Notre Dame picked up a huge commitment for the class of 2013 on Wednesday when running back Tarean Folston committed to Notre Dame during practice for this weekend’s Under Armour All American Bowl. Originally scheduled to announce his decision during the game, Folston selected Notre Dame during coverage on ESPN Wednesday.
Folston, an elite running back recruit, is the second running back to join this year’s class and provides a perfect compliment to the other back in the class – fellow Florida native Greg Bryant. While Bryant filled the role of “big back” in this class, Folston provides the homerun threat that Notre Dame was looking for – the role that Cierre Wood and George Atkinson filled in this year’s offense.
According to ESPN, the Notre Dame fan base was a big reason he selected the Irish over his other finalists.
“I went on a visit there and when I went there I just felt like I could do this for four years,” Folston said. “The coaches were great, the players were great. There was a lot of energy around there, and there is a lot of people wanting to get the same goal to get to the BCS championship. They are on their way now. We are going to pull this thing out.”
As a senior at Cocoa High School in Florida, Folston ran for 1,722 yards on 222 carries with 16 touchdowns. Notre Dame fans will be able to get a look at Folston on Friday when he plays in the Under Armour game on ESPN at 5:00 PM EST although they won’t be able to see him line up at running back. Folston has been practicing this week at cornerback for team highlight where is joined by fellow commitments Alex Anzalone, Collin McGovern, and Hunter Bivin.
Before selecting Notre Dame, Folston collected offers from the likes of Oregon, Florida State, Florida, South Carolina, and Stanford with the Seminoles and Ducks being Folston’s other finalists.
With Folston in the fold, Brian Kelly and staff have hit an absolute home run at the running back position for this year’s class. Bryant and Folston give the Irish a dynamic duo at the position and more than makes up for the decommitment of Jamel James a few weeks back. The combo compliment each other’s skillset very well and should allow Kelly and Chuck Martin to utilize both as integral parts of the Irish offense for the next few years.
Notre Dame has just a few spots remaining in this year’s class with the addition of Folston with several high profile recruits still on the board including safety recruit Max Redfield who is set to announce his college decision later this week as well. Should Notre Dame add Redfield to the mix this week as well, the Irish will be in great position to win the mythical recruiting national championship. Notre Dame fans, however, still have their eyes on a different national championship they hope the Irish take home next weel though.
With the addition of Folston, along with Bryant, comes something special, speed with size. Both can play together for 4 years, and hopefully bring themselves a national title as well, with the talent coming as well with the talent already there, this team has just begun a journey to find out just how good they can be. I hope for one day this is just a dream but a reality on the talent hitting south bend and therefor saying lets not stop now, but lets keep this rolling. For the University, the fan base, and pride and the passion, there is one thing always each player strives for, the GLORY. I hope this Monday is just the beginning of a long stretch of several years to come for these young men to make history. Dreams someday become reality, I hope this moment comes true on Monday. GO IRISH