Why I think Josh Adams will be the #1 back over T. Folston in 16.

[Bodizephax]

Lets compare stats first.

As a true freshman Josh Adams ran the ball 117 times for 869 yards (7.1 yards per carry) with 6 TD rushes including 70 and 99 yard TD rushes.

Josh also had 7 receptions for 42 yards and 1 TD reception.

As a true freshman in 2013 T. Folston ran the ball 88 times for 494 yards (5.3 yards per carry) for 3 TD rushes.

T. Folston had 5 pass receptions for 35 yards and no Tds.

As a sophomore in 2014 T.Folston ran the ball 175 times for 911 yards (5.1 yards per carry) for 6 rushing Tds
Folstons longest run of the year was for 26 yards.

T. Folston improved from his frosh season with 18 pass receptions for 190 yards and 1 TD.

I believe Josh Adams will also improve as a receiver out of the backfield as a sophomore just like T. Folston did. With a year of the offense under his belt and with his great confidence Josh will get the ball thrown to him much more.

*** T. Folston is an excellent running back and should get a large amount of carries and is very good getting the tough yards consistently. He also should improve as a pass receiving threat.

*** I believe Josh Adams is a very special football player. He hits the hole quickly and hits second gear and he is off to the races. He is good in the red zone except for the fumble against BC.

Josh came in with a huge weight on his shoulders He became second man in the first game of his college football career and then after CJ got hurt he became the main guy during a playoff run. He played like a veteran and made play after play without grandstanding or gloating.

I believe Josh Adams behind our great Oline will not only be good but will become a superstar as a sophomore after another year in a college weight room.

*** T. Folston and Josh Adams will be a TWO headed monster. We need them to both stay healthy and split carries to keep fresh.

Lets hear some arguments for Folston or Adams being the best. An argument for either one is legit !

 

[BGI User 1596]

Both guys have bad knees - even.
Both players have game experience - even.
One guy is from Florida - Bonus.
One guy runs like Marcus Allen - Bonus.
Tie!

 

[MTIrish98]

I think they are both great running backs and BK will keep them both as #1 on the depth chart with an 'or' between their names.

Folston might be in more during passing downs for blitz protection and then used more for up-the-gut running. If he is 100%, he'll get his fair share of carries and get a shot at an NFL roster.

Adams, though, has an incredibly high ceiling if he stays healthy. The extra gear he finds when the hole opens up is incredible.

 

[Kelso86]

If both can stay healthy -- this can be as good a tandem as there is in the country.

Would loved to have seen CJ stay stay healthy all year.

 

[Pennick4]

I like Folston(if healthy) getting 2/3 of the carries next year. He gets the tough yards when there isn't a lane available.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Tarean is a baller. Coach Kelly has been a little irritated at times regarding consistency in which practices, but his track and patience on "inside zone" is as good as any back I've seen at ND. Certainly the best at it since Darius Walker. The inside zone run is one of the key elements of the "zone read"... Folston will grind out those tough yards inside and find holes that are aren't even there.

No question that Adams is more explosive, bigger and has the potential to be more powerful. He himself also has above average vision.

They'll both get a lot of carries, but I expect Tarean to come out really hungry. I could see them splitting carries on first and second down, but I think Folston's knack for catching screens and his advanced knowledge in pass pro will tip the scales on third down and see him get the most snaps.

 

[kellys heroes 35]

Adams ability to break longs runs and get through creases in a hurry goes unquestioned . Folston is a much better back at creating his own yds with explosiveness, strength, and great lateral movement .

To say one is better or will " start " over the other imo is stupid . They will split duties this season if both are healthy ..

BTW he got off to a slow start as a frosh but Dexter Williams will be a major contributor as well. Kelly loves his talent level .

 

[Telx1]

Like Kelly's descriptions as to the differences between the two. Both will get double digit touches per game. Think Adams will emerge as the top RB before seasons end, especially if his pass blocking continues to improve. There will clearly be a role for Folston, as he is too talented between the tackles and in pass blocking to keep off the field. Another nice problem to have.

