Tag: Dexter Williams

Notre Dame’s top-rated running back recruits since 2000

What would happen if Notre Dame’s recruiting of the running back position could meet what it does on the offensive line?

Notre Dame has long been known for fielding a solid running game on an annual basis. [autotag]Jerome Bettis[/autotag], [autotag]Ricky Watters[/autotag], [autotag]Reggie Brooks[/autotag], [autotag]Ray Zellars[/autotag], [autotag]Autry Denson[/autotag] and [autotag]Allen Pinkett[/autotag] come to mind from yesteryear. Stars [autotag]Kyren Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Josh Adams[/autotag] and [autotag]Theo Riddick[/autotag] wowed crowds over the last decade.

It’s been a long time however since Notre Dame has brought in what would be considered top-tier talent at the position with regularity. Sure, Adams, [autotag]Tony Jones, Jr[/autotag] and some others have earned NFL paychecks over the last decade, it’s been a long while since Notre Dame produced Julius Jones, the last Irish running back to be more than simply a role-playing back in the NFL. Perhaps Williams will change that with the Rams, but time will only tell.

So what has Notre Dame’s recruiting at running back looked like the last two-plus decades?

Here are the top 30 Notre Dame running back recruits since 2000 according to 247Sports. It is worth noting some of these players wound up changing positions once getting to South Bend.

Packers releasing running back Dexter Williams

For the third time, the Packers are releasing running back Dexter Williams, a 2019 draft pick of the team.

The Green Bay Packers released running back Dexter Williams on Tuesday, per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Williams, a 2019 draft pick of the Packers, returned to Green Bay to provide depth at the running back position this summer, but he has failed to make the 53-man roster as the No. 3 option behind Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.

Wood also is reporting that Williams is unlikely to return on the practice squad.

Williams rushed 11 times for 60 yards during the preseason. He also dropped two passes. His release leaves Patrick Taylor and rookie Tyler Goodson as the two running backs left to make the team as the third player at the position.

Williams was the 194th overall pick in the 2019 draft. He has now been released three times by the Packers, including during each roster cut down the last two years.

Packers excited to get RB Dexter Williams back in Green Bay

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said Dexter Williams is returning in Green Bay in “phenomenal shape.”

The Green Bay Packers needed another running back to get through what could be a grueling week ahead, so general manager Brian Gutekunst brought back a familiar face: 2019 sixth-round pick Dexter Williams.

The Packers are expected to officially announce the signing on Wednesday. Gutekunst confirmed Williams would be added after he was one of five running backs to work out for the team on Tuesday.

In Williams, the Packers are getting an explosive runner who can integrate back into the offense quickly and handle a workload while Kylin Hill (PUP list) and Patrick Taylor (groin) are hobbled at running back.

LaFleur said he was excited to get Williams – who spent two seasons in Green Bay – back in the building.

“He’s a guy who I probably was really hard on throughout his time here just in terms of trying to get everything out of him,” LaFleur said Wednesday. “I gotta say, it’s always cool to see a guy not only take the coaching but you see him evolve as a player and person. I think he was one of the hardest workers on our team. You can always count on Dex giving maximum effort. It was great to see him back here, and I’m excited for him.”

Gutekunst said Williams is in “phenomenal shape.”

The Packers open the preseason on Friday night in San Francisco and then will host the New Orleans Saints for joint practices on Tuesday and Wednesday before another preseason game next Friday.

“Going into this week, with two games and two really intense practices, we needed another running back with what we’re going through,” Gutekunst said.

Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon aren’t expected to play Friday in San Francisco. Williams and undrafted rookies Tyler Goodson and BJ Baylor could handle the majority of the snaps at running back if Taylor is still limited.

Gutekunst used a sixth-round pick on Williams in 2019. He’s always liked Williams’ explosive traits, especially as a one-cut, downhill runner in LaFleur’s wide zone scheme.

With nothing settled behind Jones and Dillon at running back and a second opportunity in Green Bay, Williams might have a legitimate chance to push for an early-season roster spot.

Since leaving Green Bay, Williams spent time on the practice squads of the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns during the 2021 season and then played in one game for the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL, producing 102 total yards in the league’s title game.

