KIRKWOOD • Kyren Williams will do whatever the Vianney football team needs.
Line up at running back? Yep.
Slide out at receiver? Sure.
Plan your calendar for the 2018 high school football season, all in one place. For any corrections or additions, please email stats@stltoday.com.
Help orchestrate the defense at safety? Of course.
Punt? All day.
Kick extra points?
“Not yet, but I tried it today though,” Williams said with a smile.
One of the most versatile athletes in the area, there is no limit to the number of ways the 5-foot-10 and 200-pound Williams can impact his team. He is No. 7 on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area's top senior high school prospects.
Williams verbally committed to Notre Dame in June. He is the first area recruit to pledge to the Fightin' Irish since Parkway Central's Jonathan Bonner in 2014. He chose Notre Dame from a final three that included Missouri and Michigan. He whittled it down to those three after being chased by Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern, Purdue, Stanford, Western Michigan and Wisconsin.
There was a time Williams' phone wouldn't stop chirping. That has not been the case this summer.
“After my commitment everything went dead. The only people I heard from were Notre Dame,” he said. “My phone doesn't go off as much. It's much more peaceful.”
Williams has taken a zen-like approach to his senior season. Entering his fourth season of varsity action he's among the most experienced two-way players in the area. That experience and his physical development have brought him peace of mind as he begins his last ride with the Golden Griffins.
“My confidence is high right now. I've seen it all. I've won state, I've lost. I went from the low to the high and everything in between,” Williams said. “I know what to expect, I know what's coming. I know what's going on now.”
Williams at the peak of his power should send chills down the spine of Vianney's opponents this season. The reigning Metro Catholic Conference offensive player of the year, Williams rushed for 922 yards and 22 touchdowns. He caught 51 passes for 774 yards and 12 touchdowns. He even threw a touchdown pass.
At safety he had 37 tackles, three sacks and four interceptions, one of which he took back for another touchdown. Add it up and that's 35 total touchdowns and 1,696 combined rushing and receiving yards.
Oh yeah, he averaged nearly 38 yards per punt on 20 attempts.
There is nothing Williams won't do, including acting as a decoy.
“He'll do whatever we want. He's not one of those kids who worries about if he's touching the ball which is pretty rare today's day and age,” Vianney coach Paul Day said. “He wants us to win and he wants us to be successful and if that means he touches it three times he's happy.”
Williams showcased his brilliant potential with a strong sophomore season that ended with Vianney's first state championship.
It was during that time his role expanded exponentially. Talented but young, Williams said there were days it was a challenge for him to perform at the level he expected of himself.
“Sophomore year I was asked to do a lot of things. It was overwhelming because I didn't want to mess up. I didn't want to do anything wrong,” he said. “Now knowing the playbook like the back of my hand, offense and defense, it's more relaxing. I'm capable of doing more than I was sophomore year.”
2018-19 Post-Dispatch Preseason Super 30 countdown

The Post-Dispatch Preseason Super 30 is a yearly countdown of the top 30 senior football prospects in the St. Louis area. The list includes verbal commitments until National Signing Day. Each day we will add two more to the countdown as we build to the top prospect in the area.
No. 1: Isaiah Williams, Trinity, QB/ATH

VERBAL: Illinois
OFFERS: Alabama, Auburn, Bowling Green, Central Florida, Clemson, Dartmouth, Florida, Florida State, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, San Diego State, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Virginia, Western Michigan, Wisconsin
READ MORE: Trinity QB Williams works to shore up shortcomings
No. 2: Marcus Washington, Trinity, WR

OFFERS: Florida State, Georgia, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Bowling Green, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Syracuse, TCU, Tennessee, Southern California, Western Michigan, Wisconsin
READ MORE: Trinity's Washington reopens recruiting after Ohio State scandal
No. 3: Jameson Williams, Cardinal Ritter, WR

OFFERS: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Central Michigan, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, Ohio State, Oregon, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Penn State, Purdue, San Diego State, South Carolina, Syracuse, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia Tech, Western Michigan, Wisconsin
READ MORE: Elite speed makes Cardinal Ritter's Williams a hot commodity
No. 4: Shammond Cooper, Trinity, LB

OFFERS: Arkansas, Auburn, Bowling Green, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northern Illinois, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oregon State, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Western Michigan, Wisconsin
READ MORE: Cooper puts graphic talents to work for Trinity teammates
No. 5. Jalani Williams, Parkway North, DB

OFFERS: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Auburn, Bowling Green, Clemson, Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Syracuse, Tennessee, Wisconsin
READ MORE: Williams near full strength, ready to lead Parkway North
No. 6. Jack Buford, Lutheran North, OL

VERBAL: Missouri
OFFERS: Arkansas, Auburn, Bowling Green, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Morehouse College, Nebraska, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Purdue, Southern Methodist, Tennessee, Texas, Toledo, Utah
READ MORE: Lutheran North's Buford brings bruising skills to offensive line
No. 7: Kyren Williams, Vianney, ATH

VERBAL: Notre Dame
OFFERS: Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern, Purdue, Stanford, Western Michigan, Wisconsin
READ MORE: Vianney's Williams does whatever it takes
No. 8: Ira Henry, Trinity, OL

OFFERS: Arkansas, Illinois, Ole Miss, Alabama, Bowling Green, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kentucky, Lindewood, Louisville, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, Toledo, Western Michigan
READ MORE: Trinity's Henry trims lengthy list, focuses on senior season
No. 9: Maurice Massey, Kirkwood, WR

