Quarterback DJ Williams announced on Monday, Jan. 5 through the SIU football social media accounts that he would be returning to the Salukis for his final year of eligibility. 

The announcement came nine days after Williams himself announced that his waiver request to play one more year of college football was accepted due to him missing almost all of the 2024 season after a finger injury.

Williams said he was absolutely blown away by Saluki fans’ response to his return.

“It truly means a lot. Feels like I’ve made an impact not only around athletics but in the community,” Williams said in an email to the Daily Egyptian. “I am blessed beyond measure to have the opportunity to come back and play in front of a community that truly loves me and believes in me.”

Williams was an All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Honorable Mention and finished third in the MVFC Offensive Player of the Year race behind eventual Walter Payton Award winner Youngstown State QB Beau Brungard and North Dakota State QB Cole Payton this past season.

Williams collected national hardware at the end of the season as well. He finished eighth in the Walter Payton Award voting, and found himself on multiple FCS All-American teams. Both FCS Football Central and Stats Perform voted him for third team honors, while the Associated Press gave him an honorable mention.

The senior quarterback also rewrote the Saluki history books in 2025. His 847 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns were the most by a QB in SIU history. He broke records with his arm as well, as his 2,846 passing yards were fourth-most in program history, but had to settle for fifth in the Saluki record books with 22 passing touchdowns.

While SIU’s week 1 opponent has yet to be released, currently fans’ first chance to see Williams and company in action is Thursday, Sep. 3 in Homewood, Alabama against the Samford Bulldogs.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include a quote from DJ Williams. This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available 

Sports reporter Eli Hoover can be found at [email protected] or on Instagram @hoovermakesart

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