Notre Dame running back C.J. Prosise was well traveled throughout his college football career even though he stayed with the Fighting Irish the whole time. He came to South Bend planning to be a defensive back, converted to wide receiver, and then later to running back.
ND had depth and talent at wide receiver, but really needed reinforcements and tailback. By the end of the season, the Irish were at their fourth, or maybe fifth choice at tailback. Fourth or fifth depends on where you define the beginning of the season, and where you draw the line on the depth chart.
C.J. Prosise, like just about every other skill position player on Notre Dame, got seriously hurt, and he only had 13 carries in the season’s final five games. Well, let’s just say now that he doesn’t have a lot of tread on the tires, and that’s a good thing.
In his second start vs. Georgia Tech, he rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns, including a 91-yard rushing touchdown which was the longest in Notre Dame Stadium history. Easily one of the five fastest guys on the ND roster, he finished the season with 6.6 yards per carry and well over a 1,000 yards.
His name came up on media conference call with Mike Mayock, NFL Network’s NFL Draft expert.
A reporter inquired:
“Lions have cut Joique Bell and they’re going to need a power component really to complement Ameer Abdullah. I was wondering if there are any guys that are outside that top 100 that could be good fits for Detroit.”
“I think a guy like CJ Prosise from Notre Dame, about a 220, 222-pound player,” said Mayock in reponse.
“What I like about him is he was a wide receiver until this past year and jumped in at tailback and looked completely natural at the position. So I think he’s probably a fourth-round guy. I like his size. I like his speed, and I like his upside. He might make some sense paired with Abdullah.”
Pairing C.J. Prosise with Ameer Abdullah in the Motor City; interesting.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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