Post-Spring Position Outlook | Running Back
Notre Dame fans went into spring ball with more confidence with the running back position than possibly any other area on the team. Even though the backs didn’t create a big splash in the Blue-Gold game or in the highlight packages Notre Dame sent out after each practice, it’s fair to say that that confidence remains the same.
That’s because a player like Kyren Williams is a known quantity. Three carries for 16-yards and two catches for 20-yards isn’t going to grab headlines after the spring game concluded. He had nothing to prove this spring and if the line comes together to block for him, he should have another great season running the ball.
There’s an expectation he’ll get more opportunities to make plays after the catch in the passing game as well with more targets coming in addition to him being a check down option.
Chris Tyree had more to prove this spring as to whether or not he was ready to take the next step and get to the level of a starter even if he may remain the number two option. In the limited reps we saw of him, he showed he is a better version of the back who averaged 6.8 yards per carry last season.
He looked more decisive as a runner in the Blue-Gold game and though the defense dominated with a 33.3% Havoc rate, only one of his 10 carries went for a loss. When he got the corner, he was dangerous.
Tyree added an 18-yard reception off of a rub route concept in the game and much like with Williams, people should expect to see more opportunities like that for him.
Where things stand with C’Bo Flemister isn’t exactly clear at the moment because he left the scene of an accident and was in the news for the wrong reasons. We likely won’t know what that means for his status to begin the season until they start playing games, though, we may unofficially find out before then.
If he’s available, he can be the quality option with his grit as a runner and ability to pick up the blitz in pass protection.
Notre Dame has two talented backs arriving in the summer to add depth in Logan Diggs and Audric Estime. It may be unlikely that either play a prominent role this season, but they could be one injury away from being counted on.
Diggs has more polish to his all-around game and Estime looks like he could physically compete yesterday in college football. Whoever of the two emerges this season should see some action on special teams at the very least and the other is likely to redshirt.