Notre Dame football: Irish wildly left off top running backs list

I genuinely think Notre Dame football has the best running back room in the nation; they got left off On3’s list of top 10 returning running backs in 2023. While it’s tough because there are not one, nor two, but three extremely talented running backs sharing the duties. Given how many snaps they shared, I get why it’s tough; leaving all three off the list is a travesty.

Two Ohio State Buckeyes made it, as well as two Michigan Wolverines. While the four players that are on the list are undoubtedly talented, statistically speaking, Audric Estime was better than at least two of the four players.

TreVeyon Henderson played in parts of 8 games while healthy last season and averaged 5.3 rushing yards per carry for 571 yards and 6 touchdowns. In his junior season and throughout parts of 12 games, Blake Corum averaged 5.9 yards for 1463 total and 18 touchdowns. It took Corum an absurd 247 touches to rack up just under 1500 yards.

Audric Estime, on the other hand, touched the ball 156 times on the ground for 5.9 yards per carry and 920 yards with 11 touchdowns. He has more size and strength than both of the aforementioned running backs and can compete with both as far as speed goes. While probably a bit slower than the other two, he makes up for that in his stride length and power running ability.

Considering pass-catching abilities, Estime’s yards per touch from scrimmage were 6.4, Corum’s were 6.0, and Henderson’s were 5.4. Wild to me, considering how much more often Tyree and Diggs were used in passing situations. Even when teams knew Estime was getting the ball, he efficiently ran through tackles and defenses.

Logan Diggs will take a bit of a leap this upcoming season too. While his stats may not point to being able to be on this list, he has the potential to get there. Regardless, it’s wild to me how often the running backs for Notre Dame football get overlooked.