Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Quarterback DJ Williams Earns Preseason All-American Honors
07/13/2026 | 9:00:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. - SIU quarterback DJ Williams has added another accolade to his impressive résumé — 2026 Stats Perform FCS All-American, Third Team.
The record-breaking quarterback finished eighth in the Walter Payton Award voting and third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year voting in 2025. Williams also earned All-American honors from FCS Football Central, Associated Press, and Stats Perform. Williams was also an All-MVFC Honorable Mention.
No Saluki quarterback has ever rushed for more yards in a season than Williams did this past year, tallying a program-record 847 rushing yards to go along with 18 rushing touchdowns.
In terms of passing, Williams completed 222-of-352 passes (.630) for 2,846 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Williams ranked fifth in the FCS in both rushing touchdowns as well as total offense (307.8 yards-per-game). The Harvey, Ill., native was also second in the nation in points responsible for (246), 11th in passing yards, and 18th in passing touchdowns.
On the year, Williams had three games with over 300 passing yards, including 361 at Youngstown State on Nov. 8. Southern Illinois' signal caller also recorded at least three passing touchdowns in four appearances.
Williams rushed for over 100 yards on three separate occasions in 2025. The quarterback had 128 rushing yards and three touchdowns on Sept. 13 at UT Martin, 151 yards and two touchdowns a week later at SEMO on Sept. 20, and then 134 yards and four touchdowns on Nov. 22 at Illinois State. The four rushing scores are tied for the third-most in a single game in program history.
This Season
Williams returns to SIU for his senior season, and expectations for the Salukis are as high as ever. Even after North Dakota State moved to the FBS, the MVFC remains the most challenging conference in the FCS ranks.
SIU's MVFC schedule will feature 20 other All-Americans from the same list, including first-team quarterback Beau Brungard when Youngstown State comes to Carbondale for a 4 p.m. game on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Salukis will also host to second-team offensive weapons in Illinois State running back Victor Dawson (Oct. 17) and South Dakota State wide receiver Lofton O'Groske (Nov. 14). The Jackrabbits will also feature third-team tight end Greyton Gannon.
Others from the MVFC making the list are: first team - Quinten Christensen (OL), South Dakota State; Lance Rucker (DL), North Dakota; Michael Wells (DL), Youngstown State; and Tye Niekamp (LB), Illinois State; second team - Charles Pierre Jr. (RB), South Dakota; Liam Becher (OL), North Dakota; Desmeal Leigh (OL), Youngstown State; Dawson Ripperda (DL), South Dakota State; Kaden Vig (DL), North Dakota; Cullen McShane (LB), South Dakota State; Dylan Rowsey (DB), Murray State; and Max Pelham (P), South Dakota State; and third team - Landon Woodard (OL), Illinois State; Gabriel Hardman (LB), South Dakota; La'Shavion Brown (DB), Illinois State; and Andrew Lastovka (PK), Youngstown State. See the full list here.
To get season tickets for Saluki Football and see Williams in action, visit Saluk.is/footballseasontickets.
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