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Notre Dame Football: Four Former Irish Listed as Potential Rookie Surprises

By Connor McJunkin

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Linebacker Te'von Coney of Notre Dame works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Linebacker Te'von Coney of Notre Dame works out during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Dexter Williams, Running Back: Green Bay Packers

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: A.J. Terrell #8 of the Clemson Tigers tackles Dexter Williams #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: A.J. Terrell #8 of the Clemson Tigers tackles Dexter Williams #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Taken in the 6th round with the 194th overall pick, Williams ditched the Irish green and gold for the Packers dark green and yellow. After finishing his college career with a ridiculous 20 touchdowns on just 257 carries, Williams impressed scouts during the Senior Bowl with his elusiveness and big-play ability.

Joining a backfield that has Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, who combined for roughly 1,200 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns a season ago, Dex is in a prime position to use that home-run ability he has to earn playing time.

The relatively low workload he had during his college career combined with his big-play threat could combine for a solid year for Williams. It’s unlikely he upends Jones as the starter in that backfield, but Dex has more than enough talent to challenge Jamaal Williams for playing time at the No. 2 position.

The good thing for Williams, and potentially the most important aspect of his, or any rookie’s season, is he feels comfortable in the system he’s in.

"I feel like it was meant to be. I feel like this is the perfect place for me. Offense-wise, it’s similar to what we were running in the Senior Bowl, so a lot of things I’m comfortable with. I’m still learning, still going over a lot of the plays with my running back coach and taking time with the other running backs to go over the plays with them."

Don’t be too surprised if you see the Juice get loose a few times this year and make an impact on that Green Bay Packers squad.

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