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

[Irishnuke]

False. No way he gets drafted after sitting out two years, and not being all that impressive in the two years he did play. He may still get an invite to camp based on potential, but no team is going to spend a draft pick on him when there are hundreds of other prospects.

It's weird to think about our 2011 DE class. Lynch, Williams, and Tuitt. Lynch left after one year. Williams only played two years. Tuitt only played for three. Man, what could have been. Oh well, onward and upward!

Agreed. I'm not even sure he would have been drafted if he had played this season. Hopefully he'll get an invite to training camp somewhere.

 

[ThePiombino]

Wow, the recruiting class from 2011 has certainly turned out to be a "hard luck" group:

Ishaq Williams

Stephon Tuitt

Eilar Hardy

Troy Niklas

Aaron Lynch

Ben Councell

Davaris Daniels

Ben Koyack

Matthew Hegarty

George Atkinson III

Nick Martin

Conor Hanratty

Everett Golson

Chase Hounshell

Matthias Farley

Brad Carrico

Jarrett Grace

Cam McDaniel

Jalen Brown

Anthony Rabasa

Tony Springmann

Josh Atkinson

Kyle Brindza

Between injuries, transfers, and simply not living up to expectations; there is a whole lot more "what could have been" than "what was" in that list.

Nick Martin crown jewel of the class? Maybe.

 

[ThePiombino]

really sucks for him, for us, etc.
Glad he is getting his degree and pray for him to make it on the next level.

Forgot who, but I think I owe someone some vbucks on this. speak up someone so I don't have to go back through this depressing thread.

Found it, and paid double for my blind faith that something good would come out of this mess.

Many thanks! Like I said - NOT happy to have won this bet. I just felt there were too many hurdles and not enough positive vibes coming from the insiders.

 

[dublinirish]

no way he gets drafted, you'd struggle to put together a 5 minute highlight film of him from his time at ND

 

[BGIF]

I can't recall any other ND athlete that was declared ineligible but allowed to stay on scholarship without a career ending injury

 

[Crazy Balki]

Wow, the recruiting class from 2011 has certainly turned out to be a "hard luck" group:

Ishaq Williams (Never started, one season he had the opportunity to get playing time: DENIED by NCAA)

Stephon Tuitt (1 great year, 1 meh year, gone)

Eilar Hardy (Rarely played, ever)

Troy Niklas (1 good year, gone)

Aaron Lynch (1 really good year, transfer)

Ben Councell (injury plagued career)

Davaris Daniels (good but inconsistent in 2012 and 2013, gone)

Ben Koyack (1 decent year)

Matthew Hegarty (decent rotational guy and backup center)

George Atkinson III (home-run hit, but never developed into a good back, gone)

Nick Martin (hopefully turns into a very very good C)

Conor Hanratty (Injury plagued season)

Everett Golson (Could never overcome mental lapses, got suspended, leaves)

Chase Hounshell (Injury plagued career, position switch)

Matthias Farley (Solid career, hopefully ends on a high note)

Brad Carrico (...Who? JK)

Jarrett Grace (Hope he ends his career on a high note, devastating injury)

Cam McDaniel (Solid 2013, very underwhelming 2014)

Jalen Brown (Practically no contribution)

Anthony Rabasa (Very little contribution)

Tony Springmann (Injury plagued career)

Josh Atkinson (Practically no contribution)

Kyle Brindza (Good career)

Between injuries, transfers, and simply not living up to expectations; there is a whole lot more "what could have been" than "what was" in that list.

Sweet buttery Jesus, was this class a massive disaster!

 

[Irish YJ]

Many thanks! Like I said - NOT happy to have won this bet. I just felt there were too many hurdles and not enough positive vibes coming from the insiders.

Wish he were playing, but ecstatic he's going to graduate and staying on scholarship. Makes the vbuck loss not so bad

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Irish?src=hash">#Irish</a> DE/LB Ishaq Williams will play in the College Gridiron Showcase (<a href="https://twitter.com/CGSAllStar">@CGSAllStar</a>) next week. Kendall Moore played in it last year.</p>— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattfreemanISD/status/684400269661061122">January 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">6'6" DE <a href="https://twitter.com/_CremedalaCreme">@_CremedalaCreme</a> is looking to show off the skills that made him one of <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball">@NDFootball</a>'s most touted recruits. <a href="https://t.co/k20M29PAeb">pic.twitter.com/k20M29PAeb</a></p>— Gridiron Showcase (@CGSAllStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/CGSAllStar/status/682686214676344832">December 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Sherm Sticky]

If he get's drafted does that count as a draft selection for Notre Dame?

