"We're gonna make a name for ourselves" - RB Tony Jones Jr.

Notre Dame will welcome back the football program to campus this week after a three-week break and running back Tony Jones Jr. is looking to become the lead voice in the running back room. 

The 5-foot-11, 220-pounder stated he wanted to be a leader in the spring and again in Notre Dame's latest video production. 

During spring practice, Jones said he was healthy, but also working on the mental aspect of his game on the field and with his teammates. 

“I’m working on getting more snaps,” Jones stated. “I’m working on my mentality and emotions. I want to be a captain type of leader.”

With the departure of Josh Adams to the NFL, Deon McIntosh not returning to school and the future of CJ Holmes still in the air, Jones knows it will be a running back by committee, but he's looking forward to leading that group. 

"My expectations for next season are all of our running backs are going to be scoring and playing," said Jones. "We're going to be making a name for ourselves." 

Running backs coach Autry Denson expects big plays from Jones in Adams absence. 

“Tony can actually go," Denson said. "He’s faster than you think he is, but he doesn’t think of himself as a speed back. Tony considers himself to be a power back. He's been viewed and told he’s a big, power back. Big, power backs can also be home run hitters. We don’t want to settle for just five or 10. He’s starting to believe that." 

Denson also believes Jones understands it's his time, but he also understands the Notre Dame offense needs him to produce in 2018. 

“His versatility is limitless on what he can do on the football field," said Denson. "It’s time for Tony Jones to do it. He understands that, he feels it and wants it. As a program, we need him to go out and do it.”