Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: 5 grad transfer targets for Bret Bielema and the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini run out of the tunnel before the game against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini run out of the tunnel before the game against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Oct 10, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Devin Nicholson (11) is congratulated by linebacker Tre Williams (0) and safety Joshuah Bledsoe (18) after a sack against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Devin Nicholson (11) is congratulated by linebacker Tre Williams (0) and safety Joshuah Bledsoe (18) after a sack against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

3. DE Tre Williams

I think one of the strong suits for Illinois in 2020, and really the entire Lovie Smith era, was the defensive line. We have had some great defensive linemen come through this program.

But, like many other positions, depth continues to be an issue on the defensive line. It would be nice to have someone come into the program and be able to be inserted into the rotation right away. That someone could be Tre Williams.

Coming out of Rock Bridge High School in Missouri, Williams was rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 530 player in the class of 2016. He also checked in as the No. 31 weakside defensive end in the country and the No. 4 player in the state of Missouri.

Williams ended up picking Missouri as his landing spot back in 2016. After a redshirt in year one, Williams played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman and totaled 20 tackles. In 2017, he played in 12 contests with six starts. This time he totaled 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

During his redshirt junior year, Williams continued to be a force with the Tigers, as he started eight games and played in a total of 11 contests. He had 24 tackles and a sack that year. Williams is now looking for a new home to finish up his college football career.

There was a speed bump in Williams’ career. He did have a misdemeanor charge of peace disturbance in 2018, but he has since turned his character around and was an active part of the Missouri program.

Williams was recruited by Arkansas when he was coming out of high school in 2016. That means Bret Bielema liked what he saw on the football field. That connection is already there. Illinois also needs more depth at defensive end. Let’s not forget about location. Being from the state of Missouri, he is a hop, skip and jump away from Champaign. I wouldn’t mind Bielema exploring this option.

Home/Illinois Football