News

Williams glad to have Wilson on his team

Posted August 05, 2007 11:00 pm

John Supinie

CHAMPAIGN - It didn't take long for Illinois sophomore quarterback Juice WIlliams to realize he'd rather have Martez Wilson on his team rather than the opposing team.

When Williams was a senior at Chicago Vocational High School, Wilson left an impression as a Chicago Simeon linebacker on the first play of the game.

"I was handing it off to the running back," Williams said. "He smacked me in the mouth. It was a wakeup call, pretty much telling me how the game was going to go. Later that night, the idea came across that he needs to be my teammate. If he's from Chicago and I'm going to Illinois, I need to pull him in with me."

Two seasons later, Wilson and wide receiver Arrelious Benn highlight an incoming freshman class ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference by Street and Smith's and generally regarded as a top 15 class nationally. The class created excitement and bigger expectations for a program that won eight games in the last four seasons.

Yet, coach Ron Zook asked for patience with the freshmen.

"All I've tried to do is recruit good players," Zook said. "It's a concern. Players are going to be better players as juniors and seniors than freshmen and sophomores. It's important for people to understand that.

"You have to be patient. You have to understand that sometimes young guys play like young guys."

As Illinois (2-10 overall last season, 1-7 in the Big Ten) inched toward the season opener against Missouri on Sept. 1 in St. Louis, the question remained: Where will Wilson play.

The 6-foot-4, 236-pounder started preseason camp at weakside linebacker, where his speed and versatility can be exploited. But Wilson also will play as a defensive end, giving the Illini perhaps their best pass rusher.

Wilson also wants time at wide receiver. If he runs 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, as his teammates contend, then who would cover him?

"Probably God,'' Williams said.

It's hard to find Him on any Big Ten roster.

"Martez is a freak of nature," said freshman defensive tackle Josh Brent. "He could play linebacker, defensive end, tight end or wide receiver. Put him somewhere on the field, and he's going to make things happen."

Wilson already heard the comparisons to Simeon Rice, the former Illini linebacker-pass rusher who went No. 3 in the NFL draft in 1996. But even Rice only played defense.

"I'm going to keep it quiet until I know the defense," Wilson said. "I feel I can get the reps on defense. By the middle or close to the end of the season, I think I can play a little offense if coach Zook lets me."

Wilson stirred up college football by signing with Illinois in February. A New York Times story insinuated that Illinois broke recruiting rules to get him. Wilson once said wouldn't play "for an uptight white dude."

"I'm here to cause havoc against other teams," Wilson said. "I chose Illinois for one reason, to help make a difference and be part of a team that's up and coming. Coach Zook is fun, exciting and has lots of energy."

The playbook already is slanted toward Benn. During spring practice, he caught passes and took handoffs out of the backfield. There might also be a halfback pass, he said. Benn also may return punts and kicks.

"If they ask me to tackle somebody, I'll go tackle somebody," he said.

John Supinie can be reached at 377-1977 or johnsupinie@aol.com.

Article Categories
News