'08 VA ATH Ryan Williams (Va Tech LOI)

[Svoboda]

Athlete
Stonewall Jackson (Manassas, VA)

Ht: 5-foot-10
Wt: 192 lbs
Forty: 4.5 secs

Links of Interest: None

[Svoboda]

Reserved for photos.

[irishunclebill]

Ah, finally some info on the mystery man.:cool:

Ryan and his coach have visited UNC, NC State, UConn, Rutgers & Pitt.

Ryan has 2 more visits slated for the summer.

He will visit VT this weekend, apparently on his own.

Then, he will visit Notre Dame the first week of August, with his mother. He picked the first week of August to coincide with a camp and to be certain that CW would be there during his visit.

Very interesting.

[therizz]

Thanks IUB. You the man!

[frosh]

you have to think mom being there could be the deciding factor. every mom who takes that tour seems to be afraid to send their kid anywhere else

[NDGirlzRock]

Honestly, I haven't paid much attention to getting a running back commit this season. Thus, my lack of knowledge about the offer we have out there, with the exception of Thomas cause he's in FL. What type of runner is Williams? And could he push for playing time considering who's in the chowline ahead of him?

[frosh]

Honestly, I haven't paid much attention to getting a running back commit this season. Thus, my lack of knowledge about the offer we have out there, with the exception of Thomas cause he's in FL. What type of runner is Williams? And could he push for playing time considering who's in the chowline ahead of him?

he's an everydown back. he has power and speed. i guess he's similiar to aldridge except a bit smaller and faster.

[irishunclebill]

Honestly, I haven't paid much attention to getting a running back commit this season. Thus, my lack of knowledge about the offer we have out there, with the exception of Thomas cause he's in FL. What type of runner is Williams? And could he push for playing time considering who's in the chowline ahead of him?

Definitely a more traditional heavy duty RB than either McGuffie or Carlton Thomas. More like Cyrus Gray, but a better prospect. The kind of guy you would love to have when you are taking at the most 1 RB in a class. Top priority at RB for the staff.

[NDGirlzRock]

Thanks IUB! Do you think he would push the others for playing time?

[scooper]

Thanks IUB! Do you think he would push the others for playing time?

Probably not right away. But RB's get injured and it's one position where it is crucial to have depth. Not to mention, they are often the best athletes on their HS team and it's never a bad idea to have a bunch of athletes on the roster.

[marv81s]

look at usc and their 10 RBs on their roster.

It is a great luxury to have, and to get a RB with power and speed? That makes it even better.

[rontdtarchala]

I am a firm believer in getting at least one top flight rb every year and like it has previously been stated they are usually the best athlete on their hs team. Therefore they can play multiple positions...

[goirish41]

I am a firm believer in getting at least one top flight rb every year and like it has previously been stated they are usually the best athlete on their hs team. Therefore they can play multiple positions...

Normally I'd agree with you, but this year (month?) has been crazy and put ND in largely uncharted territory. Let's say Robinson commits during his visit, and McCarthy commits in the next day or two bringing our class to 19 recruits. We know Brown is coming and will, in all likelyhood, commit on his visit ... 20. There is a lot of talk about Sabino, and he's visiting at the end of the month ... 21. Our shortfall of bigtime wide receivers has still not been corrected, so we will most definately leave the door open for Floyd and/or Baldwin ... 22 and 23. We surely won't turn away Filer, Forston or Pachan. If we got any one of those guys, we'd be at 24, two at 25. There simply may be no room at the inn for a RB, IMO. Lucky for us, we picked up two studs last year and one the year before. Wouldn't break my heart if we waited until next year on a RB.

[rontdtarchala]

undestand your point, its just good business to get a top flight player for the offensive backfield...take sabino, filer, mac, floyd, robinson, brown, 1ol

[goirish41]

I'd be pretty happy with that haul ... but I'd hate to miss out on baldwin. I'd rather have him than Brown, but I think Brown is smart enough to see the writing is on the wall and he'll probably commit before the ink is dry.

