2017 Big Board: Running Back
Years of inconsistent recruiting at the running back position have finally been rectified at Notre Dame, at least for the time being.
Recruiting misses, transfers and position switches decimated the Notre Dame running back depth chart. So much so that when junior Tarean Folston was lost this past season after just three carries, Notre Dame had to rely on a converted wide receiver to carry the load.
It worked well for Notre Dame, with C.J. Prosise rushing for 1,032 yards and 11 scores. The emergence of talented freshman Josh Adams – who set a school freshman rushing record with 835 yards – also helped save the day.
Adams and fellow 2015 signee Dexter Williams have the future looking bright in South Bend. Adding underrated 2016 signee Tony Jones Jr. and Florida speedster Deon McIntosh has helped replenish the depth chart, which has allowed the staff to be a bit picky with the 2017 recruiting class.
Notre Dame is looking for impact runners, and prospects with versatility. With that in mind, here is a ranking of the Notre Dame running back board, followed by a player-by-player analysis:
RUNNING BACK RANKINGS (Height/Weight according to Rivals.com)
1. Najee Harris, 6-2, 222, Antioch (Calif.) Senior - Alabama Commit
2. Toneil Carter, 6-1, 200, Houston (Texas) LaGrange - Georgia Commit
3. J.K. Dobbins, 5-10, 195, LaGrange (Texas) High School - Ohio State Commit
4. Stephen Carr, 6-0, 180, Fontana (Calif.) Summit - USC Commit
5. C.J. Holmes, 6-0, 190, Hamden (Conn.) Cheshire Academy - Notre Dame Commit
6. Deon Jackson, 5-11, 182, Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy - Duke Commit
7. Salvon Ahmed, 5-11, 182, Kirkland (Wash.) Juanita - Washington Commit
8. Colin Wilson, 6-0, 205, Green Cove Springs (Fla.) Clay - Louisville Commit
9. Devan Barrett, 6-1, 195, Tampa (Fla.) Catholic - Auburn Commit
10. Robert Burns, 5-11, 214, Miami (Fla.) Gulliver Prep - Miami Commit
11. Ty Chandler, 5-11, 194, Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell - Tennessee Commit
RUNNING BACK BIOS
Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, California, Georgia, Kansas, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oregon State, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, USC, Utah, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State
BGI Grade: 4.5 Overall / 5.0 Upside
Analysis: After rushing for 2,744 yards and 36 touchdowns as a junior, Antioch (Calif.) High’s Najee Harris has cemented his status as one of the nation’s top players. The competition he faced was not great, but Harris absolutely dominated. He is a mix between LSU back Leonard Fournette and former Alabama back Derrick Henry. Harris is not as fast as Fournette or quite as big as Henry, but his game blends both players. He is a powerful runner that plays with surprisingly good pad level. Harris has exceptional feet, and when defenders draw near he picks up his knees and drives through contact.
Harris lacks Fournette’s home run speed, but like Henry he’s plenty fast enough to rip off long runs. He can quickly accelerate and get to full speed, which allows him to maximize the speed he does posses. Harris has outstanding balance, agility and suddenness for a big back, showing the ability to make sudden cuts. He plays with a good base, which is not easy for a long athlete. His balance allows him to bounce off tackles and get right back on track, as well as to quickly spin away from defenders. He is more than just a powerful athlete, possessing good vision and instincts.
Notre Dame Fit: Notre Dame wants to pound teams between the tackles with its inside zone and power game just as effectively as it beats teams on the perimeter. The Irish also like to use misdirection runs that set up the defense before gashing them vertically. These are all schemes that are perfectly suited for a player like Harris, who combines elite size with strong athleticism and anticipation. He has the vision and jump-cutting ability to thrive on the zones and power schemes, and enough speed to plant and explode vertically on the perimeter runs.
Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Boston College, California, Colorado, Georgia, Houston, Kansas, LSU, Maryland, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech
BGI Grade: 4.0 Overall / 5.0 Upside
Analysis: One of the best pure running backs in the country is Houston Langham Creek’s Toneil Carter, a north-south runner with a great frame and build. Carter runs with natural power and dismisses arm tackles with ease. Once his fills out his ability to play with power is going to be dynamic. Carter is an instinctive runner with tremendous anticipation. He sets up defenders and smoothly makes them miss at the line and on the second level. His ability to anticipate and read defenders can be overlooked because he is so good at it and makes it look so natural. Carter is also a fundamentally sound runner and does a great job protecting the ball, including keeping both hands on the ball when he works between the tackles.
Carter is a smooth athlete that has surprisingly good speed. If he gets a step on the second level he is going to run a long way. Carter has tremendous feet for a bigger back. He is a fluid runner, makes easy cuts and has tremendous balance with the ball in his hands. When he plants vertically he explodes through the hole. The effortless manner in which he plays overshadows just how hard he runs and how fast he is on the field. His balance allows him to easily bounce off arm tackles without slowing down. Combined with his size, this trait allows him to be highly effective at picking up yards after contact.
