He loves it when the spotlight is on Tarean Folston, because he IS Tarean Folston. Notre Dame’s sophomore running back is riding high on a breakout tidal wave that is in no danger of cresting any time soon. He is determined that 2014 will be HIS season.
Folston is a member of the Fighting Irish who almost wasn’t. The efforts of recruiting coordinator/running backs coach Tony Alford lured Folson away from programs in his home state of Florida. Heated efforts by Auburn, Oregon and South Carolina weren’t enough to turn Folston’s prized eyes, arms and legs away from South Bend either. He wanted a place where he could be a star; a place that would make him a star.
The 209-pound kid from Cocoa, FL was called on early, starting 12 games in his freshman year. He has surpassed nearly all of his 2013 numbers in just the first six games of this season.
Folston’s measured success in rushing has aided the Fighting Irish in their undefeated first half. However, in the 50-43 win against the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday, Folston was a beast in both rushing and receiving. His stat line included 18 rushing attempts for 98 yards, five receptions for 71 yards and one very important touchdown connection with quarterback Everett Golson, with whom Folston likes to ‘clown around’.
‘We’ve always liked him’, Irish head coach Brian Kelly said via the Official Notre Dame website, of the exuberant Folston during his post-game press conference after the important win. ‘He played really well today. We love the kid. Today he did what he was asked to do.’
For all of Folston’s self-proclaimed ‘clowning’ around on the field, he is just as charismatic off the field. One has to only look at the quote from his Twitter account to see that this young man is not one to ever be labeled a shrinking violet: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” –Bernard M. Baruch.
Reveling in the spotlight, Folston is one of many players who are, thankfully, able to back up what he says. He is who he is and says what he feels. In carrying himself that way, he also won’t promise you something he can’t fulfill.
With the first act over, and as we sit through intermission, the second act of the Irish season begins with imposing Florida State and (possibly) their embattled quarterback next week. Folston is one on whom the squad will have to heavily rely on to reach that prized third act: one of four spots in the College Football Playoff which will determine the 2015 national champion. Win or lose, the showman will no doubt entertain the Irish masses for another week.
While the enigmatic Tarean Folston pushes and shoves his name onto top ten lists and eventual draft positions, he shows flashes of greatness, like the showmanship of Deion Branch, the heart of Emmitt Smith and the relentlessness of Barry Sanders. He has the potential to be as great as all of them, and in the meantime, we delight in watching that star power grow.
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