Notre Dame Football: Josh Adams can become next great Irish RB
After a 4-8 season in 2016, Notre Dame football needs a big push to return to glory led by key weapons like Josh Adams and Brandon Wimbush.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are fortunate to have one of the most underrated running backs in the country at their disposal. Josh Adams waited in the shadows behind Tarean Folston and C.J. Prosise in his first two seasons on South Bend. He already started taking the starting job away from Folston to end 2016.
The 7.2 yards per carry Adams averaged in 2015 is possible to return again in 2017. Even with his drop in yards per carry, by 1.3, he was very productive last season. Adams is the clear cut starter with junior rusher Dexter Williams set as backup.
The fact that Adams learned from such great running backs before him, and sometimes out performed them, shows he’s ready to become a star. He became productive in the passing game in 2016 with 21 catches. That continues to beef his stat line up.
What no one is really talking about is Adams’ chance to win the Heisman Trophy in 2017 as a dark horse candidate. Notre Dame has the brand name to put a Heisman finalist in place. The Irish are tied with USC for programs with the most Heisman winners in college football history. Each school has seven Heisman Trophies.
Adams runs behind one of the better offensive lines in the country. Led by redshirt senior left tackle Mike McGlinchey, the o-line will create some room for Adams in the run game.
Moreover, the combination of Adams and dual-threat quarterback Brandon Wimbush gives head coach Brian Kelly options to work with on offense. Junior receiver Equanimeous St. Brown gives Wimbush multiple threats to give the ball to. That opens up the field for Adams as well. Redshirt senior tight end Durham Smythe is a good blocker on the line.
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The time to recognize Adams is coming up soon for the country. Especially when he faces Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 2 of the season on Sept. 9. Outdoing Chub and Michel would show the college football world that Adams is among the best in the country.