Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Who Will Solve Notre Dame’s Running Back Problem?

Apr 12, 2014; Notre Dame, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Leprechaun leads the Notre Dame Fighting Irish onto the field before the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Notre Dame currently possesses a stable of Running Backs. McDaniel, Folston and Bryant provide excellent options for the 2014 season. But, the 2015 and 2016 season could become murky if the Irish do not land a Running Back in this current Notre Dame Football recruiting class. McDaniel graduates after this season. This leaves Folston and Bryant. Both players possess a tremendous amount of talent. Folston and Bryant could bolt for the NFL following the 2015 season. However, with NFL not valuing Running Backs as much, potential draftees may desire the early departure option less. Regardless, Notre Dame needs to land a Running Back to add to the depth of the team for 2015 and 2016.

The options vary in talent and skill sets. However, all options provide Notre Dame with a solid player who could develop in the next few years.

Josh Adams represents Notre Dame’s best chance at a commitment. Adams hails from Warrington, Pennsylvania. He plays for Central Bucks South High School. Adams suffered a knee injury last season. The injury required surgery. So, the coaching staff may hesitate before taking a verbal commitment from Adams. If fully healthy, Adams possesses big time potential. During his Sophomore season, he rushed for 2089 yards on 255 attempts (8.19 average) and 28 touchdowns.

Soso Jamabo watched the Fighting Irish take on Arizona State last year in Dallas. Could Jamabo leap from Northern Texas to Northern Indiana like fellow Texas-based commits Jalen Guyton and Prentice McKinney? Many experts do not think so. Playing against some of the best high school competition in the country, Jamabo rushed for 2774 yards in past two seasons. He not only runs but catches. Jamabo caught 35 passes for 678 yards in past two seasons.

Jacques Patrick probably holds the top slot on Notre Dame’s recruiting board at Running Back. He also represents the lowest probability of a commitment. Patrick holds 53 FBS offers. Patrick hails from Orlando, Florida. Like Jamabo, Patrick plays against top high school competition. In 2013, he ran for 2153 yards on 231 carries (9.32 average) and 30 touchdowns. Notre Dame needs a coup to pull Patrick away from Florida and Florida State.

Ray-Ray McCloud plays completely different than Adams, Jamabo and Patrick. At 5-9 175, McCloud gives up at least 4 inches and 25 pounds to Notre Dame’s other targets. But, this does not make him less of a player. In 2013, McCloud rushed for 2316 yards on 300 carries (7.72 average) and 26 touchdowns. Despite lacking in size, he showed his work-horse ability with 300 carries in one season.

All four prospects may attend Notre Dame’s newly branded elite player camp, “Irish Invasion”, on June 20th. If they attend, Notre Dame’s chances improve dramatically. Any player who chooses to visit a school on their own “dime” likes that school quite a bit.

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