Deland McCullough’s stable of running backs has lost a key contributor. Notre Dame junior running back Gi’Bran Payne has suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, the team announced on social media on Thursday, and will miss the 2024 season. Dr. Brian Ratigan performed the reconstructive surgery.
The 5-foot-9, 203-pound Payne’s injury comes after he appeared in agony following a fumble in the Blue-Gold Game on April 20. That carry was his last one of the spring game. He finished with 10 rushes for 58 yards while handling most of the “Blue” team’s rushing duties.
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Payne’s injury leaves McCullough with just four scholarship running backs, including two who have registered a collegiate carry: sophomore Jeremiyah Love and freshman Jadarian Price. The Irish also signed two four-star running backs in the 2025 recruiting class, Kedren Young and Aneyas Williams, who enrolled early and participated in some spring practice. A hamstring injury limited Young’s availability. Former scholarship running back Devyn Ford transitioned to safety.
After spring practice concluded, the Irish added former Central Michigan running back Jake Tafelski as a walk-on graduate transfer.
Tafelski finished his career with the Chippewas with 7 carries for 21 yards and 6 receptions for 42 yards across three seasons, as well as a touchdown run in 2022. He played in 23 of 24 games in 2022 and 2023, mostly on special teams.
Background on Gi’Bran Payne’s Notre Dame career and injury history
After battling multiple injuries during high school, Payne was in good health during his first two seasons for the Fighting Irish. In 2023, he played in all 13 games, primarily serving as the team’s short-yardage running back. He finished his sophomore campaign with 45 carries for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Payne played in four games as a freshman, effectively preserving his redshirt.
A product of Cincinnati La Salle, Payne’s final two high school seasons wereriddled by injuries. A high-ankle sprain kept him sidelined for most of his junior season. Then, a meniscus injury prevented him from being at full strength as a senior.
Payne was a four-star recruit and No. 27 running back nationally in the 2022 cycle. He initially signed with Indiana but requested a release from his letter of intent after Notre Dame hired McCullough. Payne ultimately followed McCullough to South Bend by verbally committing to the Irish in the spring of his senior year.
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