Notre Dame Running Backs Ranked As The No. 2 RB Group In College Football

Notre Dame went into the 2024 season with one of its biggest question being would the offense be able to replace big time running back Audric Estime. The story is quite different heading into the 2025 season is quite different, and now the question is does Notre Dame have the best running back room in all of college football.

Athlon Sports thinks the Irish are certainly close, with the Notre Dame running backs ranking second in all of college football. In its 2025 College Football Preview magazine the Irish were ranked behind only Penn State among running back groups.

Junior running back Jeremiyah Love is a first team preseason All-American in the Athlon Sports preview. The St. Louis native rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns a season ago while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. His 17 rushing touchdowns was the second best single season mark in Notre Dame history, behind only Estime's 18 touchdowns from 2023. Estime did that on 210 carries while Love achieved his mark on only 163 carries.

Being loaded at running back is more than just Love, as the Irish have arguably the best one-two punch in all of college football. Jadarian Price had a breakout of his own last season, rushing for 746 yards and seven touchdowns. Love and Price combined for 1,871 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per carry.

Freshman Aneyas Williams earned the third-down back role last season, and he adds to the impressive depth at the position. Williams rushed for 219 yards and caught 18 passes for 172 yards last season. He was an impact player for the Irish in its 27-24 semifinal victory over Penn State.

Redshirt freshman Kedren Young adds impressive depth at running back. In just four games last season, Young rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, and he was a standout for the Irish in the Blue-Gold Game. Notre Dame also landed talented running back Nolan James Jr. out of New Jersey, who adds another impact weapon in the run game and pass game to the backfield. Young and James will both battle for key roles over the next two seasons.