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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Illinois

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12/01/23 - Isaiah Williams, rJr/2024, Illinois + More +

2023 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM: WR Isaiah Williams, Illinois,...Williams was one of the nation's most dependable receivers, leading the Big Ten in receptions with 82, 15 more than any other Big Ten player. He ranked second in receiving yards with 1,055, trailing only Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Marvin Harrison Jr.'s 1,211 receiving yards for Ohio State. Williams has at least one catch in all 37 games since he switched from QB prior to the start of the 2021 season, the longest active streak in the Big Ten, tied for the eighth-longest active streak in the nation, and tied with the Illinois record previously set by Josh Ferguson (2011-15).

His five 100-yard receiving games this season was fourth-best in Illinois single-season history, only one short from tying the Illinois record by Brandon Lloyd (2001) and David Williams (1984, '85). Williams was the only player in the nation with two game-winning touchdowns in the final minute or overtime during the regular season. He caught the game-winner with 50 seconds left to win at Minnesota, then had a walk-off winner to beat Indiana one week later. Williams' outstanding Illini career currently places him No. 2 in Illini history in career receptions with 214, behind only College Football Hall of Famer David Williams' 262 receptions (1983-85), and No. 7 in receiving yards with 2,304. He was the first Big Ten player with 80+ catches in back-to-back years since Dorien Bryant (Purdue) in 2006 and 2007. - Illinois Football

rJr/2024

WR Isaiah Williams, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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11/30/23 - Johnny Newton, rJr/2024, Illinois + More +

2023 BIG TEN SMITH-BROWN DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois,...For the season, Newton totaled 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and four blocked kicks. In his four-year Illinois career, Newton had 188 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, and 18.0 sacks, which tied College Football Hall of Famer Moe Gardner for the most sacks by an Illinois defensive tackle in program history. - Illinois Football

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DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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11/30/23 - Johnny Newton, rJr/2024, Illinois + More +

2023 BIG TEN NAGURSKI-WOODSON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois,...Over the last two seasons, Newton has totaled 103 quarterback pressures, by far the most in the nation among defensive tackles. Newton was the most durable defensive tackle in the nation this season. He led all defensive tackles in the nation with 749 snaps (62.4 per game), 73 more than the next closest Power-5 defensive tackle and 124 more than any other Big Ten interior defender. - Illinois Football

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DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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11/27/23 - Cole Rusk, rJr/2026, Illinois + More +

2023 ALL-MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: TE Cole Rusk,...Joined the Racers from Eastern Michigan...Led the team with 39 catches for 507 yards and six touchdowns...Was seventh in MVFC with six touchdown catches...Caught a Racer season-high 94 yards on four receptions vs Youngstown State (Nov. 18)...Tied for team season-high seven catches at Missouri State (Oct. 21)...His season-long reception went for 47 yards vs Youngstown State (Nov. 18)...Was third in voting for MVFC Newcomer of the Year. - Murray State Football

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TE Cole Rusk, Illinois
News Source: Murray State Football
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01/30/23 - John Paddock, rSr/2024, Illinois + More +

Turns out one transfer quarterback wasn't enough for Illinois coach Bret Bielema. The Illini secured a commitment from former Ball State starter John Paddock on Monday, per a report from the Athletic's Max Olson, and he will join Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer in Champaign for the 2023 season. Paddock has Illinois football ties. His great grandfather, Robert Wright, played football and ran track at Illinois and was the Illini track and field coach from 1965-74. His grandfather, John Wright Sr., and uncle John Wright II also played football at Illinois. The elder John Wright was selected in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.

Paddock's season in Champaign will be his sixth in college football. The 6-foot, 196-pound Paddock played in one game in 2018 and one in 2019 for the Cardinals and then did not see any action in 2020. Paddock was again Ball State's backup in 2021 and appeared in two games. Paddock started all 12 games this past season. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native completed 286 of 480 passes (59.6 percent) for 2,719 yards, 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Ball State finished the season 5-7 after losing its final three games. - News Gazette Tribune

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QB John Paddock, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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01/18/23 - Johnny Newton, rJr/2024, Illinois + More +

