Notre Dame running back Kedren Young lost his 2025 season before it ever got started.
The Texas native tore his ACL during fall camp, wiping out a year that was supposed to build off a freshman campaign where he rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Now, there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel.
“I’m doing pretty good,” stated Young. “I’ve learned to embrace it. I’m at seven months now and started running last week, so I feel pretty good.”
The rehab process hasn’t just been about recovery, as it’s brought physical changes. Young adjusted his diet and dropped weight during his time off.
“It was surgery,” Young said of his weight loss. “I also started to change my diet a little bit. I wanted to lose some pounds, so that was another thing. I'm back at 235. My range for the season, I want to be 228 to 232.”
Like any season-ending injury, frustration was part of the journey. But Young chose to turn it into an opportunity, leaning into film study and mental reps while sidelined.
“My coach tells me to take mental reps from the players in the games and stuff like that,” Young said. “They're practicing right now. I'm still watching film. When I get back in, then I'll be fine. I'll be ready.”
The plan is for Young to return during summer workouts in June, a milestone he’s been eager to reach.
“I haven't played football in a long time now, so I want to get on the field,” explained Young. “That's the first thing. I want to get on the field. Then just get back in the groove. Don't rush it, because I'm getting back into it. As soon as I get on the field, I want to have that strong mentality. I want to just go at everybody. That's the thing.”
Notre Dame’s backfield will look very different than a year ago as Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price left for the NFL.
Jobs are wide open in Ja’Juan Seider’s room and Young is ready to show what he can bring to the table.
“I think last spring, I proved that I can be a good blocker,” Young stated. “All of us can run the ball. We're running backs for a reason. But to play on Saturdays, play on Sundays in the NFL, you've got to know how to block. You've got to block for the quarterback.
“I think before I was injured, I improved on my blocking very well. I can catch the ball. I can run routes. I'm a bigger guy, but I can still run routes. I can still move.”
Young has also stepped into a leadership role, helping early enrollees Javian Osborne and Jonaz Walton adjust to college football.
“Javian is a Texas boy,” Young said. “That resonates with me. Obviously, he's hurt, but he's a good back. I played him in high school. I know what he can do. Against us, he whooped us. I know what he can do.
“Jonaz is a fast learner. I respect that about him. As a freshman, it's the first time going against college boys. He's doing pretty well. He's learning fast. He's very intentional about what he wants to do. He asks his questions, so I respect that about him. I think he's going to be a good player.”
Through it all, Young has stayed grounded and leaned on his family to push through the adversity.
“I was raised on faith from my mother,” said Young. “Everything I do, regardless if it's a hardship, a struggle, or if it's a success, I always have a positive mindset. When it happened, I was bummed, but I'm embracing the process. You appreciate every little thing you can do.
“When I couldn't ride a bike and couldn't pedal on a bike, when I finally could do it, I was happy. You embrace every little step you take and you get ahead.”
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