'15 IN S Mykelti Williams (Iowa Western Transfer)

[TheChosen1]

Williams was one of the most dynamic high school football players in the Midwest during the 2014 season, and his skill set translates extremely well to the college level. At 6-foot and 185 pounds, his natural position is safety, but he has been clocked in the 4.3 range in the 40-yard dash and is a very fluid cover man, so cornerback is not out of the question. From his natural skill set to his playmaking ability, Williams has shown the qualities we look for in a four-star prospect. -- Helmholdt

 

[EddytoNow]

Welcome to Notre Dame, Mykelti. I look forward to watching you lay the lumber on some unsuspecting wide receiver or running back. It's what you do on the field that will determine your impact, not some meaningless stars awarded arbitrarily by some rating service. You will have your opportunity, make the most of it.

One of our best defensive players this year was a walk-on, who had more heart and determination than several more highly rated players. Play hard and study harder. The door of opportunity has been opened for you.

 

[WestCoast]

I don't understand why people are angry over the offer or his acceptance. It's Kelly's head if he's not recruiting, offering or developing the right players.

If you disagree, fine. But why get angry and take it personal?

If ND signs all 5-star players, will that put more money in your pocket? Get you a better job? Warm your house? Make you more attractive? Help you lose those 10-lbs you need to lose?

 

[Fbolt]

I don't understand why people are angry over the offer or his acceptance. It's Kelly's head if he's not recruiting, offering or developing the right players.

If you disagree, fine. But why get angry and take it personal?

If ND signs all 5-star players, will that put more money in your pocket? Get you a better job? Warm your house? Make you more attractive? Help you lose those 10-lbs you need to lose?

YES!

Barely room for Porter and Gallimore. Get in while the getting is good.

 

[koonja]

I don't understand why people are angry over the offer or his acceptance. It's Kelly's head if he's not recruiting, offering or developing the right players.

If you disagree, fine. But why get angry and take it personal?

If ND signs all 5-star players, will that put more money in your pocket? Get you a better job? Warm your house? Make you more attractive? Help you lose those 10-lbs you need to lose?

I don't think anybody's mad, or mad at the kid.

It's the fact that we need this committment that is troubling. We started early with a lot of 3-star players, and our excuse was 'go after the big dogs later'. But the 'signing' of 3 star players hasn't stopped.

It's not the kid's fault, it's not all the staff's fault, it's 7-5's fault. Can't have this happen IMO.

Roll players are great and every team can use some. But a team of roll players gets you rolled.

 

[dwshade]

I don't think anybody's mad, or mad at the kid.

It's the fact that we need this committment that is troubling. We started early with a lot of 3-star players, and our excuse was 'go after the big dogs later'. But the 'signing' of 3 star players hasn't stopped.

It's not the kid's fault, it's not all the staff's fault, it's 7-5's fault. Can't have this happen IMO.

Roll players are great and every team can use some. But a team of roll players gets you rolled.

He's a 4 star on rivals and top 250 player.

 

[koonja]

He's a 4 star on rivals and top 250 player.

That's good. Just personally, IDC what he's rated. Him and McKinney are about the same ratings, but McKinney showed way more on the film than Williams did. JMO.

I like to watch the film and see if something stands out. Didn't when I watched Williams.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Nice-that was fast!

 

[dwshade]

For all those "starry-eyed" posters who live and die on star rankings, in the 2014 NFL draft 10 safeties were drafted in the first 4 rounds. One 5 star, 2 four star, and 7 were either three star or lower.

 

[dwshade]

That's good. Just personally, IDC what he's rated. Him and McKinney are about the same ratings, but McKinney showed way more on the film than Williams did. JMO.

I like to watch the film and see if something stands out. Didn't when I watched Williams.

Totally disagree. Liked Williams as a Sr. better than McKinney.

 

[BGIF]

I don't think anybody's mad, or mad at the kid.

It's the fact that we need this committment that is troubling. We started early with a lot of 3-star players, and our excuse was 'go after the big dogs later'. But the 'signing' of 3 star players hasn't stopped.

