(The first of a multi-part series looking at the positional depth chart coming out of spring practice.)
Entering spring practice, the running back position held a unique spot on Notre Dame’s roster. No spot was thinner—with just juniors Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant scholarship players. Yet the duo was also a somewhat proven commodity, a rarity on a roster that relied on a plethora of first-year contributors in 2014.
When Brian Kelly announced C.J. Prosise was cross-training with the running backs, many assumed it was a contingency plan, or at the very least a bridge to the summer when Josh Adams and Dexter Williams hit campus. But with new running backs coach Autry Denson working with the trio, the Irish’s most explosive slot receiver infused that speed into the backfield, turning into a potential game-breaker at a position many felt was already strong.
Let’s look at the post-spring depth chart and check the trends from this spring.
POST-SPRING DEPTH CHART
1. Tarean Folston, Jr. (5-9.5/214)
2. Greg Bryant, Jr.* (5-10/205)
or C.J. Prosise, Sr.* (6-.5/220)
*Denotes fifth-year of eligibility
STOCK UP
C.J. Prosise: Prosise was the talk of the offense, impressing Brian Kelly with his speed and natural running back instincts. Whether it was a 70-yard touchdown run in the team’s biggest scrimmage or leading the Irish in rushing during the Blue-Gold game, Prosise’s emergence has given Notre Dame another offensive weapon and perhaps its most versatile.
What that means come next fall remains to be seen. Kelly talked about Prosise putting up a legitimate battle for the starting job, while also saying he thought he could carve out 10 carries a game for him. Mike Denbrock called him one of the team’s best players.
But Prosise also has a key role as a slot receiver, a position where he led the Irish in yards per catch last year. So a standout spring might not translate to a fall emergence at running back. But wherever he plays, it’s likely going to be a big 2015 for Prosise.
STOCK DOWN
Greg Bryant: It’s hard to call this a bad spring by Bryant, but it’s fair to say that this downgrade is the result of missing on his earnings potential. Put simply, all the talk about Prosise overshadowed anything Bryant did—and I’m including an impressive performance in the Blue-Gold game.
But maybe that’s a good thing. After entering as a freshman will ridiculous expectations, Bryant had a huge spring game last year and once again looked poised to erupt as a redshirt freshman. While he led Irish running backs with a 5.4 yards per carry average, he suffered through a midseason slump before rebounding in garbage time against USC and with a big punt return against Louisville.
Bryant has plenty of talent. He’s learning to play within the confines of the system as well. With great hands, special teams ability and a strong offensive line, there’s no reason to think a big season can’t be just around the corner.
STOCK NEUTRAL
Tarean Folston: Brian Kelly knows what he has in Tarean Folston. And that’s a running back who should be poised for a monster season in 2015. While he might not be the fastest or the flashiest, Folston is certainly the smoothest and most natural runner we’ve seen in the Irish backfield for quite some time.
Bulking up to 214 pounds this spring, Folston should be able to move the pile between the tackles, serving as a short-yardage runner when Cam McDaniel inexplicably took those carries last season. It should also make it easier for the Irish to ride Folston as a running option, a spot where he’s thrived when he’s been given enough opportunities.
Folston’s 2014 season saw him average more than five yards a carry for the second season in a row (he also averaged over 10 yards a catch). After averaging less than 10 carries a game through the first five weeks of the season, Folston took over as the team’s primary back and watched his productivity explode.
There’s no reason to wait in 2015. While Prosise and Bryant certainly deserve a significant role in the rotation, Folston is the Irish’s leading man at running back.
OVERALL TREND
Buy. It’s hard to look at this position—especially with the addition of Williams and Adams this summer—as anything but really talented. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to the production of guys like Bryant and Prosise to make this group excel. But that’s frankly expected, especially with the perceived commitment to running the football behind a very good offensive line.
While the guy we heard the most about was a receiver just a few months ago, he solidified a group that should do big things next season.