CHAMPAIGN — Illinois safety Bennett Williams is no longer part of coach Lovie Smith’s team, an Illini football spokesman confirmed to The News-Gazette late Wednesday night.
The 6-foot, 205-pound sophomore began the 2018 season suspended for three games, the result of a team rules violation. Williams returned in the Sept. 21 home game against Penn State and played briefly before not traveling to last week’s road game versus Rutgers.
A California native, Williams was named an ESPN.com Freshman All-American and was a BTN.com All-Freshman Team selection last season. He played in 11 games and made seven starts at safety in 2017.