Notre Dame Head Coach Discusses Running Back Health Ahead of Spring Practices

Marcus Freeman provides updates on key players as Fighting Irish prepare for 2026 season

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:57pm

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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman appeared on Always College Football this week and discussed the health status of several key running backs as the Fighting Irish begin spring practices. Freeman noted that presumed 2026 starter Aneyas Williams will be limited, while Kedren Young is still recovering from an ACL injury. This opens the door for redshirt freshman Nolan James Jr. to potentially emerge as RB1 this spring, along with early enrollee freshmen Javian Osborne and Jonaz Walton.

Why it matters

Notre Dame's running game will be a crucial factor in their success in 2026 after losing top backs Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love to the NFL Draft. The health and development of the remaining backs, especially Williams, will be pivotal as the Fighting Irish look to build on their recent College Football Playoff appearance.

The details

Freeman revealed that Williams, who had a reduced role in 2025 after a productive 2024 season, will be limited in spring practices due to an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, Young is still working his way back from an ACL tear that kept him out all of last year. This opens the door for James, a redshirt freshman, to potentially emerge as the top running back this spring, along with early enrollee freshmen Osborne and Walton. Freeman expressed confidence in the talent of the running back room, despite the lack of experience beyond Williams and Young's limited action in 2024.

  • Notre Dame's spring practices begin on March 20, 2026.
  • Williams had 34 carries as a true freshman in 2024, but that number dropped to 24 in 2025.
  • Young had 21 career carries as a true freshman in 2024 alongside Williams.

The players

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.

Aneyas Williams

A running back for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish who is expected to be the team's starting running back in 2026, but will be limited in spring practices due to an undisclosed injury.

Kedren Young

A Notre Dame running back who is still in the process of recovering from an ACL injury that kept him out for the entire 2025 season.

Nolan James Jr.

A redshirt freshman running back for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish who has an opportunity to emerge as the top running back this spring with Williams limited and Young still recovering.

Javian Osborne

An early enrollee true freshman running back for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Jonaz Walton

An early enrollee true freshman running back for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

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What they’re saying

“If you watch the plays they were in, if you watch Aneyas Williams when he was in the game, he was productive. He just didn't get the opportunity that Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love got.”

— Marcus Freeman, Head Coach (Always College Football)

“Players earn the trust of their teammates and the respect of their coaches way before the national media, the national spotlight. You think about some of the best players we've had in this program, we knew through practice. We knew through the way they prepared they were going to be really good players for us. They just had to get the opportunity in the game.”

— Marcus Freeman, Head Coach (Always College Football)

What’s next

The Notre Dame coaching staff will closely monitor the progress of the running backs during spring practices to determine the depth chart heading into the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's running back room faces some health concerns and inexperience, but head coach Marcus Freeman expressed confidence in the talent of the group and their ability to earn playing time through their preparation and performance in practice. The development of the running backs this spring will be crucial as the Fighting Irish look to build on their recent success.