Back to the Illinois Fighting Illini Newsfeed

Five-star recruit Williams picks Illinois

Isaiah Williams is coming to Illinois.

And Lovie Smith has landed the biggest recruit since the Illinois coach arrived in Champaign a little more than two years ago.

The St. Louis Trinity Catholic quarterback verbally committed to Illinois on Friday morning, choosing the Illini ahead of offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Penn State and many others.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Williams is listed as a five-star recruit by 247sports and a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.

Rated the No. 37 player nationally by Rivals.com, Williams is the highest-ranked player to pick the Illini since No.