Newest Isaiah Williams hoping to repeat namesakes' successes

Freshman defensive back Isaiah Williams, from Houston-area Fort Bend Marshall, made a decision to join Illinois over offers from other schools in December, after being influenced by former Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry and being welcomed by the campus. Williams' reasons for choosing Illinois include his belief in the coaching staff, the campus feeling like home during his visit, and the NFL star Devon Witherspoon, who recently became the highest-paid pro cornerback, hailing from Illinois.

Williams, a three-star recruit, enrolled early in January, giving him an advantage in football and academics. He is currently studying kinesiology, which he believes has helped him learn about himself, the defense, and the terminology. During his high school career, Williams played on a 4-2-5 defense, similar to what he will be deploying at Illinois.

The new Williams, often referred to as "Izzy" by his close ones, is known for his ball skills and ability to figure out the offense. He has six interceptions under his belt in high school. Despite his age, Williams is focused on football, having just turned 19. The resemblance to the previous Isaiah Williams, a former Illinois quarterback who played in 2007 and 2008, is a conversation starter among fans. Freshman Isaiah Williams hopes to bring the same production to the program and make his own mark.