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

[irishfan]

4 out of the 5 Frozen guys will graduate then right assuming Ishaq does? Plus EG and Jerian Grant with their issues in 2013....pretty good end results all things considered.

 

[irishtrain]

This is probably an irrelevant observation, but in my career teaching at WMU I had many many students who got incompletes. They sometimes just disappeared from my doorstep, but mostly were in communication with me as to how they could "make up the missing element." Most of the time, when it was a specific thing [like a paper], we scheduled the timeframe and the student got the work done "outside" of normal scheduling. {If the grade was "failure" rather than "incomplete" this couldn't go on of course unless we went through some extraordinary interactions with the Registrar's Office.}

I don't know what Ishaq's DETAILED situation is in any given "I" course. But if the cheating was on a paper, and he passed everything else, he and I would talk about it [if Notre Dame allows those sorts of "repairs"] and "I's" could be turned into whatevers in some time format quite outside the semester rigid schedules. Of course, if I was an asshole, I wouldn't do that as a vindictive teacher, but I wasn't.

Now I know why your posts are so eloquent way to go prof Mike

 

[ThePiombino]

Yes, as discussed earlier, if you do not have eligibility anymore for competition you cannot be a counter.

Sampson explained if eligible he counts toward the 85 football scholarships, if not he won't count against it and remains on scholarship.

This makes much more sense. That original tweet was poorly worded.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

For me honestly. ., I'm proud of this young man and happy that he's going to get that degree! Hopefully he'll be able to play, but if not..., its ok and Im extremely proud of his effort. Would love to see him on the field though, I'm not gonna lie....,lol

 

[Irish YJ]

from nbc mailbag

domer521: Summer school ends July 24. How soon after that will we learn Ishaq Williams fate ?

As Brian Kelly pointed out, this is an NCAA issue now. So I’m putting the window at roughly 48 hours before opening kickoff against Texas. (I wish I was kidding.)

While the details of this situation are still really hard to pin down, Williams is likely dealing with some retroactive GPA issues, especially if there were multiple courses in question. But the fact that Notre Dame is working (and I’m assuming, on Williams’ behalf) with the folks in Indianapolis about a way to get Williams back on the field is at least promising.

I’m hoping it works out for Williams, who I still think has an NFL future, even if he only spends the season on the scout team.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Really hope he is cleared to play! IMHO, he has worked his butt off and deserves a second chance. He might just impress the hell out of us if he gets that chance. He made some mistakes and owned up to them. I think he will be special for us this year if given that second chance.

 

[dublinirish]

Really hope he is cleared to play! IMHO, he has worked his butt off and deserves a second chance. He might just impress the hell out of us if he gets that chance. He made some mistakes and owned up to them. I think he will be special for us this year if given that second chance.

kid wasn't taking classes during the spring or doing any intense workout program that we are aware of so i don't really agree with you there.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

kid wasn't taking classes during the spring or doing any intense workout program that we are aware of so i don't really agree with you there.

Where did you get that from?

 

[IrishEyesAreSmiling]

Ishaq has always had the talent...
I hope he proves me wrong this year

 

[Blaise]

Where did you get that from?

Wasn't this common knowledge?.. I thought Russell was in classes and working out while Williams didn't go to school and instead got a job

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

kid wasn't taking classes during the spring or doing any intense workout program that we are aware of so i don't really agree with you there.

This is Notre Dame, not Alabama, Florida, Ball State or countless other schools. For this young man to get back in then he definitely worked his butt off so we can agree to disagree on the this point. I guess I'm happy about that.. ,this kid obviously worked hard or he wouldn't have been let back into Notre Dame,

 

[Irish Insanity]

Wasn't this common knowledge?.. I thought Russell was in classes and working out while Williams didn't go to school and instead got a job

Was it common knowledge, or common belief?

 

[PANDFAN]

Where did you get that from?

it was reported that he got a job and didn't take classes--per paid sites, keith etc

Wasn't this common knowledge?.. I thought Russell was in classes and working out while Williams didn't go to school and instead got a job

common knowledge on IE and other forums

Was it common knowledge, or common belief?

knowledge BUT we DON'T know if he was doing workouts like KVR

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Yes common knowledge that he wasn't taking classes and got a job. but, I recall he was still doing intense workouts.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Was it common knowledge, or common belief?

I posted this info all the way back in January, along with the NCAA stuff. It was rebutted by posters who didn't want to believe it, so I just let it go. Some people, if it isn't all roses for ND, don't want to believe things (not saying you at all, btw).

I've said from the jump that I didn't believe that there was any way he'd play at ND this year. But he's been accepted at ND so I can see why people are thinking he could come back. But the NCAA stuff is real. We'll see how it plays out...but I could be eating my words if he is cleared.

Personally, I'm just not excited for him to come back, like others are. We rip on star ratings when our guys are 3 stars, but yet because Ishaq was rated a 5 star (by the services that Irish fans have hammered this summer), IMHO people think he'll suddenly become some weapon for us. What has he done to show that, after 3 absolutely apathetic years (with some VERY occasional flashes of good play) and a year away from the game, that he'll come and be better than our other players? Because he finally practiced hard in the previous spring? I just don't see it.

