Notre Dame fans, might want to do yourself a favor and learn the name Nolan James, Jr.
With spring football practices to begin on Friday, the freshman running back may have an opportunity to be a key contributor very early.
Head coach Marcus Freeman said during an appearance on Always College Football that presumed starter Aneyas Williams will be “limited” during spring workouts while 2024 signee Kedren Young continues to recover from an ACL injury that sidelined him for the 2025 season. Those absences open the door for James and early enrollee freshmen Javian Osborne and Jonaz Walton to take meaningful repetitions in camp.
Irish fans should not too be too concerned, Freeman emphasized that Williams’ injury was not serious and reaffirmed the staff’s confidence in his abilities. Williams, who had 34 carries and 18 receptions as a freshman in 2024, saw his touches drop significantly in 2025 while serving behind veterans Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love whom are both now bound for the NFL Draft.
James saw brief action with 14 carries last season, while Young owns 21 career rushes. With the most experienced backs gone and injuries affecting the depth chart, the running back room enters spring with questions but also potential.
Freeman downplayed any long-term concern, saying he believes in the group’s work ethic and development behind the scenes. “Players earn trust and respect in practice long before the spotlight,” he said, adding that he’s eager for fans to see the talent he’s witnessed on the practice field.
The coming spring practices can give Irish fans the opportunity to get a glimpse of their future, while their head coach insists there is nothing to be concerned about in the present.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Could a freshman make waves in the Notre Dame offense this fall?
Reporting by Sunny Verma, Fighting Irish Wire / Fighting Irish Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
