Photographer: John Albright/Icon Sportswire)
While It’s no secret the Irish have a duo of talented running backs who will contribute in 2015, one has to question the depth for next year, and beyond. With the departure of Cam McDaniel, that leaves Greg Bryant and Tarean Folston, and although there is no questioning what Folston brings to the table, Bryant is still struggling to find his way in the Notre Dame offense. The Irish coaching staff were unable to sign a single running back in the 2014 class, and with Greg Bryant’s inconsistency, there seems to be more questions than answers in the backfield, and those questions need to find answers if the Irish are to feel confident about their ground attack in 2015.
If we are being totally transparent, it’s not from lack of trying by the Notre Dame coaching staff, but securing the next generation of backs at Notre Dame has been a struggle. As of now the Irish have a single commit from running back Josh Adams(4* PA) but would love to add at least a second back to this class. As signing day inches closer though, the number of realistic targets the Irish have interest in(or have interest in the Irish) is a very short list, and growing smaller by the day. Below are the remaining targets the coaching staff still are hoping to see bring their talents to South Bend. We have also listed the schools that the Irish are in direct competition with.
- Soso Jamabo (5* TX) – UCLA, Texas A&M
- Dexter Williams (4* FL) – Louisville
- Jordan Cronkrite (4*FL) – Louisville, West Virginia, Texas
- Ke’Shawn Vaughn (4*TN) – Purdue, Vanderbilt
Other than Soso Jamabo, who most consider to be a lock at UCLA now (assuming no coaching changes happen), there really is no 100% clear consensus on the rest. The one thing that is clear, the Irish coaching staff still has some work to do if they plan on securing a commitment from any of the remaining four targets. Honestly though, it would be a pretty big surprise if Vaughn ended up at Notre Dame. That’s not to say the Irish have no chance with them, but they are late to the party with Shaw, and Vaughn seems to really favor Purdue, or will most likely stay at home and commit to Vanderbilt.
Conventional wisdom says the best shots the Irish have will be with Cronkrite and Williams, but neither are a lock at this point. Williams has shown elite ability, and has a great combination of size and speed. Cronkrite on the other hand is more of a power back, and while we wouldn’t go as far as to compare him to a Jerome Bettis type runner, he can hit the hole quickly, or make one himself just as easily. The Notre Dame staff should feel lucky if they were to land either of these kids, and although they bring different skill sets, either one would be a welcomed addition in South Bend.
If we had to guess at this point(and hope at the same time)the Irish will be welcoming both Adams and Cronkrite come signing day. The knock on Cronkrite has been his perceived lack of open-field speed, but according to Chris Nee (247 Sports) the recent decommit from Miami(FL), had the most impressive day of any running back, during the running back segment. Nee also stated that “The 5-foot-11, 196-pound running back showed ability to shake defenders and burst to separate from defenders on multiple occasions”.
In no way would I describe the backfield situation at Notre Dame to be one of desperation by any means, but it would help lower the burden for the next recruiting class if the Irish were able to land someone of value to partner with Adams. At times Brian Kelly seemingly forgets that he has talent in the backfield, and although better in 2014, his running-back-by-committee style may scare off some of the higher valued recruits who want the opportunity to be a premier back at the collegiate level.
I have a feeling Greg Bryant is going to have a breakout season in 2015 especially if Malik is the starter.
I have a feeling you feel there would be peace in the Middle East if Malik is the starter.
Mike is sounding like me. (must be a handsome guy, too!) Don’t take a RB for “taking a RB”s sake. Look ahead. I do not have the smarts to remember potential future RB’s, (brain damage, no joke) but spot future GREAT RB’s and target them. Feature Malik and his exploits this year while approaching the future great RB’s and let them know BK and TheIrish’s offense are “dynamic” (over-used, but effective adjective) – they adjust to what they have as well as to their opponent’s specialties. We’re dynamic. We change. We adjust. BOTTOM LINE: WE WIN. (especially if & when that recruit is port of the team)
Bryant actually has 3 more years of eligibility; he qualified for a medical redshirt in 2013-14.
I don’t think the situation is as dire as it may appear. Folston and Bryant have 2 more years of eligibility left. I’m assuming they don’t lose Adams. That’s 3. They’ve also used, with some success, Prossise and Carlisle on the jet-sweep types of plays. Getting another back would be helpful, but they’ll be fine if they don’t. I’d rather them stay where they are than taking someone of lesser ability just for depth purposes. I’d rather they use that scholarship next year for a RB of for a top-flight DL.
No need to panic. Plenty of backs available. What’s needed is a game plan and formations to run behind. Coupled with not abandoning it. ND has the athletes. Both skill and power positions, in numbers. Patience, platooning, and endurance will show itself on game day. Could help with all the injuries over the course of a long physical season. Finding a balance for the players to be in the “flow of THEIR game” could prove to be difficult. IMHO
No
Running backs in the 2014 class?
My god
What sucks is that we were so close to locking up Soso Jamabo a few months back and all of a sudden we lose games we had no business losing in Louisville and especially Northwestern not to mention Arizona State jumps out to a 31-3 score and our hated rival U$C completely embarrasses us and to be hinest I was expecting a couple of guys to jump ship but this staff has done a great job keeping everyone together. These prospects are watching these games and its hard enough getting the five stars to come to Notre Dame especially from the state of Texas where those programs like Texas A M and Texas keeps those 5 star kids in state. I think those losses allowed UCLA to come in and sweep Soso off his feet. Nothing is set in concrete with Soso but everyone is saying that UCLA is going to get him and I would bet anything they land him. He hasnt given his verbal yet so that leaves a crack in the door for the Irish but he is as good as gone at this point. I would be shocked if Kelly and company can bring in Soso. Notre Dame is throwing out a lot of offers but I hope they don’t just take any RB because of lack of depth. Hopefully its Kronkrite that they are able to get once everything plays out.
It could be it’s a “academically” hard school for the running back breed. That could be why they tend to go elsewhere.
Thank you Mr. Sterling.
Well I’m all for validated stereotypes Larry, but that comment is just dumb. As a breed, rb’s aren’t much different from recievers, O linemen, or linebackers depending upon their “individual” personalities.
Maybe what you mean to say is that many people are turned off by ND’s intellectual pretension, or moral pretension…or just the collegiate jingoism of their alumni.
I’m not surprised ND isn’t attracting top running backs. Kelly often seems to abandon the run during games or struggles to be able to run the ball at all. The appearance of his offense is to pass first and run second, maybe.
that’s a misconception. folston had four 100+ yard games this season and five or six games of 20+ carries. if one of these kids wants an education and has the grit to earn the every down back role folston has, then that kid is right for ND