Notre Dame Fit: Carter is an every down back that can do everything a back must do in the Irish offense. He can slash between the tackles, he can do damage on the perimeter, he catches the ball well out of the backfield and he can hit the home run. He works downhill just as well as he works laterally, which is a great fit for Notre Dame’s run game, which likes to balance the inside zone with its outside zone and counter runs.
Offers: Notre Dame, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Colorado, Duke, Florida, Houston, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Penn State, SMU, Stanford, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Wisconsin
BGI Grade: 4.0 Overall / 5.0 Upside
Analysis: It does not take one long to see why LaGrange (Texas) High’s J.K. Dobbins is considered one of the nation’s top backs. Dobbins is a bit of a throwback runner who does his best work going north-south. Dobbins attacks the line of scrimmage with authority. He is built well, possessing a thick lower body and a low center of gravity that allows him to play bigger than his listed size. Dobbins runs with good power and a strong leg drive. His thick lower half combines with his strong running style to make him very hard to wrap up. Dobbins knows how to “dip and rip” with authority.
Dobbins has ideal instincts: he reads blocks well, shows good timing when attacking the line and has impressive second-level anticipation. His quickness and agility is one of his primary strengths, and his ability to make sudden moves gives defensive backs fits and allows him to pick up extra yards. Dobbins is a smooth runner with efficient footwork, making it hard for defenders to anticipate his moves. While he is not a true home run threat, he has enough speed to beat teams down the field. His big play is ability is aided by an explosive burst once he receives the ball.
Notre Dame Fit: Notre Dame could certainly use another between-the-tackles back with power, and Dobbins is one of the best in the country at that. He is a one-cut slasher that attacks the line with authority and can pound defenses. Dobbins can also make second level defenders miss, an essential trait to excelling in the zone schemes, which make up Notre Dame base run game. He would be an ideal fit in the Irish offense and possesses the talent to push the veterans on the roster wherever he lands.
Offers: Notre Dame, Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State
BGI Grade: 4.0 Overall / 4.5 Upside
Analysis: Fontana (Calif.) Summit back Stephen Carr is a unique player. He can run downhill like a bigger back, showing off a strong leg drive and a willingness to run through tackles. Carr can also slash opponents and make plays on the perimeter. Athletically, he has all the traits needed to be an impact runner. His agility and suddenness play well out of the backfield. Carr is a sudden runner with the ability to quickly plant and drive downhill. He changes direction with ease, which makes him difficult to bring down. Carr displays outstanding balance and vision, two vitally important traits for a back.
Making him even more effective is how efficient he is with his footwork, which helps him maximize the quickness and speed he possesses. He is not a burner, but Carr has enough speed to rip off big runs and the speed he does have should improve as he physically matures. Carr is a diverse athlete that catches the ball well out of the backfield and even splits out wide at times. His ball skills are such that teams can spread him out, isolate him against a linebacker or safety and allow him to run downfield routes. This makes him a dangerous player to defend and adds versatility to any offense.
Notre Dame Fit: Carr is a more explosive and physical version of former Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood and is a great fit in the Irish offense. His athleticism would allow him to be a big play threat and his ability to slash between the tackles combines with excellent vision to make him an every down player. Being able to catch the ball out of the backfield is icing on the cake. He would thrive in Notre Dame’s zone and misdirection schemes.
Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Boston College, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, Tennessee, UCLA
BGI Grade: 4.0 Overall / 4.5 Upside
Analysis: Hamden (Conn.) Cheshire Academy athlete C.J. Holmes has seen his recruitment blow up this summer, with programs like Notre Dame, Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee and UCLA making a push. It is easy to see why programs value Holmes, a do-it-all athlete that projects at several positions at the next level. Holmes is a smooth and fluid athlete with loose hips and excellent agility, traits that allow him to change direction with ease. His top end speed is good, but his initial burst and acceleration could stand to improve.
Holmes has the necessary running back traits to thrive at the position, and his body is perfect for the backfield. His frame is going to fill out, and he runs with good pad level, which will help him develop more power at the next level. Holmes makes good reads and anticipates relatively well, and with more experience at the position those traits will become even greater strengths. Holmes is an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield and can even line up out wide and provide the same type of matchup a receiver can have against linebackers and safeties.
Notre Dame Fit: It is eerie how much Holmes compares to former Notre Dame standout C.J. Prosise. They have similar body types, similar athletic skills and they even run the ball in very similar fashion. Holmes could play safety or slot receiver for Notre Dame, but his best spot might very well be running back. He is a zone runner who projects to become an even more dynamic athlete once he gets college strength training. His ability out of the backfield would add a unique dimension to the Irish offense.
