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Notre Dame Football: Can Josh Adams compete for the Heisman?

By Noah Strackbein

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Josh Adams (33) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Josh Adams (33) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Can Notre Dame football star, Josh Adams, compete for the Heisman Trophy in 2017?

Yes.

Josh Adams may be the most undervalued player in the NCAA. For the last two years, he could’ve easily been a 1,000-yard runner, but because of a pass-heavy offense, he barely missed the mark last season as the Irish’s premier back.

Now, he heads to 2017 with a loaded backfield of Tony Jones Jr., himself, and Dexter Williams. As the veteran leader with a new starting quarterback in Brandon Wimbush and a new offensive coordinator, Chip Long, Adams will see a massive increase in attempts this season.

While he will now split carries with a crowded backfield, he’s going to get more attempts than last season. While Wimbush works his way into more passes, Notre Dame is going to rely heavily on Adams. Add their returning offensive line to the mix, and Chip Long is going to feel very confident in his running back’s abilities in 2017.

People are saying Wimbush is the Irish player who has the best shot at the Heisman Trophy, but realistically, it’s Adams.

He’s easily a 1,000-yard rusher this season. If he can find the endzone somewhere near ten times, and maintain a yards per carry about 5.0, and it’ll be hard to deny him as one of the NCAA’s best. Depending on how successful Notre Dame is this season, Adams will get a lot of recognition.

He’s the most low-key player in college football. Because he’s as “normal” as they come as a running back, no one seems to recognize Adams. But if he can lead Notre Dame to a College Football Playoff run and continue to tear up the NCAA, there will be no denying him some sort of award.

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Can Josh Adams win a Heisman in 2017? Yes. With the team Notre Dame has and the experience he has, Adams is going to become one of the deadliest players in college football.

Come award time, Adams’ name will be one of the first to come up.

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