Notre Dame Commit Profile: Running Back Aneyas Williams

A look at Notre Dame 2024 running back commit Aneyas Williams

Notre Dame continues its stretch of strong running back recruiting by picking up Missouri standout Aneyas Williams. Here's a look at what Williams brings to the table.

ANEYAS WILLIAMS PROFILE

Hometown/High School: Hannibal, Mo./Hannibal

Height/Weight: 5-10, 195

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 200 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0

2022 Stats: 1,362 rushing yards, 424 receiving yards, 34 total touchdowns
2021 Stats: 1,001 rushing yards, 1,297 receiving yards, 44 total touchdowns

Player Comp: Kyren Williams, Notre Dame

Recruited By: Deland McCullough

Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, USC, Florida, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Auburn, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Michigan State, Iowa, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Boston College, Northwestern, California, Kansas

RECRUITING RANKINGS

Rivals: 4-star - No. 146 overall - No. 2 all-purpose back
On3: 4-star - No. 280 overall - No. 23 running back
247Sports: 4-star - No. 19 running back
ESPN: 4-star - No. 23 running back
On3 Consensus: 4-star - No. 215 overall - No. 17 running back
247Sports Composite: 4-star - No. 251 overall - No. 17 running back

FILM ANALYSIS

Williams is one of the best all-around backs in the 2024 class. He can do a little bit of everything and he's already set the state of Missouri record for total touchdowns. He's had over 2,000 rushing yards and 2,000 receiving yards already in his career. A low-built runner, Williams makes plays as a runner, pass catcher and blocker. Williams is on the smaller side, but he is tough and willing to take, and give, punishment. 

Williams is a smooth athlete with outstanding balance, and he possesses top-level vision, patience and decisiveness as a runner. The Hannibal star shows the suddenness and anticipation skills to be an effective make-you-miss player in space. He isn't a burner, but Williams shows enough speed to rip off big plays, and that speed is aided by a very good initial burst out of his stance, and his ability to plant and explode vertically on outside/perimeter runs.

Beyond the physical tools, Williams shows a strong feel for the game. He shows impressive patience and second level anticipation. Williams has enough burst to plant and drive vertically once he makes his read. In the pass game, Williams is a threat out of the backfield thanks to his ability to make plays in space. As a high school player he shows impressive route running ability when lined up in the slot, or even outside. His lack of height might limit this a bit on the next level, but his ball skills are as good as a wideout at this point.

NOTRE DAME FIT

Notre Dame prefers backs that can do a little bit of everything, and that certainly fits what Williams brings to the game. He is an effective runner, which I addressed above, and his combination of vision, strength and quickness is ideally suited for Notre Dame's specific run scheme, which mixes double team, zone and mis-direction concepts. What puts Williams over the top as a great fit for Notre Dame is his ability to make plays in the pass game. He not only has good hands and skills in space, he's also shows top-notch downfield ball skills.

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Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2023 Scholarship Offers
Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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