Brian Kelly compares Kyren Williams to another great Notre Dame back

Head coach Brian Kelly delivered high praise to running back Kyren Williams, comparing him to Notre Dame great Theo Riddick. His combination of power and enthusiasm are difficult to replicate but easy to spread throughout the team.

Kyren Williams is a 5-foot-9 junior running back who reminds his coach of Theo Riddick. After playing a reserve role as a freshman, he emerged as the top option in a deep backfield. His 1,652 career rushing yards and 19 touchdowns promise to jump further over the back half of the season.

“He plays with such an energy and an edge,” Kelly said during a press conference. “It’s hard not to pass that on to the entire group. Boy – I don’t know – there’s maybe Theo Riddick who had a similar kind of vibe to him. Theo played like that, he played physical and it kind of rubbed off on the group. That’s the guy that he kind of reminds me of.”

Theo Riddick played at Notre Dame from 2009-12 under Brian Kelly. He never peaked the way Williams did as a sophomore but offered a consistent presence in the Fighting Irish backfield. Over four seasons, Riddick ran for 1,169 yards and five touchdowns, adding 1,263 receiving yards and eight more touchdowns.

Riddick was drafted No. 199 overall in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, establishing himself as a pro. Over seven NFL seasons, the former Notre Dame star ran for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns, adding 2,281 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. His role as a receiving-first back made him a valuable asset on three teams over his career, balancing the backfield with his unique skillset.

Brian Kelly on defensive back TaRiq Brady

Brian Kelly has watched defensive back TaRiq Bracy reshape his college football career. After falling out of favor with Notre Dame in 2020, Bracy has returned to the Fighting Irish with a vengeance this season.

In his press conference this week, Kelly was candid while speaking on Bracy’s improvements. Evidently, the strides the defensive back has made are making Kelly proud.

“Taking care of himself. Eating right, sleeping. All the things that are off the field that have derailed him,” said Kelly. “Some of it’s public — he has taken care of those things. They generally allow somebody not to be distracted when it comes to playing football. I’m proud of what he’s done — it’s been a long road for him.”