Notre Dame's Running Back Experimentation Must Be Over

As the Irish schedule starts to toughen, the rotating back carousel must end, and Jonaz Walton must be the lead dog while the others find niche roles to contribute

Oct 10, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Entering the 2026 Notre Dame season, the Irish had some big questions to answer. One of the primary concerns was how the Irish would replace two first-round NFL running backs in Jeremiyah Love and JD Price.

Fortunately, the way the early schedule was set up, the Irish could feel their way through this issue in games Notre Dame was heavily favored in, allowing plenty of flexibility and exploration with low risk.

Notre Dame has gone through this process, and I feel it has found the answers it seeks. Now that the schedule is about to get tougher, it's time for the Irish to stop exploring and let the best player dominate.

Jonaz Walton has earned the number one role

I understand Notre Dame's approach through the first six games this year. Each player among Nolan James, Aneyas Williams, and Jonaz Walton has been getting full series to show what they can do in an effort to be fair and give each player a shot to shine.

This made sense as Notre Dame was feeling its way through its new roster choices. But things have changed.

While this approach was practical and perfectly reasonable at first, two things have changed. First, Jonaz Walton has clearly emerged as the most dynamic running back on the team. It isn't just about numbers; he moves differently.

Plenty of players are physically gifted, but it's Walton's patience and vision I'm most impressed with. He is mature beyond his years and has earned a key role on this team.

The second big change comes in the form of the schedule. Notre Dame is done with the lightest part of the slate, and more competitive games are coming, starting with BYU. Each carry will begin to matter more, and none can afford to be wasted on an experiment that has run its course. Walton needs to be the guy earlier in games. Period.

Can’t contain Jonaz.#GoIrish☘️ | @JonazWalton pic.twitter.com/JJVriUhBaC

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) October 11, 2026

Aneyus Williams and Nolan James are still very important

Just because I would like Jonaz Walton to get more carries and start games does not mean that I don't value Aneyas and Nolan. They should both play key roles moving forward.

Now is the time for OC Mike Denbrock and running back coach Ja'Juan Seider to figure out the best deployment options for each player so that they add to what Walton brings to the table, not subtract from it.

Nolan James has a knack for squeezing through small spaces and collecting positive yardage most times he touches the ball. The Irish can lean into that, literally. Aneyas is a gifted blocker, an underappreciated part of running back play, and both players are skilled receivers.

If handled appropriately, each player can have a fulfilling role on this team moving forward in support of Jonaz Walton.