One of the biggest questions surrounding the Notre Dame football team this year is how it will adapt its offense with neither Jeremiyah Love nor Jadarian Price on the roster. However, when Marcus Freeman says he's not worried about the production from running back, it doesn't just sound like coach speak. Not only does he believe what he's saying, but he's convincing Golden Domer fans.
Freeman sat down for an interview with On3's J.D. PicKell on Thursday and talked about several subjects, but first and foremost was his confidence in Aneyas Williams to step into the breach. And should the soon-to-be-junior falter, other guys can take the ball and run with it.
"In my four years, listen, we’ve always prided ourselves on being able to run the ball. All the way from Kyren Williams, when I was a defense coordinator, to Audric Estimé, to JD Price and J-Love. And we’ll continue to be able to run the ball. We have to run the ball, and it starts up front. We got a really good offensive line coming back."
Notre Dame football's Marcus Freeman isn't worried about replacing Love and Price and says team trust will play a big role in finding the next man up.
"Here’s what I’ll tell you, J.D., is that if you look at the body of work of Aneyas Williams, the plays he was in last year, the last two years, he’s been very productive. And he might not have played as much as those other two guys, but when he was in there, he was very productive, made some big plays for us. And it’s a reminder, like before the world sees what our guys do on Saturday, they earn the respect and trust of their teammates and coaches in practice."
He also made it clear that while Williams may be the next man up, Freeman knows Kedren Young and Nolan James could become the man to be the next big back for the Fighting Irish.
"We have three guys, with Kedren Young and Nolan James coming back, that have been here previously. And then you got some freshmen that will be here that have done a good job in the spring. Those guys earn the trust of their teammates and coaches way before they’re thrust into the national spotlight, but there’s a lot of confidence I have in that entire room and in what they’re going to be able to do."
Losing Love and Price is a blow for Notre Dame, but Marcus Freeman isn't worried about someone stepping up. He's watched it happen plenty, and for the most part, the "next man up" has been better than the last.