Illinois All-Big Ten History
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois C Doug Kramer and RB Chase Brown were honored with All-Big Ten second- and third-team honors, respectively, the Big Ten announced Wednesday. Offensive linemen Alex Palczewski and Vederian Lowe were named All-Big Ten honorable mention.
The All-Big Ten defensive and special teams awards were announced Tuesday with eight. 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). 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.
All-Big Ten Second Team (coaches), All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media)
Kramer has been one of the most consistent offensive linemen for the Illini and in the Big Ten in the last five seasons. He was an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection in each of the last two seasons and was the No. 8 graded center in the nation in 2019 by PFF. This season Kramer graded as the No. 24 center in the nation and No. 5 in the Big Ten by PFF. Kramer will leave Champaign No. 3 in Illini history in career starts, behind only his teammates Vederian Lowe and Alex Palczewski.
All-Big Ten Third Team (coaches), All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media)
Brown became the 14th Illini in history to rush for over 1,000 yards when he totaled 1,005 rushing yards this season. He ran for 223 yards on 33 carries and one touchdown at #7 Penn State to help Illinois win the longest game in college football history (20-18, 9 OT), and joined Howard Griffith (1990) and Rashard Mendenhall (2007) as the only players in program history with multiple 200-yard rushing games in a single season. He also ran for a career-high 257 yards against Charlotte and another 147 yards on 30 carries in Illinois' road win over #20 Minnesota.
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches and media)
Lowe has been one of the top representatives of Illinois during his five years in Champaign. This season he is a Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year semifinalist, FWAA Courage Award nominee, and represented all Big Ten student-athletes by delivering the Big Ten Media Days featured speech. Lowe is the No. 4 graded tackle in the Big Ten by PFF this season.
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches and media)
Palczewski was right behind Lowe, a fellow five-year starter, as the No. 5 graded tackle in the Big Ten by PFF this season. Palczewksi split time this season between tackle and guard this season, ending his Illinois career with a record 52 starts (tied with Lowe).
