'19 MO RB Kyren Williams (Notre Dame Signee)

[IrishLion]

I agree with you I really want to see him play as well. I think he is a diamond in the rough. ND put him back at kick returns last year in the games he played. Do you like him full time there this year?

I think he could certainly do well there. I guess we'll have to see who the other options are.

I'd love to see Lenzy or Tyree back there. We haven't had a game breaker since GAIII. Crawford flashed but got a case of the fumbles and couldn't be trusted.

Also interested to see who is returning punts now that Finke is gone. Again, I vote Lenzy.....

I thought I had read at one point that BK has basically promised kick return duties to Tyree. I guess that could change if Tyree starts getting regular carries as a no.2 back (or no.1!), but I doubt they put Lenzy back there when they’ll be counting on him as a full-time WR.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I’m drawing a blank. I don’t ever remember Crawford returning kicks. Are you thinking of CJ Saunders?


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Yep that's what I meant, CJ Saunders. Not sure why I typed Crawford lol thanks for the correction

 

[irishandy]

Another name to think about at PR, Xavier Watts.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

https://www.si.com/college/notredame/football/notre-dame-football-liam-eichenberg-updates-practice

" Ben Skowronek, is a graduate student, came in and he's doing really well. Then the running backs, Kyren Williams is having a great camp. Offense is rolling, so it's been good." - Liam

Sounds like Kyren took that next step boys!

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

https://www.si.com/college/notredame/football/notre-dame-football-liam-eichenberg-updates-practice

" Ben Skowronek, is a graduate student, came in and he's doing really well. Then the running backs, Kyren Williams is having a great camp. Offense is rolling, so it's been good." - Liam

Sounds like Kyren took that next step boys!

Excited to hear that, sounds like we might have some weapons and depth in the backfield finally.

Great to hear on the Skowronek front too, especially considering the Kevin Austin injury.

No way we have a 1,000 yard receiver this year IMO. I think the pass-catching group will be by committee.

 

[pumpdog20]

Grain of salt taken considering it's coming from one of the players.
We'll find out soon enough.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Excited to hear that, sounds like we might have some weapons and depth in the backfield finally.

Great to hear on the Skowronek front too, especially considering the Kevin Austin injury.

No way we have a 1,000 yard receiver this year IMO. I think the pass-catching group will be by committee.

If we used Lenzy in a Rondale Moore sort of way, then yes.
But, I agree with you.

 

[Irish du Nord]

If we used Lenzy in a Rondale Moore sort of way, then yes.
But, I agree with you.

Perhaps not a Rondale Moore way, but maybe he gets to 1000 being used like Will Fuller?

I like the group's depth, there may not be a standout leader, but I can reasonably see quite a few guys going 500+ yds and 40+ receptions. Similar makeup to 2018, not a ton of great stats among these guys historically (Skowronek excluded) but we've seen flashes from a bunch of them.

 

[irishandy]

If Jafar cannot stay healthy I think Kyren becomes our #1 back.

 

[T-Boone]

If Jafar cannot stay healthy I think Kyren becomes our #1 back.

Unless he makes the slightest mistake.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Top Back Kyren

Somewhere Koon is hyperventilating on frustration that his film review was wrong...

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[Luckylucci]

I've always been really high on Kyren. I think the combo of him and Tyree, plus whatever else they get from C'Bo and Jafar is going to be better than people expected.

 

[arrowryan]

Has Jafar fallen off the face of the earth? Kyren looks like starting running back, Tyree looks like the backup, and Osita moving to running back. That's a lot going on considering how many guys they have at that position.

 

[pumpdog20]

Maybe Jafar gets moved to WR. Man, if Kyren and Tyree can really hold down RBs and add Jafar to our WR corp... it's going to be fun.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Maybe Jafar gets moved to WR. Man, if Kyren and Tyree can really hold down RBs and add Jafar to our WR corp... it's going to be fun.

I have thought since the end of the 2019 season that Jafar should move back to WR. I really liked his HS film at WR.


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[fightingirish26]

I think people's expectations of Jafar being a top back were based on Prosise's success. Not everyone with the physical traits can just pick up RB so naturally.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think people's expectations of Jafar being a top back were based on Prosise's success. Not everyone with the physical traits can just pick up RB so naturally.

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. I think it had to do with how well he immediately acclimated to the position in 2018. He showed some really nice spurts throughout the season and in the camps thereafter.

I just think somewhere along the way he stiffened up quite a bit. Got too big, injuries took a toll, etc. I don't know the answer but he just didn't look as smooth of an athlete last year.

 

[fightingirish26]

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. I think it had to do with how well he immediately acclimated to the position in 2018. He showed some really nice spurts throughout the season and in the camps thereafter.

I just think somewhere along the way he stiffened up quite a bit. Got too big, injuries took a toll, etc. I don't know the answer but he just didn't look as smooth of an athlete last year.

People had big expectations even during camp in 2018, IIRC. He had a solid first year at the position but people were making the Prosise comps even before his TDs against Michigan.

I can't really even remember how natural/unnatural he looked during 2018, all I can picture is how unnatural he looked last year. Abdominal injury was hopefully the cause but he apparently hasn't been lights out now that he's fully healed considering he was the favorite to win the job and was unsuccessful.

 

[dublinirish]

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. I think it had to do with how well he immediately acclimated to the position in 2018. He showed some really nice spurts throughout the season and in the camps thereafter.

