Illinois coach Bret Bielema announces position change for Isaiah Williams
Illinois coach Bret Bielema announced a position change for quarterback Isaiah Williams on Tuesday afternoon.
Williams will now play receiver for the Illini.
#illini Bret Bielema: Isaiah Williams will play wide receiver.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) May 4, 2021
Williams went through spring practice in a quarterback competition with incumbent starter Brandon Peters. However, it seems the coaching staff has decided Williams’ athleticism will be of better use at receiver.
Bielema also said it was Williams’ idea to change positions:
Bielema has reiterated throughout the spring that switching positions has to be their idea.
After spring game, Williams and Bielema had conversation and they decided it was time to make the move.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) May 4, 2021
Illinois also brought in Rutgers quarterback transfer Artur Sitkowski last week. Sitkowski has played parts of the last three seasons with the Scarlet Knights.
Williams saw some playing time at quarterback last season, but struggled as a passer. He completed 41.3 percent of his passes (26 of 63) but did show of his athleticism on the ground. He rushed for 389 yards on 63 carries and set the school’s single game record for rushing yards by a quarterback.
With Williams now at receiver, Illinois’ quarterback competition is expected to continue between Peters and Sitkowski through the summer.
Illinois opens its 2021 season vs. Nebraska on Aug. 28.