Offers: Boston College, Louisville, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon State, Rutgers, West Virginia, Wisconsin
BGI Grade: 4.0 Overall / 4.5 Upside
Analysis: This is one of the most underrated backs in the country. It was not until the fifth game of the season that Deon Jackson became the lead ball carrier for Atlanta Pace Academy, but he shined once he took over, finishing with 1,138 yards (7.3 per carry) and 10 rushing touchdowns. Jackson also racked up 50 tackles and three interceptions while playing in the secondary. Jackson checked in at the Nike+ Football The Opening Regional in Atlanta at 6-0 and 203 pounds. One does not have to view his film for very long to see he knows how to use that size. Jackson runs with authority, showing a good leg drive and the necessary balance to pound teams between the tackles.
Jackson is not a burner, but he does have a second gear in space that helps him rip off big runs. Jackson is not a sudden runner, showing more of a one-cut type of slashing style where he looks to get north-south. Jackson stays light on his feet for a bigger back, displaying a weaving running style that allows him to get through tight holes as he grinds out extra yards. His vision and instincts are solid, but could and should improve as he gains more experience. Jackson also catches the ball well out of the backfield and shows natural downfield ball skills.
Notre Dame Fit: In many ways Jackson is similar to 2016 running back signee Tony Jones Jr. He is not going to blow you away with great speed or elite suddenness, but he will pound you, he will make quick vertical cuts, he will catch the ball out of the backfield and if a defense gives him a crease he has enough speed to make them pay. Jackson's all-around skill allows him to do everything Notre Dame asks its backs to do. His body type and frame should allow him to make big strides in regards to quickness and speed. Jackson is more elusive than Jones, and his ball skills makes him an even better prospect. Jackson is also a versatile player that could also play defense, but running back is without question his best position.
Offers: Notre Dame, Arizona, Arizona State, California, Mississippi State, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, USC, Utah, Utah State, Washington, Washington State
BGI Grade: 4.0 Overall / 4.0 Upside
Analysis: Although he is being recruited as an athlete, Kirkland (Wash.) Juanita standout Salvon Ahmed is clearly better suited for running back, at least at this point in his development. Ahmed is a natural running back with a short, squatty build and a naturally forward running style. His thick lower body and good pad level make him very difficult to bring down in space. Ahmed is a slashing runner that won’t blow you away with suddenness, but he knows how to set up defenders to open up enough space to make a sharp cut. His vision and instincts as a runner are top notch, and he does not waste movement when he runs.
Ahmed’s most impressive physical trait might be his balance, which is exceptional. He can bounce off tacklers without losing his balance, allowing him to quickly redirect and continue driving forward for extra yards. Ahmed is a patience runner, one that understands how to set up blocks. Once he anticipates the defender he is reading, Ahmed is able to plant his foot and explode vertically. His top end playing speed is slightly above-average, but his initial burst and acceleration allow him to maximize his speed.
Notre Dame Fit: Ahmed could play cornerback for Notre Dame, but his best position is without question running back. He checked in this summer at 185 pounds, and his frame has plenty of room to fill out. He is a slashing runner that is in the mold of current Notre Dame senior Tarean Folston. Ahmed has the quickness and vision to excel in the zone runs, and the vision and patience to thrive on the outside runs as well. All he really lacks is true breakaway speed and ideal size of a power back.
Offers: Notre Dame, Auburn, Cincinnati, Clemson, Florida, Georgia Tech, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Stanford, Temple, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin
BGI Grade: 3.5 Overall / 4.0 Upside
Analysis: Wilson has had an up-and-down couple of seasons at Green Cove Springs (Fla.) Clay. He racked up an impressive 1,555 yards (7.1 per carry) and 27 touchdowns, helping lead Clay to a 10-2 record. A knee injury suffered in the season finale slowed him down as a sophomore, rushing for just 490 yards as the number two back behind then senior Bilal Ally. Wilson is healthy and ready to emerge as the lead man for the Blue Devils. He is a physically imposing runner that has the game to match his body. He gets downhill with authority and shows a strong leg drive. Opponents have a hard time wrapping him up thanks to his thick build and power. Wilson is tight through the hips and must improve his pad level, but if he can make the necessary adjustments he will be even more effective between the tackles.
Wilson is not an overly elusive back and lacks top-end speed. It takes him a few steps to get to full speed, but even when he is late to the hole he is able to use his power to pound forward for positive yards. For a big back, he does show nimble feet, which allows him to make quick cuts behind the line. He changes directions relatively well in space thanks to his light feet and good second level vision. His anticipation skills behind the line help him make quick and effective reads. It will be interesting to see how he develops as a senior, now that he's the lead back for Clay. Hopefully, he can eliminate the forward lean he has prior to the snap, which will get called more in college than it does in high school.
