Through three weeks, Isaiah Williams and Deuce Spann have been some of Illinois' most consistent wide receivers and big play threats. But coming into the latest offseason, neither of them planned on leaving the quarterback room as they were primed to be backups to Brandon Peters for the season.

Williams, who was recruited by every Power-5 conference to play receiver, first came to Illinois as he was promised a chance at quarterback. Peters ultimately beat him out in 2019 and 2020, but Williams started four games at QB last season when Peters was out due to COVID-19 protocols. While Williams planned to continue competing for that starting QB spot, a conversation between him and head coach Bret Bielema after spring practices changed the trajectory of his college career.

"Coach B always keep it real with me," Williams said. "He told me like going into the season, Brandon is most likely gonna be the starting quarterback, of course you could battle, but he was like, if I was to go in day one, BP would be the starter, but I feel like there are ways that you can help me. And not only is it good for the team, but it's probably the best thing for you and your future. So that's kind of how it all started. He was just like, try it out, see how you like it. I had that first little practice and after that, I was just like, yeah, this is something I need to do, not only for the team, but for myself also."

Williams took the offseason to settle into the receiver room and talk with wide receiver coach George McDonald on skills he needed to learn in order to be successful in his new position. By the time training camp rolled around in August, Williams felt completely comfortable and satisfied with his position change.

Spann didn't have that same time to get comfortable. Instead, he headed into training camp thinking he was going to be one of the several backup quarterbacks, unsure if he'd even see the field in 2021. But then a player went down in one of the last couple camp practices and McDonald needed someone to run through a couple plays. So, he grabbed Spann.

"I ran a couple routes, and I was doing good at it," Spann said. "And after practice, Isaiah texts me, he was like, 'where you at?' I told him where I was, and he came over and talked to me about how I can help the team by switching to receiver and stuff like that."

Williams had a similar conversation with Spann that Bielema had with him months back, reiterating to Spann that becoming a receiver could give him the opportunity to contribute each week. Using that quarterback knowledge, Williams saw the potential in Spann, a 6-foot-4, lanky, quick player.

Spann didn't have much hesitation towards the move, but Bielema isn't sure that same response would've been there if he or McDonald were the first to have a conversation with him.

"I think as a head coach, the more you hear your players regurgitate what you say, is very gratifying and fulfilling because you know these things have worked," Bielema said. But it's those sidebar conversations, like when Isaiah took it upon himself — that's the old quarterback in him — he knew that Deuce could help us offensively. So, for him to put it in a way that I as a coach could never do. When it's coming from your peers, the guys in the locker room, that's maybe a little clearer to them, especially with certain players. Some kids, when a coach says it, they're going to snap in, buy in. But some kids need to hear the reassurance from another voice and the more it can come from the locker room is better for everyone."

With a couple receivers out with injuries to start the season, it was almost a no-brainer to at least try Spann out at the position to start the season. But because the switch was so new and untested, Spann wasn't listen as a receiver to start the game.

So when Spann hauled in his first career catch against Nebraska — a stunning 45-yard grab just one yard shy of a touchdown — everyone from reporters in the press box to Illini fans on Twitter had to do a double-take on who made the catch.

"I was excited because that was one of my first times ever getting into a college game and making a big play like that, I was really excited," Spann said.

In the same game, Williams scored his first career touchdown and recorded 41 receiving yards on six receptions.

Since that opening weekend, both Williams and Spann have been trending upward. Against UTSA, Williams recorded a team-high and career-high 101 receiving yards on eight receptions. Spann has recorded touchdowns in each of the last two games and have averaged 36 yards per game.

Both Williams and Spann attribute some of that instant success to being at the quarterback position before and learning leadership skills, what defenses look for and how to play under intense pressure.

"I would say just knowing what the quarterbacks looking for," Williams said. "I know being back there, sometimes you don't have a lot of time, sometimes things ain't gonna be perfect for the quarterback because it's so much stress and so much things going on. So, I know sometimes I got to make a play for the quarterback or I know on this route I might have to get open a little bit faster because I know my mental clock different because I played quarterback."

With Williams having more in-game experience at the college level, Bielema has focused more on making sure Spann understands the new kind of preparation he needs before every practice and game. However, Spann has responded well and quickly to the changes as it "gave (him) an opportunity to get on the field and to get reps in practice, something Spann was excited about."

But what Bielema likes most about Spann and Williams — aside from their on-field contributions — is there personalities and the way they've helped each other develop as wide receivers.

"Deuce in particular has really been helped through the guidance of Isaiah," Bielema said. "Even though it's two different types of wide receivers, just talking about the transition. Our players like to see Deuce have success. He's an awesome kid, he's fun to be around, a very well-respected guy in the locker room. I think as he's had this success, guys have really felt genuine appreciation for him and what he's done."

Williams and Spann have enjoyed growing closer and having each other by their side on the field. And while the focus right now is finding more ways to contribute to the Illini offense and propel the team to more wins, Williams can't help but think about how much more the two can do together in the future.

"I got to do wide receiver in the offseason, but Deuce was still doing quarterback in the offseason," Williams said. But this upcoming offseason, we gonna hit it, so that's something I'm looking forward to. But right now, we just focus on the season and just keep getting better week by week. But when the offseason come, that's something we gonna look into."