Because Aneyas Williams is limited this spring, Marcus Freeman made it clear the other running backs on the Notre Dame football team will have a chance to step up and grab a job. Nolan James Jr. appears to have taken that message to heart. He's impressed the coaching staff so far in the last few weeks and even has his position coach talking about possibly being RB1.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Ja'Jaun seider had a ton of good things to say about the redshirt-freshman. Among praise he's heaped on James is that the running back is "the most mature young kid" he's coached.
Additionally, the Notre Dame running backs coach said that Nolan James Jr. is a "do s— right" guy. Seider added that the young running back has never been in the doghouse with any of the coaches and he's always on time to practice and meetings.
Nolan James Jr. is making a strong case for a bigger Notre Dame football role
It's not just that James has the right attitude, he's also showing plenty in practice. So much in fact that Seider believes he's got talent that goes well beyond the experience he's gotten so far.
"He does stuff what three, four-year pros figure out later."
With Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price and Aneyas Williams ahead of him on the depth chart in 2025, James saw very limited time. He tallied 14 carries for 37 yards while appearing in four games. His best game came in the blowout against the Arkansas Razorbacks when he had four carries for 22 yards. That included a career long 15-yard run. He had four carries in two other games last season.
While Notre Dame has made it clear that the coaches expect Aneyas Williams to step up and be "the man" in 2026, they are also giving the other players a chance to grab the golden ring. So far, Nolan James Jr has done that.Â