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

[NDinL.A.]

I'll say it again...I would be absolutely shocked if he were to suit up for the Irish this year. I'd be shocked if he suited up for anyone this year, to be honest. But from everything I've heard (back in January and February), and then from BK's comments in his pressers, this ship has sailed long ago.

 

[Booslum31]

I'll say it again...I would be absolutely shocked if he were to suit up for the Irish this year. I'd be shocked if he suited up for anyone this year, to be honest. But from everything I've heard (back in January and February), and then from BK's comments in his pressers, this ship has sailed long ago.

That's kind of what I was thinking. Just can't figure out what he was doing on campus. Nobody is really sharing who he was meeting with or why.

 

[Irish YJ]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Ishaq Williams in the house at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a>'s Pro Day. DaVaris Daniels and Kendall Moore are taking part. <a href="http://t.co/UwxmHsik0G">pic.twitter.com/UwxmHsik0G</a></p>— Carl Deffenbaugh (@CarlDeff) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarlDeff/status/582944781468307456">March 31, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I'll say it again...I would be absolutely shocked if he were to suit up for the Irish this year. I'd be shocked if he suited up for anyone this year, to be honest. But from everything I've heard (back in January and February), and then from BK's comments in his pressers, this ship has sailed long ago.

Care to go into more detail?

 

[Irish YJ]

I'll say it again...I would be absolutely shocked if he were to suit up for the Irish this year. I'd be shocked if he suited up for anyone this year, to be honest. But from everything I've heard (back in January and February), and then from BK's comments in his pressers, this ship has sailed long ago.

LA be like this when Ishaq gets his first sack against the Longhorns.

 

[dublinirish]

he could be there to meet scouts/agents with a view to entering the supplemental draft no?

 

[Irish YJ]

he could be there to meet scouts/agents with a view to entering the supplemental draft no?

Hey man, don't stifle the optimism brewing here. Where's NDSean when you need him.

 

[ulukinatme]

I'm with LA. Given the current roster numbers, and the fact that Kelly hasn't said much about Ishaaq outside of that his situation wasn't "fluid" and he has a tougher road to possibly get back, I wouldn't expect to see Ishaaq suit up with us next season. It's been mostly negatives, and while our crop of DEs could be better we certainly have a lot of guys at that position as it currently stands.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I'm with LA. Given the current roster numbers, and the fact that Kelly hasn't said much about Ishaaq outside of that his situation wasn't "fluid" and he has a tougher road to possibly get back, I wouldn't expect to see Ishaaq suit up with us next season. It's been mostly negatives, and while our crop of DEs could be better we certainly have a lot of guys at that position as it currently stands.

Talk about trying to read tea leaves and dried bones . . .

 

[irishfan]

He's only coming back if our DEs look like crap this spring....either there's a more complicated issue with his academics, or BK just doesn't think he's that important for us next season. There's a reason there has been a complete difference in how BK talked about KVR and Ishaq.

 

[connor_in]

Talk about trying to read tea leaves and dried bones . . .

 

[irishandy]

What I have read locally about the return of Ishaq vs. KVR is that ND has spoken directly to KVR and gone through third party's for Ishaq. Either way I want to see Ishaq on this team. Good to see him at campus.

 

[woolybug25]

Hell... I totally am with the guys like Hollywood where I believe that it certainly doesn't seem like the necessary things have happened to reasonably believe that his return is imminent. But I am certainly intrigued by why he came out from the east coast to be on campus for the pro day. I hope at the least, there were person-to-person conversations with BK. Not to mention with the folks in admissions.

 

[dublinirish]

i could so totally see BK at his next presser being asked if he spoke to Ishaq and him replying "No".

 

[Bogtrotter07]

i could so totally see BK at his next presser being asked if he spoke to Ishaq and him replying "No".

Truth.

Some of you want to "rune" a bunch of perfectly good rumors! I am looking at you Connor!

 

[Irish YJ]

Hell... I totally am with the guys like Hollywood where I believe that it certainly doesn't seem like the necessary things have happened to reasonably believe that his return is imminent. But I am certainly intrigued by why he came out from the east coast to be on campus for the pro day. I hope at the least, there were person-to-person conversations with BK. Not to mention with the folks in admissions.

Me too. I can also totally imagine our new DE coach looking at Ishaq and thinking "I can turn this guy into something". Huge long shot of him returning, but I do think his return would be an overall positive, for both the team, and for Ishaq as human being.

 

[Irishman77]

Someone should post a breakdown of all thee 5 stars we got under Kelly and the result...