[rontdtarchala]

roger that, he will commit and then its up to floyd/baldwin to decide who wants to be on the next 3peat nc team......hey that's riiiiiiiight, I dream big

[Jiggafini19]

Ryan Williams and Jon Baldwin are two players worth saving a spot for, even if they have to wait until Signing Day.

Williams is everything you'd want in a kid. He is a humble young man that understands football is a team sport. He just happens to be very good at it. Also a good student. He's kept a low profile to this point, a sign of that humility.

Baldwin is just a freakish athlete. The name Calvin Johnson has been tossed around and I can certainly see how people would think it. Size and speed to go vertical and is a serious red zone threat, plus a bigger frame to go over the middle on the intermediate routes and block folks. His skills as a cager on the hardwood have also given him very good leaping ability and athleticism.

Two guys like this in CW's offense would be a serious problem for opposing defenses.

[paddyman]

a_qOBl1YODA


found this today. I am not sure how to imbed it. Can someone tell me how to so i know for later posts? Nevermind i got it

Guy looks versatile and is not quite as fast as other RBs but definitely has escapability and power.

[UpstateIrish43]

Jimmy Johnson once said he was told Emmitt Smith was too small, and also too slow. Johnson's replay was "For a guy too slow, why does he have all those long TDs runs at Florida?" Dallas drafted Smith and the rest was history.

Comparing this kid to Smith is ludicrous. But a lot has to be said for all those long TD runs. The kid has a nose for the end zone. If Charlie takes a back this year, I'd have no prblem with this kid.

[NDgrandson]

http://blueandgold.com

He is the guy B&G is showing as the possible "silent."

???

[irishdan123084]

do you guys/gals happen to know when he comes to visit ND with his mom? and what are your thoughts about him committing right away?

[YoungIrish]

I think he will be up sometime next week...Out of all the running backs hes my fav...His video..it just impressed me alot more then the other running backs..I think Charlie will tell him if he wants the spot he better decide soon...possibly on this trip..

[irishdan123084]

i would like to see him come to the irish too. even tho we are deep right now in the RB position, i think if we pick up a solid RB this year, it wouldn't hurt. i think if we pick up williams, floyd, balwin, and t robinson---it would be HUGE.

[IrishKnight1023]

Now that J. Brown is out of the question I would like to take an RB alot now. I'm more of a Ryan Williams/CT guy. Cyrus doesn't do enough for me. I don't care which one of Williams or CT verbals here because I like both.

[The Army Awakens]

August 6th and 7th...

[Fishin'_Irish]

i would like to see him come to the irish too. even tho we are deep right now in the RB position, i think if we pick up a solid RB this year, it wouldn't hurt. i think if we pick up williams, floyd, balwin, and t robinson---it would be HUGE.

We are not deep at RB. USC is deep at running back, Lou Holtz's great teams were deep at RB. We are deeper than we were at RB, but not where we need to be.

[IrishKnight1023]

We are not deep at RB. USC is deep at running back, Lou Holtz's great teams were deep at RB. We are deeper than we were at RB, but not where we need to be.

-----Well said, morree repppppps......

[irishziggy]

We are not deep at RB. USC is deep at running back, Lou Holtz's great teams were deep at RB. We are deeper than we were at RB, but not where we need to be.

i agree that we have talented RBs, but we dont know what they can do yet.

Very good post Fish

[scooper]

Fish is right. In 2007, the tailback depth is very deep. But in 2008 with Thomas and Jabbie gone, there are only three guys left, along with the two FB's. That is very far from deep, especially considering no position takes more of a pounding than RB.

[YoungIrish]

USC is stacked at running back is an understatement...I cant see how one of those five stars wont transfer..I think Marc Tyler will redshirt this year to just make sure his leg is okay...still kills me he didnt come to ND...oh well...I think in a two or three years we will get that running back depth..I think Williams will verbal on his visit..

