The Wuerffel Trophy named Illinois wide receiver Isaiah Williams to its 2023 preseason watch list, the Wuerffel Foundation announced on Thursday.
The Wuerffel Troph
The Wuerffel Trophy annually honors college football student-athletes who make an impact on the field, in the community, and in the classroom. Established in 2005, the trophy's voting committee takes into consideration student-athletes' community service work, academic work, and athletic performance. Named in honor of Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy was created to "honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their impact, and inspire greater community service in the world." The award is voted on by national media, retired head coaches, past recipients, and the Wuerffel Trophy Board of Directors.- Wuerffel Trophy website
- Last three winners: Dillan Gibbons (Florida State, 2022), Isaiah Sanders (Stanford, 2021), Teton Saltes (New Mexico, 2020)
Isaiah Williams | Wuerffel Trophy
- Active as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative
- Engaged as a leader in several Illini Athletics Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives
- Active in many Illini Way community service works projects
- 2023 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten first team wide receiver
- 2023 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten first team wide receiver
- 2023 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten third team punt returner
- 2023 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten third team punt returner
- 2023 AFCA Good Works Team nominee
- No. 22 ranked player in the Big Ten in 247's 2023 preseason player rankings
- 2022 team captain
- 2022 All-Big Ten honorable mention (coaches and media)
- 2022 Academic All-Big Ten
- 2022 Illinois' Howard Griffith Impact Player Award winner
- Started all 13 games at wide receiver in 2022
- 82 receptions for 715 yards and five touchdowns in 2022
- Led Illinois in receptions (82), receiving yards (715), and receiving touchdowns (5) in 2022
- Three or more receptions in all 13 games and at least one catch in all 25 games over the last two seasons
- 25th in the nation and led the Big Ten in yards per punt return (7.5) in 2022
- Ranked in the top 10 in the Big Ten in receptions per game (2nd, 6.3), receiving yards (7th, 715), receiving touchdowns (10th, 5), and receiving yards per game (10th, 55) in 2022
- Second in the nation in yards after catch (683), according to PFF, in 2022
- 15th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in receptions per game (6.3) in 2022
- Seventh in the Big Ten in first down receptions (35) in 2022
- Second on the team in all-purpose yards (840) in 2022
ILLINI ON WATCH LISTS (AS OF AUG. 3)
- Isaiah Adams (Outland)
- Jer'Zhan Newton (Nagurski)
- Keith Randolph Jr. (Nagurski, Outland)
- Isaiah Williams (Maxwell, Wuerffel)