Notre Dame Fit: Notre Dame could always use another power back, and that is what Wilson is at this point. His vision and power is where his big gains will come from, but there is some speed potential in his frame that could develop in college. At worse, he can serve a role in short-yardage and goal line situations. Notre Dame could certainly use an upgrade in those areas. At best, his athleticism ticks up a notch and he becomes a bell cow for the Irish offense.
Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State, Oregon State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Tennessee, USC, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin
BGI Grade: 4.0 Overall / 4.5 Upside
Analysis: Tampa Catholic standout Devan Barrett rushed for 1,891 yards (10.1 per rush) and 21 touchdowns as a junior. Barrett has a running style that blends shiftiness and downhill running. He is an extremely elusive runner with sudden agility and impressive balance, which allows him to make consecutive moves and then quickly accelerate. Barrett is a nightmare in space, but also flashes the necessary north-south style needed in an every down back. He is a bit on the thin side at this point, but his frame is good and he should fill out nicely once he gets to college.
Barrett is a quality athlete whose running style perfectly suits his game. His speed and ability to quickly accelerate makes him a home run threat, but Barrett is a short strider that keeps his feet low to the ground when he runs, which means he is always in position to immediately make a sharp cut without having to break down. Barrett possesses top-level vision, instincts and anticipation skills. He is patient letting blocks set up, but once he makes his read he is decisive and bursts vertically. His college coach will want to shore up his technique a bit, but overall he is a sound football player.
Notre Dame Fit: Barrett's game is a combination of senior running back Tarean Folston and former Irish running back C.J. Prosise. Barrett is sudden, elusive and has very good vision, which is where his game comps well with Folston. His body type, perimeter speed and big play ability (at the prep level) is similar to Prosise, but Barrett is a more natural running back. Barrett is a natural for Notre Dame's zone schemes and read schemes. He catches the ball well out of the backfield.
Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
BGI Grade: 3.5 Overall / 4.5 Upside
Analysis: Burns has never been a feature back at Miami Gulliver Prep, due in part to playing in a talented backfield, but also due to the fact he has never been able to stay healthy. His lack of production and injury history significantly lowers his grade, and takes away from the pure running skills that jump off the screen. Burns has an extremely thick lower body and is built low to the ground. He runs with good pad level, shows outstanding power and his leg drive is impressive. Opponents have a hard time bringing him down, making him a potentially dominant between-the-tackles runner.
The Gulliver Prep runner is a quality athlete that shows good quickness and agility. He tests well from a speed standpoint but it does not always show on the field. If he can show a more consistent burst his grade will bump up even more. His vision is impressive and his anticipation is borderline elite. Burns sees openings that most backs simply do not see in time. Despite his powerful running style, Burns is more than willing to make defenders miss on the second level, and he has the quick cut elusiveness to make it happen at times.
Notre Dame Fit: Burns is a similar player to incoming freshman Tony Jones Jr. He’s more of a one-cut slasher that uses his power to beat teams into submission, but he also shows the elusiveness to make plays in space. Burns brings power the Irish backfield could use, but he must prove he can stay healthy as a senior. If he can play a full senior season, his ranking could skyrocket.
Offers: Notre Dame, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
BGI Grade: 3.5 Overall / 4.0 Upside
Analysis: Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell back Ty Chandler is an interesting runner. At 5-11 and 175 pounds, he is built like a scat back, but his game does not really match his body. Chandler plays mostly from the I formation and is an aggressive downhill runner at the prep level. He runs with good pad level and surprising authority for a back his size. Chandler shows good vision and makes strong reads against second level defenders. He will attack downhill, but does so with good footwork and patience, allowing blocks to develop.
Chandler is a quality athlete that lacks any elite skills but also does not have any significant weaknesses. The Montgomery Bell runner has slightly above-average speed, but does possess a nice extra gear on the second level that helps maximize his north-south game. Chandler has to work on his balance, which results in him getting knocked off track a bit. At times it takes him a couple extra steps to regain his balance after being hit, which hinders his ability to churn out extra yards after contact. Chandler does catch the ball extremely well out of the backfield, which adds to his versatility.
Notre Dame Fit: Chandler has strong agility and makes sudden cuts, which fits Notre Dame’s zone schemes. He will patiently allow blocks to set up and then attack the hole. He would have to adjust a bit to a shotgun-based offense, but he’s fundamentally sound and would be able to adapt quickly. The I formation offense he comes from would allow him to quickly thrive in the power and counter schemes.
OVERALL/UPSIDE GRADE KEY
5.0 – Elite (Top 25 Caliber Player)
4.5 – Outstanding (Top 50 Caliber Player)
4.0 – Very Good (Top 200 Caliber Player)
3.5 – Above Average (Top 350 Caliber Player)
3.0 – Solid (Top 500 Caliber Player or Lower)
2.5 – Below Average (Backup Caliber Player)