[NDGirlzRock]

Well if you keep telling them what they want to here....string them along, hhmmmmpoodlemmmmmhh, then it's easy to keep them in the fold. I wasn't on the bandwagon for a RB this year, but as TAA said, if we can't get Brown then I'm all for a RB in this class. I'll take Williams over Thomas and Gray. Thomas has too much attitude and Gray is tooooooooo slow!

[irishdan123084]

wow dont bite my head off guys. i have been saying for weeks that we need a solid RB for this class and everyone gave me the same response, "our RB position is deep and we have more needs for this class." i understand that but you can never have enough RB.

[scooper]

Nobody bit your head off. We told you we are not deep at RB. The rest of it agreed with you to take one.

[Troy's Enterprise Pride]

Well if you keep telling them what they want to here....string them along, hhmmmmpoodlemmmmmhh, then it's easy to keep them in the fold.

pete carroll doesn't string players along. he has a very respectable recruiting policy. he's also the best recruiter in the nation... not too much we can say about his recruiting style.



I wasn't on the bandwagon for a RB this year, but as TAA said, if we can't get Brown then I'm all for a RB in this class.

when you first started posting, you were really wanting to land mcguffie

[Akron Irish]

pete carroll doesn't string players along. he has a very respectable recruiting policy. he's also the best recruiter in the nation... not too much we can say about his recruiting style.




when you first started posting, you were really wanting to land mcguffie

Based on the the situations of Reggie Bush, Dwayne Jarrett, and the alleged rapes by the players, I have my doubts that the rest of his program is clean. Its only a matter of time.

[Troy's Enterprise Pride]

i wasnt calling his program clean.... i was saying that PC doesn't string players along. the post had nothing to do with following NCAA sanctions -- the point of the post was to inform that PC does not string players along... he gets the players he wants.

[scooper]

i wasnt calling his program clean.... i was saying that PC doesn't string players along. the post had nothing to do with following NCAA sanctions -- the point of the post was to inform that PC does not string players along... he gets the players he wants.

I know in a few instances players have said in interviews that he has told them they can be the next Reggie Bush. First off-there's only room for one Reggie at a time. Even so-that's quite a claim to make, saying they can be the next player that was probably the most impactful since The Rocket.

Poodle's slick, just like the rest of them.

[NDisNCin2010]

What i wouldnt pay to have a documentary made (with footage of) and a hidden camera in the living rooms of some 5 Star football recruits to see how the following coaches "do their recruiting thing":
Zook
B Bowden
Meyer
Weis
of course, C Brown :)
Carroll
Mack Brown
Tressel

[marv81s]

Those 11 RBs on USC's roster right now are just all competing for Reggie Bush's rent free apartment and his parents free house. That is how he gets players there and that is what poodle means when he tells them you can be the next reggie bush.

[NDGirlzRock]

pete carroll doesn't string players along. he has a very respectable recruiting policy. he's also the best recruiter in the nation... not too much we can say about his recruiting style.




when you first started posting, you were really wanting to land mcguffie

Says who! My thing about McGruff was that he has good moves and has a very Barry Sandersesque style, however, I have never said that I wanted him to become a Domer! Forgive me for giving props to a kid for his ability. Furthermore, I've always wanted to land Jeremy....I've been to several of his games and I think that he would be a good get. However, I am of the firm belief that he missed the bus! Dude do you actually see where I live! Orlando...I could care less about the flying burrito! I hope he gets waxed by our defense when we play them for the next 25+ years. And if Carrolls recruiting policy was so respectful...what happened to the respect with Reggie Bush?

[NDGirlzRock]

Those 11 RBs on USC's roster right now are just all competing for Reggie Bush's rent free apartment and his parents free house. That is how he gets players there and that is what poodle means when he tells them you can be the next reggie bush.

Thanks Marv my point exactly....I'm sorry you can play the role of a saint but if you have 11 RBs on schollie you have to be tellin' 'em something. Yeah they will see playing time when they are seniors or a freak!

