Redshirt junior running back Gavin Sawchuk has made an immediate impact since transferring to Florida State, bringing a combination of experience, skill, and versatility to the Seminoles’ backfield. A native of Littleton, Colorado, Sawchuk is no stranger to big plays, and he’s been proving it early in the 2025 season. 
 

In Florida State’s victory over East Texas A&M, Sawchuk contributed three touchdowns, including a career-long 53-yard TD catch, while also rushing for 35 yards. It was a performance that highlighted both his athleticism and his ability to make explosive plays in the passing game. 

“I’m bringing a lot from there, bringing a lot of experience from playing, and also a lot of knowledge,” Sawchuk said of his transfer from Oklahoma. “I’m really excited to just be here.”  

 

His enthusiasm for Florida State extends beyond the field. Sawchuk’s ties to the Seminoles date back to high school, and he credits that connection for making the transfer decision an easy one. “I felt like Florida State was the best place for me to compete at that high level,” Sawchuk said. “I just love the coaching staff, I’ve had that relationship since high school, so getting back in contact with them and hearing the ways they wanted me here and the excitement for that, it was really great.” 

 

Sawchuk’s resume speaks for itself. At Oklahoma, he appeared in 23 games over three seasons, rushing 176 times for 977 yards and 11 touchdowns. He earned All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2023 after a career-best 744 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, with five consecutive 100-yard games and a standout performance in the Alamo Bowl versus Arizona.  

 

His early performances with the Seminoles suggest he is picking up right where he left off, and he’s immediately become a valuable piece of the Florida State roster. In addition to the East Texas A&M game, Sawchuk recorded 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Kent State, along with 74 rushing yards and a touchdown in the victory over Virginia. He has consistently demonstrated vision, patience and toughness while also being able to contribute wherever the team needs him. 

 

His admiration for Florida State’s offensive system was clear from the start. “When I got here, I took a visit, met with Coach (Gus) Malzahn and just went through the offense,” Sawchuk said. “I learned about some of the schemes he likes to run, different things he likes to do to get athletes the ball in their hand and in space to make plays and make opportunities. I loved watching it.”

 

That approach fits his own running style. “I just like going downhill. The fastest way to the end zone is a straight line,” he said. “Breaking tackles, whatever it is, just being able to get downhill, just to get some of those dirty yards and then get some pop when they need to.”

 

Now a veteran figure in the running back room, Sawchuk values both competition and chemistry equally. “They’re all great in that room. Really competitive, love each other, great guys,” he said. “Want to see the best for each other, but still at the same time competitive. So, just continuing to compete, continuing to grow each other, use ourselves in different ways. One back can’t really run the whole game. It takes a couple of us.”  

 

Beyond the plays, Sawchuk emphasizes the team-first mentality and the family atmosphere within the Florida State program. “It’s great. It’s really family-oriented. Everybody’s so accepting. It just feels like there’s a lot of brothers on the team. It’s a family,” he said. “Everyone’s focused on the goal, holding each other accountable. It’s become a standard, it’s become an intensity that we’re all chasing after.” 

 

Sawchuk’s mindset moving forward is simple. “Just helping the team out however I can,” he said. “We want to win, we want to compete, we want to do everything we can to be the best. However that looks, just being able to be my best, to grow, continue to grow, and build a family with the guys here.”