Brian Kelly: Kyren Williams, Lawrence Keys In Thick Of Position Battles
Brian Kelly seized the opportunity and ran with it, much like Kyren Williams did on one public practice highlight.
Asked about Williams to start his Monday Zoom press conference, Kelly offered a reminder that no, gifted true freshman Chris Tyree won’t walk into a starting running back job, despite multiple instances of propping up his skills and potential role.
Well, perhaps Williams gave the reality check regarding Tyree’s competition before Kelly – in a 22-second clip Notre Dame’s in-house media department released Sunday. Either way, the message was clear. The Irish have another intriguing option vying for carries who is ascending into form.
“The hard work and commitment in the offseason has put him in a position where he’s what we thought he would be,” Kelly said. “He can catch the football, he has really good vision and escapability, he’s not afraid to block or run the ball between the tackles. He’s going to be a key piece for us moving into the season.”
The practice clip from Sunday’s padded session featured Williams in a snap with the first-team offense. In what looks like a draw or RPO, Williams takes a handoff, runs right off tackle and gets to the second level. He cuts back toward the middle of the field by discarding safety Houston Griffith without losing much speed. Safety Isaiah Pryor tackles him a few yards shy of the end zone.
That’s just one play in a large sample of a practice closed to reporters, but it’s significant Williams is earning some first-team snaps. The three-star recruit from St. Louis was a January 2019 enrollee who Kelly lauded as a freshman last year, noting “there aren’t a lot of guys we could throw so much at with the makeup to handle it.”
The talk didn’t translate into playing time, though. Something went sideways in between. He had one kick return and one offensive snap against Louisville, earned five garbage-time touches the following week vs. New Mexico and disappeared for the rest of the year. Monday, Kelly hinted they might have overstated just how smooth his acclimation was.
“He came in last year as a freshman and there was a big transition, especially at the running back position, where you’re required to do so much more than you were in high school,” Kelly said. “He was the best player on his team, best player maybe every night he played. Then he gets to Notre Dame and there are a lot of really good players.”
If we’re to take Kelly at his word on his Dennis Green-esque he-is-who-we-thought-he-is declaration, it seems Williams’ freshman struggles are behind him. Skill-wise, the 5-9, 205-pound all-purpose back is an intriguing option who mixes high-level receiving ability with a predilection for physicality. He has good speed, but isn’t the breakaway threat Tyree is.
It’s not clear where that might put him on the depth chart. Senior Jafar Armstrong is going to get every chance to grab the lead back job. C’Bo Flemister and Jahmir Smith had rotation roles and aren’t disappearing. Per Kelly, Tyree will be a factor. The backfield picture is as clear as mud to media and fans – and perhaps coaches too – but Kelly has faith the right combination will make itself clear before too long.
“We think it’s another year where guys are going to step up and make plays for us,” Kelly said. “It won’t just be one. It never is. One guy may be the big playmaker, but we think we have a lot of depth.”
The same can be said at wide receiver, where several qualified and enticing candidates are fighting for roles. Kevin Austin was the safe bet to replace Chase Claypool at the ‘W’ boundary spot, but he is out eight to 12 weeks after early August foot surgery. His replacement seems likely to be Bennett Skowronek or Javon McKinley. Speedster Braden Lenzy is due for a snap bump, if not a starting job. Kelly has identified five-star freshman Jordan Johnson as a rare breed.
And somewhere in there, Kelly said, junior Lawrence Keys III will carve out a niche. Keys was Notre Dame’s primary kick returner and caught 13 passes in 2019, mainly as a slot receiver. He had five games with at least 30 snaps, but was barely visible in others as he dealt with a nagging foot injury.
“Lawrence is a kid we love,” He certainly has a skill set we’re going to take advantage of.”
Keys was in one practice highlight as well, in a rep that appeared to be with the second team. He snagged a touchdown pass from likely No. 2 quarterback Brendon Clark when he caught a dart and got two feet down in front of the goal post.
The offensive role may be cloudy at present with the bodies around him and Kelly’s insinuation a bump in tight end usage could lead to a smaller role for slot receivers. Lenzy was the main kick returner in the bowl game, a logical fit given his sprinter speed. Perhaps the punt return job vacated by Chris Finke is Keys’ surest path to playing time.
“He’s going to get a chance to be involved in the punt return game,” Kelly said. “As you know, he was much more of a backup to Chris last year. He’s going to be given a chance to take that position over. We really like Lawrence. You just never know who that guy is who’s going to step up.”
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