[Fishin'_Irish]

What i wouldnt pay to have a documentary made (with footage of) and a hidden camera in the living rooms of some 5 Star football recruits to see how the following coaches "do their recruiting thing":
Zook
B Bowden
Meyer
Weis
of course, C Brown :)
Carroll
Mack Brown
Tressel

In a recent speech, former player Ron West (was it Ron? I think so.) talked about when Holtz visited his family. He said at first he was just talking about the newspaper, doing the "Comics, for those who can't read, Editorials, for those who can't think..." thing. Holtz could tell that Ron was losing interest, so he told him, "Ron, I'm going to give it to you straight. You can come to ND and be part of the turnaround of one of the greatest programs in college football history, or sit on your ass somewhere else and watch it happen." He decided that he wasn't going to sit.

[IrishKnight1023]

I have now switched my RB rankings after sleeping on it....In order of my wants out of the 3 guys we offereed are now...

1) Ryan Williams
2) Carlton Thomas
3) Cyrus Gray

------After watching Williams skills on tape yesterday I have begun to drink his kool-aid and hopefully he commits after he visits with his mom.

[ND Fanatic]

I agree IK, actually if we don't get Williams or Thomas, I'd just as soon take a RB this year.

[YoungIrish]

We should take Williams...hes visiting next week..anyone think its in the bag..Charlie will tell him if he wants to get on the bus he better now...If not then someone else can come along..

[IrishCalves]

We should take Williams...hes visiting next week..anyone think its in the bag..Charlie will tell him if he wants to get on the bus he better now...If not then someone else can come along..

I don't believe this one is in the bag. The odds on this one are good, but we still have some selling to do. The biggest task for this visit IMO is selling Mom on what ND can offer that other schools can't, and that her son will be safe and sound in South Bend.

The way I've heard it explained, VT and ND are the two schools in the driver's seat. If you put down your blue and gold sunglasses for a moment, you'd probably concede that Virginia Tech and Notre Dame have comparable football programs. They've both got some national notoriety, they both have very recent histories of success and winning, and they both are proving the ability to produce NFL caliber players. If you don't think too deeply, and get into every little nit-picky detail, you could pretty much say that football is just about eye for an eye.

After that, Va Tech has location in their corner. Unless mapquest is BSing me, I'd say there's a pretty big difference between a 4 hour drive to VT, and a 10 hour drive to ND. By the way, the history nerd in me really wants an ND player to hail from Manassas. Reps to whoever can provide explanation.

Meanwhile, ND has academics in their corner. Not so much a knock on VT, but ND is more or less in a class of their own, with the support staff they offer, the name brand the degree carries, the graduation rates, etc.

So from that vantage point, things are pretty equal. After that, the big thing for us, IMO, is to win Mom over, by convincing her that the academics are too much to turn down, and that her son will be more than able to thrive so far away from home - that it's truly whats best for her son. But that's my take.

[HoyaIrish]

...the history nerd in me really wants an ND player to hail from Manassas. Reps to whoever can provide explanation...

Battle of Bull Run, nice hometown for a running back.

[YoungIrish]

I have a buddy who lives in Manassas...said the kid is a flat out stud...

[IrishCalves]

Battle of Bull Run, nice hometown for a running back.

DING! Correct. :)

[HoyaIrish]

DING! Correct. :)

I'm a fellow history nerd, with a concentration in the US Civil War nonetheless.

[irishunclebill]

Most of the optimism regarding Williams is because Mom is tagging along, and this is her first visit with him anywhere. I think that is a great sign as well, but as usual there is very little coming from the Ryan Williams camp, so I'm not so sure that it's enough to convince me of an imminent commit from Ryan unless he is completely sold on ND after one visit. That has happened before with EJ, so I guess it could happen again, plus Ryan knows by now that the first RB at the Irish table will also be the last. Also on the plus side for ND is that Farrell has VT as the team to beat here. With his track record on ND recruits, that is usually good news.;)

Has anyone seen anything to confirm the actual dates of his visit. All I can see is a visit to ND in August.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

So does he run like a bull, or quick as if running FROM a bull?

