Notre Dame Football: Top 5 position battles to watch in spring 2018

4. Running Back

Of all the position battles this spring, the running back battle may offer the least resolution. Kelly has been known to use the committee approach in the past, and has had a decent amount of success while doing so. For perspective on Kelly’s appreciation of this approach, an Irish running back has posted at least 500 yards in a season 13 times since 2010.

While standout Josh Adams has monopolized the position in recent years, it’s certainly feasible that Kelly would return to a committee approach given the dynamic group now at his disposal. The likely starter in the group is senior Dexter Williams, a shifty runner who fell one carry shy of qualifying as the nation’s leader in yards per carry.

Williams, who rushed for 360 yards and four touchdowns in 2017, has the ability to serve as a three-down back for the Irish. However, his durability is a concern as he has yet to receive 40 carries in a season. While his 9.2 YPC average was fantastic, a small sample size allows room for a significant amount of doubt.

Junior Tony Jones Jr. will have an expanded role in light of Deon McIntosh’s dismissal from the team, and may be called upon to be the Irish’s lead runner should Williams’ injuries persist. Jones Jr. boasts greater size and strength than Williams and could provide the thunder to Williams’ lightning should Kelly implement a split in carries.