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

[ulukinatme]

Time to move on. This guy hasnt proved to be useful in any of his prior years, what makes you think he will be useful now that he has sat out a whole season? I have no clue what happened to this guy.

No way this guy should be in the discussion of a 5th year.

Honestly, the problem was two fold. One, Ishaq was playing behind a pretty talented guy in Prince Shembo, a guy that plays on Sundays. Two, Ishaq was a DE in high school and asked to play LB in college until last year, and quite frankly he was not suited for the position imo. That's like trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. The guy played best when his hand was in the dirt. He made the natural transition back to DL with the switch back to the 4-3, and he was slated to start before the academic issue. I honestly think he could have had a decent year if he was eligible.

 

[IrishLion]

Time to move on. This guy hasnt proved to be useful in any of his prior years, what makes you think he will be useful now that he has sat out a whole season? I have no clue what happened to this guy.

No way this guy should be in the discussion of a 5th year.

Yes, he was worthless in 2013 when he was generating pressure at key times the last half of the season, coincidentally when he started to settle into a full-time DE role. Didn't provide any benefit at all when Tuitt was hurting.

 

[stlnd01]

I thought someone reported this but I don't see it anywhere. So FWIW, Sampson spoke to someone close to Ishaq and was told his plan to return to ND regardless of whether there is a scholarship available or not. He isn't taking classes now because it wouldn't change his graduation timeline. He has to re-apply and be accepted again. Eligibility to play isn't 100% clear yet.

That makes sense. It's hard to know what classes he could be taking back home that would meaningfully advance him towards graduating from ND at this point anyway (Academically he's a senior, right? And appears to be a philosophy major.)
Hopefully for all he's re-admitted and comes back, though I'd agree with those who say this one has a down vibe about it.

 

[ND NYC]

really hope he gets back and makes his last year special.
always pulled for Ishaq
I think in BVG's D he could really surprise.

 

[BoredIrish]

I thought someone reported this but I don't see it anywhere. So FWIW, Sampson spoke to someone close to Ishaq and was told his plan to return to ND regardless of whether there is a scholarship available or not. He isn't taking classes now because it wouldn't change his graduation timeline. He has to re-apply and be accepted again. Eligibility to play isn't 100% clear yet.

He could be the best PWO in the history of ND.

 

[BobbyMac]

He could be the best PWO in the history of ND.

He won't even be better than the PWO he lines up next to. lol

.

 

[Irish Insanity]

He won't even be better than the PWO he lines up next to. lol

.

Who?

 

[Wild Bill]

Who?

schmidt.

 

[woolybug25]

schmidt.

If he comes back, he wont be lining up next to Schmidt very often. He'll have his hand on the ground.

 

[Irish Insanity]

schmidt.

He's not a PWO

 

[Andy in Sactown]

He's not a PWO

Not anymore, but you knew what he meant; jackal.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Not anymore, but you knew what he meant; jackal.

Actually I do considering he said 'in history' and Schmidt was once a walk on. However, my ADD didn't allow me to process it all the first time. Ha

 

[NDinL.A.]

From everything I've heard, I'd be shocked if Ishaq suited up for ND next year. He might not even be NCAA-eligible, much less ND-eligible. I wrote him off months ago.

Nothing worse than wasted talent...

 

[Cackalacky]

Honestly, the problem was two fold. One, Ishaq was playing behind a pretty talented guy in Prince Shembo, a guy that plays on Sundays. Two, Ishaq was a DE in high school and asked to play LB in college until last year, and quite frankly he was not suited for the position imo. That's like trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. The guy played best when his hand was in the dirt. He made the natural transition back to DL with the switch back to the 4-3, and he was slated to start before the academic issue. I honestly think he could have had a decent year if he was eligible.

This is how I see it too. Hope he at least makes it back and gets the degree at a minimum.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Our numbers crunch seems prohibitive of him being on the team. I'm just praying that if people like Baratti and Grace are really healthy, there will be room for them too. Unless someone like Golson transfers [and probably at least one other] I don't see how we are going to get there. I've forgotten Mark Harrell's eligibility and graduation status, but, regardless, his sticking it out here is a little surprising too --- despite what someone said the other day about him being the number one interior OLine back-up --- something VERY hard to believe. BVGs son really needs to be given back to walk on status voluntarily with BVGs blessing --- this is very different psychologically than if his dad were not the coach. Even Joe Schmidt might consider doing this for the team, just like big salary pro players sometimes restructure contracts for team success. Some people on this board don't seem to realize that making 85 is serious business. Just winging it is no responsible option. Are we REALLY rooting for career ending injuries?

 

[woolybug25]

Our numbers crunch seems prohibitive of him being on the team. I'm just praying that if people like Baratti and Grace are really healthy, there will be room for them too. Unless someone like Golson transfers [and probably at least one other] I don't see how we are going to get there. I've forgotten Mark Harrell's eligibility and graduation status, but, regardless, his sticking it out here is a little surprising too --- despite what someone said the other day about him being the number one interior OLine back-up --- something VERY hard to believe. BVGs son really needs to be given back to walk on status voluntarily with BVGs blessing --- this is very different psychologically than if his dad were not the coach. Even Joe Schmidt might consider doing this for the team, just like big salary pro players sometimes restructure contracts for team success. Some people on this board don't seem to realize that making 85 is serious business. Just winging it is no responsible option. Are we REALLY rooting for career ending injuries?

