RB of the Decade

[jason_h537]

We got a lil more competition at RB than we did at QB which was really just a 2 horse race. Here are the 4 choices for Notre Dame's RB of the decade.

Ryan Grant in 4 years
560 Car
2220 Yd's
18 TD's

Julius Jones in 3 years
559 Car
2643 Yd'
23 TD's

Darius Walker in 3 years
693 Car
3249 Yd's
23 TD's

Armando Allen in 3 years
362 Car
1629 Yd's
6 TD's

 

[chyrspchuck]

Julius stills holds the single game rushing record at ND, gotta be him, he meant a lot to this team, while Grant basically backed him up. Darius was good, but not great. Armando, Charlie's love child as my buddy and I refer to him as, he's no Julius.

 

[jason_h537]

i voted for Jones but i was surprised at how productive Walker really was.

 

[Freeman Ara]

I went with Walker because even though he wasn't an elite back in my opinion he was a huge factor in the Weis offense. Put up his receiving numbers as well and don't think this is even close.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Jones was a beast, and I hated the way Walker played, but what killed Weis as much as his D was never finding another back who could play the same role Walker did in his O. Watch the last USC drive from 05 and you'll see what I mean, he was just...slippery. I think Theo might have been there with some time, but we'll never know.

 

[DKSchrute]

Watch out for Armando Allen, Im thinking of a Reggie Brooks like senior season

 

[OchoShayneO]

I dont think alot of people will agree with me here but I liked the way walker played. Wasnt the biggest or fastest guy but for a college rb he had great vision and got the job done better than anyone else.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Jones was much more explosive, but Walker did a bit of everything. Imagine his numbers if he had stayed for his senior year...

The most interesting stat here is that Armando only has 6 TDs after 3 years of being our featured back. Yes, he has fewer carries...yes, Hughes has gotten lots of those looks (and Schwapp...for some unknown reason)...yes, we became pass happy in the last 2 years...

That's still really low.

I think Riddick is going to make us forget all of these guys.

 

[Rudy89]

I wonder what wouldve happened if Darius wouldve stayed for a senior year. I know we prolly still wouldve had a sub-par record but I think it mightve been less embararassing

 

[ACamp1900]

Jones.

 

[Aerosmith777]

Walker was the most complete back in terms of vision, receiving out of the backfield, and especially picking up the blitz, but Jones was the best raw talent imo & who I voted for.

 

[ACamp1900]

yeah walkers blocking was so underrated...

 

[49er-Irish]

I went with Walker because even though he wasn't an elite back in my opinion he was a huge factor in the Weis offense. Put up his receiving numbers as well and don't think this is even close.

Career Receving Stats:

Walker - 109 receptions, 816 yards, 3 TD

Jones - 28 receptions, 250 yards, 1 TD

Grant - 24 receptions, 137 yards, 0 TD

Allen - 102 receptions, 695 yards, 3 TD

Darius Walker got my vote for being the most productive RB, although definitely not the most exciting. Walker had only 10 of his 109 receptions before Weis took over the offense in his sophomore year.

 

[fitz_bu47]

Loved Julius, and that he left, got his stuff together and came back.....Darius was fun to watch in Charlie's offense as well.

 

[DirtySecret]

Autry Denson!!!


YouTube - Autry Denson

 

[tgolden]

my vote goes to Julius. He was the most explosive, exciting back to watch even though he was only really great for one season. However, I think Darius is one of the most underappreciated running backs in history. Grant was good and is having a better pro career than Jones, but as a college back, I would take Julius.

We'll see what Armando does this next year. He's always just one cut or one injury away from being really good.

 

[aizdaman]

I have to say Walker because he was such a complete back in terms of rushing, blocking and pass catching.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Definitely Walker.

If he would have stayed for his senior year he would have done nothing because of the offensive line.

 

[Riddickulous]

Watch out for Armando Allen, Im thinking of a Reggie Brooks like senior season

If our offense next year is anything like the usual Kelly offense...I think not.

Walker did a bit of everything. Imagine his numbers if he had stayed for his senior year...

Behind THAT offensive line? Do you remember 2007? Walker would've had like 500 yards that year.

 

[Riddickulous]

Ryan Grant: Solid "get what the defense gives you" running back. He was one of those guys that just ran forward and looked for the hole while he did. His low point is that he wasn't really a huge playmaker.

Julius Jones: Electric, explosive, fast, and powerful.

Darius Walker: Consistent running back who racked up back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons while Brady Quinn was setting all the passing records. Outstanding receiver out of the backfield. On the other hand, he received praise for his "patience", which basically amounted to him performing footwork drills in the backfield while he waited for a hole to open up, which was an inconsistent happening.

Armando Allen: Extremely underused running back as a freshman. Had a lackluster sophomore year with a terrible offensive line. Was ready to explode this season, but injuries held him back.

My vote goes to Julius.

 

[IrishChris209]

YouTube - Autry Denson

Nice Find !

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Behind THAT offensive line? Do you remember 2007? Walker would've had like 500 yards that year.

A fair point. But that 500 yards would have made him the 3rd leading rusher in school history (Denson, Pinkett).

He also was much better at making something out of nothing than anyone we've had since. Much shiftier than any of the others on that list.

 

[IrishAddiction]

Would have went with Darius because of his production, but he never really was a game breaker. Jones was. Had to go with him.

Best NFL back, Ryan Grant by far IMO. Doesnt mean he was great in college though, which is all that really matters.

AA improved alot this year, but injuries have kept him from being the best he could be. We will see what kellys offense does for him.

 

[WabashFalcon]

I'm still pissed JJ didn't come back for his senior season...

 

[OCIrish]

Watch out for Armando Allen, Im thinking of a Reggie Brooks like senior season

Are you kidding me? AA couldn't hold Reggies jock today, let alone back in the day when he was carrying the ball for the Irish. And let's not forget that Reggie played FS his frosh year at ND, and I think maybe Soph year as well.

 

[GoldenChild]

Julius Jones

 

[IRISHinKC]

Walkers numbers really suprised me, but i still have to go with Jones.

 

[Ben E.]

IMO this thread realy epitomizes how awfull this decade was for our program! realy julious and darious are our backs the of the decade? they were good backs but. definately would not be in the running in prev. decades!

 

[JKhrome1ND]

Walker definitely had the best rushing record in college, but Jones and Grant are better pro players by far.............Allen is still a question mark to me, but he did look really good this year compared to his first two years.

 

[Junkhead]

Autry Denson!!!


YouTube - Autry Denson

Wrong decade. He was probably my favorite all-time at ND though.