” said Jason Gardner, Utah Tax Commission director of policy, planning and public affairs.

He said plates used to cost $11.50. Now, $1 from every plate purchased will go toward a public safety fund through Utah Highway Patrol.

Plates will also look different this year.

“The first decal you get with a license plate is going to come with that decal already preprinted directly on the license plate itself, so all you’re going to have to do when you get that last plate is pop it on your car,” Gardner said.

When it’s time to renew the registration, he said the single sticker decal will go on top.

The new law also introduces a design review committee. Special groups can submit their designs to them.

“We just get those designs submitted to us, sometimes they were not really well designed and sometimes, some of our special group plates look like clipart that you might have pulled off of a computer,” Gardner said.

He said now, the designs go to a graphic designer who can refine it.

Special group plates do come with an annual fee on top of the initial $7.50 price.

“That donation is at least $20, but every special group sets their donation at a different amount,” Gardner said.

How Utah plates are manufactured has also changed.

“Now, license plates won’t have raised letters anymore, which means they can be printed on kind of like high speed printers, and much more efficient technology can be used for making license plates, which reduces costs,” Gardner said.

He said they estimate the new process will save consumers $3 million.

“All the normal registration fees that would have been associated with your vehicle is are still going to apply,” Gardner said.