Notre Dame Backfield Ranked As College Football's Fifth Best For 2023

Notre Dame is expected to make a big jump on offense this season, and a much-improved backfield is a driving force behind those expectations. Lindy's Sports ranked the Irish backfield as the fifth best in college football for the 2023 season. The backfield, of course, includes the quarterbacks and the running backs.

"Sam Hartman's arrival from Wake Forest means that opponents won't be able to let safeties creep up anymore. And that's a big deal with guys like Audric Estime and Logan Diggs (combined 1,741 yards, 15 TDs last year). The only problem appears to be depth after all the other QBs bailed." - Lindy's Sports

Diggs, of course, has since left Notre Dame, but Lindy's went to print before that decision was made. Notre Dame still has a Top 5 caliber backfield even without Diggs, although the depth behind Estime is inexperience. There's a lot of talent, but it's unproven talent.

The key to Notre Dame maintaining this status as a top five backfield is young backs like Jadarian Price and Gi'Bran Payne getting and staying healthy. Price getting healthy and back to full speed could be one of the keys to Notre Dame being able to thrive on the ground in the final month of the season. Notre Dame also welcomes big time freshman Jeremiyah Love this summer, and the addition of Penn State transfer Devyn Ford helps solidify the depth chart.

Three Notre Dame opponents also ranked with Top 10 backfields, including USC taking the No. 1 spot. Clemson ranked No. 9 and Ohio State ranked No. 10 in the top backfield list.

Lindy's Top 10 Backfields

1. USC Trojans
2. Michigan Wolverines
3. Florida State Seminoles
4. Arkansas Razorbacks
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
6. Washington Huskies
7. Penn State Nittany Lions
8. Oregon Ducks
9. Clemson Tigers
10. Ohio Sate Buckeyes