CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Four Illinois football student-athletes were granted scholarships by head coach Bret Bielema. Christian Bobak, Tailon Leitzsey, Michael Marchese, and Alec McEachern were told they were being put on scholarship at a team meeting Tuesday evening.
Bobak has played in 43 games for the Illini, primarily on special teams and has 22 tackles over his career. He graduated with a degree in finance and is enrolled in the technology management master's program. Bobak is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
Leitzsey walked-on to the team in 2018 as a sophomore. He made his Illinois debut against Northwestern last season. In December he earned a bachelors degree in kinesiology.
Marchese has played in 32 games with three starts at safety and two starts at linebacker for Illinois. He has 44 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Marchese is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and is working towards a degree in economics.Â
 McEachern has played in 25 games, tallying 10 tackles including a career high three at Penn State last season. He is majoring in finance and is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
