'19 MO RB Kyren Williams (Notre Dame Signee)

[FightingIrishLover7]

A lot of butthurt people in here upset with a kid who has worked his ass off and given everything to ND who is now trying to protect himself, his family (future family).

Love the decision. I hate that the decision has to be made, but again, I never ever want to see another Jaylon.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

"Not a fan of his decision"...

To all of you, I say, Jaylon Smith never deserved what happened to him and his career. I will respect any players decision from here on out.

What happened to Jaylon could happen in practice or during literally any regular season game. That's football.

What principal justifies sitting out the Fiesta Bowl but not the Georgia Tech and Stanford games?

 

[Riddickulous]

Coach leaves and the team & program has a massive opportunity to prove themselves in a top 10 matchup on a national stage, setting the tone for the Freeman era ... and both captains don't care. Love this new world of college football.

If we had 2 losses mid-way through the season, would Kyren have been "justified" in not playing since the games "didn't matter"? This is a very slippery slope.

Freeman himself stated Kyle Hamilton's health was the #1 priority. I think he understands.

 

[Luckylucci]

Life comes at you fast. Went from possibly returning to play for Freeman next year to not playing a single game for Freeman this year.

I get it but don’t like it.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Freeman himself stated Kyle Hamilton's health was the #1 priority. I think he understands.

Kyle's situation is a little different, because he was legitimately injured mid-season, so no one expects him to "rush" his recovery for the bowl game, even if he might be able play.

Kyren isn't injured. I see no argument for him sitting out the bowl that wouldn't also justify quitting on the team at virtually any other point during the season.

 

[NDPhilly]

If ND drops games to OSU and UNC in September next year, is Foskey justified in sitting out the rest of the year? I would argue this coming game with OSU is more important than any game following that scenario.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

You guys are not considering the fact that this gives Kyren more time to prepare for the combine and improving his own personal game. He will not have to attend meetings. He can cut weight (or whatever helps him) to get to a sub 4.5 for the combine etc.

You can call this selfish, and it largely is. However, this is the nature of the beast. The precedent has been set, and accepted. This is not the same as quitting midseason. This is quitting at the end of the season and before your "bonus game".

But, if we want to bring in top talent, we need players with aspiration of making money in the NFL. This is what the elite talent wants. And frankly, it's what they deserve. If they play their ass off for 3 or more years at ND (like Kyren, Kyle, etc) then they deserve to make whatever decision they feel is right for themselves and their family.

Additionally, if you don't think their teammates don't understand this, then you are crazy crazy off. Listen to Outside of the Garage. Listen to the guys that know this is a business. These kids are smart. They know their clocks are ticking and have to optimize their time while focusing on their individual future.

 

[BoredIrish]

Notre Dame Man... RESPECT!!

All the best Kyren.

 

[MacIrish75]

Dude has played himself into some serious money over what could potentially be an outstanding NFL career.

He balled out here and represented the team and university we love with honor.

Go get yours, KW.

<FortuneClap.gif>

 

[Dale]

Kyle's situation is a little different, because he was legitimately injured mid-season, so no one expects him to "rush" his recovery for the bowl game, even if he might be able play.

Kyren isn't injured. I see no argument for him sitting out the bowl that wouldn't also justify quitting on the team at virtually any other point during the season.

We were in the hunt for the Playoff before this. Now we aren’t. I’m sure Kyren’s own teammates approve of the decision and none would call it quitting.

Get yours Kyren.

 

[irishff1014]

You guys are not considering the fact that this gives Kyren more time to prepare for the combine and improving his own personal game. He will not have to attend meetings. He can cut weight (or whatever helps him) to get to a sub 4.5 for the combine etc.

You can call this selfish, and it largely is. However, this is the nature of the beast. The precedent has been set, and accepted. This is not the same as quitting midseason. This is quitting at the end of the season and before your "bonus game".

