'24 MO RB Aneyas Williams (Notre Dame Signee)

[allenm5333]

Is his official approach two backs? Or does he realize he has the two best RBs in college football?

Very good question. He did this at Penn State too. But who was their third rb? People arguing love and price aren’t good short yardage backs may need to consider the blocking and play calls.

 

[Irish#1]

It just makes zero sense for NEXT year's presumed RB1 to transfer because he's stuck behind two NFL running backs THIS year. He also would probably not have his degree, FWIW.

Also, has he played in four games this year? I only see stats in three.

This X10.

 

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

It just makes zero sense for NEXT year's presumed RB1 to transfer because he's stuck behind two NFL running backs THIS year. He also would probably not have his degree, FWIW.

Also, has he played in four games this year? I only see stats in three.

He has played in every game this year. You can check page 10 here> https://fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-NDFB-Season-Statistics-G9.pdf

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Very good question. He did this at Penn State too. But who was their third rb? People arguing love and price aren’t good short yardage backs may need to consider the blocking and play calls.

When he was hired he specifically said that he preferred a two back rotation. I questioned that approach seven months ago.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Outside of the Navy game, even when he subbed in the third back it was in a rotation with James.

 

[allenm5333]

When he was hired he specifically said that he preferred a two back rotation. I questioned that approach seven months ago.

I think that 2 rbs is fine. They should get 80-85% of meaningful snaps

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I think that 2 rbs is fine. They should get 80-85% of meaningful snaps

2 backs are fine in 90% of the running back rooms. When you’re as deep as us, there’s a risk the younger guys leave for playing time especially after DMC played them all already.

I have no inside information though, we might not lose anyone.

 

[allenm5333]

2 backs are fine in 90% of the running back rooms. When you’re as deep as us, there’s a risk the younger guys leave for playing time especially after DMC played them all already.

I have no inside information though, we might not lose anyone.

This is why you recruit studs and let the cream rise to the top imo.

 

[stlnd01]

2 backs are fine in 90% of the running back rooms. When you’re as deep as us, there’s a risk the younger guys leave for playing time especially after DMC played them all already.

I have no inside information though, we might not lose anyone.

If Price comes back, one of Williams or James probably should go. But assuming he doesn’t, they’ll get plenty of carries the next year or two.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

He has played in every game this year. You can check page 10 here> https://fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-NDFB-Season-Statistics-G9.pdf

Yes a lot has been made that he’s burned any redshirt possibility this season. Fans can all admit he was a pleasant surprise last season as a true freshman. DMc gave him some run & it paid off. I’d wager, he was even somewhat surprised at how much of an impact he would make before 2024 started. That’s a helluva splash for a true frosh.

This season, he has a new RB Coach w/ a philosophy of 2 RBs so Williams falls out of the mix. I look at this season as what his true frosh season & last season as his SOPHOMORE season…if that makes sense. Now he’s sitting in the catbird seat as the 2 starters are about to go pro. Plus, he still has plenty of tread on his tires. Even if JD decides to come back, Williams would likely be in the 2-man rotation.

 

[BeatSC]

It just makes zero sense for NEXT year's presumed RB1 to transfer because he's stuck behind two NFL running backs THIS year. He also would probably not have his degree, FWIW.

Also, has he played in four games this year? I only see stats in three.

Two years ago under Porker and Hartman I think we saw up to 5 different backs getting into the games. I think Ford was the Penn state transfer and he got reps and he really wasn’t very good. Felt like we ran the ball more that year though with Estime.

 

[BeatSC]

We are going to lose somebody unless he states he could be using three since we won’t have a Love/Price level of game breaker on the team. I think Payne is RB1 worthy and must be a RKG to have hung in there this long. Probably wants that degree which is smart. Hopefully Williams feels the same way. I really want to see Kedron Young get some Carrie’s. Guy is around 240 and outs his head down.
I’m extremely frustrated that we have not gone under center with a two back backfield yet for short yardage or any yardage! Denbrock ha sucked in this area and this plus the Dline in short yardage are the top areas of concern for me. We don’t make short yardage and we don’t stop short yardage. Not a good sign for a team wanting to be inside the top 5. We miss Riley Mills. Onye needs to work more on technique and add another 10 pounds. Also needs to develop a game time mean streak. He comes across to nice.

