Blue and Gold Illustrated

June-July 2014

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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bring in and have recall for it when you need it," Alford said. "That's been pretty good. We've just got to continue to push fast and just fine-tune the details." If 2014 follows the 2013 blueprint, the starter distinction won't amount to much practical value. The coaching staff has indicated its desire to play all three running backs and, with the talent of Folston, McDaniel and Bryant, it seems unlikely one falls out of the rotation. "I don't think there are negatives to [having three running backs contrib- ute] in any way, shape or form," Alford said. "You want guys that are confi- dent and feel like they're the guy and want to be the guy. If they don't, we've recruited the wrong guy. They all have a very high competi- tive nature about them and a com- petitive level about t h e m , a n d t h e y show that every day when they come to practice." Folston is grateful to have 88 career carries to his name to help his chances. "[Last year] helped me a lot," said Folston, whose 140 yards against Navy were the most by a Notre Dame fresh- man in 14 years. "Going in practice with your teammates, I wouldn't say it's to- tally different [from game action], but it's different from team to team. Being able to get reps against top opponents really helped me a lot coming from high school to college. The speed of the game, the way you study film, stuff like that, it really helped a lot." Now that the year of adjustment and assimilation is finished and South Bend's cruelest winter in many years is in the rear view mirror, too, Folston has reached a comfort zone within the pro- gram. Much of that is due to his friend- ship with Bryant, a fellow Sunshine State native. "It's a big help," Folston said. "Both coming from Florida and we both had to adapt to this weather. We talk ev- ery day. We live in the same dorm. We talk about everything we do all day and hang out all the time, go over plays to- gether, and if there's something I don't know that he does, we talk about it. It's like a brother relationship." With a dual-threat quarterback — ei- ther senior Everett Golson or sopho- more Malik Zaire — likely to invigo- rate the Irish offense this fall, Folston sees it as an added component that can enhance a unit with plenty of talent at the skill positions. "It hasn't really changed anything, it kind of added," he said. "Adding a dual-threat quarterback takes the de- fense's pinpoints off certain people. They have to worry about the quarter- back scrambling and such." Now that Folston has established himself, the amount he worries about lessens each day. "Every day we all give it our all," he said. "I don't think there's one day where a running back hasn't given 100 percent. … I feel like this offense is so dynamic and we all have different roles, but at the same time the same roles. I just want to go out there and work hard." ✦ "I'VE ASKED HIM TO REALLY BE THAT GUY WHO WE DON'T HAVE TO GO OVER IT WITH AGAIN AND AGAIN. I THINK HE'S DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB." HEAD COACH BRIAN KELLY ON FOLSTON

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