 

[dublinirish]

If he get's drafted does that count as a draft selection for Notre Dame?

yeah i'd imagine so. doubt he gets drafted though.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Irish?src=hash">#Irish</a> DE/LB Ishaq Williams will play in the College Gridiron Showcase (<a href="https://twitter.com/CGSAllStar">@CGSAllStar</a>) next week. Kendall Moore played in it last year.</p>— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattfreemanISD/status/684400269661061122">January 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">6'6" DE <a href="https://twitter.com/_CremedalaCreme">@_CremedalaCreme</a> is looking to show off the skills that made him one of <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball">@NDFootball</a>'s most touted recruits. <a href="https://t.co/k20M29PAeb">pic.twitter.com/k20M29PAeb</a></p>— Gridiron Showcase (@CGSAllStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/CGSAllStar/status/682686214676344832">December 31, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I hope he tears it up, I hope he gets signed and makes an impact in the league. We'll be saddened but it'd be great for Ishaq. He's made amends for his mistake, I wish him nothing but the best.

 

[NDWorld247]

yeah i'd imagine so. doubt he gets drafted though.

I would agree if not for his participation in this game. This game is HUGE (Donald Trump voice) for him. If he tears it up, I could see him get taken. That's a big if though. Otherwise, I agree with you.

 

[dublinirish]

I would agree if not for his participation in this game. This game is HUGE (Donald Trump voice) for him. If he tears it up, I could see him get taken. That's a big if though. Otherwise, I agree with you.

Keith Marshall, Wayne Lyons, Jake Rudock and Chuckie Keaton are playing in this game too. It's heavy on FCS guys though and guys from P5 schools who didn't do much of note.

 

[ND NYC]

Go Ishaq!

 

[NDWorld247]

Keith Marshall, Wayne Lyons, Jake Rudock and Chuckie Keaton are playing in this game too. It's heavy on FCS guys though and guys from P5 schools who didn't do much of note.

Yea, definitely not the best game out there. I knew someone that played in last year's game and he was never signed by a team. Their site says last year's game included 10 draft picks, 53 UDFA signees and 22 rookie camp invites. 85 of 104 players got a chance at the NFL. 23 ended up on active and practice rosters.

 

[connor_in]

Yea, definitely not the best game out there. I knew someone that played in last year's game and he was never signed by a team. Their site says last year's game included 10 draft picks, 53 UDFA signees and 22 rookie camp invites. 85 of 104 players got a chance at the NFL. 23 ended up on active and practice rosters.

Ya gotta play, to win

 

[tko]

Potential

 

[PLACforever]

Wow, the recruiting class from 2011 has certainly turned out to be a "hard luck" group:

Ishaq Williams

Stephon Tuitt

Eilar Hardy

Troy Niklas

Aaron Lynch

Ben Councell

Davaris Daniels

Ben Koyack

Matthew Hegarty

George Atkinson III

Nick Martin

Conor Hanratty

Everett Golson

Chase Hounshell

Matthias Farley

Brad Carrico

Jarrett Grace

Cam McDaniel

Jalen Brown

Anthony Rabasa

Tony Springmann

Josh Atkinson

Kyle Brindza

Between injuries, transfers, and simply not living up to expectations; there is a whole lot more "what could have been" than "what was" in that list.

Wow that was a blast from the past. Remember the clip of Daniels dunk in a HS bball game?
Dont forget about Springmann and Jordan Prestwood.
What a disappointment.

 

[dublinirish]

Team Revo we hardly knew ya

 

[Southside Sully]

Good read. Absolutely pulling for him to make a team . Accepted accountability and is working hard towards his dream as well as earning his degree.
Ishaq Williams embraces second chance for ND degree, NFL shot - Notre Dame football - Mobile

 

[stlnd01]

Good read. Absolutely pulling for him to make a team . Accepted accountability and is working hard towards his dream as well as earning his degree.
Ishaq Williams embraces second chance for ND degree, NFL shot - Notre Dame football - Mobile

Good story and good to hear. When Ishaq Williams earns his degree I will officially be submitting him for Notre Dame Man status.
No chance he's got another year of eligibility is there?

 

[Irishnuke]

Good story and good to hear. When Ishaq Williams earns his degree I will officially be submitting him for Notre Dame Man status.
No chance he's got another year of eligibility is there?

There might be one or two people who disagree with you.

 

[Redbar]

Godspeed Ishaq!

 

[stlnd01]

There might be one or two people who disagree with you.

Ha. Yes. I wish there was some sort of font for "sarcasm but not really but I'm also not entirely serious."

Edit: Srsly though: Ishaq could've quit so many times. That he hasn't says a lot .

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Ha. Yes. I wish there was some sort of font for "sarcasm but not really but I'm also not entirely serious."

Edit: Srsly though: Ishaq could've quit so many times. That he hasn't says a lot .

Agreed. He was booted, he came back despite not getting to play football. He recognized the value of the degree.

I hope something catches fire in Ishaq and he makes it into the league.