[NDisNCin2010]

IMHO, i think RW is the best of the offered (CT, CG, etc)...i would love him to be Irish...but keep in mind as we discuss VT that RW's HS coach is a VT alumn, played football there, and is VERY close to the entire current VT staff and recruiters. the way i see it they have a VT recruiter wallking the halls of Stomewall Jackson High every day, and coaching the team that this guy is the star on...if i were a betting man, I'd say he is VT all the way, but stranger things have happened. the word out of Manassas is also that Ryan is not only a great player but also a really good kid, leads by example, no issues etc...and if you havent seen his film yet, it is a must-very impressive runner.

[NDGirlzRock]

[QUOTE=IrishCalves;18289]After that, Va Tech has location in their corner. Unless mapquest is BSing me, I'd say there's a pretty big difference between a 4 hour drive to VT, and a 10 hour drive to ND. By the way, the history nerd in me really wants an ND player to hail from Manassas. Reps to whoever can provide explanation.[QUOTE]

FWIW there were 2 battles in Manassas. And if memory serves....other than Ft. Sumpter, Bull Run is considered the first major battle of the Civil War.

[NDisNCin2010]

you are correct Girlz...first major LAND battle...i forget the Union Generals name right now, but if i remember the arrogant and pompous guy totally screwed things up for the Union, because he thought "his guys" were doing some maneuver, and he made a decision because of it, but it was really the Confederates doing the maneuver, and he blamed his ^$*# up on the flags of both armies being too similar and "confusing him" on the battlefield...

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Been there, it is a 'cool' battlefield. Too bad it took so long to resolve the civil war.

[NDGirlzRock]

you are correct Girlz...first major LAND battle...i forget the Union Generals name right now, but if i remember the arrogant and pompous guy totally screwed things up for the Union, because he thought "his guys" were doing some maneuver, and he made a decision because of it, but it was really the Confederates doing the maneuver, and he blamed his ^$*# up on the flags of both armies being too similar and "confusing him" on the battlefield...

McClellan I believe!

[irish4]

anyone have any free film on this guy?

[IrishKnight1023]

anyone have any free film on this guy?


------Click on his highlight links.....
http://notredame.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=48943#colleges

[irish4]

thanks

[YoungIrish]

I like the new pic...I think its going to be our next commit...

[weis19]

i'll be happy with either williams or thomas.

[irishdan123084]

I like the new pic...I think its going to be our next commit...

is that insight or speculation? i think at this point, with 19 down, only a few to go, anything can happen.

[YoungIrish]

speculation...know one knows anything going on with Ryan Williams..He wont talk to anyone...but he is visiting in the comming week...we need a Rb..Charlie Im pretty sure has him at the #1 spot...Im sure he will sit down with him and give it to him straight up..if you want the spot its yours lets end this process....Hopefully he can fall in love with the place in one day..hes the best RB we have on our board...

[irishunclebill]

speculation...know one knows anything going on with Ryan Williams..He wont talk to anyone...but he is visiting in the comming week...we need a Rb..Charlie Im pretty sure has him at the #1 spot...Im sure he will sit down with him and give it to him straight up..if you want the spot its yours lets end this process....Hopefully he can fall in love with the place in one day..hes the best RB we have on our board...

Have you actually seen dates posted somewhere that makes you believe that he is specifically visiting in the coming week?

[scooper]

uncle bill, check your PM

[irishunclebill]

Ryan's definite visit time has not yet been set up, so it would be a bit of a surprise to see him at South Bend shortly. Latest information is that he might come sometime this month, or it may be pushed back to an Official Visit to South Bend in September.

Of course, we have seen this scenario play out a few times already this year, so this may be all a smokescreen, but I don't think we will see RW on campus this weekend.

[scooper]

If he waits too long, Carlton Thomas may take his spot.

[YoungIrish]

I thought I read he was comming the 6th or 7th..and thats next week..might be wrong though

[ND Fanatic]

I thought I read he was comming the 6th or 7th..and thats next week..might be wrong though

I thought I read the same thing...can't seem to find where though.

