Irish offensive coordinator Chip Long’s history indicates he prefers to have multiple options at running back. This allows him to keep the backs fresh in an up-tempo offense as well as rotate their individual skill sets while still having a full array of offensive weapons.
If Long continues that trend at Notre Dame for multiple seasons, he already has the comfort of knowing two more options should join his well-stocked stable in a year.
Jahmir Smith (Lee County High School; Sanford, N.C.) announced his commitment to Notre Dame with a Sunday evening Twitter post. He joins the long-committed Markese Stepp (Cathedral H.S.; Indianapolis) to create a running back duo in the class of 2018.
At 6-foot, 199 pounds, Smith is not a runner looking to avoid contact. In that respect, he appears to resemble Stepp quite a bit.
A rivals.com three-star recruit, Smith chose the Irish over a number of offers, including a couple notable ones from his homestate. Both North Carolina and North Carolina State pursued Smith, as did Wisconsin, Nebraska and Minnesota. Rivals lists him as the No. 17 running back in the class and the No. 16 prospect in North Carolina.
Smith’s Notre Dame recruitment did not take very long. He received an offer April 4 and visited only last Monday before making his decision.
Apparently Stepp’s commitment more than a year ago did not dissuade Smith. Then again, if any position necessitates depth, it is running back. In addition to Long’s hopes of utilizing multiple ballcarriers, injuries plague the position. Recent years have especially shown the how much Irish need depth there, and a high school senior should see that and know a little position competition will not eliminate his chance at playing time.
Smith’s commitment brings Notre Dame’s class of 2018 to 13 players. The Irish coaching staff most likely hopes to see it grow to at least 20, if not a few more than that, ideally with the additions of multiple cornerbacks and offensive linemen.