Notre Dame Football: Post-Spring Overview of Fighting Irish Running Backs

Following the conclusion of spring practices, I will be evaluating each position group on the depth chart. In the first installment of this 10-part series, I will be featuring the running backs.

Raise your hand if you thought Notre Dame would ever come close to the possibility of having two running backs eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in one season under Brian Kelly.

If you have risen your hand, I think you're a liar.

Kelly's offenses at Cincinnati were of the pass-happy variety, with quarterbacks Tony Pike and Zach Collaros putting up video game type numbers on a weekly basis.

However, Kelly knew that in order to win at a school such as Notre Dame, his teams would have to be able to run the ball effectively.

Heading into year three, Kelly has a stable of backs to work with, and they will be evaluated in the following slides.

Amir Carlisle

After spending his freshman season at the University of Southern California, Amir Carlisle chose to transfer to Notre Dame in order to be closer to his father, who took a job in the athletic department at Purdue. 

The former 4-star prospect held offers from a number of schools while he was a prep phenom at Kings Academy in Sunnyvale, CA but only took two official to visits. Notre Dame was fortunate enough to be one of the two, but Carlisle ultimately chose USC.

It turns out Notre Dame was, indeed, the place for Carlisle.

Unfortunately, the coaching staff in South Bend has not had an opportunity to truly evaluate Carlisle up close and in person. The sophomore-to-be suffered a broken ankle during voluntary spring drills and will not be cleared until an undetermined date in June.

Despite the broken ankle, Carlisle has proven what he's capable of on the field. According to his Rivals.com profile, the 5'10", 181-pound running back ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash as a senior at Kings Academy.

That type of speed in itself will be enough to earn Carlisle playing time immediately this fall.

Theo Riddick

Oh, how frustrating Theo Riddick has been since his arrival in South Bend in the fall of 2009.

The senior-to-be from Manville, NJ, has been oozing with potential for the past three seasons but has yet to reach that potential.

Some lay the blame on a change of coaching regimes, while some say Riddick should have never been moved to receiver by Brian Kelly during fall camp of 2010.

Either way, it's of utmost importance that Kelly and his staff squeeze every ounce of talent out of Riddick this season, in an attempt to elevate the offense to the next level.

Playmakers are a desperate need on offense, regardless of position, especially with Michael Floyd now a member of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals.

In two full games after moving back to running back last season, Riddick carried the ball 12 times for 42 yards against Stanford and Florida State.

The math results in an average of 3.5 yards per carry. If offensive coordinator Chuck Martin can find ways to get Riddick in space, expect that average to rise significantly.

Cierre Wood

The unquestioned leader of this position group, Cierre Wood will attempt to break the 1,000-yard barrier once again in 2012.

It's scary to say, but Wood is the lone proven, experienced running back on the depth chart, with Jonas Gray now playing professionally for the Miami Dolphins.

The good news for Wood and his fellow running backs is that the offensive line returns three of five starters this season. That returning experience up front should result in Wood reaching, potentially, the 1,500-yard mark this season as the "work-horse" back.

One motivating factor for Wood that fans have not necessarily discussed much to this point is his impending future in the NFL.

Will his three seasons playing in Kelly's spread offense translate well to the NFL? Does he have what it takes to be a feature back in the pros?

Wood will have a full season to silence any doubters asking those questions.

George Atkinson III

Considered to be the best offensive prospect reeled in by Notre Dame during the 2011 recruiting cycle, George Atkinson III, commonly referred to as GA3, made his presence felt immediately in South Bend.

The son of former Oakland Raiders great George Atkinson, Sr., GA3 returned two kickoffs for touchdowns as a freshman. Those two plays have given the Fighting Irish a solid kick returner for the next three seasons.

However, Atkinson saw limited action as a running back, toting the rock a combined nine times for 27 yards and two touchdowns. Whether or not the ultra-talented Atkinson sees an expanded role at running back in 2012 remains to be seen.

It's certainly hard to imagine Brian Kelly letting all of that talent and speed ride the bench.

The Incoming Freshmen: Will Mahone and KeiVarae Russell

The Irish running back stable will be adding two new horses to the mix this fall in Will Mahone and KeiVarae Russell.

Both Mahone and Russell were considered 4-star recruits by Rivals.com, so each is filled with raw talent, without question. Yet, each will likely serve redshirt seasons due to the depth at running back.

There's also the possibility of Brian Kelly moving Russell to cornerback due to limited depth at that position.

At this point, it's all up in the air with Mahone and Russell.