 

[PANDFAN]

yes he came back and good for him...but lets not act like he didn't have all the stars aligning for him....FREE education still , complete access to facilities, BK/jack and even higher ups sticking their necks out for him, bobby brown assisting him(value of the ND network), Evan assisting him etc

 

[dublinirish]

Ishaq Williams confronts past, turns focus to NFL

The news hurt Ishaq Williams’s morale, but not to the extent it did in August 2014, when he and four teammates learned of their indefinite suspensions as Notre Dame investigated their involvement in an academic dishonesty scandal. The emotions that overtook the former Irish defensive end a year earlier were more extreme, when he tussled with anger, resentment and depression.

The events that transpired in the 16 months since the suspension have allowed the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Brooklyn, N.Y., product to move back on course toward his goal of playing in the NFL.

Williams needed every one of those days to mature and add to his support system in order to wind up at Fit Speed Athletic Performance in Weston, Fla., where he is currently training for Notre Dame’s Pro Day he plans to attend in late March.

“It was like a growing process,” Williams said. “From year one to year two I grew a lot, and from year two to now, I’m a different person. It was a real progression of how I dealt with this situation.”

Before he could move forward, Williams had to confront the mistake that cost him another season.

After he learned of his suspension, the former five-star prospect withdrew from school and returned home, where he trained and said he did an internship with a global financial services company on Wall Street. There, Williams connected with former Irish receiver Bobby Brown, who works in New York City for a global asset management and investment advisory firm. Brown helped Williams shift his focus and put him in touch with former Irish quarterback Evan Sharpley, who runs Sharpley Training in Elkhart, Ind. (Editor’s note: Sharpley is also an analyst for Irish247.)

“(Brown) introduced me to people,” Williams said. “Talked me up. I was down, my demeanor was down at the time, and he helped a lot with keeping the ball moving. Like, ‘Your life is not over, kid. You still have all these years. You still have great things to accomplish in your life.’ He was very helpful in that sense.”

Williams, who declined to speak to the specifics of his suspension, said he initially wanted to avoid the process of returning to Notre Dame.

“There was a time last year when it first happened that I was like, ‘Let me just try and go to the league and not face the situation. Just try to go to the league,’” he said. “But my parents and some of the coaching staff advised me not to do that yet. They advised I should come back, because there was still a chance I could play again. That chance alone and the fact I could finish my degree was more than enough reason to come back.”

Williams returned for summer school in June, with the NCAA appeal already underway. His weight had ballooned to around 285-290 pounds, he said, though it’s now down to 260 pounds.

Shortly before the beginning of fall camp, Williams met with Notre Dame’s associate athletic director for football operations, Chad Klunder, and assistant athletics director for compliance, Jen Vining-Smith, who broke the news he wasn’t entirely surprised to hear: he wouldn’t be allowed to play in 2015, and his collegiate career was over.

“By the time I really got the news that I couldn’t play again from the NCAA, it was more of like beating a dead horse,” Williams said, “because I already felt that pain that I could never play (for Notre Dame) again. That second decision didn’t hurt me as much as the first one.”

Williams credits head coach Brian Kelly, athletic director Jack Swarbrick and university president Rev. John I. Jenkins for finding a way to keep him on scholarship for the 2015-16 school year, and he continued to work out at Guglielmino Athletics Complex. Williams watched the games from home, and needs to pass three more classes before he can earn his undergraduate degree in psychology.

The defensive end said he is trying to find a way to do earn his degree while accommodating his training schedule, and he feels free from the resentment and bitterness he felt 16 months ago. He discussed his story with 10-12 scouts at the College Gridiron Showcase he attended in Bedford, Texas, from Jan. 10-13—the first time he put on pads since August 2014.

“I feel like I took the whole two years to learn these things,” Williams said. “The first couple months to a year I was very bitter. I knew I was responsible for my actions, but I was thinking about a lot of moving parts that had nothing to do with me. I wasn’t able to strap down and work on myself and take the lashes and the lessons I was supposed to learn in the first couple months. It was hard for me to do that.

“I learned a lot after that situation. The entirety of the situation taught me so many lessons about life, and the man I am today is 100 times different from the man I was two years ago, or even a year ago. After all these things played out, I can finally look back and accept what happened to me. Accept my story and move on and let that stuff empower me instead of holding me back.”

 

[Fbolt]

Nice article and pleased he has seemed to turn the corner. Good for him.

 

[ND NYC]

that story above shows how the ND Family takes care of its own (alumni help in nyc for job/internship; coaches, AD giving good advice, fighting to help him...ex ND player sharply getting him shape etc) that's why you choose ND in the first place we don't forget our own, or abandon them even if they make a mistake, if they truly care and want to learn form their experience.
have always pulled for ishaq really sounds like hes in a good place now no matter what happens to his nfl dream.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Happy to hear it. Will Ishaq go through the draft/supplemental draft? or will he just hope to make a practice squad? I'd love to see him blossom on the field and earn a few paychecks before taking off his helmet.