SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Barring an unexpected setback, Notre Dame will get 1,000-yard rusher C.J. Prosise back for the Fiesta Bowl Friday against Ohio State.
Prosise, who suffered a high ankle sprain Nov. 21 against Boston College, said he had his best day of practice on Tuesday. The redshirt junior was in full pads and ran with the first-team offense during the brief portion of practice open to the media.
“There were definitely some cuts yesterday that I made that I felt more like myself and the ankle is back to where I want it to be,” Prosise said. “I was able to get in the open field and make big plays.”
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Coach Brian Kelly agreed.
“That looked like C.J.,” Kelly said. “That was the first time yesterday when we saw him cut and look explosive.”
Prosise exploded for 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns during his first season as a running back this fall, helping power Notre Dame’s offense to a 10-2 record. He became the first 1,000-yard Notre Dame rusher since Cierre Wood in 2011 despite missing what amounted to about three games — half the Pitt game, the whole Wake Forest game, half the Boston College game and the whole Stanford game — due to his sprained ankle and a concussion.
Prosise said the toughest part of his recovery was learning to trust his ankle again.
“I definitely think it’s the mental part,” Prosise said. “Physically, my ankle is ready to go, but I think it’s my confidence going out there and being able to know I can be able to play at the best of my ability.”
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Prosise was one of five Notre Dame players to submit a request to the NFL Draft Advisory Board, and said Wednesday he received his evaluation and that it was what he expected (which would either be a first round grade, a second round grade or a suggestion to stay in school). But he said his main focus is on the Fiesta Bowl, after which he’ll consider whether or not he’ll turn pro.
“I know I got a couple weeks to decide,” Prosise said. “Right after the game I’ll start talking to my family and decide when the time’s right.”