Williams, the No. 28 overall prospect in the country and the No. 3 athlete, announced his decision via Twitter.

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With his commitment, Lovie Smith has pulled in Illinois’ highest-rated prospect since the 2007 recruiting class, when five-star recruits Arrelious Benn (WR) and Martez Wilson (DE) signed with the Illini. Smith hired Williams’ former high school, Cory Patterson, as Illinois’ tight ends coach in January.

With Williams’ commitment, the Illini’s class now ranks 24th nationally and seventh in the Big Ten. He joins fellow four-star athlete Marquez Beason (No. 54 overall, No. 6 ATH) and three-star Griffin Moore among Illinois’ early commitments of th 2019 class.