Illinois Football: 3 key players for the Illini to beat Virginia

3. Isaiah Williams

Despite Illinois putting a couple of wide receivers into the NFL over the past decade, we really haven’t had a game changer at the position.

I love what Geronimo Allison brought to the table. Malik Turner was also a good wide receiver for the Orange and Blue. Both players have made it to the NFL. But I think Illinois has the best wide receiver I have seen over the past decade on the roster right now in Isaiah Williams.

Williams is a big-time playmaking wide receiver with quickness I haven’t seen in my lifetime of watching Illinois football. For the season, he has 16 receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. These numbers were aided by a great week against Indiana where Williams went for nine receptions for 112 yards and a score.

Against Virginia, Williams is going to be a key player in Illinois getting a victory. He is someone who can take the top off the defense or put the linebackers on their heels as he jets through the middle of the front seven.

Not only can Williams be a nightmare for the secondary in the passing game, but he can also jet around the backfield and catch shovel passes on jet sweeps all game long. He is someone who other teams have to gameplan for each week.

Williams has the talent to help the passing game tremendously. This also helps the running game because the defense is so worried about Williams and where he is going, which leaves Chase Brown to run right up the middle for big gains. Everything that happens with Williams has a domino effect. That is why he is so important for the Illini.