Summer Outlook: Running Backs, Part II
In part two of the summer preview on Notre Dame's running backs, Blue & Gold Illustrated analyzes the outlook for the Irish at the position.
Preseason Analysis
**** National Title Contention
*** Major Bowl Contention
** Top 25 Potential
* Too Unproven
Starters ***
Unlike the quarterback position, where typically only one player sees the bulk of the playing time, it’s less relevant who is listed as the starter at running back. The positive for Notre Dame is there are plenty of options at the position with the different styles of Tarean Folston and Josh Adams. While those two should command most of the reps, sophomore Dexter Williams had a breakout spring and should get plenty of opportunities in 2016 as well.
Experience *** 1/2
Notre Dame enjoyed one of its best rushing efforts in recent history last season despite carrying little experience on the 85-man roster due to a number of factors. Senior Tarean Folston played only a handful of snaps against Texas in the season opener before suffering a season-ending injury. Greg Bryant transferred during fall camp after being ruled ineligible for the season. Those two losses, plus the graduation of Cam McDaniel, opened the door for freshmen Josh Adams and Dexter Williams plus receiver-turned-running back C.J. Prosise. Experience can be overrated at this position, but the return of Folston, Adams and Williams should foreshadow another productive season.
Depth ****
The perception of depth can quickly change from year to year. Many had cause for worry after what was expected to be a Folston-Bryant backfield duo quickly turned into a Prosise-Adams combination for most of 2015. Last year’s freshmen — Adams and Williams — gave reasons for optimism moving forward and this year’s freshmen — Tony Jones and Deon McIntosh — are quite talented as well. Notre Dame’s strong recruiting at the position has set the Irish up to be able to absorb an injury or two.
Overall Grade *** 1/2
Notre Dame’s running backs can match up with just about any other team’s in the country. Much of the preseason spotlight will be on the quarterbacks, but the ball carriers will also play a major role in what should be another productive campaign from this position. Folston will help upgrade the short-yardage game, while Adams displayed his big-play ability as a freshman in 2015. Even if Notre Dame’s statistics at running back are not quite as superb as they were last fall, it could still be a better all-around effort in 2016.
| Number | Name | Height | Weight | Cl./Elig. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
25 |
Tarean Folston |
5-9 1/2 |
214 |
Sr./2 |
|
33 |
Josh Adams |
6-1 1/2 |
219 |
So./3 |
|
34 |
Dexter Williams |
5-11 |
210 |
So./3 |
|
11 |
Justin Brent |
6-1 1/2 |
220 |
Jr./3 |
|
— |
Tony Jones (OR) |
5-10 |
219 |
Fr./4 |
|
— |
Deon McIntosh |
5-11 |
180 |
Fr./4 |
Quick Facts
Position Coach: Autry Denson (2nd year at Notre Dame)
Returning Starters: Tarean Folston (13 career starts) and Josh Adams (3 career starts)
Departing Starters: C.J. Prosise (9 career starts at running back)
Projected New Starters: None
Top Reserves: Dexter Williams
Waiting Their Turn: Tony Jones and Deon McIntosh
Newcomers: Jones and McIntosh
Moved In: None
Moved Out: None
Other Departures: None
FYI: Jones, a three-star, enters Notre Dame ranked the No. 21 overall running back in the nation according to Rivals.com, while McIntosh does so as a three-star and the No. 18 overall running back in the country … The Irish’s 5.63 yards per rushing attempt ranked eighth in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2015 … Folston registered only seven snaps in the season opener against Texas on Sept. 5 before suffering a season-ending ACL tear … Notre Dame rushed for more than 100 yards in all 13 games and reached the 200-yard mark six times.
| Year | Average | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
|
2010 |
3.98 |
77 |
|
2011 |
4.82 |
26 |
|
2012 |
4.87 |
30 |
|
2013 |
4.46 |
53 |
|
2014 |
4.28 |
70 |
|
2015 |
5.63 |
8 |
By The Numbers
16 Number of returning starts from Notre Dame’s running backs, led by senior Tarean Folston (13) and sophomore Josh Adams (3).
0 How many times an Irish running back has started all 13 games in a season during the Brian Kelly era. The players with the most amount of starts each season were C.J. Prosise (2015- nine starts), Tarean Folston (2014- 10 starts), George Atkinson (2013- four starts), Theo Riddick (2012- eight starts), Cierre Wood (2011- nine starts) and Armando Allen (2010- seven starts).
98 The number of yards Josh Adams gained in a carry against Wake Forest on Nov. 14, which went into the Irish record books as the longest play in Notre Dame Stadium history.