UPON FURTHER REVIEW TODD D. BURLAGE
T
he reminders are everywhere in-
side the Notre Dame Guglielmino
football complex of the exclusive
company C.J. Prosise finds himself
unexpectedly standing next to early
through this 2015 season.
To the immediate left once inside this
majestic building, seven bronze-colored
replicas of the Irish Heisman Trophy
winners are lined neatly against the
north wall. And upstairs in the running
backs meeting room, pictures hang of
the greatest tailbacks ever to play at
Notre Dame, including a prominent
one of Notre Dame legend Autry Den-
son, the Irish running backs coach and
architect to Prosise's quick rise.
Under Denson's care, Prosise has
evolved from a wide receiver who had
10 carries last year — all from his slot
position— to a workhorse back who
was situated in the top 10 nationally en-
tering the Clemson game in both yards
per game (fifth at 150.0) and yards per
carry (seventh at 8.11).
After hitting Massachusetts with 149
rushing yards Sept. 26, Prosise had al-
ready reached 600 total rushing yards
in 2015, the most ever for an Irish tail-
back through the first four games of a
season — easily surpassing the previ-
ous mark of 543 set by Vagas Ferguson
in 1979.
And while freakish athleticism and
quick adaptability have carried Prosise
to his early success on game days, the
Irish senior is quick to recognize and
appreciate Denson's coaching contri-
butions the other six days of the week.
"Who else would I want coaching me
other than the best running back to ever
play here?" Prosise said when asked
Learning From The Best
Running backs coach Autry Denson has helped senior C.J. Prosise make a seamless transition from slot
receiver to the backfield, where he amassed 600 rushing yards in Notre Dame's first four contests this
season.
PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND
