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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini football team, families and friends gathered Sunday at the iHotel and Conference Center to honor the program's 18 out-going seniors and the season's award winners at the 118th annual football banquet, hosted by Illini radio voice Brian Barnhart.
The 2019 Fighting Illini season is highlighted by bowl eligibility for the first time since 2014 and two of the most memorable wins in program history – the last-second 24-23 win over No. 6 Wisconsin on Oct. 19, and the biggest comeback in school history, the 37-34 win at Michigan State on Nov. 9. The Illini will officially find out their bowl destination on Dec. 8.
The following are the Illini award winners from the 2019 Illinois Football Banquet:
LB Dele Harding – Dick Butkus Most Outstanding Defensive Player
» 147 tackles, 13.0 TFLs, 3 INTs, 3 FF, 1 FR
» Big Ten leader & second in FBS in tackles (12.3 tpg)
» Two touchdowns (one pick-six, one fumble return)
» 13.0 tackles per game in B1G play, almost four tackles ahead of next closest
» 147 tackles is 10th-most in program history
» #11 graded linebacker in FBS by PFF (min. 500 snaps)
» #4 graded linebacker in B1G by PFF (min. 500 snaps)
RB Dre Brown – Red Grange Most Outstanding Offensive Player
» Team-best 1,188 all-purpose yards
» 545 rushing yards and five TDs (both 2nd on team), 5.3 yards/carry
» Also had 8 catches for 65 yards
» No. 4 graded RB in B1G by PFF (min. 100 carries)
» 26.3 yards per kick return this season, 7th-best in Illini history
» #1 overall KR grade in B1G by PFF
» #5 overall KR grade in power-five by PFF
» 17th in FBS and 3rd in B1G in KR average
P Blake Hayes – Dike Eddleman Most Outstanding Special Teams Player
» 44.8 yards/punt this season, No. 2 in Illini history (45.4 by Steve Weatherford in 2004)
» #2 in the Big Ten and #18 in the nation in punting average
» 28 punts inside the 20, most in a season in Illini history
» Only two touchbacks on the season
» 20 50+-yard punts, tied for most in a season in Illini history
» 13 punts inside the 10, including six downed on the 1- or 2-yard lines
Wright Commitment to Excellence Award » DL Jamal Milan
The Wright Commitment to Excellence Award is presented each year to a student-athlete who has exemplified persistence in the face of obstacles to achieve success. Defensive tackle Jamal Milan battled countless injuries throughout his career to have his best season this year with 34 tackles. 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, two hurries and a PBU.
Bruce Capel Award » RB Dre Brown
The Bruce Capel Award has been handed out for the last 42 years to the Illini player who displays the most courage, dedication and accomplishment throughout the season. Capel played center from 1962-64. His life ended tragically while serving military duty in Vietnam.
This year's winner, running back Dre Brown, truly symbolizes everything the Capel Award means – courage, dedication and accomplishment. Brown was poised for playing time as a true freshmen in 2015 before going down with an ACL injury prior to the season. In all, he missed nearly two-and-a-half seasons after enduring 2 torn ACLs, 2 sprained MCLs, a stress fracture and 4 knee surgeries before making his Illini debut Oct. 7, 2017, at Iowa. He has emerged this year as one of the team's top offensive threats, leading the team with 1,188 all-purpose yards while rushing for 545 yards and five touchdowns.
Scholar-Athlete Award » TE Justice Williams
The top student-athlete on the team this season, Justice Williams, already has two degrees from Illinois – B.A. in business management & M.S. in business administration – and is working toward a second bachelor's degree in Spanish. He is a three-time academic All-Big Ten honoree.
Service Above Self Award » TE Bobby Walker
Senior tight end Bobby Walker was recognized for outstanding community services efforts throughout his Fighting Illini career. Walker is an AFCA Good Works Team and Wuerffel Trophy nominee in 2019. He served as president of the Illinois Chapter of Uplifting Athletes organizing the 2019 Lift for Life fundraising event and served as assistant president in 2018, helping the organization raise over $126,000 toward rare disease research. Walker also is a frequent visitor to elementary schools, veterans center, and hospitals around the Champaign area and volunteers at the Tom Jones Challenger League
Senior Speaker » DL Kenyon Jackson
The Little Rock, Ark., native was selected by his fellow seniors to speak on behalf of the class, reflecting on his time as an Illini thanking those that helped him and his teammates along the way.
2019 Fighting Illini Captains
Offense: Doug Kramer, Alex Palczewski
Defense: Jake Hansen, Dele Harding
Special Teams: Blake Hayes
2019 Fighting Illini Seniors
Nolan Bernat
Dre Brown
Reggie Corbin
Trenard Davis
Kurt Gavin
Stanley Green
Dele Harding
Kenyon Jackson
Brandon Jones
Jamal Milan
Cam Miller
Tymir Oliver
Griffin Palmer
Richie Petitbon
Caleb Reams
Ayo Shogbonyo
Bobby Walker
Justice Williams
