FRANKFORT, Ill. - His last name is Williams. He's a five-star quarterback and he’s headed to USC to play for Lincoln Riley.
No, not that Williams. But, Lincoln-Way East star Jonas Williams does see some similarities between himself and the Bears signal caller with the same number.
"I think we both can improvise very well and use our legs to extend plays. I think we're both good at analyzing the game."
"You can call USC Quarterback U, but [Lincoln Riley] has probably earned the right to call it quarterback Heisman U," joked Lincoln-Way East head coach Rob Zvonar. "There is probably not a better fit that Jonas has now."
Earlier this month, Jonas broke the state record for career passing touchdowns with his 128th as his entire team stormed the field to celebrate.
"Honestly, that's my favorite high school moment, ever," explained Williams. "You never see that really - being able to celebrate with all 90 or so of my guys. I think that's something special. That lives in my heart forever."
While Williams draws the most attention, he’s far from the only Griffins player making the jump to the next level, including one at maybe the least glamorous position.
Senior Trey Serauskis did not start his high school football career specializing in long-snapping, but it’s a role he quickly took too.
"Going into my sophomore year, I was just playing catch with my dad. I got down and got it to him on a fly. That's when I started taking it a little bit more serious."
“I’m like third string punter on this team, so I've actually caught some snaps from him. It's pretty special," remarked Williams. "I didn’t think how important long-snapping was, but when you catch it right in front of your face, it's pretty cool. He's really good at what he does.”
Now Serauskis is one of the top players at the position in the country, earning a spot in January’s All-American Bowl.
"It's really just a dream come true. We've had a couple All-Americans here - Nick Allegretti, AJ Henning - I'm so happy to put my name up on that list."
"Unfortunately, it's kind of like a referee - they only get noticed when something goes south or sideways," Zvonar laughed. "He's handled that pressure now for us for three years and I can’t remember a snap that hasn’t been anything but dead center. You talk about character and work ethic, he's that kid."
And he’s also a good coach.
“With your right hand, grab it like you're holding a football. Then, your left hand, like you're shooting a basketball - just a guide hand. I like my left hand index finger over seam. As I look down, I lock down my target, which is the punter’s right hip. Then, I throw my hands up at the target.”
It’s no snaps off for Serauskis as he and Williams try to lead Lincoln-Way East to a state title that’s eluded the program since 2019.
"Everybody's bought in on the goal," noted Serauskis. "Everyone is so together. We're a big family. We all hold each other accountable. We got a saying called F.A.M.I.L.Y. - it means "Forget about me. I love you." It's just that whole team-bonding culture that I think puts us ahead of a bunch of other teams.”
Serauskis originally committed to Toledo, but re-opened his recruitment to chase his dream of playing Power 4 football. He visited Louisville last weekend, and says Illinois and Iowa are interested, too.
Williams missed the last two games - both losses - with an ankle injury, but says he is ready to go Friday against Stevenson in the first round of the IHSA playoffs.