Kedren Young knows he has some healing up to do before he can set foot on the field for the Notre Dame football team. However, he's optimistic that his healing is just about done and he could be "full go" this summer. That would mean he could compete with the likes of Aneyas Williams and Nolan James Jr.
Earlier this week, Young met with the media alongside some Irish coaches and trainer Rob Hunt. Young said he started running about a week ago. That's an important step in making the comeback from his torn ACL. Assuming the running goes to plan and nothing causes a setback Hunt said that the veteran back could be all the way ready to go for the start of fall practice.
Considering that Nolan James Jr. has showed out this spring and Aneyas Williams is also expected to be all the way back by fall practice, there could be a legit fight for Notre Dame's starting running back in 2026.Â
Kedren Young could return this summer and reshape Notre Dame football’s running back battle
This spring, head coach Marcus Freeman has made a big deal about "the next man up." Kedren Young would love to be the guy who steps in after the departures of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.
While he missed all of 2025 with that ACL injury, he was effective in limited action in 2024. With 21 carries he ran for 116 yards (5.5 YPC) and a touchdown. He was essentially Aneyas Williams before Aneyas Williams.
Should Young keep rehabbing and seeing progress the way he has so far, Notre Dame will have a ton of options at running back in 2026. That's bad news for every single one of the Fighting Irish's opponents.