Insider: How Notre Dame is strengthening its running back depth post-Josh Adams

Laken Litman | IndyStar

Show Caption Hide Caption Notre Dame football fall camp insider update IndyStar Insider Laken Litman catches you up on what you need to know about Notre Dame fall camp so far.

SOUTH BEND — It looks like Autry Denson’s wish came true.

Last spring, the running backs coach watched the depth in his position room shrink. Josh Adams left Notre Dame early for the NFL, while Deon McIntosh and C.J. Holmes were dismissed from the program. In hopes of strengthening the position, former quarterback Avery Davis and wide receiver Jafar Armstrong began cross-training in the backfield.

When asked specifically about Armstrong during spring practices, Denson was quick to give his take on where he thought the rising sophomore should play in the fall.

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“If I could (make a) plug right here,” Denson said at the time, “I hope that I can get him in my room full-time.”

Through six fall camp practices, that seems to be the case. Armstrong’s body looks more like a running back's now than a wide receiver after gaining five pounds — he’s Notre Dame’s second-biggest back (6-1, 218) behind Tony Jones Jr. (5-11, 220). And he’s versatile enough to play in the slot, too, given his previous experience. This part was obvious Thursday when he caught four passes, including a 20-yarder from Ian Book for a touchdown. Last year, Jones was the only back that could play the slot and he was constantly battling injuries. Armstrong can add depth, be effective, and looks poised to get a lot of touches per game.

Notre Dame practices during fall camp Notre Dame has high hopes for the 2018 season, and is practicing hard to get to where it needs to be.

“Yeah, he can go all day, that kid is incredible,” coach Brian Kelly said. “Physically there’s no drop off. His GPS numbers, we’ve never had them as high as his and he bounces back the next day. He’s an incredibly conditioned football player. (As far as his development at running back), we think that this is just a matter of hey, we’re at practice No. 6 and we’ve got plenty of time here.”

The addition of Armstrong and Davis allow Kelly and offensive coordinator Chip Long to be creative with their running game strategy. The Irish will rely on several backs rather than having the luxury of one productive workhorse like Adams was last year. Jones is at the top of the depth chart, and Dexter Williams is expected to miss the first four games for undisclosed disciplinary reasons.

“We have a lot of weapons,” Kelly said after Sunday's practice via UND TV. “We’ve got to sort it out. We want to be able to come out with a comprehensive package that keeps defenses on their toes with personnel groupings and these guys enhance that ability to do that.”

“For a freshman, he’s been noticed”

When there’s discussion about Notre Dame’s wide receivers, the focus is on Miles Boykin and Chase Claypool -- as it should be. They’re both 6-4, at least 227 pounds, fast, physical on the perimeter, and make big plays. But there have been a few young guys that have caught Kelly’s attention in camp. They might not play more than a handful of games, but could reap the benefits of the NCAA’s new redshirt rule.

Joe Wilkins, who played cornerback in high school, is one. It was evident Thursday that his defensive days are behind him. He was confident going up for balls in one-on-one situations and after practice, Kelly said, “for a freshman, he’s been noticed.”

Kelly also likes freshman Lawrence Keys III in the slot. He’s the smallest receiver on roster at 5-10, 170 (Chris Finke is shorter at 5-9, but heavier at 180), but has been getting a lot of reps and is making plays in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.

“His demeanor, he doesn’t blink,” Kelly said of the former four-star product. “Nothing is too big for him. Football comes really easy — the functional intelligence of the game. We may have to put an anvil in his back pocket because he’s a little light. But I think he’s a guy that, when he gets the ball in his hands, he finds a way to make something happen.

“We’re not going to shy away from playing guys even if it’s a part-time position. We think he’s got a huge upside.”

Surprise at safety

One player that hasn’t been heard from much lately is senior safety Nick Coleman. That may be changing this season. The veteran started all but one game last season, but as has been well documented, the safety position struggled in the playmaking department and didn't record an interception in 2017.

Perhaps that will change after Kelly’s rave reviews of Coleman following Thursday’s practice.

“He’s been more than (excellent),” Kelly said. “Here’s a guy who was fighting for reps in the spring and has come into this camp with a better presence in everything he does —tackling, awareness, playing the ball in the air, he’s a guy with a lot of snaps. Really, I don’t want to say he’s been a surprise, but we’re really pleased with what he’s been able to do.”

Coleman came out with the first team Thursday, alongside Alohi Gilman, and was acting like the leader of the secondary. In previous practices, Coleman also took reps with the second team while freshman Houston Griffith and junior Jalen Elliott took turns playing with Gilman. This is not to say those players will not get opportunities to start because there is a lot of rotation at safety now, but it’s safe to say coaches are feeling confident in Coleman.

Kelly isn’t surprised by Coleman's performance so far, saying he was hopeful this is how the senior would develop.

“It was how he was going to react to how many experiential snaps that he had," Kelly said. "Is he going to cut that route? Is he going to fit that play correctly? His offseason workouts, coach (Matt) Balis said he was one of the best guys in the weight room. But you’ve still gotta translate that because he was last year too.”

So far, he appears to be doing just that.

Bonus factoid

At the end of his news conference, Kelly was asked for an update on how he thought Brandon Wimbush looked on Day 6.

“Guns were blazing today,” he said.

Wimbush had strong, confident passes mixed with wobbly ones. He had a nice deep pass intended for Boykin, who was covered by Julian Love, but the senior dropped it. Boykin was mad at himself afterward because he admitted he should have caught it, but quickly moved on.

You can find Notre Dame Insider Laken Litman on Twitter and Instagram: @LakenLitman.