[IrishKnight1023]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=rivals-146221&prov=rivals&type=story_recruiting

---Looks like he's not rushing, at all.

"Coach Powlus has been good in helping me get this thing going in a lot of ways," Johnson said. "We want to make sure it's done right and doesn't get rushed. The process has become more difficult but it's not tough in the sense that it's bothering us. Ryan hasn't necessarily built relationships with a lot of people, but he can put names with faces with these coaches. He's thinking about the individuals recruiting him and thinking about what different schools can bring to the table.

[irishunclebill]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=rivals-146221&prov=rivals&type=story_recruiting



Williams also wants to visit Notre Dame, a trip that might happen this month or get pushed back to September for an official visit.

Maybe so, maybe not? Williams knows what the situation is at ND is and will act accordingly to how serious his interest in the Irish is.

[Akron Irish]

I like our chances with him.

[rktgoirish]

first come first served...

[IrishKnight1023]

RW is going to be in South Bend for the Michigan St. game.

[tchris555]

yea but he's going to be in blacksburg for VT's home opener, thats going to be a tough atmosphere to compete with.

[irishunclebill]

The VT visit is not an Official Visit. The ND visit is, and it will be RW's first and thus far only scheduled Official Visit.

[weis19]

great to hear! maybe we can land williams and thomas? would we take two backs? with schollies very limited not sure?

[NDgrandson]

great to hear! maybe we can land williams and thomas? would we take two backs? with schollies very limited not sure?

Next year's RB depth:

Aldridge
Allen
Hughes

Those are some good ones, but if you have an injury to one of them, it looks like we are short on RBs.

I would take just one TB for the fact that we are pushing it, numbers wise. If things don't work out with other offered prospects on our wish list the chanceof taking two increases IMO.

[therizz]

I'm a big fan of taking 1 rb every year.

Hopefully I'll see R Williams at the MSU game...I'll be there!

[NDisNCin2010]

this from ESPN...


Ankle injury slows down Ryan Williams in opener
Uncommitted prospect Ryan Williams did not play in the first half because of an ankle injury, but came out for the second frame and carried 16 times for 94 yards as Stonewall's defense spearheaded the 13-2 win, the Washington Post reports.

[Jiggafini19]

6 YPC on a bad ankle?

Sign him up.

[Spiderman]

Do you think the offer to Jonas Gray has something to do with the other running backs interest in ND? is this any indication that we are not sitting good with Ryan?

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I hear ya Jigg....sign him up. We have room for two if worse comes to worse (and worse meaning we get two very good recruits to commit), I think CW is just hedging his bets, but who knows.

[IrishKnight1023]

Do you think the offer to Jonas Gray has something to do with the other running backs interest in ND? is this any indication that we are not sitting good with Ryan?

----When did we offer JG?

[Spiderman]

over the weekend

[NDisNCin2010]

----When did we offer JG?


when he told staff at NU he is looking....

[irishunclebill]

Looks like we can take RW off the board. Local article has him down to VT, BC, and Rutgers. VT has to be the front runner here.

Ryan Williams cuts list to 3, ND not one of them (http://www.potomacnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WPN%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353514750&path=!sports)


He has already visited Notre Dame in September, but on Thursday Williams said his top three choices are, in no particular order, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Rutgers.

He has not scheduled visits yet with any of those three schools, but he plans to. And he said he will not make a decision until he has taken all three visits.

Williams said he chose those three programs because of the chance to come in and play as a freshman.

[daytonirish]

I can understand him wanting to plat as a Fr. And with the young backs we have in fold it would be difficult to get alot of time next season as a Fr.

[irishunclebill]

RW has scheduled an Official Visit for VT for 12/8. Also is supposedly still planning on taking Officials to Rutgers and BC, and possibly Maryland. Plans to announce at the AAA game.

[marv81s]

20 on Virg Tech

[NDFan4Life]

Committed to Va Tech

[irishunclebill]

LOI to Va Tech.