Ishaq Williams Still Undecided

Four star defensive end/outside linebacker recruit Ishaq Williams was set to make his college decision at the Army All American Bowl Saturday.  Three days later, however, the prized recruit is still weighing his options and has yet to make a decision.

US Army All American defensive end/outside linebacker Ishaq Williams is still deciding between Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Penn State. (Photo - John Albright / Icon SMI)

For a while now, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Penn State have been the final three schools Williams has been considering.   At this point, it seems as though he is having a hard time deciding based on comments from his father, Shaun Williams, in Tuesday’s New York Post.

“[Syracuse coach] Doug Marrone and [Notre Dame coach] Brian Kelly are new, we’re pretty confident those guys will be there when Ishaq walks across the stage [with his diploma],” he said. “[Penn State] coach [Joe] Paterno may not be there, however the stability of the Penn State program would still be in place.”

Shaun Williams added: “At this point, everyone is equal. There is something that’s appealing about each situation – the family connection with Syracuse, the high level of expertise with Penn State and the storied history of Notre Dame and the ability to get that program back to national prominence and for Ishaq to be a household name across America.

Williams is one of the highest rated recruits left on the board for Notre Dame.  The Irish already have Ben Council and Anthony Rabasa committed at outside linebacker in this class, but Williams has elite pass rushing skills and would be a huge addition to this year’s defensive haul. Those pass rushing skills were on full display in the All American Bowl where Williams teamed with Aaron Lynch and Notre Dame commitment Stephon Tuitt along with Ray Drew to give the East squad a dominant pass rush.

Williams is an early enrollment candidate which means he doesn’t have too much more time to make his decision and still enroll in time for the spring semester.  Penn State’s semester started on Monday while Notre Dame and Syracuse’s semester begins on the 18th.

In This Story

Frank Vitovitch has been Co-Owner and Editor in Chief of UHND.com since joining forces with Kyle Flavin in 1999. Since that time, he has written over 2,000 articles covering Notre Dame football, recruiting, and basketball. He also works with all staff and external writers on all articles published on UHND.com. Frank's love for Notre Dame football started at a young age watching Rocket Ismail give opposing coaches ulcers in the late 1980's. By day Frank works in marketing and holds a degree in Digital Media from Drexel University. Frank's work has been cited by online/print editions of NBC Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated and has been quoted on air by ESPN's Collin Cowherd. He's conducted interviews with Notre Dame legends Rocket Ismail, Randy Kinder, Lee Becton, Reggie Brooks, Michael Stonebreaker, and Ned Bolcar among others over his 20+ years of covering Notre Dame football. He's also been published in the print edition of USA Today Sports Weekly and the USA Today College Football Preview multiple times. Other Published Works/Citations for Frank Three Reasons Notre Dame Will Beat Alabama - USA Today Notre Dame Suspends WR Kevin Stepherson, RB C.J. Holmes Indefinitely - Bleacher Report Notre Dame / Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Preview - Eleven Warriors Brace Yourself: The Fighting Irish are Relevant Again - Sports on Earth Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with Frank Vitovitch of UHND - Yahoo! Sports Five Good Minutes: Notre Dame Football Preview With UHND.com - BC Interruption Vicious Electronic Questioning with UHND - MGO Blog

Comments

9 RESPONSES

  1. bleednd82JAN 15, 2011 · 1:59PM

    Lynch just commited to ND

  2. DeltaIrishJAN 13, 2011 · 3:54PM

    Rivals says Brennan Scarlett just committed to Cal.

  3. irishmanJAN 13, 2011 · 10:58AM

    Just saw Reddish from Brooklyn has committed to play at Syracuse. Could mean that ishaq is going to the cuse also. Were rumors of them going there together

    moemontanaJAN 13, 2011 · 6:08PM

    It looks like Ishaq is going to Penn State.

  4. EchoesAwakenedJAN 12, 2011 · 8:39PM

    While I love to see the Irish doing so well we have to remember that they haven’t commited yet. I hope Kelly can seal the deal with ishaq and lynch like he did with Floyd today. Go Irish!

  5. LafDomerJAN 12, 2011 · 1:25PM

    Seems rather silly, doesn’t it. Just a year ago there were questions about Kelley’s ability to recruit. Nuff said!

  6. spiceyirishJAN 12, 2011 · 11:25AM

    It would be great to get him at ND. Two years ago it was Manti Te’o. ND got a play-maker in Prince Shembo last season. This year maybe Ishaq and Lynch. Next year hopefully another player and so forth. Keep on building.

    cousinnapJAN 12, 2011 · 11:46AM

    Your right that is how it gets done – 2,3,4 really key players each year with a good supporting class and the it builds from there – Kelly looks like he is getting it going in the right direction – does take some time tough

  7. Big DaddyJAN 12, 2011 · 8:50AM

    If Kelly can nail down Ishaq and Lynch, this defense has the ability to be one of the best in ND history. With both committed to being early enroll recruits, it could have an immediate impact.