Notre Dame RB Signee Audric Estime Keeps Racking Up Awards
Audric Estime, one of Notre Dame’s latest offers and a last-minute signee in December, added another award to his trophy case last week. Max Preps named the big-time, 4-star running back the New Jersey player of the year. In December, NJ.com also named Estime their New Jersey Player of the Year.
Estime’s stats from 2020 make it easy to see why he added another state player of the year award. He gashed opposing defenses for 1,857 yards and 22 touchdowns in only eight games in a COVID-shortened season. That’s good for 232 yards a game. Yeah, that’s pretty good.
Estime did his damage against some of the best competition in the state of New Jersey too. St. Joseph Regional in northern New Jersey faced the likes of Don Bosco Prep, St. Peter’s Prep, and Bergan Catholic. Notre Dame has already offered Bergan Catholic quarterback Steve Angeli as one of just three quarterback offers for the class of 2022.
I still have a hard time understanding why it took so long for Notre Dame to offer Estime. I understand wanting to wait on Donovan Edwards, but when Notre Dame’s ill-fated all-in approach with Will Shipley failed, Estime probably should have been in the initial set of offers to go out.
Luckily for Notre Dame, Estime still jumped at the chance to sign with the Fighting Irish, even with the late offer. Right now, he is the only running back in the class as Notre Dame awaits a final decision from Logan Diggs though all signs point to Diggs joining Estime in the Notre Dame backfield on Wednesday during the February Signing Day.
Notre Dame’s backfield is in great shape in 2021, with Kyren Williams, Chris Tyree, and C’bo Flemister leading the way, but there could still be a role for Estime next fall, given his size. Notre Dame does not have a back built like Estime. Notre Dame listed him at 215 lbs already in their Signing Day profile. Flemister, who was listed at 201 lbs during the 2020 season, was Notre Dame’s “big back” a year ago. It shouldn’t be shocking to anyone if Estime carved out a niche as a short-yardage back with his size.
Frank Vitovitch has been Co-Owner and Editor in Chief of UHND.com since joining forces with Kyle Flavin in 1999. Since that time, he has written over 2,000 articles covering Notre Dame football, recruiting, and basketball. He also works with all staff and external writers on all articles published on UHND.com. Frank's love for Notre Dame football started at a young age watching Rocket Ismail give opposing coaches ulcers in the late 1980's. By day Frank works in marketing and holds a degree in Digital Media from Drexel University. Frank's work has been cited by online/print editions of NBC Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated and has been quoted on air by ESPN's Collin Cowherd. He's conducted interviews with Notre Dame legends Rocket Ismail, Randy Kinder, Lee Becton, Reggie Brooks, Michael Stonebreaker, and Ned Bolcar among others over his 20+ years of covering Notre Dame football. He's also been published in the print edition of USA Today Sports Weekly and the USA Today College Football Preview multiple times. Other Published Works/Citations for Frank Three Reasons Notre Dame Will Beat Alabama - USA Today Notre Dame Suspends WR Kevin Stepherson, RB C.J. Holmes Indefinitely - Bleacher Report Notre Dame / Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Preview - Eleven Warriors Brace Yourself: The Fighting Irish are Relevant Again - Sports on Earth Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with Frank Vitovitch of UHND - Yahoo! Sports Five Good Minutes: Notre Dame Football Preview With UHND.com - BC Interruption Vicious Electronic Questioning with UHND - MGO Blog
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