Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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22 APRIL 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED RUNNING BACKS 2018 SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW D eparted running back Josh Adams racked up 3,187 career yards on the ground, the fifth-best mark in school history. One player replacing that production is unlikely, but Notre Dame has a pair of backs it hopes can fill the void. Junior Tony Jones Jr. served as the backup to Adams last season and rushed for a modest 232 yards and three scores. Battling ankle issues early in the season, Jones averaged only 3.3 yards per carry through the first six games. He was healthy later in the year and his production reflected that while averaging 6.04 yards per rush in the final seven outings. A strong all-around figure that blocks at a high level and catches the ball like a receiver, Jones is being counted on to become the lead man in the backfield. If he emerges, it will allow senior Dexter Williams to serve a change- of-pace role, where his game is ide- ally suited. Williams has been at his best when he can rotate in and use his explosiveness to gash defenses. Williams averaged an astounding 9.2 yards per rush last season, and the more he can be used in a situational role the more likely he can continue his home run production. Williams av- eraged 4.5 yards per carry in his two highest carry games of the 2017 season. In a perfect world, the Jones/Wil- liams combination will instill memories of Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood from 2012 (2,054 total yards), or perhaps Jo- nas Gray and Wood from the 2011 sea- son (2,120 yards). BY THE NUMBERS 17 Total pounds lost between senior Dexter Williams and junior Tony Jones Jr. from last season. Williams shed 12 pounds to get down to 203, while Jones dropped five to check in at 220. Will that make them more effec- tive, or more susceptible to injury? 24 Passes caught by Irish running backs last season totaling 134 yards. Jones nabbed six for 12 yards, while Williams' two were good for 13 yards and a score. The backs might be needed more in 2018 to aid the passing attack. 3,744 Career receiving yards by sophomore Jafar Armstrong during his career at Bishop Miege High School in Lee's Summit, Mo. — unofficially the most ever by a Notre Dame recruit. He will moon- light at running because of his physicality. WHO'S GONE Josh Adams He declared for the NFL Draft after rushing for 1,430 yards in 2017, the fourth-best single- season mark in school history when including bowl games. Deon McIntosh/C.J. Holmes Both the sophomore McIn- tosh (368 yards) and fresh- man Holmes (32 yards) were dismissed from the team in January for dis- ciplinary reasons. WHO'S BACK Junior Tony Jones Jr. After standing out last spring and during fall c a m p , N o t r e Dame is looking for him to take the lead role in the backfield. Senior Dexter Williams The Irish need him to combine his big play ability — 9.2 yards per carry in 2017 — with a more well-rounded game. TOP NEWCOMERS Freshman Jahmir Smith He rushed for 3,858 yards and 67 touchdowns his last two prep seasons, and provides much needed depth. Returning Returning Year-End Year Starts Rushing Yards/TD Rushing Yards/TD 2017 12 1,968/15 2,422/21 2018 1 873/11 — POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH Junior Tony Jones Jr. and senior Dexter Williams will battle for the starting job, but both will play barring injury. Developing a third back will be just as important. Freshman Jahmir Smith enrolling early provides a boost, but sophomore Jafar Armstrong is cross-training between running back and wide receiver. Brian Kelly's Take "Most people just see you on Saturday when you have your helmet on and shoulder pads, and wonder, 'Why isn't he in the game?' Well, there's four other days leading up to it. And [Dexter Williams'] inability to really practice and provide the kind of work nec- essary to get to Saturdays put him behind a little bit. "… He's broken through some barriers as it re- lates to his volume and his workload. I feel confident going into spring that he's going to take on a bigger load." PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA TONY JONES JR.