Notre Dame Football: Tony Jones, Jr. Thrust into Feature Role in Irish Backfield

It’s no secret that Notre Dame Football is thin at running back. Sophomore Tony Jones, Jr. looks to step into a major role in 2018.

Brian Kelly’s Notre Dame Football team hasn’t had the best luck retaining running backs. Last year’s starter, Heisman candidate Josh Adams, left for the NFL. Deon McIntosh and CJ Holmes were dismissed from the team for various reasons. And now, Dexter Williams seems to be headed to a suspension to start the year.

As the Irish have started camp at Culver Academy, Dexter Williams has seen less and less action with the first-team offense. Message boards and social media have played a large part in the speculation that his season will start on the bench. Further, Brian Kelly has been coy about Williams’ status ahead of the September 1st season-opener against Michigan. All signs point to Williams being unavailable for the opening week matchup with the Wolverines.

Even though Williams likely will miss the beginning of the season, the Irish running game is left in the capable hands of Tony Jones, Jr., who is Notre Dame’s lone returning back from last season.

Jones is coming off a sophomore season in which he was Notre Dame’s 4th most used rusher. Jones carried the rock 44 times for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns a year ago. That’s an average of 5.3 yards per carry.

Those numbers aren’t too shabby.

In addition, Jones is adequate in the passing game. While he caught only 6 balls for 12 yards, Jones saw more action in third-down situations because the coaching staff could trust him as a pass blocker. The same couldn’t be said for Williams.

Indeed, Jones will undoubtedly serve the Irish well as the lead back–at least temporarily–to begin the season.

Behind Jones, however, the Irish lack depth and experience. While the Irish wait for the return of Williams, they will likely turn to players of other positions to help spell Jones. Among those are sophomore receiver Jafar Armstrong and sophomore quarterback Avery Davis. Rounding out the running back room will be true freshman Jahmir Smith.

The Irish aren’t in a world of hurt when it comes to the running back situation, but they certainly don’t have a wealth of riches at the position, either. While Williams’ rumored suspension complicates things, the Irish have the playmakers necessary to weather the storm in the early part of the season.