Illinois Makes Change at Quarterback: Juice Williams Out, Eddie McGee In

Illinois coach Ron Zook has benched four-year starting quarterback Juice Williams and replaced him with junior Eddie McGee, making a major shakeup on a team that has been a major disappointment this season.

Zook announced the move on his morning radio show Monday, stressing that he doesn't blame Williams alone for the Illini's 1-3 start, but saying he thinks McGee can give the team a spark. Williams is an all-purpose threat who is the Illini's all-time leader in total offensive yards, but McGee is a better pure passer.

It's not clear what will happen with Williams. He's a good enough athlete that he could help the team at running back or wide receiver if he changed positions, and giving another position a shot would likely improve Williams' NFL draft prospects as well. But Williams has always viewed himself as a quarterback, and it might be tough for him to switch positions in the middle of his senior year. That means that Williams might spend the remainder of his college career on the bench.

The Illini have been blown out by Missouri, Ohio State and Penn State, and their only win came against I-AA Illinois State. Illinois hosts Michigan State on Saturday.