DJ Williams explains his decision to return to SIU

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football fans rejoiced on Monday morning with the news that All-American quarterback DJ Williams has decided to return to Southern Illinois for his final season of college football.

In an exclusive interview, Williams explained the reasons behind his return, including his trust in head coach Nick Hill, and how faith guided his decision. Williams also confirmed that he played much of the 2025 season with a torn knee ligament, which importantly, will not require surgery.

StrongDawgs conversation with DJ Williams

SD: Coach Hill talked about how you’ve challenged him, as a coach, to make you better. In your decision to return, how important was that plan he presented to you?

DJ: Man, that's the biggest thing about this decision, is the development, the plan that Coach Hill has for me to make my dreams come true and get me to the next level. It has been truly amazing just to hear him talk about it, and the trust that he has in me and the love that he has for me, and believing in me. I can't wait to get back to work. I want to go out and be even better, because I don't feel like Saluki Nation has seen my best yet.

SD: Why did you turn down bigger offers and the chance to play at a higher level?

DJ: In talking with people at the higher level, at the P5, P4 level, it felt like a lot of coaches felt like taking the FCS guy was going to be taking a chance on somebody and maybe not getting a player that they truly wanted. It came back to having somebody who believed in me. Just knowing that Coach Hill and the entire Southern Illinois community is behind me and has my best interest at heart is truly why I came back, and understanding that SIU will better prepare me for the next level.

SD: You played through a knee injury for much of last season. How’s your health going forward?

DJ: I tore my PCL in the fourth week of the season (at SEMO). It was something that I just played through, but I wasn't able to be my full self. I’ve started the rehab process for my knee and I'll be back for spring ball, but probably not much full-speed things going on. Just taking care of my body even better this year is the biggest thing on my mind going into the off-season, so I can go through the whole season and play healthy.

SD: Do you need surgery on the knee?

DJ: No, sir, no surgery.

SD: The way the team finished the season by beating Illinois State by 30 points, in your thoughts about returning, how much importance did you place on finishing the job you started?

DJ: That's been dwelling on my mind since the last game, since the playoff committee decided not to let us in. I felt like it was unfinished business. There’s some things we left out there this season. Just seeing the run Illinois State went on, I just know for a fact that we would have competed very well in the playoffs and had a good run. It left a dirty taste in my mouth and kind of fueled me to come back with those same goals for next year and try to do whatever it takes to achieve them now.

SD: Have you had any conversations with recruits so far, and if so, what's been their reaction to your sales pitch?

DJ: I’ve had conversations with almost every one of our recruits these past couple days since the portal opened. I've talked to a lot of receivers, talked to a lot of defensive players. They’ve asked, what makes me want to stay here? What makes me believe in this program so much? It really just comes back to the love that I have for the program and trust that I have in Coach Hill. I’ve told them the things that we can do can be very special here this year and the next couple years after that.

SD: You lost your top three receivers to graduation — what do you say specifically to receivers you're talking to?

DJ: I’ve just been telling people we have opportunities here, not just to make big plays, but to play against a big-time schedule in the Valley and out-of-conference games. You can do something special here at the receiver position and have an opportunity to go play at the next level. (NDSU’s) Bryce Lance is going to have a great opportunity to go make his dreams come true in the NFL, and I feel like if we can find one of those guys, we can change their career trajectory.

Williams played much of the 2025 season with a torn knee ligament.

SD: You’ll finish your college career having played three seasons at SIU. Coach Hill said that having a college home to come back to, like Jeremy Chinn has, is important to you. Can you elaborate?

DJ: That means a lot to me, man. I left my high school (Thornton Township) with a very big impact, and whenever I go back, I receive unconditional love, and I can do or ask for whatever from my high school. Playing here in Southern Illinois and feeling like I'm going to get that same love, that same feeling, it’s something that you look forward to. Hopefully, I can put up another great season and one day I can be in the Hall of Fame like Jeremy Chinn and allow myself to have the type of reception that he did when he came back, because it was amazing just to see that type of thing. It just means a lot to me knowing that this is someplace I can call home for real, and really care about the place from the bottom of my heart.

SD: In interviews, you frequently speak out about your faith in God. How did your faith guide the decision to return?

DJ: Well, my faith has truly guided me through this whole process, knowing that everybody would crucify my decision, no matter if I left or if I stayed, and knowing that everything works out through the goodness of God's grace. I have that connection with my coach right now, that faith connection. We are both Christians, we both believe in Jesus, so it's just easy to connect with him from that standpoint and with my teammates.

I talked to (teammate) Fabian McCray over the break, and he kept telling me I inspired him to become closer to God and go to church more. That inspires me to just keep putting my faith out there and giving Jesus all the glory. God has truly led me down His path to return to Southern Illinois. He’s led me to understand that whatever my dreams are, whatever lies ahead of me, He has already planned out the steps. So I'm just truly blessed to be in this position and just thankful to have a program that believes in me.