CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Returning Big Ten Punter of the Year Blake Hayes was named to Phil Steele's Preseason All-America Third Team, the publication announced. Hayes and six other Illini were named to Steele's Preseason All-Big Ten team. 

Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten
P Blake Hayes - First Team All-Big Ten
LB Jake Hansen - Second Team All-Big Ten
C Doug Kramer - Third Team All-Big Ten
OL Alex Palczewski - Third Team All-Big Ten
OL Kendrick Green - Fourth Team All-Big Ten
LB Milo Eifler - Fourth Team All-Big Ten
S Sydney Brown - Fourth Team All-Big Ten

P Blake Hayes (Sr.)
» 2019 Big Ten Punter of the Year
» All-Big Ten first team (coaches) 
» All-Big Ten first team (media) 
» 77 punts, 3,437 punt yards (44.6 yards/punt), 32 punts inside the 20, 22 punts of 50+ yards, only two touchbacks on the season
» Led the Big Ten and ranked 18th in the nation in punting average (44.6)
» Illinois single-season record 32 punts downed inside the 20
» Illinois single-season record 41.6% (32/77) of punts downed inside the 20 
» Illinois single-season record 22 punts of 50+ yards
» Illinois single-season record 3,437 punt yards
» Illinois single-season record low two touchbacks
» Illinois single-season record low 2.6% (2/77) touchback percentage
» Third-best single-season punting average in Illinois history (44.6)
» Second on Illinois' career punting average list (43.4 ypp) 
» Fourth on Illinois' career punting yardage list (9,369) 
» Sixth on Illinois' career punts list (216)