With both Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price declaring for the NFL Draft, Notre Dame’s backfield is officially entering a new era-and it’s going to look a whole lot different in 2026. Love was a legitimate star, arguably the best running back in the country this past season, and Price brought a dynamic, do-it-all presence that made the Irish rushing attack one of the most balanced in the nation.
Losing both guys in one offseason? That’s a serious hit.
Enter Aneyas Williams, the highly touted freshman who’s been waiting in the wings. Irish fans are understandably excited about what’s coming next with him.
He didn’t get a ton of touches this past season-just 24 carries-but he made every one of them count, racking up 224 yards and five touchdowns. That’s over nine yards per carry.
The kid has burst, vision, and a knack for finding the end zone. But even the most electric young back needs some help, especially in a backfield that just lost two NFL-caliber talents.
That’s where the transfer portal could come into play-and there’s already a name out there that should have Notre Dame’s full attention: NC State’s Hollywood Smothers.
Smothers announced Thursday that he plans to enter the transfer portal once it officially opens. And based on the season he just had, he won’t be short on offers.
The former 2023 signee totaled 1,128 yards and seven touchdowns this year, including 939 yards and six scores on the ground. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry and proved he can be a lead back at the Power Five level.
Smothers also hasn’t ruled out the NFL Draft, but if he does opt to stay in college, he’ll be one of the most sought-after backs in the portal. And for good reason-he’s got elite speed, natural balance through contact, and the kind of one-cut explosiveness that can flip field position in a heartbeat.
Now picture this: Smothers and Williams sharing the backfield, with CJ Carr at quarterback. That’s a young, dangerous trio that could give Marcus Freeman and the Irish a dynamic, multi-dimensional offense in 2026.
Williams brings the power-speed combo, Smothers adds the home-run threat, and Carr can spread the ball around with his arm. That’s a group that could keep defensive coordinators up at night.
Of course, competition for Smothers is going to be fierce. He’s the type of player who can transform an offense overnight.
But if Notre Dame is serious about reloading-not rebuilding-the backfield, this is the kind of move that makes sense. With Freeman at the helm and the Irish still pushing for national relevance, adding a proven playmaker like Smothers could be the spark this new-look offense needs.
Bottom line: Notre Dame’s running back room is in transition, but it doesn’t have to be a step back. If Freeman can land a talent like Smothers to pair with Williams, the Irish ground game might not just survive the departures of Love and Price-it might thrive.