'19 IL ATH Kendall Abdur-Rahman (Notre Dame Signee)

[NDIrish88]

So that is a lot of RBs. Wonder if somebody is going to bounce?

 

[SoIll]

he's not very big...

 

[Irish YJ]

Almost exclusively a QB than ran a lot of zone read and designed QB runs.

Thanks LL. I thought I remembered questioning a lot of WR speculation earlier. While I'm not against him going the WR path, I think you are spot on about it being easier for him to move to RB.

With KAR at RB, that puts 7 scholarship guys in the RB room right now.

They either feel really good about finding big roles for both pure RB's and tweener RB's, or they don't feel good about the ceiling they're projecting for some guys on the roster.

Pure RB's: Jones, Flemister, Smith
Slash RB's: Armstrong, Davis, Williams, KAR

Total mixed bag.

I think it will be the below by mid season.
1 Jafar
2a/b Jones/Smith
3 Williams

KAR should/will take some time. CBo either contends or fades (with Jones & Smith). Not sure what to think about Davis. Williams could make some noise if he can block.

 

[ab2cmiller]

he's not very big...

That may be, but he's probably 6 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than Kyren Williams

 

[Luckylucci]

he's not very big...

I don't think they envision him toting the rock 15+ times/game this fall so that has time to work itself out.

In general, I don't think we should over think this. He's a dynamic athlete, something we don't have a lot of at RB. And, he's never played WR. So why not start him at RB and see what you get. It's a faster process than learning to run routes, read man versus zone coverage, etc.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

With KAR at RB, that puts 7 scholarship guys in the RB room right now.

They either feel really good about finding big roles for both pure RB's and tweener RB's, or they don't feel good about the ceiling they're projecting for some guys on the roster.

Pure RB's: Jones, Flemister, Smith
Slash RB's: Armstrong, Davis, Williams, KAR

Why do people think Williams is a slash/scat back? He's 200lbs already (if recent weights are correct).

I don't think they envision him toting the rock 15+ times/game this fall so that has time to work itself out.

In general, I don't think we should over think this. He's a dynamic athlete, something we don't have a lot of at RB. And, he's never played WR. So why not start him at RB and see what you get. It's a faster process than learning to run routes, read man versus zone coverage, etc.

Anytime this happens, I think of Prosise and I relax.

 

[Luckylucci]

I can't speak for Lion but I'm not sure he meant it as a slight against Williams. More so that Williams is a very good receiving back and they'll probably want to utilize him in that role. Same goes for Jafar.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I think Kyren is both a pure and slash back. That's easily his best trait, is that he does just about everything well.

Jafar could very well be that too. He showed budding interior hole hitting instincts last season when he got the opportunity. It wasn't there yet, but he was quickly running with more and more authority as he gained confidence.

That being said, I thought Tony would be a stellar all-around back for ND as well, but he just can't seem to stay healthy. Not that he ever had Kyren or Jafar level speed, but he had so much versatility as a power-oriented back who could also block well and receive out of the backfield. I really thought he was on his way after the USC game last year. Who knows though. Maybe he surprises us.

When I think of slash backs, I think of KAR or what ND SHOULD HAVE DONE with Avery Davis. I still haven't fully forgiven Chip Long for how he used Davis in 2018. He was being used as a traditional back, which isn't who he is and will never be who he is. Yet that's how they used him until his lost his confidence and got benched.

 

[IrishLion]

Why do people think Williams is a slash/scat back? He's 200lbs already (if recent weights are correct).

Anytime this happens, I think of Prosise and I relax.

I can't speak for Lion but I'm not sure he meant it as a slight against Williams. More so that Williams is a very good receiving back and they'll probably want to utilize him in that role. Same goes for Jafar.

Yeah, it's just about skill set, not pigeon-holing him as a "small" guy.

TJ Jr has great hands, but I wouldn't consider him a "slash" guy because he's not ever going to line up in the slot and run the WR route tree. Williams has that ability.

 

[KizerWilhelm]

Can someone fix the header? The bump and seeing a question mark in "Notre Dame Signee?" gave me a heart attack.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

Yeah, it's just about skill set, not pigeon-holing him as a "small" guy.

TJ Jr has great hands, but I wouldn't consider him a "slash" guy because he's not ever going to line up in the slot and run the WR route tree. Williams has that ability.

This is a very interesting article about the future of the RB in the spread/RPO offense.
https://www.footballstudyhall.com/2...r-the-running-back-position-in-the-spread-era

It basically comes down to there being a split with one type of RB being a more fullback like one which can get the tough inside runs and also pick up blitzes and the other beings a more hybrid WR/RB that can attack the edges but also split out and run the route tree. To me, Tony Jones (and to a less extent Kyren Williams) fits very squarely in the fullback role with the added ability to be a decent receiver. Guys like Jafar and KAR fit more squarely in the hybrid role. So having guys in both roles could potentially be better than having the one do-it-all back that we all want and could make the best of a bad situation w/r/t rb recruiting.

 

[Irish YJ]

This is a very interesting article about the future of the RB in the spread/RPO offense.
https://www.footballstudyhall.com/2...r-the-running-back-position-in-the-spread-era

It basically comes down to there being a split with one type of RB being a more fullback like one which can get the tough inside runs and also pick up blitzes and the other beings a more hybrid WR/RB that can attack the edges but also split out and run the route tree. To me, Tony Jones (and to a less extent Kyren Williams) fits very squarely in the fullback role with the added ability to be a decent receiver. Guys like Jafar and KAR fit more squarely in the hybrid role. So having guys in both roles could potentially be better than having the one do-it-all back that we all want and could make the best of a bad situation w/r/t rb recruiting.