Williams played in seven regular-season games for the Packers between 2019 and 2020, rushing seven times for 19 yards. He rushed for 210 yards in preseason games in 2019 and 2021.

The Packers will need to clear a roster spot to add Williams on Wednesday.

Packers signing RB Dexter Williams to 90-man roster

The Packers are signing Dexter Williams, a 2019 sixth-round pick of the team, to the 90-man roster on Wednesday.

Dexter Williams, a 2019 draft pick of the Packers, is returning to Green Bay. According to Bill Huber of SI.com, the Packers are signing Williams on Wednesday, giving the team extra depth at running back as Matt LaFleur’s team approaches the preseason opener on Friday night in San Francisco.

The Packers will need to clear a roster spot to make room for Williams on the 90-man roster.

Williams, the 194th pick in 2019, was one of 17 players – including five running backs – who worked out for the Packers on Tuesday.

General manager Brian Gutekunst released Williams at final cuts last August despite a productive preseason in which the third-year running back rushed for 82 yards, including two runs over 10 yards.

Williams spent time with the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins last season. He also played in one game for the Philadelphia Stars, producing 102 total yards (29 rushing, 73 receiving) in the USFL title game in July.

The Packers need depth at running back with Kylin Hill (knee) on the PUP list and Patrick Taylor still recovering from a groin injury. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon won’t play in the preseason opener on Friday, leaving undrafted rookies Tyler Goodson and BJ Baylor as the only other running backs on the roster.

Williams’ knowledge of the offense should allow him to hit the ground running this week and potentially handle carries for LaFleur in San Francisco.

Over seven career regular-season games, Williams rushed seven times for 19 yards. He has 210 career rushing yards and one touchdown on 54 career preseason carries.

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Packers to host former Notre Dame star for workout

We’re hoping Dex catches on somewhere and soon!

Former Notre Dame running back [autotag]Dexter Williams[/autotag] was a major reason the Fighting Irish surprised the masses and finished the 2018 regular season 12-0.  He was drafted in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers in the spring of 2019, ultimately playing in seven games with the green and yellow.

Williams was ultimately waived very late in training camp last year by the Packers and went on to spend time with the Giants, Browns, and Dolphins last year.  He also made a quick stop in the USFL where he totaled 102 yards in one game for the Philadelphia Stars.

Now Williams might be returning to the Packers, who have an interest in adding depth at running back.  The following from Aaron Wilson of NFL Network:

The Packers have been hit with a handful of injuries to their running backs early in camp and Williams, who has experience with the team, could serve as help.

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Packers to host workout for RB Dexter Williams

The Packers are hosting a workout for running back Dexter Williams, a 2019 draft pick of the team.

Possibly in need of depth at running back, the Green Bay Packers will take another look at a familiar face at the position. According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the Packers are hosting a workout for Dexter Williams, a sixth-round pick of the team in 2019.

Williams, 194th overall pick in the draft four years ago, played in seven games for the Packers over two seasons, carrying seven times for 19 yards.

The Packers waived Williams on Aug. 31 of 2021. He spent time with the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins in 2021 before signing with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL. He played in one game for the Stars, producing 102 total yards on 12 touches in the USFL title game earlier this year.

The Packers may need the help at running back. Kylin Hill remains on the PUP list, Patrick Taylor just returned to practice from a groin injury, and the only depth behind Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon (if Taylor isn’t available) is undrafted rookies Tyler Goodson and BJ Baylor.

Williams, with experience in the offense and in Green Bay, could be a quick fix.

The Packers open the preseason on Friday in San Francisco.

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Former Packers RB Dexter Williams shines in USFL title game

Former Packers RB Dexter Williams produced 102 total yards in the Philadelphia Stars’ loss in the USFL title game on Sunday night.

Former Green Bay Packers running back Dexter Williams was one of the standouts of the USFL title game between the Birmingham Stallions and Philadelphia Stars on Sunday night.

Williams, a sixth-round pick of the Packers in 2019, joined Philadelphia as an injury replacement last week and immediately stepped into a featured role for the Stars, who fell 33-30 at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Williams rushed eight times for 29 yards and caught four passes for a team-high 73 yards, including a 34-yard catch. He finished with 102 total yards on 12 touches.

