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Notre Dame Football: Studs and duds from 2019 season

By Dante Pryor

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish wait to run on to the field for their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish wait to run on to the field for their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 28: Tony Jones Jr. #6 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish avoids a tackle by Joey Blount #29 of the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 28: Tony Jones Jr. #6 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish avoids a tackle by Joey Blount #29 of the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Stud: Tony Jones Jr.

Tony Jones Jr. was definitely a pleasant surprise this year. He was supposed to be a situational runner primarily for short-yardage and goal-line situations. He was going to be the power back to come in a spell projected starter Jafar Armstrong. Then Armstrong had an abdominal injury that seemed to bother him all season.

Without Armstrong being able to contribute to a 1-2 “thunder and lightning” combination, Jones became a one-man show at running back. So much so that Jones was the only running back with significant carries to average over 4.0 yards a run.

Jones proved not only could he carry the load, but he could also stay on the field on third down. Not only did he chip in 15 receptions in the passing game, but he was also solid in pass protection against the blitz on obvious passing downs.

With Armstrong hampered all season by injuries and young backs like C’Bo Flemister and Jahmir Smith demonstrating they still need seasoning, the season Jones had was not only a pleasant surprise it was desperately needed.

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