SOUTH BEND, Ind. — On Thursday, Ishaq Williams could’ve taken a flamethrower to the NCAA, the organization that ruled he wasn’t eligible to play football last fall despite his re-admission into the University of Notre Dame. He could’ve ripped the whole process that caused him to miss the entire 2014 and 2015 seasons, which put any future he had in football on shaky footing.
Instead, the defensive end/linebacker said after Notre Dame’s pro day he’s keeping his focus on what’s ahead, not what’s behind him.
“That’s above my pay grade,” Williams said. I just focus on what I can do.”
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Williams’ five-star potential never emerged at Notre Dame. He only recorded one sack and six tackles for a loss in three seasons, but probably would’ve been a two or three-year starter at defensive end had he not been suspended for academic dishonesty in August of 2014. Maybe he was a late-blooming former elite recruit, but he didn’t get the chance to prove it in college.
Unlike cornerback KeiVarae Russell, who vowed to return to the football team, was in consistent communication with the coaching staff and checked off all the requirements to do so, Williams’ football future was never as clear. Coach Brian Kelly rarely had much information on Williams’ whereabouts and plan after his suspension was upheld. Russell’s reinstatement appeal to the NCAA was always expected to be successful, while Williams’ was far more of an unknown.
Williams admitted there were times, though, that he was unsure if he’d ever try to play football again.
“There was a little hesitation,” Williams said. “I thought football was over for a while. But my family and my friends were supporting me, I just got back on my horse and got back to work.”
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Williams re-enrolled at Notre Dame last year and said he's nine credits short of graduating. He spent a couple months training in Florida before returning to South Bend for pro day (He didn’t get an invitation to the NFL Combine). But, more importantly, he was able to put pads on and play in an All-Star game in Texas earlier this year.
For a guy who hadn’t played a down of football since Notre Dame was still wearing Adidas uniforms, that was an important experience. Williams hopes it’s not the last.
“It’s definitely a challenge,” Williams said, “but I gotta look at the positive and put my best foot out there and see what happens.”