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2022 ALL-BIG SKY HONORABLE MENTION: OL Ayden Knapik (UI),...Knapik played in eight games as the starting right tackle. He made his first start against Drake and never gave up the starting job. He helped the Vandals find consistency on the line and showed improvement throughout the season in every aspect of his game. He is expected to be an anchor on the line throughout the rest of his time in Moscow. - Idaho Football

(DS#999 OT) Sr/2026

OT Ayden Knapik, Illinois
News Source: Idaho Football
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01/07/23 - Calvin Avery, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-2, 345 (DS#37 DT) + 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

(DS#37 DT) rSr/2023

DT Calvin Avery, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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12/28/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + 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

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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12/26/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + 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

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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12/24/22 - Tommy DeVito, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-1, 210 (DS#18 QB) + 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

(DS#18 QB) rSr/2023

QB Tommy DeVito, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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12/20/22 - Johnny Newton, rJr/2024, Illinois, 6-2, 304 (DS#2 DT) + 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

(DS#2 DT) rJr/2024

DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
News Source: AP College Football
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12/20/22 - Jayshon Platt, rJr/2027, Illinois, 6-1, 195 (DS#999 WR) + More +

2022 CONFERENCE USA ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM: KR: Jayshon Platt, Florida Atlantic,...The C-USA All-Freshman Team was also announced. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Tony Johnson, who was honored last week as a member of the C-USA All-Academic team, linebacker Jaylen Wester and kick returner Jayshon Platt received recognition. - Florida Atlantic Football

(DS#999 WR) rJr/2027

WR Jayshon Platt, Illinois
News Source: Florida Atlantic Football
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12/16/22 - Zakhari Franklin, rSr/2025, Illinois, 6-1, 204 (DS#84 WR) + 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

(DS#84 WR) rSr/2025

WR Zakhari Franklin, Illinois
News Source: Texas-San Antonio Football
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12/10/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + 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

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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12/10/22 - Johnny Newton, rJr/2024, Illinois, 6-2, 304 (DS#2 DT) + More +

2022 WALTER CAMP SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: DL Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois,...Newton leads the Illini in sacks (5.5) and is tied for second in the Big Ten in TFLs (13.0) with teammate Keith Randolph. Newton was named to the official All-Big Ten first team by the coaches and media last week. - Illinois Football

(DS#2 DT) rJr/2024

DT Johnny Newton, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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12/10/22 - Devon Witherspoon, Sr/2023, Illinois, 6-0, 181 (DS#1 CB) + More +

2022 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: DB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois,...Witherspoon is sixth in the nation in passes defended (17) and allowed fewer than 35 receiving yards in 11 of 12 games this season. Witherspoon has been named the Big Ten's Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, one of three finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, and All-Big Ten first team, solidifying himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the nation and one of the best in Illinois history. - Illinois Football

(DS#1 CB) Sr/2023

CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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12/08/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + More +

2022 DOAK WALKER AWARD FINALIST (OUTSTANDING RUNNING BACK): 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. He is third in the nation in all-purpose yards (1,883), second in the nation in rushes of 10+ yards (48), and is tied for the national lead in 100-yard games (10). Brown rushed for at least 98 yards in 11 of Illinois' 12 games and has scored 13 total touchdowns (10 rushing, three receiving). He did his best work against some of the nation's best rushing defenses, rushing for more yards than any other opponent against Michigan's No. 3-ranked rush defense (140 yards), Wisconsin's No. 12-ranked rush defense (129 yards), and Minnesota's No. 15-ranked rush defense (180 yards). Brown is Illinois' first ever Doak Walker Award finalist since the award began in 1990. The Doak Walker Award presentation will take place on the SMU campus at the annual banquet scheduled for Feb. 17, 2023. - Illinois Football

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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12/08/22 - Devon Witherspoon, Sr/2023, Illinois, 6-0, 181 (DS#1 CB) + More +

2022 JIM THORPE AWARD FINALIST (OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE BACK): Devon Witherspoon, Illinois,...Witherspoon has been the best shutdown corner in the nation, leading the country in reception percentage against (33.8) and forced incompletions (16), according to PFF. He is sixth in the nation in passes defended (17) and did not allow a touchdown all season. While matching up against opponents' No. 1 wide receivers, Witherspoon has allowed 35 or fewer passing yards in 11 of 12 games. Witherspoon has the No. 2 corner grade in the country and No. 1 in Power-5 by PFF, and also ranks fourth in the nation in NFL passer rating against (24.3). Witherspoon is Illinois' first ever Paycom Jim Thorpe Award finalist. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023 in Oklahoma City. - Illinois Football

(DS#1 CB) Sr/2023

CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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12/02/22 - John Paddock, rSr/2024, Illinois, 5-11, 193 (DS#58 QB) + More +

Although action doesn't officially start until Monday, among the reported quarterbacks in transfer portal or planning to enter as of Dec. 1 is Ball State's John Paddock: Paddock is a fourth-year junior who started for the first time this season. He is fifth in the nation with 481 passing attempts and 11th with 287 completions (59.7 completion percentage). He threw for 2,713 with 18 TDs but also 14 picks. With that many attempts, you figure there would be more yards and more completions. - NFL Draft Scout and online sources

(DS#58 QB) rSr/2024

QB John Paddock, Illinois
News Source: NFL Draft Scout and online sources
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12/02/22 - Luke Altmyer, rSr/2026, Illinois, 6-2, 210 (DS#10 QB) + More +

Although action doesn't officially start until Monday, among the reported quarterbacks in, or planning to be to enter the transfer portal as of Dec. 1 is Ole Miss Luke Altmyer: He started Game 2 this season, against Central Arkansas, when Lane Kiffin said he was trying to sort out who should start. But he hasn't played since Game 3. He played in eight games in two seasons, and accuracy has been a problem (a combined 28-of-54, 51.8 percent). He has three seasons of eligibility remaining. - NFL Draft Scout and online sources

(DS#10 QB) rSr/2026

QB Luke Altmyer, Illinois
News Source: NFL Draft Scout and online sources
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