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Notre Dame Football: Kyren Williams will be in 2021 Heisman conversation

By Connor Muldowney

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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The 2021 season is right around the corner and Notre Dame football is facing plenty of questions after making the College Football Playoff in 2020.

One of the biggest question marks is: who will start at quarterback in 2021?

Jack Coan transferred over from Wisconsin and Tyler Buchner was one of the top prospects in the entire 2021 class but whoever gets the nod as QB1 will have the ultimate protection plan in the backfield in the form of Kyren Williams.

In his first year as the Irish starting running back, he accounted for 1,125 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging a solid 5.3 yards per touch. He has Chris Tyree backing him up, creating one of the best 1-2 punches in the country as he, too, has a solid first season with the Irish, racking up 496 yards and four touchdowns on 6.8 yards per touch.

Williams was one of the best running backs in the country and he got to showcase his talents on the biggest stages even though he struggled against Alabama in the playoff.

Yet somehow everyone is overlooking the talented Notre Dame running back.

Where the Notre Dame football star stands in the Heisman race

The 2021 season is right around the corner and although the Heisman race means nothing until about November, it’s never too early to look at some early contenders.

  • Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
  • Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma
  • Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
  • Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
  • Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
  • Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
  • DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson

Williams deserves to be right there in the conversation and it’s hard to argue guys like Spiller, Bijan Robinson, or Hall deserve to be in the conversation ahead of him.

Running backs and quarterbacks are the most likely to win the award and Williams has to be one of the top 4-5 rushers in the country. And there aren’t a ton of elite quarterbacks to start the season like in years past so that will help his case.

No one is talking about him as a true Heisman contender yet, but Williams deserves some recognition in the race, especially if he builds off his elite 2020 performance.

Next. Way-too-early preseason Top 25 projections for 2021. dark

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