Coach Ja'Juan Seider Exudes Confidents In Pair Of Young Notre Dame Running Backs
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There's been a lot of chatter around Notre Dame's running back room as their program, and head coach Marcus Freeman gear up for the 2026 season. But the conversation isn't around what they return, it's around what they've lost. Star running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are both headed off to the NFL after combining for 2,046 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns in 2025. Due to their performances last fall, both backs are being projected as first round guys.
Losing Love and Price are tough losses, no doubt around it, but the talent the returns is more than sufficient to play a major role on a championship-caliber roster. Unfortunately, we're going to have to wait until fall camp to see Aneyas Williams, Kedren Young and Javian Osborne in bulk, but so far, two running backs have stood out thus far in spring training. Running back coach Ja'Juan Seider had glowing reviews for rising redshirt freshman Nolan James Jr. and true freshman Jonaz Walton.
"He's the most mature young kid I've ever been around," Seider said about James. "You learn later on the things you need to do to take care of your body: massages, hydration, the type of foods you eat and getting proper sleep. He's doing that already, which is so rare. Sometimes I have to make sure he's out of the building because he'll be in there at 9:00 at night in the indoor facility going through the script on his own."
"You see quarterbacks do it, but you don't normally see running backs do it," Seider continued about the redshirt freshman. "I'm always trying to tell these guys, if you can play the game of running back through the quarterback lens, how much of a better player you're going to be. They already have the talent, now they have to put talent with intelligence and know how to take care of their body. He's one of the reasons why I feel so confident in how good we can be this year."
James Jr. isn't the only young running back making a strong impression on the second-year running back coach. Walton, a true freshman, was one of two highly touted running backs Notre Dame brought in during the 2026 recruiting cycle. He's been out on the field learning and growing with every passing practice.
"He's the one kid coming in every day with notes and questions," Seider said about the Georgia native. "This guy works hard, he's a good teammate and he can overcome adversity. We're trying to find every indication of what separates one running back from the other and he's a kid that's bright-eyed and he's comfortable."
As promising as James Jr. and Walton have looked, the depth of the running back room through spring practice was still in question heading into their first practice. They elected to bring on some walk-ons with football or rugby backgrounds to spell players like James Jr. and Walton to keep them fresh. Rising junior Aneyas Williams has been able to practice in some capacity, but isn't full-go when they get to team period. The walk-on running backs have played a huge role so far this offseason.
"Look at that time, it was either them or me and they're more healthy than I am, Seider stated jokingly when asked about bringing in walk-ons. "They had an understanding about playing the game of football and it's been a joy getting to know them. They're a great fit in the room, they're eager and they're tough. I think the guys that were already in the room really embraced it because they get to coach them up. It helps Notre Dame."
Despite losing first-round NFL draft talent, Seider has a host of young talent in the room that can be a major contributor to this year's offense. A lot of attention is going to quarterback CJ Carr, the host of talent at the pass catching position and the offensive line. It's understandable, but Freeman has stated on multiple occasions that Notre Dame will be a program that can run the football. Players like James Jr. and Walton will be counted upon throughout the season and will have to be ready when their number is called."
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