But, if we want to bring in top talent, we need players with aspiration of making money in the NFL. This is what the elite talent wants. And frankly, it's what they deserve. If they play their ass off for 3 or more years at ND (like Kyren, Kyle, etc) then they deserve to make whatever decision they feel is right for themselves and their family.

Additionally, if you don't think their teammates don't understand this, then you are crazy crazy off. Listen to Outside of the Garage. Listen to the guys that know this is a business. These kids are smart. They know their clocks are ticking and have to optimize their time while focusing on their individual future.

Now that the NIL is in play this isn't 10% correct anymore. They are already getting paid, getting free college, getting to travel everywhere for free, housing free, healthcare free, free clothing, oh and the opportunity to make their name known. Because these players coming out of high could very well bust.

 

[sportallyr]

Thanks for the memories Kyren! He's been a lot of fun to watch and I wish him nothing but the best in the NFL. I'm not surprised by the decision to declare. In today's NFL when RB's careers are over sometimes at 30, I don't blame him for getting an extra year of pay. I do wish he would have given us fans one more game though and am surprised by the decision. Where is he projected to be drafted? There is always a risk for injury, but the risk of lost income is so much more significant for players in Hamilton's draft range than players projected in the middle rounds (where I would expect Kyren to get drafted). Regardless, I'm excited to see what Tyree, Diggs and Estime can do with more work!!!

 

[irishff1014]

Dude has played himself into some serious money over what could potentially be an outstanding NFL career.

He balled out here and represented the team and university we love with honor.

Go get yours, KW.

<FortuneClap.gif>

What's his average projection early 3rd round?

 

[rtrn2glory]

A lot of butthurt people in here upset with a kid who has worked his ass off and given everything to ND who is now trying to protect himself, his family (future family).

Love the decision. I hate that the decision has to be made, but again, I never ever want to see another Jaylon.

I don't disagree with anybody that is upset, b/c I am upset too b/c I really wanted him to play. Unfortunately this is the day and age we live in and it is what it is. Best of luck to him looking ahead.

 

[Dale]

If ND drops games to OSU and UNC in September next year, is Foskey justified in sitting out the rest of the year? I would argue this coming game with OSU is more important than any game following that scenario.

Nobody is doing that though so this game of isn’t this just this is silly.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

You can call this selfish, and it largely is. However, this is the nature of the beast. The precedent has been set, and accepted. This is not the same as quitting midseason. This is quitting at the end of the season and before your "bonus game".

This argument for skipping the Fiesta Bowl could just as easily apply to our last two games of the season. GT and Stanford were bad teams that we were projected to beat comfortably. Why not sit those out to further minimize risk and have even more time to prep for the combine?

Our RB room is deep, and I'm sure we'll be fine against the Pokes with Tyree, Diggs and Estime in our backfield. But seeing an uninjured captain decide to sit for one of the biggest bowl games we've played in decades sucks. This is a tremendously shitty precedent that does not bode well for the future.

 

[KPENN]

Now that the NIL is in play this isn't 10% correct anymore. They are already getting paid, getting free college, getting to travel everywhere for free, housing free, healthcare free, free clothing, oh and the opportunity to make their name known. Because these players coming out of high could very well bust.

The NIL isn’t the same as a multi million dollar guaranteed contract. It’s life changing money. He’s not making life changing money now. If Kyren tears an ACL his chances of going late round 1/early round 2 are gone.

 

[Dale]

What's his average projection early 3rd round?

Sometime on Day 2 depending how the draft shakes out. RB class stinks this year which is advantageous

 

[NDPhilly]

Nobody is doing that though so this game of isn’t this just this is silly.

Jamarr Chase and Micah Parsons literally sat out all of last year. Kids are doing that.

 

[KPENN]

This argument for skipping the Fiesta Bowl could just as easily apply to our last two games of the season. GT and Stanford were bad teams that we were projected to beat comfortably. Why not sit those out to further minimize risk and have even more time to prep for the combine?

