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Notre Dame Football All-Decade Team: Athlete

By Nathan Erbach

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: C.J. Prosise #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball against the LSU Tigers during the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at LP Field on December 30, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: C.J. Prosise #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball against the LSU Tigers during the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at LP Field on December 30, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 02: George Atkinson III #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs for a touchdown the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 2, 2013 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame has had too many important pieces switch positions and do various things on the offensive side of the ball to not include this category on the All-Decade Team.

The four men I included for the poll are Theo Riddick, George Atkinson III, Amir Carlisle and CJ Prosise. It should come as no surprise that Riddick and Prosise ended up dominating the poll, but Carlisle and Atkinson definitely put their stamp on the Notre Dame football program during their careers in South Bend.

Ironically all of these guys were at one point running backs at Notre Dame, and Riddick and Prosise specifically were starters — producing outstanding numbers. Carlisle started out at running back after transferring from USC, but eventually moved to a full time receiver roll while Atkinson was known for elite speed — and that showed frequently on kickoffs and in the backfield.

Let’s take a look at all four in consideration. First up, Atkinson.

George Atkinson III (2011-2013)

Atkinson came to Notre Dame out of Stockton, California a prized recruit known for his elite track speed along with brother Josh Atkinson. While he was never really able to put it all together and become the special player most though he’d become, he was as dynamic as they come in an Irish uniform. During his freshman season, Atkinson III averaged 26.1 yards on his kick returns and took two to the house. He also ran for two scores on just 10 offensive touches — making that 4 touchdowns on just 45 total touches combined on offense and special teams. The dynamic threat was established.

In year 2, he showed way more of his skill set on offense, rushing for 5 scores on just 51 carries. He totaled 361 rushing yards for an average of 7.1 yards per carry. His last season, he was equally dynamic, but also saw more time at running back and nearly got to the 100 carry mark. On 93 carries, he scored 3 times and ran for 555 yards.

Atkinson’s career was full of what could have been’s, but even so, he provided 12 total touchdowns during his career and over 3,000 all purpose yards. He’s probably the literal definition of an athlete, and that gave him a few years in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders.

I do want to take a moment to express my deepest condolences to the Atkinson family, and in particularly the father of George and Josh. Both son’s passed away in the last two years along with their mother — something most of couldn’t even imagine. Rest in Paradise George and Josh!

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