I just think somewhere along the way he stiffened up quite a bit. Got too big, injuries took a toll, etc. I don't know the answer but he just didn't look as smooth of an athlete last year.

ND beat writers were super high on him last year in fall camp. Kid just can't stay healthy is most likely his issue again

 

[Luckylucci]

People had big expectations even during camp in 2018, IIRC. He had a solid first year at the position but people were making the Prosise comps even before his TDs against Michigan.

I can't really even remember how natural/unnatural he looked during 2018, all I can picture is how unnatural he looked last year. Abdominal injury was hopefully the cause but he apparently hasn't been lights out now that he's fully healed considering he was the favorite to win the job and was unsuccessful.

It'll be interesting to see if this is because Kyren and Tyree are just that good. Or, if it's because Jafar hasn't gotten that athlete back.

 

[KyfightingIrish36]

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. I think it had to do with how well he immediately acclimated to the position in 2018. He showed some really nice spurts throughout the season and in the camps thereafter.

I just think somewhere along the way he stiffened up quite a bit. Got too big, injuries took a toll, etc. I don't know the answer but he just didn't look as smooth of an athlete last year.

I think the big expectations came when ran for IIRC two TD's against Michigan week one.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

It'll be interesting to see if this is because Kyren and Tyree are just that good. Or, if it's because Jafar hasn't gotten that athlete back.

Perhaps it’s wishful thinking but if Kyren was only winning the job by default I don’t think Kelly would be announcing a starter yet.

 

[Irish YJ]

I've thought and said for a while now that Kyren and C'Bo would be the traditional backs, and Jafar would be a satellite guy. And wouldn't be surprised if Tyree emerges as the satellite guy over Jafar as the year goes along. Kyren just looks like the most well rounded guy, and C'Bo just runs hard. Not that I think Jafar is bad, but between his injuries, body type, positional flexibility, I just don't see him as the guy.

Anyway, I like hearing this about both Kyren and C'Bo.

 

[Irish#1]

I've thought and said for a while now that Kyren and C'Bo would be the traditional backs, and Jafar would be a satellite guy. And wouldn't be surprised if Tyree emerges as the satellite guy over Jafar as the year goes along. Kyren just looks like the most well rounded guy, and C'Bo just runs hard. Not that I think Jafar is bad, but between his injuries, body type, positional flexibility, I just don't see him as the guy.

Anyway, I like hearing this about both Kyren and C'Bo.

It’s nice to be discussing what appears to be a good problem rather than having angst that we have no back we feel good about.

 

[T-Boone]

There appears to be more positivity coming out of the RB room than this tie last season.

 

[Irish YJ]

It’s nice to be discussing what appears to be a good problem rather than having angst that we have no back we feel good about.

Bingo. I really do think the RB position is in good hands for the next 2-3 years. Still need to be more consistent recruiting. And ND Insider literally just changed their depth chart and it now reflects:

Running Back
23 Kyren Williams 5-9 204 So.
20 C'Bo Flemister 5-11 195 Jr.
25 Chris Tyree 5-10 179 Fr.
8 Jafar Armstrong 6-1 220 Sr.
34 Jahmir Smith 5-11 207 Jr.
34 Osita Ekwonu 6-1 236 So.

I've liked Kyren since he committed, so very happy to see him progress. I've also been a lot higher on C'Bo then most. Not saying CBo is going to be elite, but he's shown some promise and improvement. I am a little surprised that Smith has fallen. I thought he'd be #3, or even top 2, playing more the thunder roll. Maybe C'Bo is more thunder this year.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Wait, I thought Kyren was 5-7 with lifts.

 

[Old Man Mike]

There was a comment on a post from some guy which said about Kelly's statement about Kyren:

"Also said LB Osita Ekwonu and slot WR Kendall Abdur-Rahman moved to RB."

That sounded strange to me. If it is correct that two more players are going to RB, might that not mean that the top of the RB ladder is firm, and that lower but talented athletes (ex, Jafar) are moving elsewhere to be filled in by these two new names at RB?

Just looking for info ....

 

[tussin]

There was a comment on a post from some guy which said about Kelly's statement about Kyren:

"Also said LB Osita Ekwonu and slot WR Kendall Abdur-Rahman moved to RB."

That sounded strange to me. If it is correct that two more players are going to RB, might that not mean that the top of the RB ladder is firm, and that lower but talented athletes (ex, Jafar) are moving elsewhere to be filled in by these two new names at RB?

Just looking for info ....

Yeah agreed.

If we are so solid at RB with Kyren and Tyree as clear top 2 with Jafar and C'Bo second tier... then why move these guys to RB. Makes no sense to me. I feel like it's too late to switch Jafar to another position.

 

[Irish YJ]

There was a comment on a post from some guy which said about Kelly's statement about Kyren:

"Also said LB Osita Ekwonu and slot WR Kendall Abdur-Rahman moved to RB."

That sounded strange to me. If it is correct that two more players are going to RB, might that not mean that the top of the RB ladder is firm, and that lower but talented athletes (ex, Jafar) are moving elsewhere to be filled in by these two new names at RB?

Just looking for info ....

I think there has been discussion or debate about KAR being a RB from the start, so not surprised. Keep in mind he was a running QB in HS, and ran for more than he passed. IMO, the WR was always a stretch.

Ekwonu was also his HS team's starting RB. Given our strength at LB depth, not shocked here either.