This isn't to rip other people here...this is merely my opinion. I am often wrong, and this could be another case of it. I hope y'all are right and he comes in and tears it up. I'll be all over this thread making fun of myself lol...

 

[dublinirish]

I posted this info all the way back in January, along with the NCAA stuff. It was rebutted by posters who didn't want to believe it, so I just let it go. Some people, if it isn't all roses for ND, don't want to believe things (not saying you at all, btw).

I've said from the jump that I didn't believe that there was any way he'd play at ND this year. But he's been accepted at ND so I can see why people are thinking he could come back. But the NCAA stuff is real. We'll see how it plays out...but I could be eating my words if he is cleared.

Personally, I'm just not excited for him to come back, like others are. We rip on star ratings when our guys are 3 stars, but yet because Ishaq was rated a 5 star (by the services that Irish fans have hammered this summer), IMHO people think he'll suddenly become some weapon for us. What has he done to show that, after 3 absolutely apathetic years (with some VERY occasional flashes of good play) and a year away from the game, that he'll come and be better than our other players? Because he finally practiced hard in the previous spring? I just don't see it.

This isn't to rip other people here...this is merely my opinion. I am often wrong, and this could be another case of it. I hope y'all are right and he comes in and tears it up. I'll be all over this thread making fun of myself lol...

i feel like I'm in the same boat, if Ishaq contributes and makes plays i will be happy but if he never plays another down for ND I don't think it will affect me too much. It was obvious that when he got on campus that his 5 star ranking was majorly due to his physical potential rather than his actual game/skills

 

[IrishLion]

He was ruined by Diaco's 3-4.

He was too small for an every-down DE, but not comfortable enough playing in space.

His career might have been much different had Diaco recognized this and simply committed to using him in every passing situation possible as a rusher. Sure, that's not the huge, every-down impact you would expect from a 5-star, but that's better than completely killing his progression by trying to turn him into something he's not, which is what happened.

He started to show more consistent flashes in 2013 when Tuitt got hurt and he had to play with his hand on the ground exclusively. That should have been his role from the beginning, regardless of not fitting the 3-4 "profile."

 

[ulukinatme]

I posted this info all the way back in January, along with the NCAA stuff. It was rebutted by posters who didn't want to believe it, so I just let it go. Some people, if it isn't all roses for ND, don't want to believe things (not saying you at all, btw).

I've said from the jump that I didn't believe that there was any way he'd play at ND this year. But he's been accepted at ND so I can see why people are thinking he could come back. But the NCAA stuff is real. We'll see how it plays out...but I could be eating my words if he is cleared.

Personally, I'm just not excited for him to come back, like others are. We rip on star ratings when our guys are 3 stars, but yet because Ishaq was rated a 5 star (by the services that Irish fans have hammered this summer), IMHO people think he'll suddenly become some weapon for us. What has he done to show that, after 3 absolutely apathetic years (with some VERY occasional flashes of good play) and a year away from the game, that he'll come and be better than our other players? Because he finally practiced hard in the previous spring? I just don't see it.

This isn't to rip other people here...this is merely my opinion. I am often wrong, and this could be another case of it. I hope y'all are right and he comes in and tears it up. I'll be all over this thread making fun of myself lol...

Totally agree, I think people get hung up on stars sometimes and miss sight of the fact that some players just don't live up to the billing or don't transition as well to the college game.

That said, if Ishaaq ever had a chance to succeed, it would be now. He would be more natural at DE than he was at OLB, but he was basically forced to play there as he was too small to be a 3-4 DE. He had a decent player with NFL level skill in front of him before, that's no longer the case. I think you're right though, even with Ishaaq getting readmitted it sounds like the NCAA portion will be too high a hurdle for him to climb from just summer courses.

 

[Blaise]

I would love to see him just for depth reasons... Have him on third downs, and if he can create a rush... It only helps us...

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I really don't see how anyone on this board wouldn't want Ishaq on the team in 2015.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I really don't see how anyone on this board wouldn't want Ishaq on the team in 2015.

I don't NOT want him. He's just a 'meh' for me. He's never done much, and even playing out of position, he still lacked fire in practice and never really got after it. He just hasn't been that good. I mean, Justin Utopo showed just about just as much as Ishaq entering into his final season, and I wasn't jumping for joy upon his return either.

I'm just not that excited about his return, based on everything he's (not) shown up to this point. And if he's the same as he's always been (including a whole year away from football), all he'll be doing is taking reps from a younger player, while not being a difference maker. That's where I'm at. Again though, I wouldn't mind being completely wrong...

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I don't NOT want him. He's just a 'meh' for me. He's never done much, and even playing out of position, he still lacked fire in practice and never really got after it. He just hasn't been that good. I mean, Justin Utopo showed just about just as much as Ishaq entering into his final season, and I wasn't jumping for joy upon his return either.

