2020 IL RB Leshon Williams Enjoys Notre Dame Atmosphere

Saturday’s win over Ball State was far from impressive for Notre Dame, but Leshon Williams‍ managed to find something impressive in the way the performance was handled.

The 2020 Illinois running back was in town on an unofficial visit and was struck by Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly’s address to the players following their 24-16 win over the Cardinals, who were 35-point underdogs.

“Most coaches put it on the team when they didn’t play so good, but he actually took the blame for it for not prepping the team right,” Williams explained.

And while the Irish may not have put on an impressive performance on the final Saturday night, their supporters in the stands did.

“The fans there were amazing,” the 5-foot-10, 205-pound Williams said. “The fans mainly made me love it the most.”

The Richards High School standout had an opportunity to speak with Notre Dame running backs coach Autry Denson.

“He told me to keep the grades up and asked if I’d be able to make another visit soon,” Williams explained.

 “I like how he uses the running backs. #8 (Jafar Armstrong), he was putting him at receiver. I like how he used the running back not just to run the ball, but to catch too.”

The Oak Lawn, Ill., native plans on taking Denson up on the offer to return.

“I’m most definitely going to come back,” he said. “I want to go to the Florida State game.”

Williams called the campus “amazing.”

“I loved the weight room,” he continued. “(My tour guide) told me how the trainers make a specific smoothie for the players for whatever they’re trying to work on.”

He was also impressed with Notre Dame’s history on the field and the faith-based aspect of the school.

Williams has a pair of early offers from Cincinnati and Northern Illinois.

“It’s an honor, but I plan on getting a whole lot more,” he said. “I know they’ll come eventually, but it’s an honor.”

Williams, who has been clocked at 4.6 in the 40-yard dash, said college coaches like that he’s a “powerful runner, who can catch very good for a running back, who can run the whole route tree as a running back.”

He’s also looking at visits to Illinois, Cincinnati and Michigan this fall.

He said he’s looking for “a school that’s not just about football, but education too.”