Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: Projected floor and ceiling for the Illini recruits in year one

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Fans wave the 'Hail to the Orange' flag over Dad's day as the Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Michigan State Spartans during the Big Ten Conference game on November 5, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Fans wave the 'Hail to the Orange' flag over Dad's day as the Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Michigan State Spartans during the Big Ten Conference game on November 5, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 9
Next
Illinois football
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 07: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 7, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Isaiah Williams

Ceiling: Obviously, the ceiling for Isaiah Williams is the starting job for the Illinois football team. He committed to play for the Illini and the starting job is 99-percent his when he enters the program. I would be shocked if he doesn’t have the starting spot from day one.

Williams is a dynamic player who is going to light the world on fire when he comes to Champaign. He is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound quarterback coming out of high school. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 36 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 1 player in the state of Missouri. You don’t leave this much talent on the bench. I wouldn’t be surprised if Williams makes the All-Freshman team and potentially is an All-American by the end of his career.

Floor: Honestly, the floor for Williams isn’t really low. There is such a slim chance that he isn’t the starting quarterback when he enters the Illinois program. The only way this happens is if Illinois has one of their young quarterbacks absolutely ball out this fall. They need to be spectacular and the Illini need to be one of the best in the Big Ten.

This scenario isn’t likely to happen, but if it does, the floor for Williams would be a backup to start his career and maybe even a redshirt. But, I would give this scenario such small odds.

Home/Illinois Football