Jonaz Walton likely knows that the chances of him getting meaningful playing time for Notre Dame this year are unlikely. That's not stopping him from impressing his coaches and showing a unique approach to carrying the ball that's made waves in the running back room.
After Saturday's "Jersey Scrimmage," head coach Marcus Freeman talked quite a bit about how impressed he is with Walton's growth, even from the beginning of spring practice until the penultimate weekend.
Jonaz Walton grabbing the attention of Notre Dame football coaches
"He's done a really good job in spring," Freeman said of one of Notre Dame's heralded true-freshman running backs. "It was funny, we put pads on practice three, and he had to learn how to practice at this level. It's a different tempo, a different pace, a different physicality."
"But where he's at now at now, at practice 12, talking about from practice three to 12, has been a huge increase, and that's credit to him and the work he's put in with coach Seider. He's practicing now the way college running backs practice, and he's really doing some good things out there."
Walton is also taking advantage of some of the guys he's competing with for playing time, either missing the spring entirely or wearing a red jersey to protect their health. Freeman has spoken repeatedly about Notre Dame embracing the "next man up" philosophy. Walton is trying to do just that.
Jonaz Walton fighting for Notre Dame football snaps in loaded RB room
Because he's a freshman, he's also got the luxury of going full bore because the Irish coaches are less worried about keeping him fresh for the season. Generally, Mike Denbrock's system goes with two backs and a third or fourth only for garbage time and players who are banged up.
At the moment, the odds are that Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young will take over the spots on the depth chart manned by Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, the last two years. That should leave Walton competing with Nolan James Jr, and Javian Osborne for whatever carries are left.
That Walton has impressed this spring is still a very good thing. Notre Dame's assumed depth at running back is taking shape in a way that makes the room one of the best in the country.
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