Film Don't Lie: Kyren Williams
Multiple has been a buzz word in college football for years. The more options an offensive scheme has, the more difficult it is to defend. But in order to be multiple, it requires personnel with the versatility to thrive in more than one role. Despite the success of last season’s Notre Dame offense (5th in rushing S&P+), the offense wasn’t multiple enough.
It was too one dimensional and it wasn’t just because they had issues throwing the football. It was partly due to the personnel and the fact that certain players were better suited to execute one thing rather than multiple things. That’s why it’s essential to land athletes like Kyren Williams to play in Notre Dame’s offense.
Not only can he run the ball effectively, but he’s a talented receiver that can be a mismatch in coverage as well. He’s a player the Irish targeted early as a top priority at running back and his skill set is going to make the Irish offense better.
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 190
Projected Position: Running Back
ISD Grade: 91 (4-star)
National Average Grade: 89.8 (4-star)
What he does best:
One thing Williams is as a runner is patient. His feet are really good and it allows him to wait for even the smallest creases that he can slip through. If nothing is there, he doesn’t force it. He’s in the Wildcat here and let’s the one diving defender go by him and then hits it up the hole.
It’s what happens after that is truly great, though. For not the biggest guy, he is strong and can run with power. He runs through a tackle, maintains his balance and finishes. That is a constant with him. He finishes run and maximizes yardage whether he is running inside or out on the perimeter.
His vision is special. Some guys just have the innate ability to know when to make the right cut. They feel defenders pursuing and know when to explode opposite of that. Williams has that feel whether near the line of scrimmage or further past it like on this touchdown run.
5’10” may be generous, but he plays like a guy who is 6’2”. He has very strong ball skills and when the ball is in the air, it’s his. He can win contested catches like this one and isn’t fazed by contact from defenders as a receiver.
His short area quickness is evident as a runner, but it’s also something that could make him a dangerous slot receiver if the coaching staff ever chose to play him there or even motion him out of the backfield. He can separate because of his burst like on this post route.
He’s slippery in the open field and that vision I mentioned also makes him a threat in the screen game too whether it’s from the slot or as a back.
There are some players you watch and it’s clear they just love the game of football. It shows with Williams in everything he does. He lights up receivers as a defensive back on defense and has a great feel as a blitzer as well. This right tackle getting bullied by Williams on this sack and strip is a great example of how he is a pure football player.
Wherever he is playing, he is physical and that is always a great thing no matter what the position a player projects to.
What he needs to improve:
The one weakness with Williams that stands out is his long speed. He does not show the extra gear to break away from defenders in the open field. He is still able to end up in the end zone because of some of his other traits, but it won’t be as easy to do so at the next level.
Can he develop that extra gear? Some guys do, but it’s not common. It will be interesting to see if he does because it would take his game to another level.
He shows great flashes as a route runner, but the consistency isn’t there. Like many players at his age, he relies on his athleticism to win a lot of the time. He can be a lot better if he refines his footwork in this area.
What’s his ceiling?
I think his ceiling is directly correlated to that long speed. If he’s more quick than fast like he is now, then he still can be a very good back and one that can play in all situations. He probably won’t be a game breaker, though.
Even without that, I love his game. I do think he can be a very effective inside runner and create mismatches in the passing game if they utilize that part of his skill set. Much like Julian Love, Williams is a pure football player. Put him on special teams, put him at receiver, or put him in the backfield and he can make an impact.
I would be shocked if he isn’t someone who ends up having a role in the offense in some capacity in a couple of years and would not be surprised if he ends up as the feature back for the Irish by the time he graduates.
BREAKING: 2019 Four-Star RB Kyren Williams Commits To Notre Dame
Video: Watch 2019 Four-Star RB Kyren Williams Commit To Notre Dame