5. Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame
After winning the starting job this offseason, sophomore Kyren Williams was the breakout star of Week 2. He ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and caught two balls for 93 yards. He was the most dominant guy on the field Saturday against Duke.
The Irish offense didn’t look great and whenever a big play was needed, Williams was there. He led the team in rushing and receiving yards and was the first Irish player to have 90 plus rushing and receiving yards in the last 25 years. He was making guys miss all over the field and looked like a real game-changer against the Blue Devils.
It looks like Williams will be a major part of the Irish offense. If you would have said a Notre Dame player was on the Heisman watch list after Week 2, I — as well as a lot of people — would have guessed quarterback Ian Book. Book but Williams was the guy who looked special.
We haven’t had a running back win the Heisman since Derrick Henry in 2015. It’s going to be tough for Williams to bring home the award but if he continues what he did Saturday for the rest of the season and Notre Dame makes a run, he could receive an invitation to New York City.