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Notre Dame football: NFL teams need to draft Kyren Williams based on the tape

By Brad Weiss

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 30: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball for a 91 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter in the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 30: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball for a 91 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter in the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football star Kyren Williams has seen his draft stock fall this winter and spring, but NFL teams need to turn on the tape.

During his two seasons as the feature back for the Notre Dame football team, Kyren Williams established himself as one of the best in college football. The bruising back rushed for two consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns, while running over, or around the defense time and time again.

In fact, after the 2021 season when he declared for the NFL Draft, many scouts had him as the best running back coming out this year. He was mocked in most drafts as a legitimate Day 2 pick, going as high as the high-30s in a few, cementing his place as a legitimate draft prospect.

However, then came the NFL Combine, where Williams ran a slower 40-yard dash, and all of a sudden, his draft stock started plummeting. In a few mocks, Williams does not come off the board until late in Day 3, which would be shocking if that were to happen.

Notre Dame football star should flourish at the next level

To judge Williams on his 40-yard dash time would be foolish, as he certainly did not look slow running away from a very good UNC defense for 91 yards last season. He proved time and time again that he has the speed needed at the next level, but also possesses the ability to catch the football, and block, which is crucial at the next level.

The NFL team that gets Williams will also be getting a tremendous human being, someone who is going to step in and be a leader in the locker room, even as a rookie. What he will bring to the table cannot be judged by what the scouts saw when he ran in a straight line in Indianapolis.

The NFL Draft is a funny event, as we could see Williams go as high as late in the second round, or even fall until the sixth or seventh. However, the tape does not lie, and whoever ends up bringing Williams in will be getting a rookie running back that is going to make a statement in Year 1, possibly rushing for more yards than any other back in his class.

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