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PFF College gives Notre Dame’s Jonaz Walton a high grade
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- PFF College gives Notre Dame’s Jonaz Walton a high grade
True freshman running back Jonaz Walton is a budding star for US LBM Coaches Poll No. 8 Notre Dame .
Walton has had such an immediate impact on the Fighting Irish that he's considered one of the best running backs in his class.
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PFF College recognized Walton by making him the highest-graded true freshman in college football this season . He has a grade of 91.3, which is 0.8 higher than USC's Trent Mosley.
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs for a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looses a pass during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds a sign during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Allegiant Stadium.
(Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports)
Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can't make a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs for a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looses a pass during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
6
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds a sign during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Allegiant Stadium.
(Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports)
7
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
8
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9
/21
See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can't make a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Through six games, Walton has 426 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 57 carries for the Irish. He also averages 7.5 yards-per-attempt.
Walton's best game this season was in Notre Dame's 58-7 win over Stanford on Oct. 10 when he had 181 rushing yards and two scores on 13 carries.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: PFF College gives Notre Dame's Jonaz Walton a high grade
