University of Illinois Athletics

Football April 22, 2022

Illinois Football Presents Team Awards

News

Football April 22, 2022

Illinois Football Presents Team Awards

News

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Illinois football team handed out its 2021 team awards at the annual Illinois Football Banquet on Friday night in the Colonnades Club of Memorial Stadium. Chase Brown, Kerby Joseph, and James McCourt took home MVP awards. Former Illinois All-American Martin O'Donnell emceed the event, which also featured Director of Athletics Josh Whitman and head coach Bret Bielema. A full list of award winners is below.

Illinois Traditional Awards

Award	Winner
The Scholar Athlete Award	Blake Hayes
The Wright Commitment to Excellence Award	Mike Epstein
The Paul and Tiz Bresee Award - Illini FamILLy Award	Doug Kramer
The Bruce Capel Award	Jake Hansen
The Land of Lincoln Award	Vederian Lowe
Spirit of the Illini Award	Warren Hood

Team Awards

Award	Winner
Red Grange Offensive MVP	Chase Brown
Dick Butkus Defensive MVP	Kerby Joseph
Dike Eddleman Special Teams MVP	James McCourt
Rookie of the Year	Josh McCray
Illini Power	Sydney Brown
Coaches Appreciation Offense	Isaiah Williams and Jack Badovinac
Coaches Appreciation Defense	Owen Carney Jr. and Tony Adams
Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year	Griffin Moore
Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year	Tailon Leitzsey
Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year	Mike Manning

Captains Awards

Tony Adams
Owen Carney Jr.
Jake Hansen
Blake Hayes
Doug Kramer
Vederian Lowe

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Players Mentioned

#6 Tony Adams: DB; 6' 0"; Senior; 2-1

#2 Chase Brown: RB; 5' 11"; Sophomore; 3-3

#30 Sydney Brown: DB; 6' 0"; Junior; 3-2

#99 Owen Carney Jr.: DL; 6' 3"; Senior; 2-1

#26 Mike Epstein: RB; 6' 0"; Senior; 2-2

#35 Jake Hansen: LB; 6' 1"; Senior; 1-1

#14 Blake Hayes: P; 6' 6"; Senior; 2-1

#25 Kerby Joseph: WR; 6' 1"; Junior; 3-2

#65 Doug Kramer: OL; 6' 2"; Senior; 1-1

#32 Tailon Leitzsey: DB; 6' 0"; Senior; 2-1

Players Mentioned

#6 Tony Adams
: 6' 0"; Senior; 2-1
: DB

#2 Chase Brown
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; 3-3
: RB

#30 Sydney Brown
: 6' 0"; Junior; 3-2
: DB

#99 Owen Carney Jr.
: 6' 3"; Senior; 2-1
: DL

#26 Mike Epstein
: 6' 0"; Senior; 2-2
: RB

#35 Jake Hansen
: 6' 1"; Senior; 1-1
: LB

#14 Blake Hayes
: 6' 6"; Senior; 2-1
: P

#25 Kerby Joseph
: 6' 1"; Junior; 3-2
: WR

#65 Doug Kramer
: 6' 2"; Senior; 1-1
: OL

#32 Tailon Leitzsey
: 6' 0"; Senior; 2-1
: DB