Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman talked earlier this winter about his "next man up" approach at running back with the absences of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. On Monday, Freeman divulged that the theory will get a real test during spring practice due to presumed starter Aneyas Williams being "limited."
Freeman explained that the running back, who was third string behind Love and Price in 2025, is a bit banged up. He explained to Greg McElroy on the Always College Football podcast that Williams' injury means it will provide "an opportunity to turn heads, open for the Irish's freshmen."
With the possibility that Kedron Young may not be ready as well, Notre Dame is looking at redshirt freshman Nolan James and early enrollee freshmen Javian Osborne and Jonaz Walton. Given the high recruiting rankings of both Osborne and Walton, there will be plenty of excitement this spring to see who rises in the depth chart to set up a fall camp development.
Aneyas Williams being limited opens the door for Notre Dame football's freshmen this spring
Freeman also made it clear he isn't all that worried about Williams' injury. Both because it wasn't considered all that serious and because he knows other guys can step up.
"Players earn the trust of their teammates and the respect of their coaches way before the national media, the national spotlight," Freeman said. "You think about some of the best players we've had in this program, we knew through practice. We knew through the way they prepared that they were going to be really good players for us. They just had to get the opportunity in the game."
While Freeman isn't all that worried about Aneyas Williams being "limited" for Notre Dame's spring practice, it's certainly a situation to watch. If for no other reason than to see who is the "next man up" and might have an edge in challenging for playing time this fall.