Junior wide receiver Isaiah Williams was one of a few Illini players to attend Big Ten media day at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Williams, one of the longest-tenured Illini, was glowing with excitement as he spoke with media about the upcoming season.
Williams never once let his smile fade away. He spoke heavily about how much joy he has felt from being one of the leaders on the roster.
When asked about taking a leadership role on the team and his thoughts, he had a three-word response instantly.
“I love it,” Williams said. “One thing I’ve been working is being more of a vocal leader. I’m being that guy that motivates the guys vocally, not just leading by example and I take great honor in that. I don’t take that likely.”
Williams candidly spoke about his thoughts regarding leadership and why he loves it, specifically pointing out that he wants younger players not to deal with things he did as a freshman.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
“I feel like if I’m leading the right way, some of these things I went through as a freshman and sophomore, maybe these guys won’t have to go through that if I’m leading the right way,” Williams said. “I take great honor in being the leader of that group and those guys looking to me when things might not be going their way, like, ‘Zay can you help me’ and being that guy that could come in and help by being a leader.”
@arrosen76
