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Illinois' top defensive lineman from the 2020 season is reversing course - a piece of good news for coach Bret Bielema's first team. Defensive end Owen Carney Jr. on Sunday announced he's returning to the Illini for the 2021 campaign, 18 days after revealing he'd entered the transfer portal. Carney played in at least 10 games during each of his first three Illini seasons and 43 overall, including all eight this past season. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound native of Miami amassed 70 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 91/2 sacks during his Illini career. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#34 DE) rSr/2022

DE Owen Carney Jr., Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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01/14/21 - Isaiah Gay, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-2, 232 (DS#99 OLB) + More +

Less than an hour after new Illinois defensive line coach Terrance Jamison introduced himself to local media, his position group secured a key presence for the 2021 season. Gay, a native of Nashville, N.C., played in 39 games during the first four seasons of his Illinois career. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior defensive end produced 19 tackles, three tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups in seven games during the 2020 campaign, and his collegiate stat line includes 96 tackles, 11 1/2 tackles for loss, 5 1/2 sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#99 OLB) rSr/2022

OLB Isaiah Gay, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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01/13/21 - Max Rosenthal, rSr/2001, Illinois, 6-1, 260 (DS#999 FB) + More +

Max Rosenthal is the latest former Michigan State football player to find a new home. And he is not leaving the Big Ten. The fullback/tight end announced via Twitter he will transfer to Illinois to play for new coach Bret Bielema, whose pro-style offense historically uses a fullback. The redshirt junior and former walk-on - the Spartans' first outbound transfer to land at another Power Five program this offseason - has two years remaining and will be eligible immediately thanks to the NCAA's waivers for 2020. An advertising management major at MSU, Rosenthal said he plans to pursue his graduate degree at Illinois. - Lansing State Journal

(DS#999 FB) rSr/2001

FB Max Rosenthal, Illinois
News Source: Lansing State Journal
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01/08/21 - Chase Hayden, rSr/2023, Illinois, 5-11, 202 (DS#96 RB) + More +

For the second time in as many days, Illinois football coach Bret Bielema has secured a transfer commitment. Wednesday's came from East Carolina running back Chase Hayden, who previously spent three years at Arkansas. Hayden's freshman season of 2017 coincided with Bielema's last year overseeing the Razorbacks. A 5-foot-10, 210-pound product of Memphis, Tenn., Hayden compiled 62 yards on 16 carries in his lone campaign with the Pirates. The majority of his college production came as an Arkansas freshman and sophomore. Hayden carried the ball 118 times for 577 yards and five touchdowns in those two seasons, adding 12 catches for 84 yards. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#96 RB) rSr/2023

RB Chase Hayden, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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01/07/21 - Jamal Woods, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-2, 294 (DS#35 DT) + More +

Jamal Woods hasn't found it particularly easy to stay on the football field during his time at Illinois. After playing in 11 of 12 games as a true freshman in 2017, Woods missed 16 games in the following three seasons because of injuries. That includes four games he didn't play in during his pandemic-abbreviated 2020 season, which was supposed to be his final season with the Illini. Despite those setbacks, Woods isn't wondering "what if" about his Illini tenure. That's because the starting defensive tackle announced Tuesday that he'll return to Champaign-Urbana for a fifth college season. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#35 DT) rSr/2023

DT Jamal Woods, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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01/06/21 - Jamal Woods, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-2, 294 (DS#35 DT) + More +

Illinois' defensive line got a boost on Tuesday. Versatile lineman Jamal Woods announced his return to the Illinois football team, taking advantage of the additional year of eligibility granted by the NCAA in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Woods gives the Illini a veteran presence along the line. Defensive end Owen Carney Jr. entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Isaiah Gay has yet to announce his intention for next season and neither has defensive tackle Roderick Perry. Woods and Calvin Avery give an interior presence while younger players like Keith Randolph, Johnny Newton and Seth Coleman have high upside but lack a bit of experience. Injuries have been an issue for Woods, who has 13.5 tackles for a loss in four years. He's missed 16 games in the last three years because of injury. A successful season, he said, is a healthy season. - Herald-Review Times

(DS#35 DT) rSr/2023

DT Jamal Woods, Illinois
News Source: Herald-Review Times
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01/06/21 - Ethan Tabel, rSr/2022, Illinois, 5-11, 230 (DS#19 LS) + More +

James McCourt is an avid golfer and perhaps one of the best on the Illinois football team, so it was fitting when he produced a cross-sport reference on Monday afternoon. McCourt, Illinois' kicker, punter Blake Hayes and long snapper Ethan Tabel are effectively caddies for one another. After years of practices and meetings, they've become an extremely tight-knit group and know the intricacies each other's games. If a snap, kick or punt is wrong or a bit off, they each know how to talk to one another about a small tweak to fix things. As it turns out, they're all taking advantage of the NCAA-granted extra year of eligibility and announced their returns to the football team. - Herald-Review Times

(DS#19 LS) rSr/2022

LS Ethan Tabel, Illinois
News Source: Herald-Review Times
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01/04/21 - Jake Hansen, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-1, 239 (DS#14 ILB) + More +

Hansen declared for the 2021 NFL draft on Monday, and he's joined in that regard by fellow Illini Kendrick Green, Milo Eifler and Josh Imatorbhebhe. Another key defensive starter in 2020, defensive end Owen Carney Jr., announced he would enter the transfer portal on Wednesday. Losing each of those contributors creates a significant hole for Illinois. But the return of the Illini's other starting offensive linemen somewhat blunts Green's absence, while both Eifler and Imatorbhebhe played just two seasons for Illinois.

