Blue and Gold Illustrated

February 2023

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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38 FEBRUARY 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY MIKE SINGER Hannibal (Mo.) High class of 2024 running back Aneyas Williams made his verbal commitment to Notre Dame Dec. 16, choosing the Fighting Irish over a trio of Southeastern Conference finalists in Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. The four-star running back picked up an offer from Notre Dame June 5 while on campus for the Irish Invasion camp, and he showed out in front of position coach Deland McCullough and Co. He also visited at the end of July and twice in November, leading to his pledge to the Fighting Irish. "It was how they recruited me," Wil- liams told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "It was different and separated themselves from others. One of the biggest things you hear from other recruits who commit is how you'll know and have that feeling about picking a school. I got that early with Notre Dame, and I went back again to make sure it just wasn't me being in awe. And it felt the same every time. "I have Coach [Marcus] Freeman and Coach [Tommy] Rees always texting me. Coach Deland shows me a lot of love. They recruited me the best out of every- one — not even close. Coach Deland has made the trip down here twice in the past week [prior to his pledge]. They've made it clear how they feel about me, which is huge. His résumé is nuts." So much of recruiting is about effort, but that alone doesn't make the differ- ence when it comes to a staff landing a prospect. And Notre Dame's coaches pushed the right buttons when it came to going after Williams. "I feel like I really got the truth from them," he said. "When I hear from Coach Deland about what he's going to do and then they go out and do it on the field, that's huge for me." Notre Dame was a major contender for all of Williams' recruitment, but it was when he visited for the Irish's upset victory over then-No. 4 Clemson that he knew he wanted to pick Freeman's program. "I was at the Clemson game, and that made a big impact," he said. "I've yet to hear anything bad about the school. I know I can't go wrong with Notre Dame." It's an early commitment from Wil- liams, who is only halfway through his junior year. He knows what's to come for him despite his commitment. "It's a relief, but I know that it's not going to slow down," he said. "I'll han- dle it how it needs to be handled. I can't see myself switching to another team, at least not as of right now." Williams has a message for Notre Dame fans regarding what the Irish are getting in him on and off the field. "I'm a leader," Williams said. "I want to help others get better — whatever it takes. I'll put others before myself. And on the field, there's not a thing I can't do. That'll be big for Notre Dame with how they use their backs. I promise that I'm going to have a big effect. "Off the field, I like to make a good impact on my community. I want to build relationships outside of football." Williams, the No. 16 running back and No. 185 overall prospect na- tionally according to On3, has ac- c o u n t e d f o r 6,0 3 5 a l l - p u r p o s e yards and 102 touchdowns through three varsity seasons at Hannibal. Williams posted 1,999 all-purpose yards and 34 touchdowns in just 9 games as a junior this past season. He earned Class 4 first-team all-state hon- ors for the second straight season, this time at running back. As a sophomore in 2021, Williams had 2,756 all-purpose yards and accounted for 47 touchdowns. He totaled 105 car- ries for 1,001 yards with 20 touchdowns, while catching 63 passes for 1,297 yards and 24 scores. He also played safety and recorded 73 tackles and 3 interceptions. Williams was named the 2021 Keokuk Hannibal Quincy Area Player of the Year. The Missouri Football Coaches Association tabbed him as a Class 4 first-team all-state player at wide re- ceiver that season. ✦ COMMITMENT PROFILE ANEYAS WILLIAMS 2024 Four-Star Running Back Picks Notre Dame Williams, who is the No. 16 running back and No. 185 overall player nationally according to On3, also held offers from Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and many others before committing to Notre Dame. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER FILM ANALYSIS "He can do it all. [Aneyas] Williams can run, catch and block and has had phenomenal stats the last two years. This is a major catch for Notre Dame. I think he's a guy who can come in and play right away as a freshman. He re- minds me of Blake Corum at Michigan — and build-wise, like [former Notre Dame tailback] Kyren Williams. "I'm really impressed with him; he's very confident. Williams is a good, all-around back. I'm worried a bit about the competition, but if he does the same thing in St. Louis, you'd give him five stars. I was really impressed when I saw him in person. I like his confidence; he's the biggest star they've had in Hannibal for years." — Prep Football Report recruiting analyst Tom Lemming

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