Former Illini Isaiah Williams Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

From Cut to Comeback: The Redemption of Former Illini Isaiah Williams

Williams’ story as a second-year NFL rookie took a dramatic turn earlier this season.

Shortly after being cut by the Bengals in late August, Isaiah signed with the Jets’ practice squad on September 10th. Looking for any kind of spark at 0-3, he was promptly called up by coach Aaron Glenn’s staff and given a major opportunity on Monday Night Football in Miami against the Dolphins.

Unfortunately, it was a rough night for the former Illini star. Williams fumbled a second-half kickoff that led directly to a Miami touchdown and later fair-caught a punt at the Jets’ 3-yard line, stalling New York’s offense in the 4th quarter of a 24-13 game. Following the rough outing, Williams was released by the Jets the day before their Week 5 trip to London to face Denver.

Reflecting on that challenging period, he told Randy Lange of NYJets.com, “I didn’t think I was going to get another opportunity this year, if I’m being honest. My biggest thing was I’m going to come back to the practice squad, work my tail off, get better every single day, make my teammates better. And when I do get my opportunity — if I do get another opportunity — I’m going to make the most of it.”

Williams leaned on his faith, stayed ready, and was eventually re-signed to the Jets’ practice squad. Just weeks later, he delivered on his promise of redemption — returning to the active roster and delivering a 226-yard breakout performance on Sunday against his former team in Cincinnati.

He told Lange, “Most of all, it’s just glory to God. That’s the only thing that got me through that.”

Former Illini. Isaiah Williams. No. 10. AFC. Special Teams Player of the Week. 10/29/25. Photo Credit: The New York Jets. On X. (@nyjets).

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