Position: Running Back

Projected Starter:  James Aldridge (Junior), Robert Hughes (Sophomore) or Armando Allen (Sophomore)

Backup(s): Jonas Gray (Freshman)

2008 Outlook:  Lou Holtz used to say that if you have two starters at a position, then you don't have one (I think that may be it...thanks bcnd).  But in the case of running backs for Notre Dame this season, his statement is a little silly.  Though the Irish don't have a clear cut starter, they have three capable, experienced running backs who each could have breakout years.  The most experienced is junior James Aldridge, who started a number of games last season.  He's been plagued by injuries throughout most of time at Notre Dame, but figures to be a top back when he's healthy.  He had some trouble getting big gains last year (averaged only 3.8 YPC), but that was expected with the play of the OL.  He'll have every chance to start and put up big numbers this season, but with the younger guys waiting in the wings, he'll likely have only one shot of cementing his place in the rotation.

Robert Hughes was one of the few bright spots for ND last year

Behind Aldridge are two rising sophomores in Robert Hughes and Armando Allen.  Hughes and Allen are Notre Dame's version of "Thunder" and "Lightning", although we'll let that cliché die a happy death.  Hughes is a big running back, showing up to the summer season at almost 250 pounds.  He'll have to lose some of that to keep his quickness, although he was probably the most consistent of all the running backs last season (5.5 YPC in 2007).  With his ability to bounce off defenders and make something out of nothing, he'll figure to be the favorite at starter.  Coming off a season where most Irish fans were looking for him to break a long one, sophomore Armando Allen figures to see playing time at a number of positions and personnel sets.  Armando reportedly has sub 4.4 speed, although he was not able to show much of it with his longest run of the season only a modest 15 yards.  Armando not only brings some quickness to the running game, but to the passing game as well.  He had 24 receptions last year and figures to exceed that number this year.  Both sophomores have big-time potential and could lead the pack at running back.

Freshman Jonas Gray appears to be the lone man out with so much talent returning, but reports from the summer bode well for the former-Detroit running back.  Most say he has looked more impressive than expected thus far in the summer and is built incredibly well for essentially a high school senior.  He was injured during most of the All-American Bowl last January, so most fans weren't able to see what he can offer besides the grainy video online.  He'll have time to develop with so much returning experience, but he could see some time late in games or on special teams.

Grade: B+.  With Darrin Walls taken out of the defensive back equation, the running back position looks to have the greatest depth on the team and one of the more talented squads.  Last year the running backs played adequately, although they did not receive much help from the embarrassing play of the offensive line.  The personnel on offense seems to be more suited for a running game, but it is still unclear whether Weis will want to play that style of football, or at the very least allow offensive coordinator Mike Haywood play it.  All three experienced running backs are talented football players -- among the best at their positions in high school.  All three bring a different style of running to the offense and it will be interesting to see if one becomes the permanent feature back or if it will be a different running back every game.  It is possible to spread the carries out, but it would be nice to devote most of the practice carries to just one guy.  This group has the potential to be very, very good.  We just have to hope the offensive line allows for that.

Note: If you're wondering about the fullback position, the only two players we have there are senior Asaph Schwapp and sophomore Steve Paskorz.  The fullback position in Weis' offense is not exactly the most glamorous or traditional role, but he does use them, even if they're not productive.  Schwapp had a difficult season last year; at times it seemed like he was too big for the position.  He has all the tools you would want, but he can be pretty awful at blocking some times.  This will be a big season for him and he needs to play better to ensure his starting position, as well as earning a 5th-year.  Paskorz was a linebacker last season but moved to fullback in the offseason.  He played running back in high school so figures to be a pretty good runner, but his blocking skills are somewhat of an unknown at this point.  If he can actually make contact with a defender, it might be worth it to start him over Schwapp.  For the running game to go to the next level, Weis will need to see a considerable amount of improvement from the fullbacks.