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Juice Williams is the starting quarterback for THE #18 ranked Illinois Fighting Illini. In his freshman year of 2006, he was named a freshman all America by the sporting news and the team’s rookie of the year. He broke the school record for career rushing yards by a quarterback in his first season. So far he has run for over 90 yards in two games this season after running for over 100 yards on two occasions last season. Williams, a native Chicagoan, was a top 100 Rivals recruit and Midwest quarterback of the year by Prep Star.
His number #7 replica Illinois jersey is extremely popular. (Don’t you think he should get royalties off that?) He is so commonly referred to by his nickname of Juice that SPCB #2 ranking officer David K. estimated the over/under on percentage of Illination who actually know his real name at 20%. I’ll bet the under. I spoke with Isiah John Williams just after he led his school to the biggest victory in 20 years. Obviously, he was quite loquacious and effervescent on many different topics.
On being the B.M.O.C….
It’s going to be fun, being in class, checkin’ emails, walking to class, going to be fun throughout the rest of the season. We’re not going to settle for just being 3 -0. We need to go out and beat the top guys.
On being scared after getting injured…
I was so scared when it happened. All the pressure came down on my knee.
I almost wanted to cry. I popped up, tried to jog; I felt I could still move on it. I knew it wasn’t too bad. C.J. was the first one to come to my side, because it was a knee injury. He just came from surgery and checked on me right away…
On his going to a portion of the East stands with backup quarterback Eddie McGee to celebrate…
My family is over there. I wanted to show how much I love and appreciate those guys coming to the game. They’ve been my whole inspiration my whole life so I don’t want to forget about those guys.
On Eddie McGee going with him into the same section to celebrate after the game…
We just went over there together. He saw me going there and he just tagged along. In that moment you just do everything you can to celebrate.
On the Wisco win being a turning point for the program
Coach Zook tells me he brought me here for a purpose. He told me he brought me here to help turn this program around. Everything is starting to enfold. And it’s kind of funny when a coach tells you one thing but it’s so dramatic, so exciting when you actually see the things that he’s talking about happening. It’s gonna be fun just to be here and be the quarterback here, live through the experience.
On being ranked….
Love to be ranked. I would have something to tell my grandkids about - that I was part of a ranked team.
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