 

[kellys heroes 35]

Tex - I think it was early in the Ga tech game when Folston got to the second level and faked cutting in inside and kicked it outside . There is only one back that came to mind when I saw that and that was Gale Sayers - am I comparing him to Sayers ?? No way just sayin that the lateral move was extraordinary high level and reminded me of the greatest lateral runner in the history of the game

 

[Telx1]

Kelly, Folston may be the most under appreciated runner by fans that I can recall at ND. Fans clamored for Bryant over Folston non stop, entirely on the basis that Bryant had that extra gear. Few here gave credit for Folston's outstanding patience to read the zone blocks and his outstanding cutting ability, nor his ability to identify and block blitzing DBs, etc... I love Folston's game and what he brings to the table, just am of the opinion that Adam's will emerge as our top producing running back because he is a special talent as well. Kelly will figure out how to maximize both.

 

[kellys heroes 35]

Tex - I think it is important to not lose sight of the fact that Folston has not had the opportunity to run behind a fully mature OL and run with a true read option qb . I think he could be every bit as dynamic as Adams given the right looks . I love both kids and hope they contribute to our playoff run next season .

 

[NDCap]

need both AND Williams. What scares me is how he tore the ACL. He jut cut and it went out .Adams and Folston both bring a great 1-2 punch . Adams is faster though so IMO he is the #1 back but whats the difference who starts ? I want to see more of a run threat from the QB and slot ( Please mr. Robertson ) with jet - motion look and misdiection. It would open up the passing game .

 

[michigaNDer#1]

Comparing two players from different teams isn't the greatest thing to do. Different O-lines, coordinators, QBs, WRs, etc. Also let's not forget we had the RB carousel Folstons freshman year.

Hopefully, this year we can compare the two over 14 games.

 

[88ND]

Tex - I think it is important to not lose sight of the fact that Folston has not had the opportunity to run behind a fully mature OL and run with a true read option qb . I think he could be every bit as dynamic as Adams given the right looks . I love both kids and hope they contribute to our playoff run next season .

Folston has a nice way to make something of nothing style. He is a nice back. Good hard runner. He will get tough yards.

Adams might lose a yard as opposed to Folston getting a yard but more times than not he turns his runs into big gains. Defense has to respect that if he gets going he will out run everyone.

I'm glad we have both and will both get some decent carries.
1(a) Adams
1(b) Folston

 

[NyyorkerND]

Lets compare stats first.

As a true freshman Josh Adams ran the ball 117 times for 869 yards (7.1 yards per carry) with 6 TD rushes including 70 and 99 yard TD rushes.

Josh also had 7 receptions for 42 yards and 1 TD reception.

As a true freshman in 2013 T. Folston ran the ball 88 times for 494 yards (5.3 yards per carry) for 3 TD rushes.

T. Folston had 5 pass receptions for 35 yards and no Tds.

As a sophomore in 2014 T.Folston ran the ball 175 times for 911 yards (5.1 yards per carry) for 6 rushing Tds
Folstons longest run of the year was for 26 yards.

T. Folston improved from his frosh season with 18 pass receptions for 190 yards and 1 TD.

I believe Josh Adams will also improve as a receiver out of the backfield as a sophomore just like T. Folston did. With a year of the offense under his belt and with his great confidence Josh will get the ball thrown to him much more.

*** T. Folston is an excellent running back and should get a large amount of carries and is very good getting the tough yards consistently. He also should improve as a pass receiving threat.

*** I believe Josh Adams is a very special football player. He hits the hole quickly and hits second gear and he is off to the races. He is good in the red zone except for the fumble against BC.

Josh came in with a huge weight on his shoulders He became second man in the first game of his college football career and then after CJ got hurt he became the main guy during a playoff run. He played like a veteran and made play after play without grandstanding or gloating.

I believe Josh Adams behind our great Oline will not only be good but will become a superstar as a sophomore after another year in a college weight room.

*** T. Folston and Josh Adams will be a TWO headed monster. We need them to both stay healthy and split carries to keep fresh.

Lets hear some arguments for Folston or Adams being the best. An argument for either one is legit !

This is just summed up as the last thing I saw on the field was Josh Adams so it's better than the alternative. Both will play, both should be better, and that should sum it up.

 

[ndnd]

Folston has a nice way to make something of nothing style. He is a nice back. Good hard runner. He will get tough yards.

Adams might lose a yard as opposed to Folston getting a yard but more times than not he turns his runs into big gains. Defense has to respect that if he gets going he will out run everyone.

