'24 MO RB Aneyas Williams (Notre Dame Signee)

[Dale]

So why are we among the worst teams in the country in red zone/short yardage situations? They haven't been able to get 1 yard on 3rd & 1 or 4th & 1 situations multiple times this year. Plus JP's fumbles. It may not be the RBs, of course -it could be the OL- but something is off when you have such a great running game and can't get a yard when it matters.

Red Zone and short yardage are not mutually exclusive terms

ND is 44th in the country RZ TD %. The kicker is the only large issue with our RZ offense.

 

[NDFAN2008]

If he was barely gonna play this year why not redshirt him

 

[DCK_1981]

If he was barely gonna play this year why not redshirt him

If he plays in 4 games or less I think they can designate him for a redshirt at the end of the season.

 

[irishandy]

I don't think ND needs Aneyas Williams like they needed him last season, last year we had a QB that excelled as a dual threat vs this year our QB is excelling as a passing QB, and Love & Price have put this offense on their shoulders.

What I appreciated most from Williams last season is when his # was called, he produced.

ND is going to need to rely on #22 in 2026, his time will come.

 

[NDFAN2008]

If he plays in 4 games or less I think they can designate him for a redshirt at the end of the season.

He’s played in like every game

 

[ulukinatme]

If Price is going to get his carries, I'd rather Price get them at the start of the drive and then Love finishes the drives. For one, you know Price is getting the ball on a handoff when he's in which makes operating in the red zone harder and it may be contributing to the defense loading up to stop/strip him. Love on the other hand could get a pass out of the backfield, or stay in just as well for pass blocking. Williams is the same way, he's not going to telegraph the play because he can do it all.

 

[ulukinatme]

That's my hope, that Williams is #1 or #1a. Just throwing out the hypothetical.

Williams starting RB next year. I know it was garbage time, but he's got all the tools. Next man in for '26.
11 carries for 102 yards and 2 TDs in '25.

 

[stlnd01]

Williams starting RB next year. I know it was garbage time, but he's got all the tools. Next man in next year.

On his touchdown, Williams hit the hole so damn fast, Carr barely had the ball in his hands before he was past him, and off to the races from there.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

On his touchdown, Williams hit the hole so damn fast, Carr barely had the ball in his hands before he was past him, and off to the races from there.

The way he hits the hole makes me feel like he should be the short yardage back.

 

[Ricochet]

We saw how good he was last year but he's behind arguably RB#1 and RB#2 in the upcoming draft and with Ja'Juan Seider philosophy he never going to see much of this season other than in garbage time.

As we've been saying for years now is that he Kyren Williams 2.0.

Next season at RB is going to be very interesting, so much talent but next to in game experience other than Williams.

 

[irishandy]

On his touchdown, Williams hit the hole so damn fast, Carr barely had the ball in his hands before he was past him, and off to the races from there.

Last season when his # was called Williams produced, same goes for yesterday. Great run by Williams, he knew once he hit that hole he was going to get 6 points and he didn't look back.

He may not be the big name like Love or Price, I hope he buys in and knows what kind of role he can have next season where he could have a big season.

 

[NDWarrior]

Talented Notre Dame weapon could make the Fighting Irish staff rethink its strategy following big plays in victory over Navy

"One player who has gotten lost in the mix is sophomore running back Aneyas Williams, who was extremely important for the Notre Dame offense during the 2024 season. Williams was depended upon a ton as a third-down back, and made some huge plays in some of the biggest games. The Missouri native managed to total 391 yards and two touchdowns as part of the tandem.

Heading into the game against Navy, Williams had rushed the football a total of six times in eight games. He nearly matched the total during the 49 to 10 blowout victory against the Midshipmen. Williams ended the game rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown on just five carries. That included the longest play on the day for the Notre Dame offense, a 54-yard rush for a touchdown."

 

[pumpdog20]

Not sure if anyone else interpreted the same as I, but TOM sure seemed to insinuate that he'll be in the portal after the year on one of this week's II podcasts.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I just really like him in the passing game.. He might be better in short yardage than price too

 

[NDFAN2008]

Not sure if anyone else interpreted the same as I, but TOM sure seemed to insinuate that he'll be in the portal after the year on one of this week's II podcasts.

I just don’t see it unless Price comes back. Williams will be 1A and James 1B. Kendren Young probally won’t be 100% right away.

 

[irishff1014]

I just don’t see it unless Price comes back. Williams will be 1A and James 1B. Kendren Young probally won’t be 100% right away.

I agree with you on this. I think this would be a huge mistake.

 

[Valpodoc85]

Williams staying will be a matter of NIL unfortunately

 

[NDFAN2008]

I agree with you on this. I think this would be a huge mistake.

He could easily have video game numbers next year for this team and could get drafted or come back for another year

 

[IAIrish]

Not sure if anyone else interpreted the same as I, but TOM sure seemed to insinuate that he'll be in the portal after the year on one of this week's II podcasts.

That's how I took it as well. He's done it now on a few weeks in a row like he knows something and it's a foregone conclusion based on his lack of touches this year.

He also added that they'd need to hit the portal as a result. It's just wild to me this is the route the coaches want to take. I heard some Hollywood Smothers chatter, but I'd rather retain Williams and team him up with Kedron or one of the freshmen.

 

[FOTY977]

He could easily have video game numbers next year for this team and could get drafted or come back for another year

He’d put out rainmaking tape in pass protection as well.

 

[BeatSC]

Just seems unnecessary too. This isnt Notre Dame circa 2012 where we have Cam McDaniel or something getting reps

That was pathetic. The Joe Schmidt equivalent of running backs. Best known for his helmet less head shot.

 

[ulukinatme]

Williams staying will be a matter of NIL unfortunately

Why? He very easily could be the man next year, and we're now building a reputation for putting backs into the NFL. Where else could he go and do better from a financial and future standpoint?

 

[BeatSC]

Nothing about Aneyas Williams screams better than Love in short yardage

I wouldn’t say it screams but he hits the line faster imo. Lower to the ground.

 

[BeatSC]

There’s no advantage to using Price over Love in short yardage or goal to go situations either, but here we are.

Love and Price have not been good in short yardage situations plus the holes have not been there but there vision has been poor as the ashes are wide open for a jump cut as Price has done many times and then it’s been off to the races. Carr having not been much of a threat to keep it on the read option is no help as is never getting under center which is pissing alot of us off!

 

[allenm5333]

I honestly think this is a wait and see approach. Next week v Pitt, Love and Price need to be fed. Then we have Cuse and Stanford. You can get Williams a ton of carries these weeks and that may appease him. Love especially needs some rest before the playoff stretch.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I honestly think this is a wait and see approach. Next week v Pitt, Love and Price need to be fed. Then we have Cuse and Stanford. You can get Williams a ton of carries these weeks and that may appease him. Love especially needs some rest before the playoff stretch.

I’d play Love and Price both in the first half of those games then go to Williams

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I’ve brought this up multiple times in the Seider thread. His two back approach will cost us players, but so long as he keeps recruiting the way he has, we will be fine.

 

[stlnd01]

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.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

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.

I think he’s been on special teams all year.

 

[Jeffwantpoppers]

I’ve brought this up multiple times in the Seider thread. His two back approach will cost us players, but so long as he keeps recruiting the way he has, we will be fine.

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