Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2019 Notre Dame Football Preview
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1133608
RUNNING BACKS Sophomore Jahmir Smith bounced back from a hamstring injury to finish with a strong performance (93 total yards and two scores) in the Blue-Gold Game. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA QUOTABLE: HEAD COACH BRIAN KELLY ON SOPHOMORE JAHMIR SMITH OVERCOMING A HAMSTRING INJURY TO CLOSE THE SPRING WITH EIGHT CARRIES FOR 56 YARDS AND TWO TOUCHDOWNS PLUS THREE CATCHES FOR 37 YARDS IN THE SPRING GAME: "Jahmir is a truck. He would just as soon run over you than miss you, which is fine. We know what his style is. He'll also trip over lines when you swing him out of the backfield, so we've got to clean that end up. But he's a physical kid." PRESEASON ANALYSIS ★★★★★ National Title; ★★★★ Top 10; ★★★ Top 25; ★★ Too Unproven; ★ Major Concern Starter ★★★ Armstrong started the first two games last season, and he'll likely be the first back out in 2019, but he and Jones will be more co-starters than starter/ backup. A converted receiver, Armstrong brings vertical speed and legit route running/pass catching skills out of the backfield. When he lines up in the slot he must be treated like a wide receiver. Armstrong showed improved pad level and decision making as the 2018 season progressed. Jones was instrumental in Notre Dame's victory over Vanderbilt, and he was a vital third-down player last fall, but now he must become a more efficient and consistent running threat. Experience ★★★ Notre Dame has more experience than it did a year ago. The Irish entered the 2018 season with 914 ca- reer total yards and one start at running back. When the 2019 season kicks off, the unit will have 1,377 total yards and six starts returning. With Williams out the first four games, the Irish were forced to rely on Armstrong and Jones. Arm- strong entered the season with zero career snaps, but he scored two touchdowns in the 24-17 win over Michigan, and Jones' 174 total yards were essential to Notre Dame's 22-17 victory over Vanderbilt. This duo knows what it means to be counted on to win football games. Depth ★★★ Armstrong and Jones were rotation regulars in 2018, and their all-around skills give them a chance to be an impactful one-two punch in 2019. Both have a lot to prove, but the pair flashed their potential during the first half of last season. The unseasoned trio of sophomores Jahmir Smith and C'Bo Flemister, plus freshman Kyren Williams, needs to be relied upon to step in when needed the way Jones and Armstrong did last season. If they can do that, the backfield corps should be fine. Overall Grade ★★★ There likely isn't a future first-round pick at run- ning back, there probably isn't a future All-American on the depth chart, and there might not even be one player who is set to become a feature back and primed to handle 20-plus carries per game. What the group does possess is decent depth, a unique blend of skills and the top-to-bottom talent and experience to thrive behind what should be a strong offensive line. Staying healthy is an element no one at the posi - tion has demonstrated he can do, and that is the primary concern heading into the fall. The veterans must demonstrate they can play productive football for an entire season. BY THE NUMBERS 1 Career game among 2019 Fighting Irish running backs in which someone rushed for at least 100 yards — Tony Jones Jr. totaling 118 on 17 carries last year versus Vanderbilt. Dexter Williams had four in the nine games he played last season (one with more than 200) and Josh Adams seven in 2017 (two with more than 200). 316 Receiving yards totaled last year by Jafar Armstrong (14 catches for 159 yards) and Jones Jr. (six catches for 157 yards) while averaging 15.3 yards per reception. A year earlier the entire backfield managed only 134 yards and 5.6 yards per grab. Under new Notre Dame run- ning backs coach Lance Taylor, Stanford running backs in 2014-16 averaged 52 catches for 600 yards and five touchdowns. 1,091 Total yards (775 rushing and 316 receiving) between Jones and Armstrong in 2018. A year earlier, they had only 260, all by Jones. Their combined total more than quadrupled last season, and that experience could upgrade their production again. 56 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW