Illinois All-Big Ten History
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois' S Kerby Joseph was named an All-Big Ten first team selection (media) and K James McCourt and P Blake Hayes were each named to the third team (coaches), the Big Ten announced Tuesday. S Sydney Brown, OLB Owen Carney Jr., DL Jer'Zhan Newton, DL Keith Randolph Jr., and CB Devon Witherspoon all received All-Big Ten honorable mention accolades.
The Big Ten's offensive awards will be announced Wednesday at 11 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
All-Big Ten First Team (media), All-Big Ten Second Team (coaches)
Joseph was one of the most improved players in the nation in 2021. He tied for the nation lead in interceptions (5) - including four in Big Ten games - and tied for third in the nation in fumbles recovered (3). Joseph was the No. 1 graded defensive back in the nation according to PFF in the regular season.
Joseph is Illinois' first All-Big Ten first team defensive back since Vontae Davis in 2008. He is Illinois' first All-Big Ten safety since Marlon Primous in 1989 and the fifth Illini safety in the last 50 years to earn first-team honors, joining Mike Gow (1973), Craig Swope (1983), Glenn Cobb (1988), and Primous (1989).
All-Big Ten Third Team (coaches), All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media)
Hayes put together another extraordinary season for the Illini and will depart Champaign with nearly every Illinois punting record. This season, Hayes was a Ray Guy award semifinalist as one of the top 10 punters in the nation, a Senior CLASS Award finalist, an Academic All-District selection, and a two-time Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week award winner.
Hayes is the Illinois record holder for season punts inside the 20, season punts inside the 20 percentage, season 50+ yard punts, career punting average, career punt yards, career punts inside the 20, and career 50+ yard punts. He has been at least an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection in all of his five seasons for the Illini and was third team or better in four of five years, including winning the 2019 Big Ten Punter of the Year award.
All-Big Ten Third Team (coaches), All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media)
McCourt had one of the best kicking seasons in Illinois history, going 14-for-15 on field goals inside of 50 yards, tying the Illinois record for 50+-yard field goals with four, and going perfect on extra points. McCourt ranked third in the nation in 50+-yard field goals (4) and ninth in the nation in kickoff touchback percentage (82.4%). He hit the sixth-most field goals in a season in Illinois history (18) and leaves Champaign with the eighth-best career field goal accuracy in program history (37-52, 71.2%) and the most career 50+-yard field goals (8).
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches and media)
Brown was Illinois' leading tackler with 81 for one of the most improved defensive units in the nation. He was a key part in Illinois' turnaround in allowing 13.0 fewer points per game and 101.0 fewer yards per game since last season. Brown added two forced fumbles, three pass breakups, 1.5 TFLs, and 1.0 sacks in 2021.
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches and media)
Carney had a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2021 to rank sixth in the Big Ten and third in the Big Ten West, while climbing to No. 9 on Illinois' all-time career sacks list (15.0). He totaled 46 tackles - another career high - and 8.0 TFLs on the season.
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media)
Newton had 50 tackles to lead the Illini among defensive linemen. He added 4.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks as one of the top performing interior defensive linemen in the Big Ten.
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media)
Randolph was second on the Illini in sacks with 4.0 from the interior defensive line spot. He had 42 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, one forced fumble, and one interception in 10 games.
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media)
Witherspoon led Illinois with nine pass breakups and ranked second on the team with 8.0 TFLs. His nine pass breakups ranked ninth in the Big Ten and tied for fourth in the Big Ten West.
