Longtime Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Detroit Lions. Williams is the second Illini to sign as an undrafted free agent after four Illini were taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Originally recruited as a dual athlete after playing quarterback in high school, Williams’ Illinois debut was in week four of the 2019 season where he participated in two designed quarterback runs. The Missouri native ultimately redshirted his first season after playing in four games and making his debut at wide receiver in the Redbox Bowl.
He continued to be a dual threat the following season and had an equal number of passing and rushing attempts in his four starts at quarterback (63). Despite setting Illinois’ single-game quarterback rushing record with 192 yards against Rutgers, Williams transitioned to wide receiver full-time in 2021.
In his first season entirely at wide receiver, Williams led the team in receptions (47), receiving yards (525) and scrimmage touchdowns (5). Williams’ efforts only improved from there and he was chosen as a team captain in 2022.
Last season was yet another dominant one for Williams, as his 82 regular season receptions were the most in the Big Ten. The receiving onslaught resulted in a 1,055-yard season for Williams, good for second in the conference.
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