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Notre Dame releases Audric Estime highlight video following Doak Walker Award finalists announcement

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz11/21/23

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Notre Dame RB Audric Estime
© Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday, the Doak Walker Award announced its list of 10 semifinalists for the nation’s top running back. One of the most notable absences was Notre Dame’s Audric Estime, and the Fighting Irish took note.

After the announcement, Notre Dame Football’s X account posted a video with 15 minutes worth of Estime highlights. He has been a key piece of the Fighting Irish offense all year and ranks tied for seventh in the nation in rushing touchdowns.

He also turned in his share of highlights through the first 11 games of the year.

Estime has anchored the Notre Dame offense throughout this year with 1,103 rushing yards, which is over 800 more than the Fighting Irish’s second-leading rusher. At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, he’s also one of the toughest running backs to tackle and averages 4.1 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus.

Earlier this week, On3 ranked Estime as the No. 5 running back in college football entering Week 12.

Last week was likely Audric Estime’s last game with Notre Dame if he decides to declare for the NFL Draft. He had another huge day, as well, as he rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown in the resounding 45-7 victory over Wake Forest.

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Marcus Freeman kept Estime in the game a little longer than usual, though, because he was closing in on 100 rushing yards. Considering it was Senior Day and with Estime possibly off to the pros, Freeman opted to let him reach triple digits.

“Yeah, I’m never a huge fan of that, because there is just — you know me, I’m thinking, ‘This game is over.’ It’s only fair to the kid. But we talked about it and wanted to get him over 100 yards,” Freeman said, via Blue and Gold’s Kyle Kelly. “I think he ended up with 115. That was important to us for possibly his last game in Notre Dame Stadium, to get him over 100 yards.”

Estime said he didn’t know for sure if that was his last home game, but added he felt the emotions.

The Doak Walker Award trimmed its list of nominees down to 10 names on Tuesday. This year’s list of semifinalists includes Michigan running back Blake Corum, Missouri star Cody Schrader and Texas running back Jonathon Brooks. Three finalists will be selected next week, and the winner will be announced Dec. 8 during the College Football Awards show on ESPN.