Notre Dame football has a special talent in running back Kyren Williams, who is just getting started as the feature back in South Bend.
The Notre Dame football team had plenty of questions on the roster heading into the 2020 college football season, including who would step up as the feature back of the offense. Turning to redshirt freshman Kyren Williams against Duke in the season opener, it was clear they made the right choice, as he rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.
Since then, Williams has been carving up defenses no matter who the opponent is, and has saved his best work for the biggest of games. Against the No. 1 Clemson Tigers, Williams rushed for 140 yards and three touchdowns and has closed out the regular season with back-to-back 100-yard games.
He has run around, and through defenders, all season long, leading to a 1,000-yard season is his first as the main man for the Irish. He has been a perfect complement to quarterback Ian Book, who has put himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation with his play as of late, serving as a security blanket, as well as a protector.
As he enters the ACC title game and CFP, Williams is on the cusp of superstardom.
Notre Dame football: Kyren Williams just getting started
Williams can do it all
Not only is Williams elite when it comes to toting the rock, but he is also a guy who can block and catch the ball out of the backfield. He has the perfect skill set you look for in a three-down back at the next level and going into the next draft season, there is going to be a lot of talk as to whether or not he should leave college.
In only his first full season as the featured back, Williams has proven that he can also put the team on his back when need be. Against Clemson, he scored twice in overtime, and going up against the presumed top running back in this year’s draft in Travis Etienne, he was the better player in all facets of the game.
There is still a ton of football left to be played this season, as a win or loss in the ACC title game will land the Irish in the College Football Playoff. For Williams, we are just scratching the surface of what this kid could be in the grand scheme of the Notre Dame football program.
For now, Brian Kelly will need every bit of Kyren Williams over the next few weeks, as they face a gauntlet of games that could lead to immortality for this 2020 squad. First the ACC title game, a rematch against Clemson before they land in the College Football Playoff to battle the best teams in the country.
Games this late are won on the ground, and the Irish have the guy to lead them to the Promised Land.