One of the most striking positives of Notre Dame’s fall camp has been the impressive depth at running back but that depth took a hit this week.
Redshirt freshman Kedren Young will miss significant time in his second year in South Bend after tearing his ACL during the second week of camp. Running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider, who has yet to finalize roles for his six scholarship backs, said Young had been battling redshirt junior Gi’Bran Payne for the No. 4 spot behind junior Jeremiyah Love, redshirt junior Jadarian Price, and sophomore Aneyas Williams.
At 5-foot-11 and 240 pounds, Young brings a unique power element to the Irish backfield, outweighing even walk-on Dylan Devezin (216 lbs). Seider praised Young’s physical readiness and spring performance, saying he elevated the room and should approach every game like a starter. Young himself said he’d take any role to help the team.
Now, that opportunity is on hold. It’s a tough blow for Young, who hoped to build on his 21 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown from late-game action last season. Payne knows the challenge well, having missed all of 2024 with a knee injury and losing his RB3 spot to Williams.
For Notre Dame, the game plan remains largely unchanged: lean heavily on Love and Price potentially one of the nation’s best tandems use Williams on third downs and passing plays, and rotate in a fourth back. With Young sidelined, Payne is the likely choice, while freshman Nolan James Jr. waits in the wings.
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