Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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44 DECEMBER 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED T he freshman and sophomore seasons for Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams have es- sentially played out in reverse order. Typically, college football pro- vides a rude awakening and lessons of patience to freshmen who were stars for so long in their high school careers. Then a sophomore season allows for more hope of what's to come, slightly bigger roles and more playing opportunities. Williams, who was a four-star recruit out of Hannibal (Mo.) High, found playing time almost immedi- ately last season. He played at least seven offensive snaps in 15 of Notre Dame's 16 games. Williams finished the season with 34 carries for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns and 18 re- ceptions for 172 yards. But Notre Dame's running back rota- tion didn't roll as deep this season under new running backs coach Ja'Juan Se- ider. Williams had more carries last sea- son (34) than offensive plays (33) in the Irish's first 11 games of this season. His offensive snap count through 11 games was only six more than he played in the College Football Playoff semifinal vic- tory over Penn State in January. It understandable for Williams, who also played roles on Notre Dame's kick return and punt return units this sea- son, to be frustrated by his diminished role in the offense. "It's been hard," Williams said. "It's been tough. A lot of growing has been done, personally. Just understanding the bigger picture. "My mindset, being able to under- stand my situation and not making it personal, knowing that there are bigger things coming. Falling back on my faith and relying on God." The lack of action — 14 carries for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns, which have primarily come late in blowout wins — this season hasn't tempered Williams' confidence. "I think this is all part of the plan," Wil- liams said, "and I don't think it's a coin- cidence whenever I go in big things hap- pen. When I do go in, making the most of those opportunities I get. It's a good feel- ing leaving every game with my limited opportunities doing what I do with them." Williams scored touchdowns in three of the first four games he received car- ries in this season. He rushed for a 17- yard score against Arkansas Sept. 27 and a 54-yard touchdown against Navy Nov. 8. Then he celebrated his birth- day with a 30-yard touchdown against Syracuse Nov. 22. In his limited oppor- tunities, Williams admitted he's played with a chip on his shoulder. "It's hard to say I knew I was going to [score]," Williams said of his touchdown run against Syracuse, "but I think just trusting my process, trusting the rules and trusting myself, really. "Knowing I'm still the running back I thought I was. I just proved it more for myself, honestly." Williams suffered a right elbow injury in preseason camp that he still describes as an everyday battle. He only started feeling safe playing with the elbow issue in late September. "I've had way more serious injuries," Williams said. "We're just surprised with how long this has kind of stuck around. Definitely surprised me. As soon as I felt good I re-hurt it. It was just a long uphill battle." The rehab process mostly required time to heal, Williams said. He didn't have any structural damage in his elbow. But while Williams worked through that injury process, junior Jeremiyah Love and redshirt ju- nior Jadarian Price re-established themselves as the team's top two running backs. The Irish never re- ally added a third to the rotation as Love put together a Heisman Tro- phy candidate résumé and Price made a case to become an NFL Draft pick next year as well. After playing primarily on special teams in the first four games of the season, Williams could have opted to preserve a season of eligibility by sitting out the rest of the season, which likely would have preceded an eventual trip to the transfer portal. But he didn't let his doubts about his role this season lead him down that path. "I had my doubts myself as anybody else would," Williams said. "But I had that discussion, and this is where I want to be. I'm in a great position. "I get to see my guys ball. That's been a big thing. Being able to see their suc- cess is an eye-opener. Success is right there in front of me. I just have to be patient. I have a long career ahead and there's no rush." That doesn't mean the 5-foot-10, 205-pound Williams can't reevaluate his situation in the offseason. But as- suming Love and Price make the NFL leap, Williams could be in line to be Notre Dame's starting running back. Rather than have conversations about the future or beg Seider for more opportu- nities this season, Williams kept his head down. He recognized that his sophomore season wasn't the time to be selfish. "We haven't really had very many conversations, because it's hard to have those considering the success of oth- ers," Williams said. "I don't want to put any stress on him or any stress on me. "Just letting it all play out. I don't want to say anything I shouldn't, just let my play do the talking and leave a good mark for the future." ✦ Williams, a sophomore running back, scored 3 touchdowns in his first four game appearances in Notre Dame's offense this season. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER Aneyas Williams' Waiting Game Tyler James has been covering Notre Dame athletics since 2011. He can be reached on X @ TJamesND FIRST AND LAST TYLER JAMES