Because there was still a shot at making the playoff?

 

[Riddickulous]

Jamarr Chase and Micah Parsons literally sat out all of last year. Kids are doing that.

During peak COVID.

 

[MacIrish75]

What's his average projection early 3rd round?

I’ve seen a consensus on 3rd. Some as high as the second round and some others in the fourth. His average rating is as the 62nd draft eligible player.

 

[irishff1014]

The NIL isn’t the same as a multi million dollar guaranteed contract. It’s life changing money. He’s not making life changing money now. If Kyren tears an ACL his chances of going late round 1/early round 2 are gone.

I think KW is the best back Kelly ever had and he isn't going first round.

 

[pumpdog20]

You guys are not considering the fact that this gives Kyren more time to prepare for the combine and improving his own personal game. He will not have to attend meetings. He can cut weight (or whatever helps him) to get to a sub 4.5 for the combine etc.

You can call this selfish, and it largely is. However, this is the nature of the beast. The precedent has been set, and accepted. This is not the same as quitting midseason. This is quitting at the end of the season and before your "bonus game".

But, if we want to bring in top talent, we need players with aspiration of making money in the NFL. This is what the elite talent wants. And frankly, it's what they deserve. If they play their ass off for 3 or more years at ND (like Kyren, Kyle, etc) then they deserve to make whatever decision they feel is right for themselves and their family.

Additionally, if you don't think their teammates don't understand this, then you are crazy crazy off. Listen to Outside of the Garage. Listen to the guys that know this is a business. These kids are smart. They know their clocks are ticking and have to optimize their time while focusing on their individual future.

Only responding to the first part of your quote... dude would have almost 4 months to prepare for the combine. These 3 weeks would have zero negative effect on that outside of getting hurt.

 

[Dale]

Jamarr Chase and Micah Parsons literally sat out all of last year. Kids are doing that.

That isn’t the example you mentioned and was a COVID year. Nobody did it prior and nobody did it this year.

 

[KPENN]

I think KW is the best back Kelly ever had and he isn't going first round.

Never said he was, but the chance of that is gone if he gets hurt. All it takes is one team to fall in love with you.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Because there was still a shot at making the playoff?

We still win both of those games comfortably without Kyren starting, so it probably wouldn't have changed a thing regarding our playoff odds.

Who's making these calls about which games "matter" and which ones are OK to skip? As a captain, I hope Kyren cleared this with his teammates before announcing it. Were I on this team, I would care a lot about beating the Pokes and winning our first NY6 bowl in nearly 30 years. Maybe I'm just out of touch though.

 

[Dale]

We still win both of those games comfortably without Kyren starting, so it probably wouldn't have changed a thing regarding our playoff odds.

Who's making these calls about which games "matter" and which ones are OK to skip? As a captain, I hope Kyren cleared this with his teammates before announcing it. Were I on this team, I would care a lot about beating the Pokes and winning our first NY6 bowl in nearly 30 years. Maybe I'm just out of touch though.

Probably wouldn’t. But it still could have. That’s the difference. You sit out a game because you think they’ll win and they don’t you cost your team the playoff. You sit out the fiesta bowl, it doesn’t cost the team the playoff.

 

[MacIrish75]

Look, we’re a bunch of 25-75? year old dudes who spend likely far too much time posting on Internet forums about a team we love and players we love playing a game we love. OF COURSE we say we would take the risk and suit up for one final game wearing that gold helmet.

It sucks, but us asking or expecting Kyren to sacrifice his earning potential to give us one more spectacular KW memory rings hollow.

There’s no better way for him to pay it forward than to tear it up on the biggest stage in the league and showcase players for years to come what playing RB at ND can do for your draft profile.

 

[KPENN]

We still win both of those games comfortably without Kyren starting, so it probably wouldn't have changed a thing regarding our playoff odds.

What does their chances of winning matter? That’s not the question you’re asking. Lol. You asked why those games are different than the Fiesta Bowl