I'm just not that excited about his return, based on everything he's (not) shown up to this point. And if he's the same as he's always been (including a whole year away from football), all he'll be doing is taking reps from a younger player, while not being a difference maker. That's where I'm at. Again though, I wouldn't mind being completely wrong...

Here is where I'm at. I thought when give in the opportunity to rush the passer in 2012 and 2013 Ishaq did a good job. I just remember him forcing the fumble that Tuitt returned for a TD against Navy. I remember him pushing the olinemen right into the face of the USC QB in 2013, well I think it was the USC game.

When asked to drop 20 yards in zone coverage that didn't go so well.

I blame a lot on Diaco. I can't get over Lynch playing 3-4 DE, while he is now a 3-4 OLB who replaced a veteran Ahmad Brooks his rookie year.

 

[woolybug25]

Here is where I'm at. I thought when give in the opportunity to rush the passer in 2012 and 2013 Ishaq did a good job. I just remember him forcing the fumble that Tuitt returned for a TD against Navy. I remember him pushing the olinemen right into the face of the USC QB in 2013, well I think it was the USC game.

When asked to drop 20 yards in zone coverage that didn't go so well.

I blame a lot on Diaco. I can;t get over Lynch playing 3-4 DE, while he is now a 3-4 OLB who replaced a veteran Ahmad Brooks his rookie year.

Ugh.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Here is where I'm at. I thought when give in the opportunity to rush the passer in 2012 and 2013 Ishaq did a good job. I just remember him forcing the fumble that Tuitt returned for a TD against Navy. I remember him pushing the olinemen right into the face of the USC QB in 2013, well I think it was the USC game.

When asked to drop 20 yards in zone coverage that didn't go so well.

I blame a lot on Diaco. I can;t get over Lynch playing 3-4 DE, while he is now a 3-4 OLB who replaced a veteran Ahmad Brooks his rookie year.

I wonder what the 2012 defense would have looked like had we played a 4-3 with this front 7:

Tuitt---Nix---Kap---Lynch/Williams
Motta----Te'o----Spond

 

[woolybug25]

I wonder what the 2012 defense would have looked like had we played a 4-3 with this front 7:

Tuitt---Nix---Kap---Lynch/Williams
Motta----Te'o----Spond

Or a 3-4 that looked like this:

Tuitt---Nix/Kap---Ishaq

Shembo/Councell---Calabrese---Teo---Lynch

 

[ThePiombino]

I think part of the allure of getting IW back, at least for me, is that we're not exactly dropping with talent at the rush DE position and he has shown flashes of being disruptive at the very least. Sure, we have a couple guys who COULD explode this year, but until that happens, I'm down for a 5th year senior with 3 years of playing experience and (presumably) 4 years in a college weight room - not to mention "5-star" god-given potential - to come in and give it a go. If nothing else, maybe he pushed some of the younger guys in the locker room to be better. Everyone wins.

 

[NDRock]

Reminds me of Stever Filer. 5 star athletisism, 3 star production. For whatever reason, neither of them panned out.

 

[dublinirish]

Let’s Talk About Underachieving New York State High School Football - One Foot Down

 

[Bogtrotter07]

This is a reiteration of what I posted in the general thread. And though little is new, what I heard seems to be refined a bit, and follows the general conjecture of knowledgeable posters.

I was able to speak to someone well connected, who works at UND, and has friends that room with several players.

We started to talk about the team in terms of its appearance. This team, more than any other Kelly team, and certainly any team since Lou, is getting the look of, and looking the part of a competitive, or even championship team.

The first person he mentioned was Sebastian Avery, who he emphatically stated looks, acts, and performs like a beast.

The statement I remember is he doesn't look like a defensive back, he looks much bigger. And he has really meshed well with the team and staff.

And he had some really up close and personal Ishaq information :

• Posters have wondered what kind of shape Ishaq is in, whether he would even be able to play.
• This kid is ready to go. Hasn't missed a step, and physically looks better than before the '14 missed season is what I was told.
• The biggest difference is his attitude, which has showed up in the classroom this summer, and in summer workouts.
• It appears that this is as some guessed an NCAA eligibility issue based upon credit hours, or hours completed with passing grades, just as some have summarized.
• My extrapolation is that he has a (pardon my imprecision) large number of "incomplete" marks, which can be corrected by completing work.
• The term used is that the eligibility issue could be decided "48 hours before the Texas kickoff," in this case.

I know most the points I have made about Ishaq have been stated on multiple occasions. But the person I talked to was clear, and is dependable. I thought on that basis it was worth noting.

To summarize, Ishaq playing is based upon his performance this summer, the decision is out of his hands and ND's for that matter, and that he is throwing himself into his goal of competing this year and graduating from Notre Dame with everything he has.

 

[dublinirish]

the thing about Ishaq though is that he has always looked the part and he's never been a dominant practice player. It won't be until the lights go on until we know how good he can be.