'11 NY OLB Ishaq Williams (Signed ND LOI-EE)

[Sherm Sticky]

Ishaq body type and athleticism is perfect for a 3-4 rush/cat olb.

 

[jerboski]

Hoping he makes a big jump next year, has a ton of tools just needs to put it together.

 

[Irishman77]

He is a fantastic 1B in rotation. I am very confident he will have an amazing senior year with Shembo in the NFL.

 

[NDhoosier]

Not to nitpick or come off like an *******, but I recall Tuitt's sack in the Pitt game last year was a game-clincher more or less.

I may be misplacing when it occured too though, correct me if I'm wrong.

you mean how Ishaq gave Tuitt his fumble recovery for a TD? One play doesnt make a player, Tuitt has come in his own this year. Give Ishaq a chance, he is playing behind Shembo.

 

[GBdomer]

Don't move to DE. why? He is the ideal fit at CAT linebacker. He still has two years left here its not like he is buried on the depth chart.

 

[Walter White]

I think somebody already said it, but CAT linebacker is probably the toughest position to learn on our *defense*. He still has unlimited potential where he is right now. I would be very shocked if he moved to DE (though I think he could).

What's not to like about him so far guys? He is only a sophomore.

EDIT: I accidentally a word.

 

[GBdomer]

Walter you mean defense and I agree with you he might not get the sacks but he has been brining some pressure off the edge this year.

 

[GBdomer]

Plus it's hard to take Shembo out when he has been playing like someone took his bike seat this year.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I hope someone takes his tires this week.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

No one disagrees that he's the ideal athlete for CAT. I believe the question (for myself, anyways) was more a long the lines of a hypothetical situation. That situation being: 1) He doesn't get it. The position never clicks with him. He's #2 on the depth chart right now mainly because the only person behind him is Romeo, who's a true freshman. Next year, the depth increases and then in his senior year, there will be a mess of athletes pushing for that spot when Prince is gone. If it doesn't click w/ Ishaq, he will get passed by someone else. That brings me to 2) If he gets passed, why not bulk him up and stick him on the line. It's not questionable how athletic he is and how much of a force he is when his hand is in the dirt. Put some weight on him and let him do his thing as a DE.

Do I think Ishaq should be moved anytime soon? No. He's a sophomore. He came from NY where football isn't as big so perhaps the coaching wasn't the best. He's playing a foreign position to him. He needs time to develop. He's perfect for this position. I hope it pans out. All I'm saying is it could happen and I wouldn't be opposed to him playing on the DL if it turns out that the CAT position just isn't for him. He's a superior athlete and I just want to see him make the impact we all thought he could, regardless of position. This kid has potential.

 

[Luckylucci]

Earlier in the thread someone compare the situation to Harrison smith and I agree with that. He'll catch on and probably go beast mode over the next two years. As a lot of these kids have been saying that are able to play more aggressive when they are confident in the scheme. That will come with time.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Not to mention he played football in Brooklyn. The kid came out extremely raw and is playing the hardest position to learn on defense.

 

[Old Man Mike]

One of the last things that we have to worry about on this team is our CAT linebacker position either this year or for the foreseeable future. We have essentially an All-American playing there right now [and next year] eating up loads of snaps because he has an huge motor and, therefore, as Kelly says, "work rate". When he needs a breather, in comes probably the most athletic back-up CAT in the nation.

All Ishaq needs to do, I think, is not only accept the fact that he's playing behind an AA, but embrace that and really bust a$$ hustle on every play to the whistle. I believe that what people are not noticing are his actions from snap to about two+ seconds in, and rather only seeing him from three or more seconds out, when he's not always sprinting to the ball.

Diaco knows what he has here, I believe, and that is why he occasionally goes 4-front with both Prince and Ishaq in at the rush DEs. Tuitt makes this hard to choose to play too many times, but the mere fact that Diaco is looking for excuses to get Ishaq in more speaks volumes. Still, we DO have other monsters coming in the pipeline, so the big man from Brooklyn needs to keep evolving and hustling.