This is what many of us have been asking them to do for many years. It's what every other team in the country tries to do. The reality is that they don't owe 5th year seniors anything. They have already fulfilled their commitment to them, so it's their right to play out the spring and see what inevitable (and it is inevitable) defections take place. Hell, the 5th year seniors can go play somewhere else if they want as well. So it's a two way street at that point. The reality is that we need to lose three slots. We have enough 5th years to do that, albeit not our preferred option. We will get down to 85 and do it in a responsible manner. Attrition will take care of itself through the realities of college football. No sense agonizing over who or how those will take place, just be patient and see what transpires.

There's a significant difference between that and "rooting for injuries".

 

[PANDFAN]

Our numbers crunch seems prohibitive of him being on the team. I'm just praying that if people like Baratti and Grace are really healthy, there will be room for them too. Unless someone like Golson transfers [and probably at least one other] I don't see how we are going to get there. I've forgotten Mark Harrell's eligibility and graduation status, but, regardless, his sticking it out here is a little surprising too --- despite what someone said the other day about him being the number one interior OLine back-up --- something VERY hard to believe. BVGs son really needs to be given back to walk on status voluntarily with BVGs blessing --- this is very different psychologically than if his dad were not the coach. Even Joe Schmidt might consider doing this for the team, just like big salary pro players sometimes restructure contracts for team success. Some people on this board don't seem to realize that making 85 is serious business. Just winging it is no responsible option. Are we REALLY rooting for career ending injuries?

according to BK, this is a 1 year thing with ALL pwo getting a scholly...now whether that means schmidt idk since most of the time you are not counting on a pwo being a starter

 

[IRISH in MT]

This is what many of us have been asking them to do for many years. It's what every other team in the country tries to do. The reality is that they don't owe 5th year seniors anything. They have already fulfilled their commitment to them, so it's their right to play out the spring and see what inevitable (and it is inevitable) defections take place. Hell, the 5th year seniors can go play somewhere else if they want as well. So it's a two way street at that point. The reality is that we need to lose three slots. We have enough 5th years to do that, albeit not our preferred option. We will get down to 85 and do it in a responsible manner. Attrition will take care of itself through the realities of college football. No sense agonizing over who or how those will take place, just be patient and see what transpires.

There's a significant difference between that and "rooting for injuries".

Agreed woolybug. I love the 5th year transfer option. Guys that get passed on the ND depth chart still have a chance to go to a place they can play. They got their ND diploma and usually a great experience with it. I say be 100% honest with 5th year players like they did Hegarty and let them make a choice. There are PLENTY of D-I colleges who are willing to take ND graduates with eligibility.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Two points : Does everyone know how limited IW's choices are? Even though we are talking about using a 'fifth year', he has not graduated. His chances of being readmitted and being allowed to use his fifth year without graduating are what, barely north of zero? And with that he cannot transfer to any other D1 program without permission, correct?

Also, Joe Schmidt was a preferred walk-on until he became a scholarship player. I believe when his scholarship was awarded Kelly noted that it was for the duration. If Kelly offers a scholarship for a walk-on player Montana, Salvi, VG, etc., it is a one year scholarship. Salvi, for example got two one year scholarships, didn't he?

 

[dublinirish]

MVG's scholly is only a year to year thing. I doubt he's on scholly this year if things are tight.

 

[Huntr]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Ishaq Williams is at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> Pro Day.</p>— Nick Ironside (@nironside247) <a href="https://twitter.com/nironside247/status/582940062767276032">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Welp, bye.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Lol. Is he participating or just watching?

 

[PANDFAN]

watching...and if ANYTHING this would be a positive to return...he is at ND, not participating..could be meeting w/ officials...would you come all the way from New York just to watch?

 

[Luckylucci]

Lol. Is he participating or just watching?

Thats what I'm wondering but I imagine just watching because there is an official list of participants that is sent out to the NFl scouts in advance so they know who to expect. I wouldn't think he'd be that late of an addition but I don't know for sure.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

watching...and if ANYTHING this would be a positive to return...he is at ND, not participating..could be meeting w/ officials...would you come all the way from New York just to watch?

The early reports are that we don't have any dominant pass rushers, I wonder if Ishaq has developed some tenacity/hunger while he was away? It'd be a great redemption story but I won't hold my breath.

 

[stlnd01]

watching...and if ANYTHING this would be a positive to return...he is at ND, not participating..could be meeting w/ officials...would you come all the way from New York just to watch?

This. It's a good thing. Probably there to support his friends and - hopefully - talk with university & football program folks about what he needs to do to come back. Because otherwise it's probably retirement or arena ball for Ishaq at this point, right? And that'd be too bad.

 

[Irish#1]

The early reports are that we don't have any dominant pass rushers, I wonder if Ishaq has developed some tenacity/hunger while he was away? It'd be a great redemption story but I won't hold my breath.

Maybe some time away has made him realize what he had?

 

[Sherm Sticky]

watching...and if ANYTHING this would be a positive to return...he is at ND, not participating..could be meeting w/ officials...would you come all the way from New York just to watch?

Exactly what I was thinking. This is a good sign.

 

[ND NYC]

has to be a good sign

 

[Irish YJ]

I would love to see this young man get the benefit of a year under our new coaches.