The two decisions, which each individual announced via Twitter on Monday, to stay put give the team a chance to repeat (or better) its '22 win total and again compete for the Big Ten West title. Both Newton and Randolph are high-motor guys who put constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Both will be considered for national awards. The decisions certainly put a smile on the face of new defensive coordinator Aaron Henry. Newton and Randolph help to bolster the Illini's defensive line for 2023 amid the losses of Calvin Avery and Jamal Woods, each of whom declared for the NFL draft earlier this month. - News Gazette Tribune

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DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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01/18/23 - Keith Randolph Jr., rJr/2024, Illinois + More +

An Illinois football defense that lost coordinator Ryan Walters to a new job ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl earlier this month proved during its postseason game that it still could perform at a high level. Two key reasons for that output will be sticking around for the 2023 season as well. And their presence means "The Law Firm" remains in business. Defensive tackles Johnny Newton and Keith Randolph - who play for the Illini under that banner - announced Monday afternoon via Twitter they will return to coach Bret Bielema's program for another campaign.

Randolph, a Belleville native and former News-Gazette all-state first-teamer, earned All-Big Ten third-team accolades from both coaches and media during the 2022 season, his fourth with the program. He ranked third among Power 5 interior defensive linemen in tackles for loss with 13, adding 41/2 sacks and 51 total tackles in 13 games. The two aided Illinois in allowing an average of 12.8 points per game, 99.8 rushing yards per game and 173.8 passing yards per game last season. - News Gazette Tribune

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DT Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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01/07/23 - Calvin Avery, rSr/2023, Illinois + More +

Illinois defensive linemen Jamal Woods and Calvin Avery have declared for the NFL draft. Woods and Avery announced their decisions Thursday via social media, three days after the Illini's 19-10 ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Mississippi State in Tampa, Fla. Woods, a 6-foot-2, 290-pound athlete out of Hueytown, Ala., spent six seasons at Illinois beginning in 2017. He played in 10 games on the defensive line this season, compiling 11 tackles and 1 1/2 tackles for loss. He missed time with injuries throughout his Illini career but recorded 51 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 1 1/2 sacks across the 2017 through 2019 campaigns. Woods did not play in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Avery, a 6-2, 325-pound player out of Dallas, was part of the Illinois program for five seasons beginning in 2018. He played in 13 games on the defensive line this season, including the ReliaQuest Bowl, and turned in career highs with 24 tackles and two tackles for loss. Avery logged one pass breakup in the bowl game, too. Woods and Avery join running back Chase Brown, defensive backs Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown and tight end Luke Ford as Illini who have declared for the NFL draft from Bielema's 2022 roster. - News Gazette Tribune

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DT Calvin Avery, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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12/28/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois + More +

Illinois won't have three of its best players playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl with running back Chase Brown, safety Sydney Brown and cornerback Devon Witherspoon all opting out of the game to focus their efforts on the 2023 NFL draft. Brown led the Power 5 and was third in the FBS this season with 1,643 rushing yards along with 10 touchdowns. The first running back in program history to be named a Doak Walker Award finalist, Brown leaves Champaign as the school's second-leading career rusher (3,558 yards from 2019 to '22) behind Robert Holcombe (4,105 yards from 1994 to '97) and with the third-highest single-season rushing total behind Mikel Leshoure (1,697 yards in 2010) and Rashard Mendenhall (1,681 yards in 2007). Brown's twin brother, Sydney, a defensive back for the Illini, announced Saturday he was entering the draft. - News Gazette Tribune

Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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12/26/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois + More +

One of the best running backs in college football this season was at Illinois. But Chase Brown has played his last game for the Illini, with the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Brown announcing on Friday he will declare for the NFL draft and skip the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl against Mississippi State on Jan. 2. Brown rushed for 1,643 yards this season, third-most in a single season by an Illinois running back. But he won't get the chance to pursue the single-season record of 1,697 yards set by Mikel Leshoure in 2010.

