Notre Dame football: Previewing the 2021 Running Backs
By Brad Weiss
![SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish stiff arms safety Nolan Turner #24 of the Clemson Tigers on his way to a touchdown in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images) SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish stiff arms safety Nolan Turner #24 of the Clemson Tigers on his way to a touchdown in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ec15c3414332a0e8baea49c195ab1a08d9e87e2cce9f6baf767bf821ebc9682c.jpg)
Notre Dame football: Previewing the 2021 Running Backs
Potential Depth Chart in Week 1
The depth chart at the top will play out the same way it did in 2020, with Williams as the feature back, and Tyree serving as a change-of-pace back. Williams and Tyree make up one of the more dynamic running back duos in the country, and both will be expected to handle a heavy load with so many question marks at wide receiver.
In fact, both will play a big role in the passing game, and while Williams is likely to rack up plenty of yards on the ground, Tyree is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. Behind those two, you can expect Flemister to get some run, but keep an eye on the true freshman as we inch closer to the Florida State matchup.
Estime and Diggs could challenge Flemister and move up the depth chart, and in Estime’s case, I feel he has the size to be the No. 3 option in the run game right now. At least when it comes to the red zone, Estime is going to get his chances to punch it in this year, and that could move Flemister down to the No. 4 option when all is said and done.
Overall, this is how I see the depth chart heading into the Florida State game:
- Kyren Williams, Chris Tyree, Audric Estime, C’Bo Flemister, Logan Diggs