If you were anywhere near South Bend in the fall of 2017, you remember the hats. They were trucker hats, naturally. White foam fronts, green mesh, and a logo that looked like it belonged on a mudflap. #33Trucking. It wasn’t just a clever bit of marketing from the Notre Dame PR department; it was a weekly reality for any linebacker brave enough to fill a gap against Josh Adams.
Honestly, it’s rare for a college running back to capture the national imagination so quickly and then, almost as fast, become a "hey, remember that guy?" figure. But Josh Adams wasn't exactly a typical back. He was 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, and ran with a weird, gliding upright style that made him look slower than he actually was—right up until he hit the 22-mph mark and left a safety in the dust.
The Josh Adams Notre Dame Legacy: More Than Just a Heisman Campaign
Most people point to the 2017 season when they talk about Josh Adams at Notre Dame. That’s fair. He rushed for 1,430 yards that year and basically kept the local hat industry in business. But the foundation started way earlier.
Did you know he holds the record for the longest play in the history of Notre Dame Stadium?
November 14, 2015. Wake Forest. Adams was just a freshman, still finding his feet in Brian Kelly’s offense. He took a handoff, found a crease, and didn't stop for 98 yards. It’s one of those highlights that stays stuck in your brain—this massive kid just eating up turf, refusing to be caught. He finished his freshman year with 835 yards, which remains a school record for a first-year back.
Why the 2017 USC Game Changed Everything
If there’s one game that defines the Josh Adams Notre Dame era, it’s the 49-14 demolition of USC in 2017.
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The Irish didn't just win; they bullied the Trojans. Adams was the hammer. He went for 191 yards and three touchdowns on just 19 carries. Every time he touched the ball, the stadium held its breath because it felt like he was going to house it.
- Average per carry: 10.1 yards.
- The Vibe: Pure dominance.
- The Result: The #33Trucking campaign went into hyper-drive.
People started talking about the Heisman. For a few weeks there, it felt inevitable. He followed up the USC performance with a 202-yard masterpiece against NC State. At that point, he was averaging nearly 9 yards per carry on the season. That is video game stuff. Honestly, looking back, he might have been the most efficient power back the Irish have had in thirty years.
What Most People Get Wrong About His NFL Transition
A lot of fans wonder why a guy who was literally "trucking" the best teams in the country went undrafted. It seems crazy, right?
Well, the NFL is a cold place. Despite the stats, scouts had concerns about his "upright" running style. They worried he took too many hits and lacked the "wiggle" to create when the play broke down. He eventually signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
He actually had a decent run in Philly. People forget he led the Eagles in rushing as a rookie with 511 yards. He had his moments in New York with the Jets too, including some flashes of that old Notre Dame speed. But the "tread on the tires" is a real thing in pro football. After stints with the Saints and a brief look in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers, he decided to hang 'em up.
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Where Is He Now? (Hint: He’s Still in the Game)
Josh Adams didn't just disappear into the Pennsylvania suburbs. He’s actually building a pretty impressive second act.
As of early 2026, he’s an assistant running backs coach at Vanderbilt. If you've been watching Vandy lately, you've probably noticed they've actually been... good? They knocked off No. 1 Alabama recently, and their running backs, like Sedrick Alexander, have been playing with a physical edge that looks very familiar.
It makes sense. If you want to learn how to run through a face mask, you might as well learn it from the guy who ran the 33 Trucking company.
The Josh Adams Stat Sheet: A Refresher
For the folks who love the numbers, here is the "just the facts" version of what he did in South Bend:
- Career Rushing Yards: 3,198 (That puts him 6th all-time at ND).
- Career Average: 6.7 yards per carry.
- The Big One: 14 career 100-yard games.
- Efficiency: In 2017, he averaged 5.6 yards after contact.
Think about that last number. Every time a defender hit him, he basically gave the Irish a free first down over the course of two carries. That’s why Brian Kelly leaned on him so hard.
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Why We Still Talk About Him
The real reason Josh Adams matters to Notre Dame fans isn't just the 98-yard run or the USC game. It was the reliability. In an era where college football was becoming more and more about flashy "spread" offenses, Adams was a throwback. He was a 225-pound mountain who could also run a sub-4.5 forty.
He represented a specific window of Notre Dame football where the identity was "we are bigger and stronger than you, and we’re going to prove it for four quarters."
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Students of the Game
- Watch the 2017 NC State film: If you want to see a masterclass in "building momentum," watch how Adams hits the second level in that game. He doesn't dance; he accelerates.
- Appreciate the "Undrafted" Journey: His NFL career is a lesson that "Draft Day" doesn't define your ceiling. He still led an NFL team in rushing as a rookie.
- Keep an Eye on Vanderbilt: Seriously. Adams is a rising star in the coaching ranks. Don't be surprised if he's a coordinator or a head coach back in the Midwest in a few years.
Josh Adams might not have won the Heisman, and he might not be in the NFL anymore, but for a few months in 2017, he was the baddest man in college football. And honestly? That's more than most ever get.
Next Step: You can look up the "33 Trucking" highlights on YouTube to see the 22.37 mph GPS-tracked sprint against NC State—it remains one of the fastest recorded times for a player of his size.