ANALYSIS: How will Kendall Williams commit impact ISU?

 

The Iowa State football program received some outstanding news over the weekend.

Less than a week after dismissing sophomore running back Martinez Syria from the program, Paul Rhoads added a junior college back by the name of Kendall Williams to his roster. Williams will arrive in Ames in August and is eligible to play this season.

Alex Halstead from Scout.com was first to report the news on Saturday.  

Williams, who visited Iowa State last weekend, was previously committed to Arizona. The 6-foot, 210-pound running back is a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com. Out of high school, he originally committed to Arkansas Tech, a Division II school via North Little Rock High School.

During his sophomore season at Butte College in California last year, Williams went down with a hip injury. 

What does this mean for the 2015 Cyclones?

Williams is a home run hitter if he gets a seam. He has a 38-inch vertical leap and is an explosive back, however he won’t make too many people miss. But if there is an opening, this is a guy who has the speed to house a big run or two.

Will he start?

Because of Iowa State’s situation at running back, it’s possible. 

I think that has more to do with the development of Michael Warren and Tyler Brown than it does Williams. I’ve thought the whole offseason that if things click for Warren mentally, he will be the guy. I still believe that to be the case but wouldn’t be surprised if Williams gets the nod for an early game or two this season.

For sure, Williams has a leg up on the other backs in one aspect of the game: He’s proven at the JUCO level that he can pick up the blitz, which Iowa State coaches love and the youngsters have yet to do.  

At the very least, this commitment will take some much-needed pressure off of Warren and Brown. 

Fall camp and the running back position will be interesting.

This is an intriguing and important pick up for the Cyclones.