Notre Dame Fighting Irish Will Lean Heavily on Dynamic Backfield to Carry the Load Early in the 2025 Football Season

Notre Dame will enter the 2025 college football season with a clear identity on offense—run the football, control the clock, and let a talented backfield carry the team in the early stages of the schedule. That approach isn’t just a preference; it’s a necessity, especially with uncertainty surrounding the development of the passing game and the turnover on the offensive line. As the Fighting Irish gear up for another playoff push under head coach Marcus Freeman, the backfield might just be the group that keeps their season on course in the first few crucial games.

Notre Dame’s backfield features a mix of proven experience, exciting youth, and enough versatility to keep opposing defenses guessing. While most of the attention in the offseason has focused on quarterback battles and the search for explosive receivers, it’s the ground game that is poised to be the backbone of the offense. The Irish don’t just have one running back they can rely on—they have a stable.

It all starts with Jadarian Price, the junior running back who flashed brilliance in limited action last season. After coming back from an Achilles injury that wiped out his freshman campaign, Price steadily carved out a role in 2024, showing burst, vision, and toughness. Now fully healthy and a year stronger, Price will be expected to take the bulk of the carries early on. His combination of power between the tackles and agility in open space gives offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock flexibility in both the run game and screen packages.

Alongside Price is rising sophomore Jeremiyah Love, who might be the most explosive playmaker in the backfield. Love’s ability to turn the corner, hit the jets, and leave defenders behind makes him a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. His development as a pass catcher out of the backfield also opens the door for two-back sets, which could be crucial in easing the pressure off Notre Dame’s new starting quarterback.

That quarterback, whether it ends up being Kenny Minchey, CJ Carr, or an unexpected name, will benefit from a heavy reliance on the run game early in the year. Notre Dame opens its season with a neutral-site battle against Texas A&M, a team known for its defensive front and pressure schemes. Following that are games against Purdue and NC State—both of which are capable of forcing turnovers and confusing inexperienced signal-callers. Limiting those opportunities with a controlled, ground-and-pound approach is likely the best strategy for the Irish.

Also in the mix in the backfield is Gi’Bran Payne, who emerged as a reliable option during the latter half of last season. While not as flashy as Price or Love, Payne brings a no-nonsense, downhill running style that wears down defenses. He’s also shown toughness in short-yardage situations, making him an ideal candidate for goal-line work and clock-killing drives. His veteran presence provides depth that could be vital in case of injury or if Notre Dame wants to ride the hot hand.

True freshman Justin Thurman, an early enrollee, turned heads during spring practices. Though he may not get major touches right away, Thurman’s explosiveness could find its way into the game plan on special teams or in specific offensive packages designed to get him into space. His presence is a sign of how deep and talented this group has become under Freeman’s staff.

While the backs themselves are clearly a strength, success on the ground starts with the big men up front—and this is where some of the questions arise. Notre Dame will be replacing two starters on the offensive line, including All-American tackle Joe Alt, who declared for the NFL Draft. The interior line should be strong with experience returning at center and guard, but the cohesion of the unit as a whole is something to monitor during fall camp. Early-season ground success will depend heavily on how quickly the new starters, particularly at the tackle spots, can gel and handle physical defensive fronts.

Fortunately, Notre Dame has one of the best offensive line coaches in the country in Joe Rudolph. His ability to develop linemen and establish physicality in the trenches has been a trademark of recent Irish teams. There’s optimism that even with turnover, the line will be solid—especially when it knows the game plan is run-first.

Another overlooked benefit of a strong running game early in the season is how it can set the tone for the rest of the offense. If Notre Dame is consistently in second-and-manageable or third-and-short situations, it opens up the play-action game and simplifies reads for a young quarterback. Denbrock’s offense is built to function best when the run game is respected, allowing for layered passing concepts that exploit defenses cheating up.

Tight end usage will also benefit from this approach. Notre Dame has a tradition of elite tight end play, and while Mitchell Evans’ availability remains a question after injury setbacks, the Irish have other athletic options in Holden Staes and Eli Raridon. A strong running attack will create opportunities for these tight ends to get behind linebackers or chip and release into open areas. The backfield’s ability to draw attention will help open the middle of the field—another safety blanket for the quarterback.

Defensively, Notre Dame is expected to be strong once again, particularly in the front seven. That defensive consistency will allow the offense to remain patient and methodical. There won’t be pressure to score 40 points per game. Instead, ball control, field position, and limiting mistakes will be emphasized. The backfield will be leaned on not just for yards, but for overall game management.

Special teams could also benefit. If Notre Dame can control time of possession and wear down opponents’ defenses, they’ll create more favorable situations for the punting unit and allow the defense to stay fresh. Flip the field, chew clock, and grind down the opponent—those are all achievable goals with the current personnel in the backfield.

One intangible element that this group brings is leadership. Even though none of the top backs are seniors, their collective experience and maturity is evident. Price has been through injury adversity. Payne knows the grind of the season. Love has already shown his willingness to do whatever the team needs—whether that’s a gadget play, kickoff return, or pass protection. These aren’t diva backs. They’re team-first players who understand the opportunity in front of them.

And that opportunity is clear: establish themselves early, win games with toughness and execution, and by the time the passing game finds its rhythm, Notre Dame could be undefeated and in prime playoff position.

Critics might say this plan is too conservative or reliant on an outdated offensive model, especially in today’s college football landscape where high-powered passing attacks dominate headlines. But Notre Dame isn’t trying to win a beauty contest—they’re trying to win football games. And in the first month of the season, when mistakes are most likely and cohesion still forming, relying on your best unit is not only smart, it’s essential.

If the Irish can navigate that stretch with a 3–0 or 4–0 record, they’ll likely be ranked among the top teams in the country heading into October. By then, the quarterback will have more confidence, the offensive line will be more seasoned, and the playbook will open up. But until that time comes, the burden—and the opportunity—falls squarely on the shoulders of Price, Love, Payne, and the rest of the backfield.

In a sport where backfields are often interchangeable and undervalued, Notre Dame has something different—a true strength, an identity, and a group capable of carrying the Irish through the early gauntlet of the season. If they succeed, don’t be surprised when people start referring to Notre Dame’s 2025 campaign as the year the backfield brought the Irish back to national prominence.