SOUTH BEND – Senior fullback James Aldridge found something better than football stardom at Notre Dame.

He found peace.

Aldridge joined the Irish as a five-star tailback recruit out of Merrillville, but he struggled to live up to expectations. He missed the first five games of his freshman season with a knee injury and finished with 142 rushing yards. Aldridge had a team-high 463 rushing yards as a sophomore but dropped to the team’s third-leading rusher last season with 383 yards.

Unable to move ahead of halfbacks Armando Allen and Robert Hughes, Aldridge was moved to the less glamorous position of fullback this season.

But the son of a pastor is unfazed by the moved.

“It is what it is,” Aldridge said. “With me being at the university and who I’ve become, I’m a more stable-minded person, and I like who I’ve become.

“Football is a big part of my life, but it is a small part at the same time. There is more to me than being a football player.”

Aldridge said studying Zen and Buddhism has helped accept what life throws at him.

Plus, he has a chance to bring life to a barren position in the Irish offense.

Asaph Schwapp, who was the starting fullback last season, had 44 carries for 98 yards in four years at Notre Dame. The last Irish fullback to play a significant role in the offense was Marc Edwards, who ran for 381 yards in Lou Holtz’s last season in 1996.

“I think I can shed some new light on the position,” Aldridge said. “I think a lot of times (fullback) is the man unaccounted for on the field, and I think I can change that. I think it is an opportunity to shine and show what I can do.”

The Irish like the options the 6-foot, 225-pounder brings to the offense.

Allen can be used as a receiver out of the backfield or the halfback can follow Aldridge, who is also a skilled blocker, to rushing yards.

“It allows you a lot of flexibility,” coach Charlie Weis said.

Allen, who led the Irish in rushing last season with 621 yards, said lining up with Aldridge will be exciting.

“It is a great opportunity to make plays,” Allen said. “James has stepped up to the challenge to play fullback. I think with the energy that he is bringing every day, the outcome will be good.”

Aldridge’s influence doesn’t stop at helping the running game.

The senior was elected to the team’s leadership council, and he is also helping his fellow fullbacks.

“James is a really good mentor,” junior fullback Steve Paskorz said. “He is teaching me a lot of things.

“He brings a lot of versatility to the fullback position. He is big, athletic, physical, and he catch and run. I think him being there, he is not just a block threat. He is a threat as a receiver or a runner.”

tkrausz@jg.net