BREAKING: 2019 Four-Star RB Kyren Williams Commits To Notre Dame
Kyren Williams is Irish.
Notre Dame has landed a running back prospect.
Those are two statements Notre Dame fans have wanted to hear since January, and on Thursday night, the 2019 St. Vianney (Mo.) star made it official as he committed to Notre Dame.
“I know I’m going to school for the education and football,” said Williams. “The academics are at the top of the game and the best in the country.”
It hasn’t been a secret that Williams has been looking for the combination of top academics and athletics, so it’s not a shock Notre Dame was the school in end.
“We knew he was gifted in football, but we wanted him always to remain humble,” his mother, Taryn Williams, told Irish Sports Daily. “Our focus was always on academics. When he got into fourth grade, we asked him if he knew he was good at football. He was outstanding, and everyone in the area knew it, but we never talked about it at home.
“He answered ‘Yes.’ Our goal was to keep him humble and his grades to where they needed to be. He’s self-driven. We don’t have to monitor his grades or review his homework. He puts in the work because he just has a high standard for himself.”
“The rule was if you don’t make the grade, you don’t play sports,” added Mr. Williams. “He wants to be successful on and off the field.”
On the field, Williams will get coached by Autry Denson, a coach that impressed the four-star prospect almost immediately. Denson kept the relationship strong over the spring and kept Notre Dame at the front of Williams’ recruitment.
“When we were at Junior Day, we were sitting in the running backs room, and he was very motivational,” Williams recalled. “Even my dad said he was ready to play after Coach Denson was done speaking.
“We talk on a daily basis, and he always sends a motivational quote or Bible verse every morning. We talk on the phone probably every week or every other week.”
The tipping point in his recruitment was on his official visit last weekend. Williams had existing relationships with Houston Griffith, Micah Jones, Julian Love and Isaiah Robertson from his 7-on-7 team, but the chance to experience life as a student-athlete was all he needed.
“I got to explore everything on the campus,” stated Williams. “I was able to walk from different places and see different things.
“It was fun being able to hang out with the players and also the recruits this weekend. I saw how much love is in South Bend.”
As for his future, one Midwest scout feels Notre Dame landed a game-changer.
“What jumps off of the film right away with Kyren Williams is his ability to play multiple position and the fact he never comes off of the field,” explained the scout. “He was named Metro Catholic Conference Offensive Player of the Year playing running back, wide receiver, wildcat QB and was a game changer in the defensive backfield. Much like Love, Williams is the go-to player for his high school team on both sides of the ball.
“Love was never the biggest, fastest or most talented prospect, but what has made him so successful at Notre Dame is his grit and desire to be great. William’s competitiveness is one of his best assets.”
Film Don't Lie: Kyren Williams
Video: Watch 2019 Four-Star RB Kyren Williams Commit To Notre Dame