Not sure that Williams should be looked at as a FB type at all. Not saying he should be put in the Dex category, but I've read several things talking about his big play capability. Here's one.

https://www.ndinsider.com/recruitin...cle_543aa6b7-129b-5fa0-965a-186561ea8c76.html

Running back Kyren Williams of St. Louis, a 2019 Notre Dame commit, shook off the hand prying his facemask, and as he cut back to the left, two Chaminade defenders whiffed and tackled each other. One more ankle-breaking move capped off an eyebrow-raising 80-yard touchdown run.

“Holy cow,” Edwards said on last Friday’s broadcast.

It was nothing new for the 5-9, 205-pound Williams, though.

“It is hard to find a game, honestly, in the last three years, where he hasn’t had two runs like the 80-yarder he had Friday night,” said Paul Day, Vianney’s head coach. “There’s a lot of it there. I could probably give you 10 minutes of clips that were pretty amazing.”

 

[NDdomer2]

I don't think they envision him toting the rock 15+ times/game this fall so that has time to work itself out.

In general, I don't think we should over think this. He's a dynamic athlete, something we don't have a lot of at RB. And, he's never played WR. So why not start him at RB and see what you get. It's a faster process than learning to run routes, read man versus zone coverage, etc.

until you consider pass blocking schemes

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

Not sure that Williams should be looked at as a FB type at all. Not saying he should be put in the Dex category, but I've read several things talking about his big play capability. Here's one.

https://www.ndinsider.com/recruitin...cle_543aa6b7-129b-5fa0-965a-186561ea8c76.html

I agree that he is more of a real runningback than fullback, but I was more thinking he will be big enough (probably playing at 210+) to take on pass blocking responsibilities and sturdy enough to hold up to inside runs. Same thing goes for Tony Jones. He isn't a burner and he also isn't a traditional fullback, but he fits the description from the article I linked pretty well.

 

[Luckylucci]

until you consider pass blocking schemes

That was certainly taken into account and doesn't have a great deal of impact on what he'll be asked to do. He's not being moved to RB to come in and be the bellcow back. They're probably trying to find guys who can create explosive plays. It's much easier to get him the ball 3-5 times/game at RB than WR.

 

[Irish YJ]

I agree that he is more of a real runningback than fullback, but I was more thinking he will be big enough (probably playing at 210+) to take on pass blocking responsibilities and sturdy enough to hold up to inside runs. Same thing goes for Tony Jones. He isn't a burner and he also isn't a traditional fullback, but he fits the description from the article I linked pretty well.

I think Williams is short but thick, but sounds like he's also fast and elusive. Jones just doesn't seem fast or elusive. Give me Williams every down, while Jones is limited to 3rd and short.

 

[Old Man Mike]

If I'm Kelly (or Long) and I look at what I've got next year, I think, we have a chance at excellence all over this offense except RB. There is potential here and there but no sure thing. Let's load up the RB room (especially with few concerns at WR with the young jets at WR and maybe Kumah coming in) and see if there's a big surprise somewhere there that really wants this spot.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Finally got around to watching his tape and holy cow he's a hell of an athlete. Moves a lot like Kevin Austin (Just keep in mind Austin has 2" and 20 lbs on him but Austin is insane). Gets to second gear in a step or two and is a long strider, but he bends well into his turns when in open space without loosing speed. Should get a look at kick returns.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

'19 IL ATH Kendall Abdur-Rahman (Notre Dame Signee)

He is my favorite skill position recruit this class. And don’t be at all surprised if this lowly 3 star turns out to be a diamond like Julian Love, Will Fuller, Kevin Stephenson.


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[Irish YJ]

He is my favorite skill position recruit this class. And don’t be at all surprised if this lowly 3 star turns out to be a diamond like Julian Love, Will Fuller, Kevin Stephenson.


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I really like both KAR and Williams. Both really interesting guys. We only had 4 O skill guys, but I think they got it right with both of these.

 

[BobbyMac]

Measured in at 5-11.5/189. Not the 6-1 as advertised.

Will he get a shot at RB in his career?

 

[Luckylucci]

Measured in at 5-11.5/189. Not the 6-1 as advertised.

Will he get a shot at RB in his career?

If he struggles to catch on at WR, then I think you have to try it. Dynamic athlete with the ball in his hands. Gotta try and get him touches somehow.

 

[Henges24]

I see a Prosise type career here. Struggles to find a home early and ends up being a pretty quality back towards the end of his time with the Irish.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

WR, RB, CB all seem open to KAR given his athleticism.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hell of a catch from WR Kendall Abdur-Rahman (<a href="https://twitter.com/kendall4heisman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kendall4heisman</a>) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> <a href="https://t.co/INAwKKYqzR">pic.twitter.com/INAwKKYqzR</a></p>— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattfreemanISD/status/1235604241030541313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Luckylucci]

Really like him as a prospect. Hopefully they can get him some action whether that is within the offense or ST’s.

 

[T-Boone]

I think he dropped it.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Really like him as a prospect. Hopefully they can get him some action whether that is within the offense or ST’s.

I’m right here with you on KAR. I loved him coming out of high school. I believe he was my choice for offensive sleeper in last years class.

Saying all that it’s going to be tough for him seeing the field on offense with all the depth at WR. But, if he knows the plays and is good enough they will find a way for him to get on the field on offense.

His best shot to see action is in the return game as you mentioned.


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[Luckylucci]

Forgot the italics?

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Forgot the italics?

No. Why do you say that? I’m confused.


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