Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams entered Detroit Lions’ training camp this summer with a strong sense of motivation. Despite having an impressive All-Big Ten college career, he went undrafted, which only fueled his determination. On Tuesday, his hard work paid off as he made the Lions’ 53-man roster after a standout preseason where he caught 11 passes for 123 yards.
After the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Williams felt optimistic about his chances. He shared his thoughts with reporters: “In some ways, yes. But you can never be certain because the team is aiming for a championship and the final roster could be unpredictable. I hope I’ve demonstrated that I fit into their winning culture. I’m committed to contributing to the team’s success in any way needed. I hope my performance speaks for itself.”
ILLINI EXPECT TO WIN OPENER
The Fighting Illini are expected to win their opener against Eastern Illinois on Thursday.
However, Coach Bret Bielema is not underestimating the game. “In early-season games, records, levels, and divisions don’t matter as much,” Bielema noted.
His caution is based on his experiences coaching against notable NFL talent. He recalled facing NFL quarterbacks Tony Romo (Eastern Illinois) and Ben Roethlisberger (Miami-Ohio) during his time at Kansas State and Iowa in the early 2000s.
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Illinois Fighting Illini On SI and can be contacted at shandelrich@gmail.com.
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