Vikings Draft 2024: Quinn Ewers and 3 other prospects that shined in CFB Week 5
By Luke Parrish
Prospect No. 3
Audric Estime - RB (Notre Dame)
After six games this season, Audric Estime looks like the best running back in the 2024 NFL Draft. He has carried the ball 95 times for 672 yards and seven touchdowns while also adding 80 yards as a receiving threat out of the backfield.
Estime carried the Irish in Week 5 to avoid a road loss at the hands of Duke with another incredible performance. The junior running back had 18 carries that he turned into 81 yards and two touchdowns as Notre Dame snuck out a last-minute victory.
With the game on the line late in the fourth quarter, Estime took a handoff up the middle and waited patiently for the crease to open before exploding for the game-winning touchdown with 31 seconds left on the clock.
Notre Dame was about to settle for a last-second field goal at a non-guaranteed range, but Estime once again found a lane and secured the victory. With the running back class being relatively weak this year, Estime has emerged as a challenger for the top back in the draft.
If he can keep up his current pace, Estime could very easily be the first running back off the board. The Vikings likely will not use a high-value pick on a running back, but they will certainly do their homework on the position heading into 2024.