It's no secret that while Notre Dame has posted two very big wins so far this season, the running game isn't where the Fighting Irish coaches want it to be. Running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider believes he knows why Aneyas Williams at least, isn't having the start to the season he's capable of.
Seider appeared before the media on Tuesday afternoon and pointed out that the biggest problem with Williams' uneven start to 2026 is that he's been "pressing." It wasn't, as one media member offered up, that Williams was tired after a 20-carry game the week before.
"I really think he's feeling that pressure, and I've got to do a good job helping him," Seider said before hinting that Notre Dame might cut back on Williams carries if the coaches think that will help him stop pressing and just play."
"Sometimes it might be taking a step back to watch somebody else play. That's what we find out as coaches. What do we do to help him?"
Notre Dame football running back battle intensifies as Aneyas Williams is accused of pressing
Seider added that it might be less about fewer carries and more about which formations or plays are called when Williams is in the game, compared to Kedren Young, Jonaz Walton, or Nolan James Jr. In the game against Rice, Williams struggled mightily, rushing 9 times for just 29 yards. Meanwhile, Walton carried 8 times for 48 yards. James wasn't exactly outstanding either, but he did find the end zone twice.
It's been clear since the beginning of the spring that Williams was never really considered the "only" guy tagged to replace Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love. However, because he was the first guy off the bench last year, he was given the shot to be the first guy into the game this year.
Against Wisconsin, Williams was solid if unspectacular with 20 carries, 90 yards, and 2 touchdowns on the ground. He also had 1 catch for 11 yards. His average per carry falling to 3.2 yards meant that Notre Dame looks like it's actively trying to "fix" whatever is ailing Williams and perhaps turning to another back as the first guy into the game.
Obviously, Williams was unlikely to come close to his 9.3 yards-per-carry average from a year ago. However, the Fighting Irish were hoping he'd be closer to his 2024 average of 6.4 yards per carry than the very pedestrian 4.1 YPC that he's currently posted.
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