IRISH STEW

Brian Kelly surprises walk-on Josh Anderson with scholarship

IRISH STEW

Tyler James
South Bend Tribune

Brian Kelly asked Josh Anderson to model the new Shamrock Series uniforms for his teammates Thursday morning.

But that wasn't the only reason Notre Dame's head coach asked the walk-on running back to stand in front of the team. Kelly also surprised the senior out of Chatsworth, Calif., with a scholarship.

"He’s a great model," Kelly said in the team meeting, which was captured by Notre Dame's video crew. "That’s why I brought him up here because he models a lot of the things that are right with Notre Dame football. He’s worked hard since he came here. He’s a walk-on. And today, Josh, congratulations. We’re awarding you a scholarship.”

The 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back spent the three previous seasons on Notre Dame's team as a walk-on.

"Josh is a great guy," said fellow running back C.J. Prosise. "He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met. He’s studying pre-med. He’ll be up all night studying and then he’ll come to practice the next day ready to go. He gives 100 percent every play. When coach Kelly said he was getting a scholarship, I was so proud and so happy for him because I know the work he’s put in here.”

“It was great seeing his reaction," said running back Tarean Folston. "The first thing I asked him was 'What did your mom say?’ It was great seeing that he got a scholarship. He deserves it."

Check out the video of Kelly's announcement and the team's reaction below.

Josh just finished his first day as a scholarship student-athlete at Notre Dame. He's a model & RKG for our program. pic.twitter.com/c4MmbNInNS

— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) August 13, 2015//

Notre Dame's Josh Anderson runs during practice at Culver Academies, Friday, August 7, 2015 in Culver. (SBT Photo/BECKY MALEWITZ)