Hansen is a different story, especially considering fellow linebacker Eifler is also leaving. Hansen played immediately for the Illini, seeing 29 starts at linebacker during his last three years. He finished third in team history with 10 forced fumbles and also contributed 243 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three interceptions during his Illinois career. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#14 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Jake Hansen, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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01/03/21 - Nate Hobbs, Sr/2021, Illinois, 5-11, 196 (DS#45 CB) + More +

Illinois defensive back Nate Hobbs declared for the NFL Draft on Saturday. The senior from Louisville, KY totaled 31 tackles this season, 22 solo tackles. Including one interception and two passes defended. Hobbs is the fifth player to announce they will declare for the 2021 NFL Draft, while five other players have announced they will return to Champaign for another year. - Herald & Review

(DS#45 CB) Sr/2021

CB Nate Hobbs, Illinois
News Source: Herald & Review
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01/02/21 - Doug Kramer, rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-2, 299 (DS#9 C) + More +

Fellow senior defensive end Isaiah Gay has not yet declared his intentions for next season, nor as defensive lineman Jamal Woods. Keith Randolph Jr. and Seth Coleman, both redshirt freshmen, played significant snaps for the Illini this season. Wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe, offensive lineman Kendrick Green and linebackers Milo Eifler and Jake Hansen have all declared for the NFL Draft while offensive linemen Alex Palczewski, Vederian Lowe and Doug Kramer Jr. announced they'd return for an extra year. - Herald-Review Times

(DS#9 C) rSr/2022

C Doug Kramer, Illinois
News Source: Herald-Review Times
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01/02/21 - Owen Carney Jr., rSr/2022, Illinois, 6-3, 269 (DS#34 DE) + More +

After a breakout senior season, Illinois defensive end Owen Carney Jr. has entered the transfer portal. Carney announced his decision on social media Wednesday afternoon. All NCAA players have been granted an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was an All-Big Ten second team selection and was third in the Big Ten with five sacks and was 11th in the conference with seven tackles for a loss. - Herald-Review Times

(DS#34 DE) rSr/2022

DE Owen Carney Jr., Illinois
News Source: Herald-Review Times
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01/02/21 - Milo Eifler, rSr/2021, Illinois, 6-1, 228 (DS#26 OLB) + More +

Milo Eifler on Tuesday became the second Illinois linebacker to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. The senior joined Jake Hansen in making the professional plunge, with Hansen announcing his intentions on Monday. The former Washington athlete played in 18 games and made 17 starts at linebacker after sitting out the 2018 season because of NCAA transfer rules. Eifler turned in 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery across 12 games last year, then notched 27 tackles, 3 1/2 tackles for loss and a sack in five contests this season. Eifler missed three games in 2020 because of injury. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#26 OLB) rSr/2021

OLB Milo Eifler, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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01/02/21 - *Kendrick Green, rJr/2021, Illinois, 6-2, 305 (DS#7 OG) + More +

Green said becoming an NFL talent has been his dream since he was 7 years old. If he could travel back in time and inform his 7-year-old self of his future, what would he say? "It'd be a little bit more motivation," Green said. "Obviously I'm proud of where I'm at, but I've got a lot more to go. So back to the drawing board and keep working." Two other Peoria natives are currently are in the NFL, both with the Chicago Bears: cornerback Sherrick McManis and defensive lineman LaCale London. The latter is on the Bears' practice squad, and Green said he's had conversations with London about going pro.

Green also has hit up former Illini offensive lineman Nick Allegretti, currently a starting left guard with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. "He just told me you've got to be a pro," Green said. "He just told me, 'Hard workers (are) going to make it no matter what you do in life." He said, "Sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be in the NFL." Green spent Tuesday making numerous phone calls as he takes the next steps toward turning pro. He said he has heard from NFL types about his chances of being taken in the upcoming draft, scheduled for April 29-May 1, but declined to divulge those details. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#7 OG) rJr/2021

OG *Kendrick Green, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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12/31/20 - Zakhari Franklin, rSr/2025, Illinois, 6-1, 204 (DS#84 WR) + More +

2020 ALL-CONFERENCE USA FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): WR - Zakhari Franklin, So., UTSA,...Roadrunners receiving honorable mention on offense included senior tight end Leroy Watson, junior quarterback Frank Harris and sophomore wide receivers Joshua Cephus and Zakhari Franklin. On defense, senior defensive tackle Jaylon Haynes, senior defensive end Lorenzo Dantzler, senior linebacker Charles Wiley, junior linebacker Trevor Harmanson, junior defensive tackle Brandon Matterson and junior cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. all were honored, while senior kick returner Brennon Dingle and junior long snapper Caleb Cantrell collected honorable mention on special teams. - Texas-San Antonio Football

(DS#84 WR) rSr/2025

WR Zakhari Franklin, Illinois
News Source: Texas-San Antonio Football
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12/30/20 - *Kendrick Green, rJr/2021, Illinois, 6-2, 305 (DS#7 OG) + More +

After a stellar junior season, Kendrick Green is going pro. The Illinois left guard announced he's foregoing his senior season and entering the NFL Draft. Green, from Peoria, was a 2020 USA Today Second Team All-American and a consensus First Team All-Big Ten pick. Green, who is 6-foot-4, 315 pounds and is known for his strength, has been a consistent force on Illinois' offensive line since switching from defensive line after his true freshman season in 2017. He has started all 33 games on the offensive line in the last three years (29 at guard, 4 at center). He took a redshirt as a true freshman before getting first-team reps as an offensive lineman on Day 1 of training camp in 2018. - Herald-Review Times

(DS#7 OG) rJr/2021

OG *Kendrick Green, Illinois
News Source: Herald-Review Times
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