Brown made his announcement via social media on Friday, less than a week after Illinois coach Bret Bielema said a decision on Brown's future was imminent. Brown is the third Illini player to declare for the NFL draft and opt out of the ReliaQuest Bowl. Brown's twin brother, Sydney Brown, is a safety for Illinois and decided to enter the NFL draft last Saturday. All-American cornerback Devon Witherspoon also made a similar decision last Saturday. - News Gazette Tribune

Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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12/24/22 - Tommy DeVito, rSr/2023, Illinois + More +

Bret Bielema is still holding out hope he can get a seventh year of eligibility for Tommy DeVito and maintain some continuity on the offensive end with a returning quarterback in 2023. How that could happen is still unclear, but Bielema's the guy that got Alex Palczewski, Alex Pihlstrom and Michael Marchese a sixth year this fall. Every effort is being made to add DeVito to that list. "There's a hope that's out there that could get him back," Bielema said. "I couldn't be happier with Tommy and the progress he made this year." If Bielema can't make that happen? If the ReliaQuest Bowl is DeVito's last game as an Illini? Adding at least one quarterback in the portal will be a necessity.

It's a key part of a busy offseason for Bielema and Co., who are in the midst of bowl game preparation, with Doak Walker Award finalist Chase Brown nearing a decision on if he'll play against Mississippi State or not. Not to mention two new defensive assistants to hire and a roster that could - and probably will - change with more transfers out and in. Quarterback, though, is a priority. Illinois signed Ardmore (Okla.) quarterback Cal Swanson on Wednesday as part of its 21-strong 2023 recruiting class. He'll join Donovan Leary and Kirkland Michaux in the quarterback room next season. - News Gazette Tribune

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QB Tommy DeVito, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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12/20/22 - Johnny Newton, rJr/2024, Illinois + More +

Illinois signed coach Bret Bielema to a new six-year contract through 2028 on Tuesday, a big reward for transforming a struggling program into a winner in his second season. Bielema, 13-11 with Illinois, gets a bump in salary from $4.2 million to $6 million. The deal, which is pending approval by the school's board of trustees in January, includes various bonuses like a $500,000 annual retention incentive. He is also eligible for four one-year extensions if certain performance thresholds - which were not disclosed in the announcement - are met. "I am proud of the progress we have made in two years and I could not be more excited about where our program is going," Bielema said in a statement.

The Illini (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) are wrapping up their best season since the 2007 Rose Bowl team won nine games. They were ranked in the AP Top 25 poll for five straight weeks and made the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time. They're set to face Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2 in Tampa, Florida, after finishing with losing records the previous 10 years. The 52-year-old Bielema, who led Wisconsin to three Rose Bowls before a disappointing run at Arkansas, is 110-69 in 14 seasons as a college coach. He is from western Illinois. - AP College Football

rJr/2024

DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
News Source: AP College Football
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12/20/22 - Demetrius Hill, rJr/2026, Illinois + More +

2022 CONFERENCE USA ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM: DB: Demetrius Hill, FIU,...Hill compiled 95 tackles during his freshman campaign - which ranked ninth among Conference USA leaders (70th nationally). He started all 12 games this season at safety, while registering an interception, two pass breakups and forcing a team-high three fumbles. Hill recorded double-figure tackles in four games this season, including a season-best 13 stops against Middle Tennessee (11/26/22). - Florida International Football

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SS Demetrius Hill, Illinois
News Source: Florida International Football
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12/16/22 - Zakhari Franklin, rSr/2025, Illinois + More +

2022 ALL-CONFERENCE USA FIRST TEAM: WR Zakhari Franklin, UTSA,...Franklin earned a spot on the first team for the second straight year, as he has caught 86 passes and broken his own single-season school standards with 1,100 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. The senior from Cedar Hill High School has eclipsed the century mark in four contests this year, highlighted by 144 yards and a school record-tying three touchdowns on 10 receptions in the 48-27 win over North Texas in the C-USA Championship Game. He currently ranks third in the FBS in receiving TDs and 12th in both receiving yards and receptions per game. - Texas-San Antonio Football

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WR Zakhari Franklin, Illinois
News Source: Texas-San Antonio Football
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12/10/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois + More +

2022 WALTER CAMP SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: RB Chase Brown, Illinois,...The nation's second-leading rusher with 1,643 yards, Brown led the Power-5 in rushing from start to finish during the 2022 regular season. A Doak Walker Award finalist, Brown finished the regular season third in the nation in all-purpose yards (1,883), second in the nation in rushes of 10+ yards (48), and tied for the national lead in 100-yard games (10). - Illinois Football

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