Former Notre Dame star makes NFL Top 100 list for the first time, coming in at No. 78 overall

Every summer, NFL Network releases its Top 100 List. The list is voted on by current NFL players, giving a firm understanding of how their peers see the top talent in the NFL ranks. In the 2024 edition, it has slowly been trickling out this week, and will be finished on August 1st.

The list from No. 71-80 was released on Monday night. It was a list of very familiar names, but there was one first time member that raised some antennas. That name is former Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams at No. 78, who is coming off of a dominant season for the Los Angeles Rams.

That spot for Williams is highly justified after the season he just had, earning a Pro Bowl berth. He finished that 2023 campaign with 1,144 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He put up those numbers while also being efficient, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Williams also hauled in 32 receptions for 206 yards and three more scores throught the air. Add in his tremendous impact as a pass blocker, and you have an outstanding all-around game.

Williams was one of the better stories in the NFL, coming off of an injury riddled season in 2022. The former Irish star fell to the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft following absolutely abysmal testing at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. It caused a lot of NFL scouts to ignore the film and undervalue Wiliams far too much.

If you base this evaluation solely on what Williams accomplished while a member of Notre Dame. During his two years as a starter, Williams ran for 2,127 yards and 27 touchdowns. Williams also hauled in another 77 receptions during that stretch, going for another 672 yards and four more scores. That was one of the more productive stretches of any running back in the history of the Irish program.

Williams was joined by Harrison Smith (No. 93) and Julian Love (No. 95) as former Irish standouts on the list so far. There are several more Notre Dame players who will be unveiled over the next few days.