I'm glad we have both and will both get some decent carries.
1(a) Adams
1(b) Folston

No doubt Adams is the better back . His breakaway ability is much better than Folstton and the stats show that . Folstton is a very good running back but Adams is special

 

[Bodizephax]

Tex - I think it was early in the Ga tech game when Folston got to the second level and faked cutting in inside and kicked it outside . There is only one back that came to mind when I saw that and that was Gale Sayers - am I comparing him to Sayers ?? No way just sayin that the lateral move was extraordinary high level and reminded me of the greatest lateral runner in the history of the game

Folston never played against Georgia Tech. Did you mean CJ or Adams?

 

[Pennick4]

need both AND Williams. What scares me is how he tore the ACL. He jut cut and it went out .Adams and Folston both bring a great 1-2 punch . Adams is faster though so IMO he is the #1 back but whats the difference who starts ? I want to see more of a run threat from the QB and slot ( Please mr. Robertson ) with jet - motion look and misdiection. It would open up the passing game .

The way he tore the ACL is not uncommon. Dion Lewis of the Pats did it this season in a similar way.

 

[kellys heroes 35]

Folston never played against Georgia Tech. Did you mean CJ or Adams?

It was the Texas game - my bad

 

[clarkr5]

Lets compare stats first.

As a true freshman Josh Adams ran the ball 117 times for 869 yards (7.1 yards per carry) with 6 TD rushes including 70 and 99 yard TD rushes.

Josh also had 7 receptions for 42 yards and 1 TD reception.

As a true freshman in 2013 T. Folston ran the ball 88 times for 494 yards (5.3 yards per carry) for 3 TD rushes.

T. Folston had 5 pass receptions for 35 yards and no Tds.

As a sophomore in 2014 T.Folston ran the ball 175 times for 911 yards (5.1 yards per carry) for 6 rushing Tds
Folstons longest run of the year was for 26 yards.

T. Folston improved from his frosh season with 18 pass receptions for 190 yards and 1 TD.

I believe Josh Adams will also improve as a receiver out of the backfield as a sophomore just like T. Folston did. With a year of the offense under his belt and with his great confidence Josh will get the ball thrown to him much more.

*** T. Folston is an excellent running back and should get a large amount of carries and is very good getting the tough yards consistently. He also should improve as a pass receiving threat.

*** I believe Josh Adams is a very special football player. He hits the hole quickly and hits second gear and he is off to the races. He is good in the red zone except for the fumble against BC.

Josh came in with a huge weight on his shoulders He became second man in the first game of his college football career and then after CJ got hurt he became the main guy during a playoff run. He played like a veteran and made play after play without grandstanding or gloating.

I believe Josh Adams behind our great Oline will not only be good but will become a superstar as a sophomore after another year in a college weight room.

*** T. Folston and Josh Adams will be a TWO headed monster. We need them to both stay healthy and split carries to keep fresh.

Lets hear some arguments for Folston or Adams being the best. An argument for either one is legit !

Folston is the better back the yards he got were with less of a passing game and a lot worse of a line! He woulda have been sensation this year

 

[Bodizephax]

Folston is the better back the yards he got were with less of a passing game and a lot worse of a line! He woulda have been sensation this year

Adams had a better year as a freshman than Folston did as a sophomore and Folston improved a lot in his second year. Don't you think Adams will improve a lot his second year?
And Folstons longest run was 26 yards his sophomore season. Adams had multiple runs over 26 yards. Adams is tall and has the frame to put on more muscle which I am sure he will do this year.
Again, Folston is compact and runs tough and low to the ground and should have a great season in 16 but I think that Adams is a back that could break rushing records at ND.

 

[88ND]

Folston is the better back the yards he got were with less of a passing game and a lot worse of a line! He woulda have been sensation this year

They are different players physically. There is a reason why Folston longest run of career is a fraction of Adams. Sure the lines were a tad different but not every game Folston ran in was against a stonewalling defense.

No disrespect to Folston as he is good and if we get first and goal I'm probably using him. However first and goal Kelly loves to abort the run and tries ridiculous passes every down ...but that is for another dead horse discussion.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

I find it fascinating that here on this board having a spirited debate over which back is better and who will get more carries when both backs have in fact torn their ACL. Goes to show the medical community has come a long way in saving players and rehabilitating them from a "career ending injury".