Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1426496
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 13, 2021 5 FAN FORUM DETERMINED TEAM This year's football team is not one of ND's best, but it is one of its most deter- mined. The team has weaknesses, but it also keeps winning in the fourth quarter despite its weaknesses. You have to love the heart these kids are showing week in and week out. Tim O'Reilly '61 Portsmouth R.I. BE HEARD! Send your letters to: Letters Blue & Gold Illustrated P. O. Box 1007, Notre Dame, IN 46556 or e-mail to: sdowney@comanpub.com Junior running back Kyren Williams' value to the Fighting Irish was on full display during their 44-34 win over North Carolina Oct. 30. Williams provided an electrifying 91-yard touchdown that provided the necessary momentum for the Irish to close out the victory, and finished with 261 all-purpose yards (199 rushing, 15 receiving and 47 on a punt return). In his weekly 3-2-1 column on BlueGold.com, our own Todd Burlage pre- dicted that Williams would return for his senior season in South Bend. As you can imagine, that stirred up plenty of debate on our message board. Here is a sampling of the opinions expressed: slevmonster: I think we have a better chance at making the playoff (which is very small) than Williams returning. Kcndmis97: Whoa! Predicting KW will return in 2022? I don't think that's a smart move for him but I would love it if he did! desteffm7: Hope your prediction is right! Cuffs408: I have a hard time believing Williams returns if he continues to make plays and rack up yardage like he is doing the last 3-4 games. But, hope I'm wrong. jamestulane: Todd, I hope you're right on Kyren but I don't see it. He was a day 2 pick entering the season and he's a day 2 pick now I believe. Not that much room for improvement for his position and NFL teams will understand the stabilization on the line that's been happening. It almost selfish for us to want him back given the short lifespan at his position and the wear and tear he takes. BGI User 2232: Agree with others that the likelihood of Kyren returning is slim. I have no doubt he'd like to be part of a big season, and even improve his draft stock, but the risk of injury and potential financial loss that comes with his position would outweigh the other rewards. Whenever he plays his final down for ND, he will have left it all on the field and few will move on from the program having earned more fan respect. GraceHall4D: He's one of the greatest backs we've ever had — talent, en- ergy and lead by example. Hope he's got a career that mimics Theo Riddick as BK suggested with even more NFL success. shjh2665: Kyren is headed to the NFL. Irishrower: Big prediction on Kyren coming back. I do agree with you but I think he's going to be a very good pro back. His ability to make tacklers miss, stiff arm them away or just flat break tackles is often underrated when looking at backs transitioning from college to pro. Oh yeah, he's damn good catching the ball too. Mark90Alum: For Kyren's sake, I hope the coaches refuse to let him return if he is so inclined. He's played a lot of football and as a running back, those hits add up. The window for an NFL RB is too limited to cut a year from it by returning. I absolutely love watching him in an ND uniform, but it is only for selfish reasons that I'd like him to stay an extra year. mh2365: 0.000000000000000000% chance Williams returns next year … but man I would do a happy dance like I was in my 20s again if he did. ndrulzinwv: I would think NFL coaches would salivate over him because of the whole package he brings. You watch him in pass blocking there's no half-hearted effort he sets out to deliver the blow. I'm so impressed at how he plays the game. The kid is special. FROM THE WEBSITE .com .com Junior running back Kyren Williams racked up 261 all-purpose yards in Notre Dame's 44-34 win over North Carolina Oct. 30, prompting speculation he could head to the NFL after the season. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER