Everyone loves a good quarterback competition and I am sure
that the Irish Fans will have one that they can banter about all fall. However there is going to be some solid
competition for touches at the running back position again this fall. Rotating players at any position can be a
blessing or a curse. The ability to rest
between plays and put in personal that may be better suited depending on the
play call. Brian Kelly and Mike Denbrock
have a potential three headed monster in their backfield that if played right
could make the Irish faithful very happy.
Most consider Tarean
Folston to be the number one back heading into the fall and with good
reason. As a freshman Folston showed
that he has the potential to be a number one back at the college level rushing
for 5.3 yards per carry highlighted by a 140 yard performance against
Navy. Folston is an all around talent
with speed, power and pass catching ability (5 receptions for 35 yards). I would not say he is overly great at one
specific are but very good at all of them. Folston would be the logical choice to be the
starting running back on August 31 but he won't be the only one getting
meaningful carries.
Cam
McDaniel is the elder statesman of the group entering his senior
season. Next to Cam's name for position
he should be listed as football player. During
his three seasons in South Bend McDaniel has played both running back and
cornerback. Brian Kelly should have
red-shirted him to start his career especially with the stable of talent Kelly
had in 2011. Cam burned a year of
eligibility playing on special teams and rushing three times for a total of
nine yards. With McDaniel running backs
coach Tony Alford knows what he is getting; a tough running back who has
deceptive speed. He is no burner but he
moves fast enough when he needs to. Cam
is also counted on when short yards are needed.
Finally as much as we know what we are getting with Camp
McDaniel the same can be true about what the potential is with Greg
Bryant. He is the wild card of the
group. It terms of athleticism, his high
school resume, potential and being as cut as anyone one the team Greg could be
good, real good. We have seen glimpses
of greatness last season in very limited exposure and some solid runs this
spring. We have also seen signs he could
be good at best.
Overall Irish fans should be excited about the running game
this season. The potential is there for
something special. Even though Kelly had
more options for talent in his stable of running backs (George Atkinson has
moved on to try his hand at the NFL and Amir Carlisle has moved out to the
Slot) I think the Notre Dame Offense has moved up at the position. I think Kelly had too many options and none
of them were able to get traction (no pun intended) until later in the season.
Expect Folston and McDaniel to start the season with the
majority of the carries and Bryant worked in.
Bryant's season will depend on how well Folston and McDaniel do as well
has how great he is when he gets his touches.
I expect both Folston and McDaniel to perform well meaning Bryant will
really have to impress when he gets his opportunities. If Bryant does not excel at a very high level
his time will be limited. Greg needs to
take carries away from the incumbents, he cannot sit around and wait for them
to give him a chance or he will be waiting until 2015 to show us what he can
do.
