Isaiah

Williams

The Lions enter Week 6 looking extremely healthy after their bye week. With all of their key players set to go, Sunday’s matchup against the Cowboys should make for a strong fantasy day for both sides.

Williams (5’9/182) was recruited by Illinois as a quarterback, and spent two years playing the position before making the leap to receiver for the 2021 season. He was an immediate contributor that season, totaling 47 receptions for 525 yards and four touchdowns, and went on to total 164-1770-10 in his final two seasons. A shifty player whose elusiveness was evident on tape, Williams tested well in the shuttle and three-cone drills at the combine, but ran a 4.63 40-time – a painfully low mark for a player of his size. Williams is still an intriguing player as far as what he can provide out of the slot is concerned, but his lack of speed may not play well at the pro level.

Williams (5'10/180) signed with Illinois as a four-star dual-threat quarterback, but following this year’s spring game, he was approached by Bielema regarding a potential visit switch. It took, according to Bielema, 10 minutes for it to become clear that Williams’ future would be in the receivers’ room. The Athletic’s Matt Fortuna refers to Williams as a potential “X-factor” for the Illini. Considering the lack of proven talent at the position, this is a nice gamble for Bielema and staff. Brandon Peters is already locked in as starting quarterback and it’s nice to see Williams given an opportunity, here, when so many other backup options have hit the transfer portal looking for greener pastures.

Williams (5'10/180) joined the Illini as a highly-regarded four-star athlete in the 2019 recruiting class. He saw the field in four games as a true freshman -- allowing him to take a redshirt -- before going on to start four games this past fall. Shifting to wide receiver, now, means that former Michigan QB Brandon Peters should be presumed as likely starter for the upcoming campaign. If Williams can transition without real issue, he has the talent to carve out playing time in the receivers room.

Williams did give way to Brandon Peters at one point, who went 0-for-4 in his passing attempts. Williams (5'10/180) and the Fighting Illini were game early on, and this was a 21-21 game at the end of the first quarter. They wouldn’t score another point over the next three periods. He showed off his impressive speed on a 64-yard run, but the accuracy was lacking, and there’s a lot of work to be done before he’s a competent enough passer at the Big Ten level. Williams should be the favorite to win the job in 2021, but if they’re going to compete in the conference under new coach Bret Bielema, Williams is going to have to improve considerably.

Williams (5'10/180) registered 38 yards rushing on seven attempts, including one scamper of 17 yards, and his 46-yard touchdown strike to Brian Hightower midway through the fourth quarter was easily the highlight of the day in this rivalry game in the Land of Lincoln. Brandon Peters started, but he was a disaster completing just 3-of-14 passes for 21 yards. The good news is that while the Illini lost the Land of Lincoln Trophy, they still lead the all-time series 55-54-5 in a rivalry which begin in 1892-93. Williams will challenge for the starting job heading into the 2021 season.

Peters (6'5/220) made his return to action during this past Saturday’s win over Nebraska after missing nearly a month due to COVID-19. The redshirt senior was back in the starting lineup, which moved Williams back to the bench. But he was still used in certainly situations, and that will be the case on Saturday when the Fighting Illini host Michigan as well. OC Rod Smith told the two quarterbacks as much before the win over Nebraska. “Coach Rod, Thursday leading up to the game, he’s like, ‘You’ve both earned the right to play,’” Peters said. “Coach Rod told both of us, ‘I’m not going to take anybody out of their rhythm. Brandon, you’ll start, but we’ll go in a different direction if we need to.’ So for me, my mentality was just go out and execute, put points on the board.”

Peters (6'5/220) has not appeared in a game since the Fighting Illini’s season-opening loss at Wisconsin, as he tested positive for COVID-19 in the days that followed. The redshirt senior finally cleared quarantine earlier this week, and he will start with Isaiah Williams returning to the bench. Due to his running ability Williams should still see some action Saturday afternoon, it just won’t be as the starter.

Williams (5'10/180) ) filled in for starter Brandon Peters against Rutgers on Saturday because he tested positive for COVID-19. In his absence, OC Rod Smith tailored the offense around the sophomore quarterback’s strengths by transitioning to a more option-based attack. The plan worked about as well as can be expected, as he recorded 192 rushing yards and a touchdown in the 23-10 victory. Peters has been cleared to return, however when HC Lovie Smith was asked who will handle the snaps under center, he declined to name a starter, saying “We have some good options going into this week.” It could be an example of gamesmanship on HC Smith’s part, but it’s also possible Williams’ strong showing is earning him a longer look ahead of this Saturday’s game against Nebraska.

Peters (6'5/220) had to go through the 21-day quarantine period after testing positive for COVID-19 just over a week after Illinois’ season-opening loss at Wisconsin. He’s back in the fold, but Smith did not make a declaration regarding who will start Saturday’s game at Nebraska. It will likely be either Peters or Isaiah Williams, who helped lead the Fighting Illini to a win over Rutgers this past weekend. Williams didn’t have a good day throwing the football, as he completed 7-of-18 passes for 104 yards. But he was excellent in the run game, racking up 195 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries.