Williams Named First Team All-Big Ten

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois wide receiver Isaiah Williams was named to the All-Big Ten First Team, the conference office announced Wednesday. Williams is the seventh Illini wide receiver in program history to earn first-team honors and the first since A.J. Jenkins in 2011.

Williams was one of the nation's most dependable receivers, leading the Big Ten in receptions with 82, 15 more than any other Big Ten player. He ranked second in receiving yards with 1,055, trailing only Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Marvin Harrison Jr.'s 1,211 receiving yards for Ohio State. 

Williams has at least one catch in all 37 games since he switched from QB prior to the start of the 2021 season, the longest active streak in the Big Ten, tied for the eighth-longest active streak in the nation, and tied with the Illinois record previously set by Josh Ferguson (2011-15). His five 100-yard receiving games this season was fourth-best in Illinois single-season history, only one short from tying the Illinois record by Brandon Lloyd (2001) and David Williams (1984, '85).

Williams was the only player in the nation with two game-winning touchdowns in the final minute or overtime during the regular season. He caught the game-winner with 50 seconds left to win at Minnesota, then had a walk-off winner to beat Indiana one week later.

Williams' outstanding Illini career currently places him No. 2 in Illini history in career receptions with 214, behind only College Football Hall of Famer David Williams' 262 receptions (1983-85), and No. 7 in receiving yards with 2,304. He was the first Big Ten player with 80+ catches in back-to-back years since Dorien Bryant (Purdue) in 2006 and 2007.

All-Big Ten Awards - Offense

Offensive Line, All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
Illinois' starting five offensive linemen were all named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. It is the second career honor for Isaiah Adams, who landed on the All-Big Ten Third Team (media) last season, and Zy Crisler, who was also an honorable mention honoree a year ago. 

QB John Paddock, All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches)
Paddock threw for 1,278 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. He led Illinois to two dramatic wins, first engineering an improbable comeback with an 85-yard drive in the final minutes to win at Minnesota, then throwing for 507 yards, a Memorial Stadium record, in an overtime win against Indiana.

RB Kaden Feagin, All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches)
Feagin ran for 438 rushing yards prior to a season-ending injury during the Indiana game. He was ranked fourth in the nation in rushing among true freshmen prior to his season being cut short. 

All-Big Ten Awards - Defense and Special Teams

Release - Nov. 28