Notre Dame Football: Examining the running back room heading into the stretch
Notre Dame Football: Examining the running back room heading into the stretch
Heading into the home stretch
One back that was expected to have a bigger role in the backfield, but has been notably absent this season is Jafar Armstrong. Meanwhile, Trevor Speights went on a medical scholarship, effectively ending his career.
Though he hasn’t been needed, the lack of production from Armstrong has been surprising, though it’s clear he has simply been surpassed by the young guns of Williams and Tyree. On the year, Armstrong has just eiht yards on 17 carries, and has led to reports that he is in the process of changing position to wide receiver.
That’s the position he was originally recruited to play, and it likely offers the quickest path to playing time for Armstrong.
Of the three parts to the Notre Dame backfield, it’s clear that Williams, a redshirt freshman, is the headliner. On the season, he has been taking about 50% of the touches, with Flemister and Tyree splitting the other 50% between themselves. Of course, they’ve broken that tendency for the past two weeks, with Williams taking the vast majority of carries against Clemson, but getting less than 1/3 of touches against Boston College.
Yes, he was banged up, but it was an opportunity to get Flemister and Tyree going too.
The reason that Williams has been able to become the top back for the Irish is that he’s an all-around back. After Clemson, he received praise from every angle for his pass protection. Disciplined and fearless, he stopped 19 of 19 blitzes that he was challenged by.
He does all of this, while still being a threat to leak out and catch the ball, or of course as an explosive one cut-and-go running back. While Tyree’s athleticism or Flemister’s strength might provide a nice change of pace or break for Williams, it is his overall ability that has made him so vital to Notre Dame’s offense.
Next. Notre Dame football: Offensive grades vs. Boston College. dark
These backs are going to be the heart of the Notre Dame push towards the Playoff. Yes, they should receive help from quarterback Ian Book, but the Irish have made it clear that they set the tone and pride themselves on their zone running game. They will be more physical and blow you off the ball, just like they’ve done the past two weeks against Clemson and Boston College.
With a healthy backfield, anything is possible for this team.