Notre Dame’s Running Back Room Enters New Era in 2026, But Talent Still Runs Deep
The 2025 season gave Notre Dame fans a backfield to remember. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price didn’t just carry the load-they powered the Irish offense with a blend of explosiveness, vision, and consistency that made them one of the most dynamic duos in college football.
But with both now off to chase NFL dreams, the Irish are turning the page. And while the names may be different, the expectations haven’t changed.
Notre Dame isn’t short on talent in the running back room. There’s no clear-cut star-at least not yet-but there’s a deep pool of players ready to compete, develop, and potentially emerge as the next great Irish back. Let’s take a closer look at the projected depth chart heading into the 2026 season, and what each player brings to the table.
Projected RB Depth Chart
- Aneyas Williams - 58 carries, 443 yards (7.6 YPC), 7 TDs | 20 catches, 212 yards
- Kedren Young - 21 carries, 116 yards (5.5 YPC), 1 TD
- Nolan James Jr. - 14 carries, 37 yards (2.6 YPC)
What Notre Dame Lost
Let’s be clear: no team in the country lost more production at running back than Notre Dame. Jeremiyah Love capped off his final season by becoming the first Doak Walker Award winner in school history, racking up 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging nearly seven yards per carry. Right behind him, Jadarian Price added 674 yards and 11 touchdowns of his own, forming a one-two punch that kept defenses on their heels all year long.
Together, they combined for over 2,000 total yards and 29 touchdowns from scrimmage. That’s not just production-that’s the heartbeat of an offense. Replacing that kind of output won’t be easy, but Notre Dame believes it has the horses to keep the ground game rolling.
Aneyas Williams: Time to Lead
Aneyas Williams has been waiting for this moment. For the past two seasons, he’s been a versatile weapon-reliable in pass protection, dangerous as a receiver, and efficient when given carries. But now, with Love and Price gone, the junior steps into the spotlight as the likely lead back.
And there’s plenty of reason to believe he’s ready.
Williams averaged a staggering 9.3 yards per carry last season in limited action, showing the kind of burst and vision that can turn a routine handoff into a game-breaking play. He’s not just a finesse guy either-he runs downhill with purpose, can make defenders miss in space, and has shown he can finish runs with power. His 15-yard run in the Orange Bowl against Penn State set up a crucial touchdown, and he added five catches for 66 yards in that game alone-proof of his value in high-leverage moments.
He also found the end zone from 50+ yards twice last year, added a 30-yard TD against Syracuse, and hauled in a 25-yard reception against Stanford. That’s big-play ability in a small sample size.
Now, the question is whether he can carry that over into a full workload. If he can, Notre Dame might have its next star.
Kedren Young: The Wild Card
Kedren Young was poised to have a breakout sophomore season before an ACL injury in the preseason sidelined him for the year. Now, the big-bodied back from Texas is working his way back-and if he returns to form, he could be a major asset.
At 240 pounds, Young brings a different flavor to the Irish backfield. He’s a physical runner who doesn’t shy away from contact, but he’s also surprisingly nimble for his size.
As a freshman, he put up 116 yards on just 21 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per touch. That’s solid production in limited reps, and coaches were excited about his development as a pass catcher before the injury.
The key now is health. Recovering from an ACL tear is never easy, and for a runner who relies on power and lower-body explosiveness, it’s a tough road. But if Young can get back to full speed, he could be the perfect complement to Williams-a thunder-and-lightning combo that gives Notre Dame a more physical edge in short-yardage and red zone situations.
Nolan James Jr.: Don’t Sleep on Him
If there’s a sleeper in this backfield, it’s redshirt freshman Nolan James Jr.
James flew a bit under the radar during his recruitment and didn’t get the same buzz as some of his teammates, but there’s a lot to like about his game. He’s a compact, well-built runner with excellent balance, quick feet, and a natural feel for the position. He’s not just a one-cut back-he can make defenders miss, change direction smoothly, and accelerate through contact.
He’s also a capable pass catcher, which adds to his value in a modern offense. While he only logged 14 carries last season, the coaching staff believes he’s ready to push for more touches this spring. If he makes the most of that opportunity, don’t be surprised if he climbs the depth chart quickly.
Freshmen to Watch: Osborne and Walton
Notre Dame didn’t just reload-they restocked with elite talent. The 2026 freshman class includes two of the most highly regarded backs in the country: Javian Osborne out of Texas and Jonaz Walton from Georgia. Both bring a blend of size, athleticism, and polish that could earn them early playing time.
Osborne is a bruising runner with breakaway speed, while Walton has the kind of shiftiness and vision that can make defenders look silly. These two aren’t just depth pieces-they’re legitimate threats to crack the rotation if the veterans don’t bring their A-game.
Bottom Line
Notre Dame’s running back room may look different in 2026, but it’s still a group loaded with potential. Aneyas Williams has shown flashes of being a complete back, Kedren Young has the tools to be a difference-maker if healthy, and Nolan James Jr. could emerge as a key contributor if given the chance. Add in two blue-chip freshmen, and the Irish have a deep, versatile group that could keep the offense humming.
Replacing Love and Price won’t be easy. But Notre Dame’s backfield isn’t starting from scratch-it’s starting from strength.