It's not the kid's fault, it's not all the staff's fault, it's 7-5's fault. Can't have this happen IMO.

Roll players are great and every team can use some. But a team of roll players gets you rolled.

Who was the Safety that was coming to a 10-2 ND or a 12-0 ND?

 

[Big23Head]

Scout's analysts comment that he isn't eye popping with huge plays or combine numbers but he is a straight up football player. Very good instincts and always in the right place at the right time. Tough, intelligent and great technique.

 

[irish o'phile]

Looking at the commit list, there are a bunch of 3-4 star guys, but many of them are super solid and athletic.

 

[koonja]

Who was the Safety that was coming to a 10-2 ND or a 12-0 ND?

None of us know, it's an impossible question. ND in a major bowl game = new players the fans didn't know we had a chance at. See, 2013.

 

[Cali_domer]

Who was the Safety that was coming to a 10-2 ND or a 12-0 ND?

Who knows? Can't say we wouldn't be more popular with high end recruits if we didn't absolutely fold down the stretch.

Now with that said I welcome him and glad to have him

 

[BGIF]

Scout's analysts comment that he isn't eye popping with huge plays or combine numbers but he is a straight up football player. Very good instincts and always in the right place at the right time. Tough, intelligent and great technique.

Hmm, in the right place at the right time ...

BVG must be excited regardless of stars.

 

[gkIrish]

Again, I'm all aboard on this commitment. But using examples of 3-stars who were drafted high or 5 stars that were busts to commend the pickup doesn't make any sense. Argue that you like the film, or that you like his performance against good competition, or that you trust the staff to develop him. Just because some 3 star is a stud in the NFL doesn't make Williams a stud.

 

[irishff1014]

I don't understand why people are angry over the offer or his acceptance. It's Kelly's head if he's not recruiting, offering or developing the right players.

If you disagree, fine. But why get angry and take it personal?

If ND signs all 5-star players, will that put more money in your pocket? Get you a better job? Warm your house? Make you more attractive? Help you lose those 10-lbs you need to lose?

No one is mad at this kid at all. But this the reason why we won't be a top team because we HAVE to have a player like this.

 

[koonja]

Again, I'm all aboard on this commitment. But using examples of 3-stars who were drafted high or 5 stars that were busts to commend the pickup doesn't make any sense. Argue that you like the film, or that you like his performance against good competition, or that you trust the staff to develop him. Just because some 3 star is a stud in the NFL doesn't make Williams a stud.

Plus, there's thousands of 3-stars, and like what, 30 5-stars each year? Odds people!

 

[BGIF]

Who knows? Can't say we wouldn't be more popular with high end recruits if we didn't absolutely fold down the stretch.

Now with that said I welcome him and glad to have him

Have you looked at the higher ranked safeties this year? Where they're from and where they committed? And when they committed?

Seriously which 5 Star Safety, or even Top 10 Safety was going to commit to ND with 2 more wins much less 4?

It was a BS statement!

 

[dwshade]

Again, I'm all aboard on this commitment. But using examples of 3-stars who were drafted high or 5 stars that were busts to commend the pickup doesn't make any sense. Argue that you like the film, or that you like his performance against good competition, or that you trust the staff to develop him. Just because some 3 star is a stud in the NFL doesn't make Williams a stud.

My point was I'm sick of people using stars as a basis of deciding a kid's worth as a prospect. I'll take the evaluation of Kelly or BVG. It was BVG who once took a safety with no other offers from a major school because he saw something he liked. That was Thomas Davis at Georgia who went on to become a 1st round draft pick. What they see in a kid matters far more to me than rankings or poster's limited opinions.

 

[Irish#1]

You have GOT to be kidding me. Where did you read this, the Indy Star?

Indiana HS football is pathetic. The fact that ND is considering this guy just shows how desperate ND has gotten. This guy will never be more than a practice squad player and if he does become more than that, God help us because that means ND is playing MAC football quality.

Watching ND recruiting is becoming more and more disappointing to say the least.