 

[PANDFAN]

Someone should post a breakdown of all thee 5 stars we got under Kelly and the result...

it has been done before...somewhere in one of the million threads

 

[dublinirish]

aha yeah multiple times i'd say.

 

[Big23Head]

At II tj said it doesn't seem likely he returns. Sampson also said each time he talks to Ishaq's family they are hopeful he returns and that is the plan as of now. Ishaq spent some of Pro Day with Longo

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Fingers crossed

 

[ThePiombino]

At II tj said it doesn't seem likely he returns. Sampson also said each time he talks to Ishaq's family they are hopeful he returns and that is the plan as of now. Ishaq spent some of Pro Day with Longo

I just don't see where there's room for him. There is no way to make room with putting yourself into a 'Rob Peter to pay Paul' scenario. Barring a last-minute transfer or injury, it just doesn't appear to be the cards for Ishaq. It's a shame too- I really think he could have made an impact this season.

This is all assuming his academics are in order, too.

 

[anarin]

Fingers crossed

Meh..

 

[NDdomer2]

Meh..

He may have never done anything overly impressive during his time at ND but I would imagine most coaches would love to have a "solid" 3 year returner along their Dline.

If somehow the #'s workout and ND has room, and Ishaq's academics are in order. He will be on the team.

Just a lot of if's involved that are most likely not going to come to fruition.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

He may have never done anything overly impressive during his time at ND but I would imagine most coaches would love to have a "solid" 3 year returner along their Dline.

If somehow the #'s workout and ND has room, and Ishaq's academics are in order. He will be on the team.

Just a lot of if's involved that are most likely not going to come to fruition.

According to his parent even if there was no scholarship available he would pay his own way.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

How many players do we need to lose and whose neck can go on the chopping block (5th years)? Who has the injury background that could be medical hardship'd? Of course there are the random transfers, etc that could lower the numbers as well.

I haven't seen this discussed in a while so just curious where we stand right now.

 

[Irish#1]

What I have read locally about the return of Ishaq vs. KVR is that ND has spoken directly to KVR and gone through third party's for Ishaq. Either way I want to see Ishaq on this team. Good to see him at campus.

Hell... I totally am with the guys like Hollywood where I believe that it certainly doesn't seem like the necessary things have happened to reasonably believe that his return is imminent. But I am certainly intrigued by why he came out from the east coast to be on campus for the pro day. I hope at the least, there were person-to-person conversations with BK. Not to mention with the folks in admissions.

I could see Ishaq being upset (right or wrong) about what happened and not wanting to talk to anyone at ND so the third party was the relay man.

Maybe he was told that he needed to handle this himself instead of going through a third party?

 

[anarin]

He may have never done anything overly impressive during his time at ND but I would imagine most coaches would love to have a "solid" 3 year returner along their Dline.

If somehow the #'s workout and ND has room, and Ishaq's academics are in order. He will be on the team.

Just a lot of if's involved that are most likely not going to come to fruition.

I would say that using the word "solid" is a stretch. He's basically been a body on the line, and one sack in three seasons tells the story. He has no motor and plays with very little passion. Combine that with one year away from the field, and it doesnt look pretty.

Believe me, Ive wanted him to succeed since he signed, and I've held onto hope that he'd live up to his 5 star status. I just think the ship has sailed and anyone that thinks he'll be solid or great is still holding on to that dream too.

With that being said, if he does come back. I'll cheer him on and hope that he turns the corner. I just have no faith.

 

[NDdomer2]

I would say that using the word "solid" is a stretch. He's basically been a body on the line, and one sack in three seasons tells the story. He has no motor and plays with very little passion. Combine that with one year away from the field, and it doesnt look pretty.

Believe me, Ive wanted him to succeed since he signed, and I've held onto hope that he'd live up to his 5 star status. I just think the ship has sailed and anyone that thinks he'll be solid or great is still holding on to that dream too.

With that being said, if he does come back. I'll cheer him on and hope that he turns the corner. I just have no faith.

I think he started collapsing the pocket better his last season when he was getting to play with his hand on the ground more.

I use term "solid" in terms of things like assignment correct. I agree he didn't impact game much in a positive standpoint, but I don't recall seeing him making huge blown mistakes either.

But I agree with u, in that, I've cheered him on and wish him the best but won't be upset if he isn't on team.

 

[ulukinatme]

The problem with Ishaq is he was a square peg in a round hole at LB. He also had an NFL caliber player in Shembo in front of him. He was poised to start 2014 as a starting DE, a more natural fit for him with his hand in the dirt every play rather than having to worry about coverages and other things he didn't excel at. I think he could have had a break out year in 2014 had he played, now we may never know.