CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Former Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus was named to the Big Ten Network All-Decade Second Team, the network announced Thursday. Mercilus was a consensus All-American and won the Hendricks Award (top DE in the nation) at Illinois in 2011 after one of the best seasons by a defender in Fighting Illini history.
Mercilus' list of accolades in 2011 included CFPA National Defensive Performer of the Year, Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist, and Bednarik Award semifinalist. He led the nation in sacks (16) and forced fumbles (9) in 2011, setting Illinois records in both categories and finishing one forced fumble away from tying the NCAA record (10, Elvis Dumervil, Louisville, 2005).
In his Illinois career, Mercilus finished with 81 tackles, 29.0 TFLs, 18.0 sacks, and 11 forced fumbles. He was drafted 26th overall in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Mercilus has 50.0 sacks and 63.0 TFLs in eight NFL seasons.
First team defensive linemen were Chase Young (Ohio State), Joey Bosa (Ohio State), J.J. Watt (Wisconsin), and Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue).