 

[yankeeND]

I thought Ishaq really got after it last night! Just continue to work young man! You are special!

 

[tadman95]

I thought Ishaq really got after it last night! Just continue to work young man! You are special!

I agree, thought he was solid.

 

[rtrn2glory]

played really welll last night....so close to being elite imo, missed bell by the goalline on the td last night....just needs to finish he's been right there a bunch all year, but yes he's getting better

 

[NDhoosier]

Still has not reached his potential, but he is still young. We just have to be patient with him.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

played really welll last night....so close to being elite imo, missed bell by the goalline on the td last night....just needs to finish he's been right there a bunch all year, but yes he's getting better

A lot of people miss Bell at the goalline.

 

[rtrn2glory]

everybody has...true

 

[TheTurningPoint]

He shed the block and almost made a tackle that 99% are gonna miss. Like stated above he's getting there. Im not even sure Manti would have made that tackle one on one...the main reason Ishaq had a chance is his length on that play. His coverages were nice last night.

 

[yankeeND]

He shed the block and almost made a tackle that 99% are gonna miss. Like stated above he's getting there. Im not even sure Manti would have made that tackle one on one...the main reason Ishaq had a chance is his length on that play. His coverages were nice last night.

Yeah Bell is just a monster and there is absolutely no shame in that. The thing that stood out to me most about Ishaq last night was there wasn't any hesitation. He played hard and was finishing his tackles! We are watching he and Golson grow up very quickly!

 

[Riddickulous]

Once the light turns on and he starts playing at the same level as Tuitt, Nix, and Shembo...

Sweet Jesus.

 

[stlnd01]

I thought Ishaq really got after it last night!

Yes he did.

 

[woolybug25]

Didn't Wooly or someone recently suggest that our DL recruiting is falling a tad behind? I can't recall the post/thread, but I feel as if they suggested we need a true DE this cycle and the next cycle get a DT and one or two DEs.

I said no such thing.

 

[ACamp1900]

I think his role is to fill his gap, not over pursue and stuff it when it comes his way... Watching him closely lately I really think a lot our concerns come from design...

 

[IrishLion]

I think his role is to fill his gap, not over pursue and stuff it when it comes his way... Watching him closely lately I really think a lot our concerns come from design...

Amen, during Oklahoma's first drive I had to explain to my stepfather the method as to why OU's receivers were so open (he's a big Irish fan, but not invested in the X's and O's of the current team). Ishaq's lack of "big plays" is really no different than the rest of the D, it's by design. Play your gap, don't let anyone behind you. It's being overly-tough on Ishaq when comparing him to guys like Shembo, Tuitt and Teo that are so good they can make huge plays even within the "conservative" method. Sure, Ishaq could make a few more tackles or get to a spot a few steps sooner, but he's getting there, and he certainly hasn't been detrimental to the overall success of the defense.

 

[Kak7304]

I think his role is to fill his gap, not over pursue and stuff it when it comes his way... Watching him closely lately I really think a lot our concerns come from design...

This is exactly right. It's also the reason Lynch was a liability at times despite being a huge asset in the pass rush. Our scheme requires all 11 players to play good assignment football and do their job. Te'o can do what Te'o does because Nix and Tuitt eat up blocks which free him to roam. I encourage you guys to take a look at Manti's sack of Jones and watch #11 on the play. He takes his man out wide and creates the lane for Te'o to run through. He also maintains outside leverage should Jones escape Te'o and try to scramble outside.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ar2w6wEG5MY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Golden Glory]

Solid game by Ishaq, it did seem he was less tentative and was more decisive on the field.

 

[Riddickulous]

Is it just me or is the light starting to come on for Ishaq?

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Is it just me or is the light starting to come on for Ishaq?

I hope so.