Position Breakdown: The New Look Notre Dame Running Back Room
- Noah Wehby
- 24 hours ago
- 5 min read
Gone are the days of the explosive duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, but Notre Dame still has a deep and talented group of running backs to help the Irish keep moving forward.
The last few years at Notre Dame have been marked by the incredible performances of Love and Price. In that time, they carried the offensive load and provided Notre Dame with a plethora of big plays and iconic moments. After sending both of them to the NFL in the first round, Notre Dame now looks to a new stable of running backs to carry the torch. Although none of them appear to be the next Love, this group, as a whole, could prove to be an effective weapon for the 2026 season and beyond.
Starter
Aneyas Williams
Aneyas Williams is a prime example of waiting your turn. As a freshman, he was actually able to earn playing time due to his ability to pass-block and catch the ball on third downs. Those snaps became critically important late in the season, especially in the playoffs, where Love was dealing with injuries. During his sophomore season, Williams saw much of his playing time cut down. This was not due to poor play on his part but purely because of how good Love and Price were throughout the season. While he could have easily taken this as a sign to transfer when the season concluded, Williams decided to stay the course and is now looking at receiving starting reps for one of the most talented teams in the country.
As a junior with playing experience, Williams will seem ready to thrive with an increased workload. From the jump, Williams will immediately help Notre Dame in the pass game. He has sure hands for a running back that gives CJ Carr another option from the backfield, but his biggest impact in the pass game may come from his blocking. Williams is a more than willing blocker that has a real knack for picking up blitzes. Even as a freshman, Williams looked to be the best pass-blocker at the position for Notre Dame. As a runner, he does not possess the home-run threat that Love and Price had, but he does run the ball with real power and physicality. He combines that strength with elusive movements and quick feet, making him hard to bring down with just one defender. With not a lot of getaway speed, Williams uses these traits to be an excellent chain-mover for the Irish who, on occasion, can hurt the defense for a big gain.
Backups
Kedren Young
While Williams may receive starting reps, Kedren Young will likely be heavily involved in the Irish run game during the 2026 season. As a freshman, Young was also able to see some playing time as a part of special teams and the reserve squad during blowouts. The following year, Young tore his ACL before the season started, sidelining him for the entirety of the 2025 season. Now, he is likely RB2 for the Irish, looking to supplement Williams in the Irish rushing attack.
As a runner, Young is as physical as it gets. Standing at 5'11" and 234 lbs, Young is a bruiser that invites contact. At that stature, he has the strength to fight through tackles and a low center of gravity that makes it hard for defenders to knock him off balance. Although power is what sets Young apart, he does also possess surprisingly quick feet, allowing him to make defenders miss and hit a hole on a moment's notice. Together, Williams and Young could form a dynamic one-two punch for this Notre Dame offense with their diverse skillsets.
Nolan James Jr.
Heading into sophomore year, Nolan James Jr. could be another key part of this running back group this season. While he is likely third on the depth chart, it is possible that Notre Dame takes a more running back-by-committee approach that could land James Jr. on the field. He arrived in South Bend as a four-star running back but struggled to see a lot of playing time his freshman season. Now, with a new look to the group, he may be called upon to provide for this offense.
While James Jr. has not had a lot of time to show off his abilities, he has shown glimpses of what could make him a special player for the Irish. The first thing that shows up when watching him run is his elusiveness. He is an agile player who is quicker than he is fast. With that being said, he is not slow by any means. James Jr. has a quick burst when he is ready to make his move, giving him a real ability to turn into a true one-cut back.
Freshmen
Javian Osborne/Jonaz Walton
It is still unclear just how close the pair of freshmen running backs are to seeing playing time during the 2026 season. It could prove difficult, as the room is already filled by more experienced players. With that being said, these two four-star players do have real talent that has the potential to change a game.
Osborne is a stocky, physical runner who projects to be an effective volume ball carrier. He also displays real patience in the backfield, allowing his blockers to create the best hole for him to hit. At his high school in Texas, Osborne holds the record for rushing yards and touchdowns.
Walton projects to be a lot like Williams. In high school, he showed real chops as a receiver out of the backfield and in the slot. As a runner, he uses elite vision to find the best lane available and get out of problematic situations. At 5'9" and 215 lbs, he has a strong build for a freshman, making him a potential option right out of the gate.
The two freshmen provide excellent depth at the position for the 2026 season and promising talent for the future. Whether this duo sees the field as running backs, special team players, or redshirts this year, they both have a bright future as the rushing tandem of the future in South Bend.
Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism.
Follow The Irish Tribune on social media:
Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox.
Check out our Irish partners:
TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20"Â to get $20Â off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here!
