Williams Selected As FWAA Freshman of the Year Finalist

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — University of Notre Dame redshirt freshman running back Kyren Williams has been selected as a finalist for the Shaun Alexander/FWAA Freshman Player of the Year Award. He is one of three finalists chosen from a group of seven semifinalists for the honor.

Williams, the ACC Rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year, made a definitive mark on Notre Dame’s offense, and created a challenging matchup for defenses from across the FBS, in 2020. He was the only freshman to surpass 1,000 rushing yards on the year, totaling 1,125 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, the most rushing TDs among any freshman player. Williams reached the 100-yard rushing mark in six games this season.

The rookie also added 35 receptions (ranking third on the Irish offense) for 313 yards and a touchdown. His 14 total touchdowns lead all FBS freshmen.

Among all FBS players, he is T-10th in rushing TDs, T-11th in total TDs and ninth in rushing yards. In the ACC, Williams ranks fourth in rushing yards per game (93.8), fourth in scoring – TDs (7.0 points/game) and fifth in all-purpose yards per game (119.83).

A semifinalist for the Doak Walker AwardWilliams earned an ACC weekly honor five times out of ten possible games this season, and was named All-ACC Second Team running back by the conference, also claiming honorable mention for the all-purpose slot. He was also selected to the Phil Steele All-America Third Team.

Of the Top 10 rushers in the ACC, which includes Williams, the Irish have faced six (facing one twice and two in the same game): North Carolina’s Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, Clemson’s Travis Etienne, Duke’s Mataeo Durant, Florida State’s Jordan Travis and Syracuse’s Sean Tucker. Notre Dame’s defense has limited those six Top-10 running backs to an average of 63.0 yards (441 yards total on 94 carries) and just four total touchdowns among the six. Carter, who leads the ACC with 113.2 rushing yards per game, was held to just 57 vs. Notre Dame. By comparison, in those six games, Williams posted at least 100 rushing yards in five, averaging 121.3 yards (728 yards total on 119 carries), with a total of 10 touchdowns.