ND's Aldridge preps for senior year at new position, but with same attitude

SOUTH BEND | He was the future once. The first five-star recruit to commit to Charlie Weis' Notre Dame program, Merrillville grad James Aldridge was once the next in a storied line of would-be princes in one of college football's most royal families.

The one-time heir apparent to Darius Walker, Aldridge led the team in rushing yards his sophomore year with 463. But the Irish managed a meager 903 total yards on the ground overall, making Aldridge the leader of a rush offense that bettered only four teams out of 120 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2007.

The next year, Armando Allen and Robert Hughes pushed Aldridge on the depth chart, and the former Pirate ended the season the shortest corner of that backfield triangle.

College football history is littered with similar stories, players with high expectations who don't find symmetrical success. And so often, those players fade into obscurity, disappearing via transfer or making headlines complaining for field time.

Aldridge, it is probably fair to say, breaks that mold.

For starters, he's already an alumnus. Because he enrolled early, Aldridge finished his psychology degree in 3 1/2 years.

And for full effect, he capped it off with a school trip -- to Europe.

"I went to London, traveled through Holland a little bit," said Aldridge, who took a Film, Television and Theater course during which he visited the BBC studios and studied Dutch art in cities like Haarlem and Amsterdam.

There was, of course, the matter of Aldridge's senior season to tend to upon his return.

Notre Dame is staring at a possible 10-win season in 2009, perhaps more. That is in no small part because of a depth chart filled with players that possess not just talent but also experience, a luxury the coaching staff did not have enough of in 2007 or 2008.

So when Weis and his staff drew up the spring depth chart, they slotted in a familiar name at an unfamiliar position. For the first time since he was 7 years old, Aldridge found himself lining up at fullback.

"When the opportunity was given to me, I jumped on it pretty fast," Aldridge said. "When I first started playing, I was a fullback, so I guess I'm kind of getting back to my roots now.

"It kind of taught me to make the best of my opportunities, because I really didn't get the ball that much. But with the opportunities I did get, I made plays. Hopefully that same kind of philosophy will apply to this season."

Aldridge bleeds blue and gold

Former Merrillville coach Jeff Yelton, who watched Aldridge star with the Pirates, was not surprised by his attitude.

Then again, Yelton is a little biased -- he described Aldridge as "the type of young man I would only hope my daughter would marry."

"He's always been like that," Yelton said. "He's a young man that has always put team first."

Early returns on the position switch were good -- Aldridge entered fall practice as the undisputed No. 1 fullback, and ND running backs coach Tony Alford said the senior has absorbed the principles of his position well.

"James is a very conscientious guy," Alford said. "I think it's important to him (to contribute), and I know he's got a lot of respect from his teammates and coaches as well."

The move goes both ways -- Alford said having a seasoned halfback playing fullback "opens some things up" offensively.

Last year's fullback, Asaph Schwapp, finished his Notre Dame career with less than 100 total rushing yards and carried the ball once last year. Aldridge gives Notre Dame a vastly more productive option at his position.

Still, the journey has probably not been quite what he expected coming to campus in the spring of 2006. But according to Aldridge, it's one about which he has few regrets, if any.

"Walking in and walking out, I'm a totally different person, I really can say that. This school has really changed me," he said. "I bleed blue and gold, I really do."

Yelton said it didn't take 3 1/2 years for Aldridge to build that loyalty.

Yelton recounted a moment from the climax of Aldridge's recruitment. The back had just committed to Notre Dame when a call came from USC coach Pete Carroll, who was sending his son, Brennan, out to speak with Aldridge.

USC wanted him, both Carrolls told Aldridge. Or as Brennan Carroll put it, according to Yelton, "We're not intimidated by Notre Dame."

Aldridge's answer? "Well, I'm not intimidated by USC."

Yelton: "Coach, I think you have your answer."

Aldridge stood by Notre Dame. Four years later, he hasn't left his post.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL | NOTRE DAME PREVIEW

More inside

Saint Joseph's College looks for a season-opening win. PAGE B6

Read Al Hamnik's take on Notre Dame's chances this season. PAGE B7

The Irish look to rebound after an extremely disappointing 2008 campaign. PAGE B7

James Aldridge, Sr., FB, Notre Dame

2008: 12 games, 91 carries, 357 yards rushing (3.9 ypc), 3 TDs; 3 receptions, 1 net yard

2007: 11 games, 121 carries, 463 yards* (3.8 ypc); 5 receptions, 30 yards

2006: 7 games, 37 carries, 142 yards (3.8 ypc)

Total: 30 games, 249 carries, 962 yards (3.9 ypc), 3 TDs, 8 receptions, 31 yards

* Team high