“I thought he played really well for not having much time to learn the offense,” Stars coach Bart Andrus said, via Eric D. Williams of FOX Sports. “We had to find stuff that he could learn quickly, but he played well. I would have liked to have seen him for a few more weeks.”

Williams played for four other NFL teams after being released by the Packers at final cuts before the 2021 season. He signed with the Stars on June 29.

While an explosive runner, Williams was unable to carve out a role as a backup in Green Bay behind Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and A.J. Dillon.

But the former Notre Dame star made the most of his opportunity in the USFL on Sunday night.

Williams’ 34-yard catch came on a screen play. He made several would-be tacklers miss in the open field.

Here’s the play:

Here was one of Williams’ runs from Sunday night:

Williams replaced Matt Colburn II, who was out with an injury.

Over two seasons and seven regular-season games in Green Bay, Williams carried seven times for 19 yards.

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97 days until Notre Dame football returns

What is your favorite long run in the history of Notre Dame football?

The countdown until Notre Dame football returns to the field is officially under way. We started our countdown by looking back at Lou Holtz in honor of his 100 wins as Notre Dame’s head coach and will have various ways to count down the days and numbers.

Related – 99 days until Notre Dame football returns

98 days until Notre Dame football returns

Today we are 14 weeks from the first full Saturday of college football in 2022, and we note it by looking back at the second longest run in the history of Notre Dame football.

The 2018 Fighting Irish wound up going 12-0 in the regular season and qualifying for the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.  That season didn’t come without battles however and one such game was at No. 24 Virginia Tech in early October in the season’s sixth game.

Leading 17-16 but facing a 2nd and 12 from their own three yard line early in the second half, Notre Dame put the ball in the hands of one of its playmakers and the top-25 contest was never the same after.

Enter Dexter Williams.

Exit light.

Check out the best photos from Notre Dame’s ultimate 45-23 victory from that memorable first trip to Blacksburg that evening.

Report: Giants will be without Gary Brightwell in Week 9

The New York Giants will be without running back Gary Brightwell (Reserve/COVID-19) on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The New York Giants will be unable to welcome Saquon Barkley (ankle) back this Sunday after a false-positive for COVID-19 stunted his rehab. They will also be without rookie Gary Brightwell, who won’t come off the reserve list in time for the Week 9 game.

Dan Duggan of The Athletic was the first to report the news.

Like Barkley, it is believed that Brightwell tested false-positive before landing on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. He would be required to test negative consecutively and show no symptoms of the virus before being removed.

The Giants experienced in excess of 20 false-positives this week, forcing them to temporarily halt rapid testing and return to PCR testing. It is believed that an issue with the lab is at fault for the incorrect testing results.

In addition to Brightwell, the Giants will also be without running backs coach Burton Burns. He was a true positive for COVID-19 and has been isolated from the team.

Freddie Kitchens and Jody Wright will coach the running backs in place of Burns.

Due to their depth issues at the position, the Giants are expected to elevate Dexter Williams, who was signed earlier this week, or Sandro Platzgummer from their practice squad.

Currently, Devontae Booker and fullback Eli Penny are the only healthy bodies at the position.

Giants place Dante Pettis on IR, sign Dexter Williams to practice squad

The New York Giants have made a series of transactions, including the placement of WR Dante Pettis on injured reserve.

The New York Giants continued their seemingly endless roster shuffling on Friday, this time aided by a slew of false-positive COVID-19 tests.

Less than 48 hours after being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney have been activated. Both were among the more than 10 Giants who tested false-positive.

Running back Gary Brightwell remains on Reserve/COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Giants also placed wide receiver Dante Pettis on injured reserve with a shoulder issue. He will miss a minimum of three weeks before he is eligible to return.

The Giants also further tinkered with their practice squad, terminating the contract of tight end Jake Hausmann and signing running back Dexter Williams to replace him.

Williams, a sixth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 2019 NFL draft, was signed to the Giants’ practice squad after final cuts back in September. He was cut after just three weeks and had remained unsigned until Friday’s reunion.