What Does the Best Running Back Room in the Country Look Like?

Noah Wehby
6 days ago
4 min read

There is little doubt that Notre Dame's running back room is stacked this season. Jeremiyah Love headlines this room as one of the best players in the country, but this room also boasts impressive depth.

Photo by The Irish Tribune

Last season, it was the Notre Dame running game that carried the offense throughout the season. Looking back, the most iconic and memorable moments of the 2024 season were running plays. Whether it was Jadarian Price's and Love's runs against Texas A&M, Love's hurdles against Army and USC, Love's 98-yard run against Indiana, or Love's heroic run against Penn State. There are plenty of others, but the Irish run game was not only productive, it was emphatic. This was mostly due to Love's breakout season. Although many Notre Dame fans had high hopes for Love, the success they saw in 2024 was still a surprise. Love made it clear, out of the gates, that he was going to be one of the most talented and entertaining players to watch. He broke the Notre Dame record for touchdowns in consecutive games, he ran for well over 1,000 yards, and was responsible for most of Notre Dame's big plays. The success of the running game is not only due to Love, however. Price was also a key piece to the run game. Price was about as good a backup as a team could ask for. With a bigger frame, Price was the sort of thunder to Love's lightning. With that being said, Price was still very capable of breaking one loose on any given play. Lastly, Aneyas Williams was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season. With limited snaps, Williams was huge on third downs, working as an excellent pass blocker and receiving back. He constantly made key blocks and third-down conversions throughout the second half of the season.

Looking into 2025, the dynamics that drove one of the best running games in the country will likely be the same this upcoming season. All things will start with Love. He has been deemed the best running back in the country by most of the country's football pundits and even a top-10 draft pick. Love does have some Heisman hype coming into this season, but with all of that hype comes attention and expectations. Opposing defenses will be geared up to slow him down, making it difficult to have the type of year he had last year. The attention he does garner, however, will make it easier for Notre Dame's young quarterback to find open wide receivers.

Much like last year, Price will be serving as the backup to Love, but in Notre Dame's offense, it is not much of a backup role. Notre Dame's offense is focused on the run, meaning that there are a lot of carries to go around. Although second string, Price will get more than enough carries to impact the game as a great downhill runner while also giving Love the rest he needs to stay fresh throughout games and the season.

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Williams will also most likely be performing a similar role to last year. Now, a year older, Williams may see even more responsibility than he did last year. Williams is maybe Notre Dame's best third-down back, and that was as a freshman. He showed he is more than willing to throw himself into blocks in passing plays, while possessing reliable hands out of the backfield. While Love and Price are solid blockers, having a player like Williams that willing to block not only helps the passing game, but it also keeps Love from taking unnecessary hits. Williams is still seen as a depth piece, but his future with the Irish looks bright for years to come.

Speaking of depth and bright futures, Notre Dame's running back room has multiple talented options waiting for their time to make an impact on the field. To start with, the oldest, Gi'Bran Payne, is back this year after suffering a season-ending knee injury before the 2024 season. While Payne may get touches at running back if there are injuries or a blowout, his biggest impact may be in special teams. Kedren Young is an upcoming player for the Irish who showed a lot of potential in the spring game. Young is the biggest back in the room, weighing in at 242 lbs. That frame gives him impressive power to break tackles to gain extra yards. With that power, Young also displayed his good footwork for someone of his size. He is someone to look out for in the upcoming years. Freshman Nolan James Jr. also showed out in the spring game. Opposite to Young, James is a fast and elusive runner who showed a real knack in the passing game.

The running back position is possibly the most important position to have depth in. The grueling nature of the position lends itself to more injuries and a need for rest. Love is an awesome player, but for him to be at his best, he needs solid backs behind him to lighten the load. If injuries occur, Notre Dame does have the luxury of other talented options to step in. To add to this, this talented and deep group is also being coached by one of the best running back coaches in the country, Ja'Juan Seider. Former coach Deland McCullough did a great job developing these players into what they are, and now, Seider will try to take them to the next level.