By Mike Pearson
FightingIllini.com
Possessing as appropriate a surname as any defensive player in Fighting Illini football history and matching it with a gawdy list of individual honors, Whitney Mercilus adds yet another compliment to his storied career: University of Illinois football's Defensive Player of the Decade.
The consensus All-America defensive end from Akron, Ohio, compiled staggering statistics for Illinois as a junior in 2011, including 22.5 tackles for loss (first in Big Ten, second in NCAA), 16 quarterback sacks (led Big Ten and NCAA), and nine forced fumbles (first in NCAA).
Yet, as understandable a choice as Mercilus is, he remained humbled by his newly bestowed distinction.
"It makes me feel awesome and I'm truly honored," said the eight-year veteran of the AFC South leading Houston Texans. "I've worked my butt off playing this game. We all fight for accolades and recognition, so it's really a blessing and an honor to be recognized like that. At the end of the day, Illinois is my alma mater. Going through classes and playing football, the University has a special place in my heart, for sure."
While Mercilus might be the headliner of the Illini Defensive All-Decade Team, two other players—cornerback Tavon Wilson and 2019 Big Ten Punter of the Year Blake Hayes—also garnered unanimity from the All-Decade balloters. In addition, Hayes accounted for all but one vote as Illinois's Special Teams Player of the Decade.
Joining Mercilus on UI's four-man All-Decade defensive line are current team member Bobby Roundtree, 2008-10 defensive tackle Corey Liuget, and 2013-16 defensive end Dawuane Smoot. Liuget now plays for the playoff-bound Buffalo Bills, while Smoot is a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Roundtree is recovering from a spinal injury he incurred during a swimming accident in May.
Illinois's All-Decade linebacker trio includes current star Dele Harding, 2007-10 standout Martez Wilson, plus 2010-13 standout Jonathan Brown. Harding was named First-Team All-Big Ten and the UI's 2019 Defensive Most Valuable Player earlier this month, accumulating 147 tackles, three interceptions (including two for touchdowns) and three forced fumbles. Wilson notched a team-leading 112 stops as a senior, then played three seasons in the NFL with New Orleans, Oakland and Dallas. Brown was Illinois's top tackler in 2011 and ranks third on the Illini career list with 45.5 tackles for loss.
The Illini's All-Decade defensive secondary is led by Wilson. Though he only won honorable mention All-Big Ten acclaim as a collegian, Wilson is now in his eighth NFL season, four with the New England Patriots and the last four with the Detroit Lions. Clayton Fejedelem, originally a walk-on at Illinois, was a near unanimous All-Decade Team pick. He's in his fourth year with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he has become a core special teams player. Terry Hawthorne was the Defensive MVP of the 2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Illini senior safety Stanley Green is one of five current stars who made either the first-team offense, defense or special team All-Decade squads. Entering UI's December 30 Redbox Bowl game, Green leads all 2019 collegians in fumble recoveries with four.
Current Illini punter Blake Hayes' name was included on every All-Decade ballot. The junior from Melbourne, Australia, also was the overwhelming choice as Special Teams Player of the Decade. Thus far in 2019, when he was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year, Hayes has averaged 44.8 yards per punt, ranking second in the Big Ten and eighteenth nationally. Thirteen of his kicks have been downed inside the 10-yard line. Return specialist V'Angelo Bentley was also named unanimous choice as the top punt returner during the decade. A starting cornerback, he was named the 2015 Illini Special Teams Player of the Year. He's the only player in UI history to score touchdowns via kick returns, punt returns, interceptions and fumbles.
ILLINI DEFENSIVE ALL-DECADE TEAM (2010-19)
Illini Defensive Player of the Decade – Whitney Mercilus*
Illini Special Teams Player of the Decade – Blake Hayes
Lineman – Whitney Mercilus* (first-team All-America; Hendricks Award winner in 2011)
Lineman – Cory Liuget (second-team All-Big Ten in 2010)
Lineman – Dawuane Smoot (third-team All-Big Ten in 2016)
Lineman – Bobby Roundtree (honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2018)
Linebacker – Dele Harding (first-team All-Big Ten; third-team All-America in 2019)
Linebacker – Martez Wilson (first-team All-Big Ten in 2010)
Linebacker – Jonathan Brown (second-team All-Big Ten in 2011 & '13)
Back – Tavon Wilson* (honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2010 & '11)
Back – Clayton Fejedelem (second-team All-Big Ten in 2015)
Back – Terry Hawthorne (honorable mention in 2011 & '12)
Back – Stanley Green (honorable mention in 2017 & '19)
Punter – Blake Hayes* (Big Ten Punter of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten in 2019)
Punt Returner – V'Angelo Bentley* (honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2014 & '15)
*unanimous selection