Maybe he read it here, and just got it a couple of spots off:

Top 10 toughest high school football leagues in the nation - MaxPreps

Or here:
Best leagues in prep football, coast-to-coast - USATODAY.com

Obviously your knowledge of Indiana HS football is what is pathetic, not the league.

No not the Indy Star.

Ironman, I appreciate the backup. I had not read it, but heard a radio interview this past August where they mentioned the MIC being one of the top five two years in a row. Not sure, he may have been getting his info from one of these sources.

Regardless Wingman, you must really have an ulcer, given we Smith and Day on the roster and we're picking up several more.

 

[NDRock]

Hope he's not as bad as some people elude, according to Rivals (which I prefer) he's our 7th highest (out of 22) rated prospect.

 

[Cali_domer]

Have you looked at the higher ranked safeties this year? Where they're from and where they committed? And when they committed?

Seriously which 5 Star Safety, or even Top 10 Safety was going to commit to ND with 2 more wins much less 4?

It was a BS statement!

Who knows, but it would be easier to "flip" if we didn't have a awful season. It's not unheard of to flip 4-5 star recruits even if they're long time commits.

 

[NDRock]

Who knows, but it would be easier to "flip" if we didn't have a awful season. It's not unheard of to flip 4-5 star recruits even if they're long time commits.

We got Redfield to flip late after our 12-0 season.

 

[T Town Tommy]

This just isn't true though. Alabama had a 3 safety who started for multiple years for them. This year - like every year - they have a number of 3-stars and non-consensus 4-stars. Not every player you sign is going to be a "stud" and we're in a position at safety where you flat out need bodies right now.

I don't understand some's negativity towards Williams either. Here are a few 3 star players that Bama signed the last 4-5 years. It is a pretty solid list and goes to show that stars outside a recruits name doesn't mean they can't develop in to solid players. And several of these guys are playing on Sunday's now. It doesn't mean that Williams will turn out to be a solid player for the Irish... but to dismiss him because he only has three stars is a little premature.

V. Sunseri
Q. Dial
D. Beleu
B. Ivory
A Shepherd
C. Lindsey
J. Cook
E. Jackson
A. Steen
C. Warmack
E. Stinson
K. Norwood
R. Lester
M. Dareus

 

[koonja]

I don't think anybody's bummed that he's a 3-star. McKinney, Kolin Hill, both 3-stars and I was excited to have him.

They're underwhelmed because they watched the film and came away unimpressed. That's OK, not every ND player has to be star-born.

And the 'bama has 3 stars' thing doesn't make sense to me. They have 3-stars that play, but are not asked to be difference makers. Their 4/5-star players are their difference makers, and the 3-stars are fill ins.

Our team is filled with 3 stars and we're going to have to ask some of them to be difference makers. That's not what Bama does. So in a class with solid 4/5 star guys, Williams would be a welcome addition. But IMO we're watered down because we don't have the elite base to begin with.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I don't think anybody's bummed that he's a 3-star. McKinney, Kolin Hill, both 3-stars and I was excited to have him.

They're underwhelmed because they watched the film and came away unimpressed. That's OK, not every ND player has to be star-born.

And the 'bama has 3 stars' thing doesn't make sense to me. They have 3-stars that play, but are not asked to be difference makers. Their 4/5-star players are their difference makers, and the 3-stars are fill ins.Our team is filled with 3 stars and we're going to have to ask some of them to be difference makers. That's not what Bama does.

Koon... look at the list I posted. Most of those 3 star players were not "fill ins" for Bama. Most ended up starting and several are now playing on Sunday.

 

[koonja]

Koon... look at the list I posted. Most of those 3 star players were not "fill ins" for Bama. Most ended up starting and several are now playing on Sunday.

We're they the difference makers? Or were they solid starters surrounded by real playmakers?

 

[NDRock]

I wonder what the success rate for 3 star players at Bama is? Every time statistics get tossed around regarding the 3* vs 4* vs. 5* debate, it never takes into consideration the different environments of these players. Obviously a 3 star player at Miami of Ohio is going to be getting less coaching than at Bama (not to mention the S & C). I always thought a better idea would be to compare the success rate within the power 5 conferences or at each school since most 3* kids play at lesser programs.