Notre Dame Football: The Rise of the Backfield Big Three
Notre Dame football will feature three running backs in 2017 that could all very easily be some of the best in the country.
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Tony Jones Jr., Josh Adams, and Dexter Williams all came into 2017 spring practices with high hopes and pretty big expectations. Well, two weeks away from the Blue and Gold Game, these three have turned into monsters in this Notre Dame backfield.
The days of dominating Irish run games and running back committees defensive coordinators lost sleep over are back. These three have grown into all-around animals out of the backfield. No matter which one is on the field, the Fighting Irish will have an option behind the quarterback that could always explode for big yards.
Slap the Sign co-expert, Kevin Sinclair, believes Adams will get the starting gig once again with Williams and Jones working behind him. As three players who can run between the tackles or catch the ball out of the backfield, Notre Dame brings back three options in all aspects of their offense.
Coming off a 933 yards, five touchdown season, Adams has room to improve, but more usage to look forward to. Last year, he was more of a backup option to DeShone Kizer. The Irish and Brian Kelly weren’t big fans of running the ball.
This season, he should be the primary threat when Notre Dame has the ball. As a junior, Adams has had two impressive seasons and continues to show development. When he gets more than 158 attempts in a year, he’ll prove to the NCAA that he’s one of the best.
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Williams and Jones Jr. have never really had their chance in college. Coming into his junior year, Williams will receive the first chunk of real playing time in his career. As an explosive back with crazy speed and agility, Williams will be a name Notre Dame uses a lot on third downs.
Jones has impressed in big ways this offseason. He’s already seen first team reps during practice. Brian Kelly told the media after practice, “Well, he’s 225 pounds, can catch the ball coming out of the backfield, assignment correct and the kid can run elusively and can get into the second level…. He’s a pretty good back.”
People expected Jones to be a part of this offensive scheme this season, but no one thought he’d look as well as he does. What we’ve seen so far in practice is a back who can take any play to the house, isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder and wants to prove he’s a winner on every snap. Pretty good combination for a No. 2/3 back in a depth chart.
The Irish have also implemented Deon McIntosh, a former receiver who has converted back to running back this offseason, into their backfield. McIntosh will probably only see passes out of the backfield to begin the season but could work his way into this rotation as well. From his play during practice, Kelly, and offensive coordinator, Chip Long, like what he can do with the ball in his hands.
Dominating Notre Dame run football is back in South Bend. The days of the ground and pound will be relived once again in this Irish running back committee. When Notre Dame brings three hot backs to a game, they’re going to be nearly impossible to stop.
The rise of Notre Dame’s backfield features their own big three. Adams, Williams, and Jones Jr. are going to destroy NCAA defenses in 2017. While McIntosh works his way into the lineup, he’ll add another element to this group of backs through his receiving skills.
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When all four have big games, you aren’t going to beat the Irish. The entire offense looks to be one of college football’s best, but this running back committee is something special.
Welcome to Notre Dame’s backfield – one of the deadliest combinations in football.