VERBAL: Missouri
OFFERS: Ball State, Boston College, Bowling Green, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kentucky, Miami (Ohio), New Mexico, Northern Illinois, Oregon, SIU Carbondale, Western Michigan
READ MORE: Massey picks Mizzou, focuses on first year at Kirkwood
No. 10: Cam Coleman, Cardinal Ritter, WR

OFFERS: Florida, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Tennessee, Wisconsin
READ MORE: Cardinal Ritter's Coleman hopes strong senior year revs up offers
No. 11: MJ Anderson, CBC, DE

VERBAL: Minnesota
OFFERS: Iowa State, Minnesota, Purdue, South Carolina, Arkansas, Ball State, Duke, Illinois State, Indiana State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kent State, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan State, Nebraska, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Notre Dame, Toledo, Western Michigan
READ MORE: Lost junior season has CBC's Anderson hungry for a fantastic finish
No. 12: Moses Okpala, Ladue, DE

OFFERS: Illinois, Arkansas, Ball State, Dartmouth, Iowa State, Kentucky, Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue, South Dakota, Southeast Missouri State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Western Michigan, Wisconsin, Wyoming
READ MORE: Ladue's Okpala turns heads despite limited experience
No. 13: Kendall Abdur-Rahman, Edwardsville, QB

OFFERS: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Western Michigan, Michigan State
READ MORE: Edwardsville QB Abdur-Rahman open to position change in college
No. 14: D'Vion Harris, Lutheran North, DE

VERBAL: Minnesota
OFFERS: Arizona, Arkansas State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Utah, Western Michigan
READ MORE: Hard work, hustle have Lutheran North's Harris headed to Minnesota
No. 15: CJ Boone, Parkway North, WR

OFFERS: Eastern Kentucky, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Northern Iowa, Purdue, Tennessee-Martin, Western Michigan
READ MORE: Speedy Boone grows into leadership role at Parkway North
No. 16: Bryce Childress, Trinity, WR

VERBAL: Illinois
OFFERS: Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Nebraska, Syracuse, Toledo
READ MORE: Childress joins Trinity teammate in pledging to Illinois
No. 17. Derrick Miller, John Burroughs, DB

VERBAL: Iowa State
OFFERS: Air Force, Arkansas State, Ball State, Bowling Green, Harvard, Indiana State, Iowa, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois, Princeton, South Dakota, Western Michigan, Yale
READ MORE: John Burroughs' Miller put injury woes to bed with strong spring
No. 18. Brett Gabbert, CBC, QB

VERBAL: Miami (Ohio)
OFFERS: Central Michigan, Dartmouth, Eastern Michigan, Harvard, Kent State, Murray State, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Yale
READ MORE: CBC's Gabbert brushes off height concerns, commits to Miami (Ohio)
No. 19: Keith Randolph, Belleville West, DE

OFFERS: Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois, Illinois State, Minnesota, Missouri State, North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers, South Dakota, SIU Carbondale, Tennessee-Martin, Toledo, UTEP, Western Michigan, Wyoming
READ MORE: Belleville West's Randolph makes a splash while learning on the run
No. 20: Arvell Ferguson, Kirkwood, DE

OFFERS: Austin Peay, Ball State, Iowa State, Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Missouri, Northern Iowa, Wyoming
READ MORE: Kirkwood's Ferguson funnels frustration into senior season
No. 21: Dale Chesson, Ladue, WR

OFFERS: Air Force, Army, Ball State, Central Michigan, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Fordham, Harvard, Indiana State, Miami, Missouri State, Navy, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, South Dakota, Western Illinois, Western Michigan, Yale
READ MORE: Chesson enjoys advice from NFL-playing older brother but makes his own way at Ladue
No. 22: Isaiah Azuibike, Lutheran North, RB

VERBAL: Arkansas State
OFFERS: Iowa, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Dartmouth, East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Northern Illinois, Syracuse, Wisconsin
READ MORE: Azubuike steps into lead running back role at Lutheran North
No. 23: Alphonso Andrews Jr., Trinity, RB

OFFERS: BYU, Dartmouth, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Northern Iowa, Syracuse, Yale.
READ MORE: Trinity's Andrews catches eyes despite limited opportunities
No. 24: Nate Martens, De Smet, QB

OFFERS: Eastern Michigan, Northern Iowa, Temple, Northwestern, Cornell, Holy Cross, South Dakota, Syracuse
READ MORE: Mail piles up for Martens as De Smet looks to break out
No. 25: Josh Plohr, CBC, OL

OFFERS: Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Columbia, Dartmouth, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Indiana State, Kent State, Liberty, Princeton, South Dakota, Texas State, Western Michigan, Yale
No. 26: Marquise Simmons, De Smet, OL

OFFERS: Iowa State, Kansas, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, New Mexico, Syracuse, Tennessee-Martin, Texas State
READ MORE: Fiery Simmons brings valuable experience to De Smet offensive line
No. 27: Bryan Bradford, CBC, RB

OFFERS: Ball State, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, South Dakota, Western Michigan
READ MORE: Bradford's patience, preparation crucial to CBC's title run
No. 28: Keith Jones, Cardinal Ritter, CB

VERBAL: Western Michigan
OFFERS: Air Force, Central Michigan, Kent State, Toledo
No. 29: Sam LaPorta, Highland, WR

OFFERS: Central Michigan, Illinois State, Northern Iowa, Western Illinois, Lindenwood, SIU Carbondale, Eastern Michigan, Yale.
READ MORE: Highland's LaPorta keeps his options open
No. 30: Brady Weeks, Fort Zumwalt West, OL

VERBAL: Minnesota
READ MORE: Weeks makes a name for himself at Fort Zumwalt West