Fansided

Top-10 players outside of the Power Five conferences

By Robert Judin

Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Nick Wilson is tackled by Boise State Broncos safety Darian Thompson (4) in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Nick Wilson is tackled by Boise State Broncos safety Darian Thompson (4) in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Tarean Folston (25) scores a touchdown in front of Louisiana State Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) in the second quarter at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Tarean Folston (25) scores a touchdown in front of Louisiana State Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) in the second quarter at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Tarean Folston – HB, Notre Dame

You know, sometimes bad things happen to good players. That’s the way the game (world) works.

Tarean Folston was aligned to be the bell cow running back for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Unfortunately, a torn ACL is going to keep him sidelined for a while. Fortunately, ACL injuries aren’t as threatening as they once were. Players are coming back better and quicker than ever. So, maybe with a year of watching from the sideline, Folston can become a bookworm and expand his knowledge of the game.

If he does, he’ll be in the conversation of the best running backs in the country entering the 2017 NFL Draft — assuming he stays for his senior season at Notre Dame.

Frankly, his resume could use an extra season. Overall, he has the raw talent on the field to attract eyes and create double takes, but he just hasn’t been given a big workload yet.

As a true freshman he averaged 5.3 yards per carry on 88 attempts (470 yards) with three touchdowns. And that was a good start, but he earned the starting spot for the 2015 season because of his sophomore year. Folston tallied 889 rushing yards on 175 carries (5.1 yards per carry). He added six touchdowns, too.

When Folston does come back, he’s going to be a much-needed component to add consistency to an offense bound for a quarterback competition. Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer will likely duke it out for the starting spot, so Folston will help that process by being a reliable option for head coach Brian Kelly.

Next: No. 6 Tyler Matakevich

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