 

[irishjim]

Two years ago under Porker and Hartman I think we saw up to 5 different backs getting into the games. I think Ford was the Penn state transfer and he got reps and he really wasn’t very good. Felt like we ran the ball more that year though with Estime.

It felt counter productive sometimes. Love hardly got any touches that year.

However, I could also see it as a selling point to recruits to save the hits on their body and then produce for 2 seasons before the NFL.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I guess I'm wondering what the issue is, to this point, that they've used Love and Price exclusively. For my money, if it is a meaningful down of football being played, those are the two guys I want out there. I don't care about recruiting gloss and people's feelings. I'm sure Williams and some of these other guys could be getting a lot of burn elsewhere, but would elsewhere be in the midst of a seven game win steak riding the wave to a second consecutive playoff appearance?

Glad he got some touches and broke a long one. It was pretty cool. It was also at the point the outcome was all but done.

 

[Huntr]

Seemed like Williams played a couple meaningful downs in the the Orange Bowl last year.

 

[Rocketman84]

Very good question. He did this at Penn State too. But who was their third rb? People arguing love and price aren’t good short yardage backs may need to consider the blocking and play calls.

Their 3rd back was Keyvone Lee in '22 and Potts in '23. Both are good short yardage backs but the play calling as been abysmal inside the 5 specifically.

 

[ND88]

Unless he doesn't like Notre Dame or the team (coaches), no way he transfers. As others have stated, he will be our premier back next year.

 

[irishff1014]

I know it was Cuse, but he has show to be very productive. I hope they find the NIL money for him.

 

[stlnd01]

Unless Price sticks, maybe, Williams would be nuts to leave. He's a beast, and will have a great coach and a great OL. Where's he going to do better next year?

 

[NDFAN2008]

The one thing I disagree with is how the staff managed him. You coulda played him 4 games and saved a year for him.

 

[MacIrish75]

I think we’re viewing all of this through the lens of the modern landscape of CFB and not through the lens of the culture and atmosphere that MFMF has built at Notre Dame. We just don’t lose impact players to the portal. Anyone we want to keep—we keep.

 

[NDFAN2008]

A

I think we’re viewing all of this through the lens of the modern landscape of CFB and not through the lens of the culture and atmosphere that MFMF has built at Notre Dame. We just don’t lose impact players to the portal. Anyone we want to keep—we keep.

Agree Williams could easily be RB1 next year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he put up over 1200
Yards total. He could pop off and have a crazy good year and then drafted. Let’s not forget the OL should be number 1 as well

 

[stlnd01]

The one thing I disagree with is how the staff managed him. You coulda played him 4 games and saved a year for him.

Agree it was probably not necessary to play him on special teams if he wasn't going to get meaningful playing time at RB. But also who was the last good RB we've had who exhausted his eligibility? At that position, they all go to the league soon as they're plausibly able, and who can blame them?

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

If he stays, the short yardage issues will be solved. I love a patient back, but not on third and short.

I could really see the team transition into a pass first offense with 22 and 23 feasting on light boxes.

 

[tko]

If he stays, the short yardage issues will be solved. I love a patient back, but not on third and short.

I could really see the team transition into a pass first offense with 22 and 23 feasting on light boxes.

Love a nice, light box

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I think we’re viewing all of this through the lens of the modern landscape of CFB and not through the lens of the culture and atmosphere that MFMF has built at Notre Dame. We just don’t lose impact players to the portal. Anyone we want to keep—we keep.

This.

They will be very transparent about whatever the plan is.

 

[irishandy]

Back-back games with nice TD runs, just like last season Aneyas has shown how productive he can be when his # is called.

His opportunity is coming at ND.

 

[allenm5333]

Back-back games with nice TD runs, just like last season Aneyas has shown how productive he can be when his # is called.

His opportunity is coming at ND.

I was down on him and still prefer a 1-2 punch at rb over the split DMC liked. But he has flashed on film and him coming back next year would be very nice

 

[forkbeard3777]

I’m of record of being such a fan of his. He’s a great, shifty scat back that will crush it. He better stay.

 

[BeatSC]

I think he or Payne deserve some third and short reps. They hit the hole faster and harder than price and Love. They’ve had their chances and have often not been able to get the push they need.