Ja'Juan Seider promises Notre Dame football backs will start with 'foundation of protection'

Ja’Juan Seider promises Notre Dame football backs will start with ‘foundation of protection’

Posted by author March 5, 2025 Football

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SOUTH BEND — Even in the post-Deland McCullough era, the running backs of Notre Dame football still need third-down certification to earn their way onto the field for those money downs.

Ja’Juan Seider, who spent the past seven years coaching Penn State’s running backs, made that clear in his introductory news conference at Notre Dame last week. Flawless blitz pickup remains vital.

“To me, that’s where the trust come in, knowing you can protect that quarterback,” Seider said. “Every guy in that room wants to play on Sunday. Well, if you can’t protect Pat Mahomes, you’re not going to be on the field.”

Rising sophomore Aneyas Williams carved out a significant role last fall in the third-down offense, culminating in a highlight catch downfield against Seider’s Penn State in the Orange Bowl.

Opponents, however, won’t hesitate to bring the house in any passing situation if the backs are leaky and the quarterback is vulnerable.

“We’re always going to start with the foundation of protection,” Seider said. “If I’m teaching you how to run, we recruited the wrong guys. I’m an ex-quarterback, so I can explain what it’s like to play next to that guy, the quarterback. It makes them understand the little things that you do and why you have to do it.”

Seider, who starred at Florida A&M a quarter century ago after transferring from West Virginia, honed his understanding of the finer points of blocking early in his coaching career.

“When I was a young coach, the best thing I did was spend time with the O-line,” he said. “I wanted to know why a big guy can kick back and move as fast as he can. He’s playing on his instep. A lot of times you go watch backs block, they plant their feet and their weight is on the outside of their foot or their toes.”

He shook his head.

“You can’t move,” Seider said. “Now you’re on your heels, and you get bull rushed.”

Likewise, Seider plans to have all Irish running backs run pass routes with the receivers during the offseason.

“Who runs routes better than the receivers?” Seider said. “Maybe the tight end. At least you learn that part of the game, so you continue to grow your game.”

It’s all part of the multiyear process of shaping high-end recruits into NFL-ready juniors and seniors. Nothing changes for Notre Dame in that regard, even with McCullough returning to the league with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Seider cited former Penn State star Saquon Barkley (Eagles) and Alabama product Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions) as prime examples of his total-back vision.

“The guys that want to play on Sunday are going to be three-down backs,” Seider said. “Those are the guys who are going to make the money. That’s the Saquons of the world. That’s the kid Gibbs at Detroit. You try to give them examples because that’s what they want to be in the future.”

Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.