Elgin's Williams commits to Eastern Illinois

Elgin running back Kenny Williams is trading maroon for Eastern Illinois blue.

The Maroons' leading rusher the last three seasons made a verbal commitment over the weekend to play college football for Eastern Illinois on full scholarship.

"I felt comfortable," Williams said of his weekend visit to the Charleston campus. "I just said, 'This is the place I want to be.'

"The coaching staff was what really caught my attention. The whole program is so family oriented. They're so close. It's like they've been playing together forever, and some of these guys have only been playing two years together. That just felt good."

Eastern Illinois plays in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, formerly called Division I-AA.

The Panthers went 8-4 last season and finished second in the Ohio Valley Conference behind Eastern Kentucky.

"I'm excited for him," Elgin coach Tom Kim said. "I think it's going to be a great opportunity. I really think it's going to be a great fit for him with what they want to do."

Williams was a three-year starter at running back for Elgin and also started at linebacker and returned kicks in his senior season.

Also a three-year starter for the Elgin basketball team, Williams was a three-time all-Upstate Eight Conference football selection and a three-time member of the Daily Herald All-Area team.

Williams (6-0, 210), who rushed for more than 2,500 yards and scored 25 rushing touchdowns in three varsity seasons, could get an opportunity to play right away.

Eastern Illinois' top rusher, Ademola Adeniji, graduated after a 1,200-yard rushing season. Longtime coach Bob Spoo returns two other running backs, both of whom underwent off-season surgery.

"It's a good situation," Williams said. "I should definitely get playing time. They want me to return kicks, too."

Said Kim: "He's going to have some people in place to help mentor him along. At the same time he's going to be able to make an impact right away."

Eastern Illinois was the first school to make an official offer to Williams, who grew weary of waiting for a commitment from NCAA Bowl Subdivision programs.

"Anybody would want to go to one of the big schools," Williams said. "That was always my dream, but this is what came to my door, so I took it.

"It's a great situation for me. There's a great opportunity there at running back. I'd be stupid not to take it."