CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois sophomore running back Javon Williams Jr. was named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America team today. The Centralia, Illinois native led all Division I freshmen in 2019 with 19 touchdowns.

Williams Jr. was a Second-Team All-American last year and finished third in the voting for the Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the nation’s top freshman in FCS football. He played in all 12 games and started four, and totaled 1,038 rushing yards (2nd nationally among freshmen) and 1,359 all-purpose yards (3rd nationally among freshmen).

A multi-threat player who was often used in the Wildcat formation, Williams Jr. averaged 6.4 yards per carry and passed for 160 yards and two TDs. He was a three-time Player of the Week honoree by the Missouri Valley Football Conference, including the week when he became the first player in school history to run for a TD, pass for a TD and catch a TD pass in the same game (Youngstown State).