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Notre Dame Football

Williams and RBs Focused on Earning Chip Long's Trust

August 9, 2017
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Chip Long has brought a run emphasis to Notre Dame in his first year as offensive coordinator. The attention to the running game has Notre Dame’s running backs excited, and junior Dexter Williams knows they can’t let Long down.  

“We run the ball a lot more in this offense,” Williams stated on Wednesday. “The offense really depends on the running backs. Our group is so experienced, and whenever he calls our name, we have to step up to the plate and make plays. Coach Long is relying on us to do that, so I feel like running the ball is the difference from last year’s offense.

“We always talk about it in the running back room. Coach (Autry) Denson stays on us. We have to make sure we have to get the first down if it’s fourth-and-two. It shows Coach Long that he can trust us running the ball.”

The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder believes all three running backs have proven they can get the job done to this point of Fall Camp.  

“It’s big to have multiple running backs because we run the ball so much in our tempo,” explained Williams. “It’s very fast, and you need backs to rotate in and out. With our rotation, if you remove the numbers from our jerseys, we all look the same.”

Irish Sports Daily Dexter Williams
Despite the competition between himself, Tony Jones Jr., and Josh Adams, to earn carries, Williams says there isn’t any animosity in the room, and each big play encourages the other two backs to make a bigger play.

“I wouldn’t call it pressure, but it amps up the competition in the room,” Williams said of the competition. “If Josh breaks a 60-yard run, the goal for Tony and I is to break an 80-yard run. It really brings out the competition in the room.”

While all three backs are making plays, Williams believes his explosive traits separate him from the other backs in the Denson’s stable.

“I have a little more explosiveness,” laughed Williams. “I am pretty explosive in and out of the tackles. I know I have gotten a lot faster and stronger. I am feeling great this year, so it’s looking pretty good.”

Williams admits he needs to work on a few of the traits head coach Brian Kelly has laid out for the team, but he is putting in the work to become a better player.  

“I really need to improve on focusing, paying attention, and having an attention to detail,” Williams stated. “I need to improve on my blocking.

“I am improving every day. I am working on it with Coach Denson. Josh, Tony, and I will be working in the dorms late at night studying the plays. We are working on our blocking skills and learning defenses.”  

Another new part of the Notre Dame offense is starting quarterback Brandon Wimbush. Williams has been impressed with Wimbush’s ability to take hold of the team and maintain his focus on the goals at hand.

“He’s been more of a leader,” said Williams. “He’s always bringing guys up and the first out. He’s always working, and he might be the last guy off the field. He’s always in the playbook and definitely taken on his role.

“There is a lot of faith in Brandon. He’s still learning as a young quarterback, but he’s not worried. He’s focused on the team and his job at the quarterback position.”

The offensive line will help ease Wimbush into the offense but also make Williams’ job much easier. Williams has seen a difference in the offensive line since the spring and couldn’t be more excited.

“I have seen a lot of daylight, especially with Quenton (Nelson), Sam (Mustipher), and (Alex) Bars,” said Williams. “There has been a lot of improvement on the offensive line. Coach (Harry) Hiestand has done a great job bringing up the younger guys, and there will be a lot of holes this year.”  

 
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