CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois junior wide receiver Isaiah Williams has been named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, the award's selection committee announced on Wednesday.
The award is presented annually to a college football student-athlete who embodies courage, integrity, and sportsmanship in a leadership capacity on and off the field.
"Isaiah represents everything that we look for in an Illinois football player," said Illinois head coach Bret Bielema. "His leadership on and off the field and his commitment to the people around him speaks volumes about the man that he is. He is a great representative for his family and the St. Louis community, as well as our Illini famILLy and the Champaign-Urbana and University of Illinois communities. Isaiah will continue to lead and impact people in a positive way for years to come."
Williams has given back to his communities in countless ways since arriving at the University of Illinois. He has visited nearly every area high school, volunteers his time to help single mothers, and was voted to the board of EMPOWER (Illinois' diversity and inclusion group for student-athletes). His work to mentor young people also includes serving as a flag football coach in a nearby league in Tuscola, Illinois.
This summer, Williams helped raise funds for himself and other Illinois student-athletes, including three teammates, to take a mission trip to Africa to learn and grow one of the poorest areas in the world. He is looking to continue his efforts to help those in need well into the future.
As a two-time captain, has been credited as one of the players to shift the culture of Illinois football. A member of the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List and semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy, Williams is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten and a two-time captain of the Illini. A 2022 All-Big ten honorable mention selection, he has already earned an undergraduate degree and is working toward his master's in strategic brand communication.
Created in honor of 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year and long-time Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, the Witten Man of the Year Award will name three finalists on Dec. 13 before naming this year's recipient at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas, on Feb. 15, 2024.
This marks the third consecutive season that the award has named a Fighting Illini student-athlete as a semifinalist: Vederian Lowe (2021), Tailon Leitzey (2022), and Williams (2023).
Full list of semifinalists:
DeWayne Carter (Duke), Matthew Cindric (California), Brian Dooley (Eastern Michigan), Jordan Travis (Florida State), Dylan Leonard (Georgia Tech), Jack Freeman (Houston), Isaiah Williams (Illinois), J.J. Weaver (Kentucky), Josh Williams (LSU), Blake Corum (Michigan), Xavier McDonald (Navy), Joe Shmiko (North Carolina State), Sam Hartman (Notre Dame), Cade Stover (Ohio State), Caleb Williams (Southern Cal), Joe Milton III (Tennessee), Tony Bradford, Jr. (Texas Tech), Mike Hollins (Virginia), Zach Frazier (West Virginia), and Chimere Dike (Wisconsin).
The award is presented annually to a college football student-athlete who embodies courage, integrity, and sportsmanship in a leadership capacity on and off the field.
"Isaiah represents everything that we look for in an Illinois football player," said Illinois head coach Bret Bielema. "His leadership on and off the field and his commitment to the people around him speaks volumes about the man that he is. He is a great representative for his family and the St. Louis community, as well as our Illini famILLy and the Champaign-Urbana and University of Illinois communities. Isaiah will continue to lead and impact people in a positive way for years to come."
Williams has given back to his communities in countless ways since arriving at the University of Illinois. He has visited nearly every area high school, volunteers his time to help single mothers, and was voted to the board of EMPOWER (Illinois' diversity and inclusion group for student-athletes). His work to mentor young people also includes serving as a flag football coach in a nearby league in Tuscola, Illinois.
This summer, Williams helped raise funds for himself and other Illinois student-athletes, including three teammates, to take a mission trip to Africa to learn and grow one of the poorest areas in the world. He is looking to continue his efforts to help those in need well into the future.
As a two-time captain, has been credited as one of the players to shift the culture of Illinois football. A member of the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List and semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy, Williams is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten and a two-time captain of the Illini. A 2022 All-Big ten honorable mention selection, he has already earned an undergraduate degree and is working toward his master's in strategic brand communication.
Created in honor of 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year and long-time Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, the Witten Man of the Year Award will name three finalists on Dec. 13 before naming this year's recipient at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas, on Feb. 15, 2024.
This marks the third consecutive season that the award has named a Fighting Illini student-athlete as a semifinalist: Vederian Lowe (2021), Tailon Leitzey (2022), and Williams (2023).
Full list of semifinalists:
DeWayne Carter (Duke), Matthew Cindric (California), Brian Dooley (Eastern Michigan), Jordan Travis (Florida State), Dylan Leonard (Georgia Tech), Jack Freeman (Houston), Isaiah Williams (Illinois), J.J. Weaver (Kentucky), Josh Williams (LSU), Blake Corum (Michigan), Xavier McDonald (Navy), Joe Shmiko (North Carolina State), Sam Hartman (Notre Dame), Cade Stover (Ohio State), Caleb Williams (Southern Cal), Joe Milton III (Tennessee), Tony Bradford, Jr. (Texas Tech), Mike Hollins (Virginia), Zach Frazier (West Virginia), and Chimere Dike (Wisconsin).
