14 Illini Earn All-Big Ten Recognitions

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference announced its All-Big Ten teams on Big Ten Network Tuesday. Illinois had 14 players earn All-Big Ten honors, including All-Big Ten First Team selection Xavier Scott, All-Big Ten Second Team honoree Pat Bryant, and third-team picks J.C. Davis, Gabe Jacas, and Hank Beatty. 

All-Big Ten Awards - Offense

Pat Bryant headlined the offensive awards with a second-team selection. Bryant ranked second in the Big Ten in receiving yards (984) and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (10). He led the nation with three game-winning touchdown catches in the final minute/overtime this season, all coming from All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honoree Luke Altmyer. With Isaiah Williams' first-team pick last year, Illinois has had back-to-back years with a second-teamer or better wide receiver for the first time since Brandon Lloyd from 2001-02.

Altmyer, who started all 12 games at quarterback and led Illinois to its first nine-win season since 2007, earned his first All-Big Ten designation after throwing for 2,543 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. Illinois has had three straight years of All-Big Ten Honorable Mention quarterbacks – Tommy DeVito, John Paddock, and Altmyer – for the first time since Juice Williams from 2007-09. 

All four full-time Illini offensive line starters earned All-Big Ten status. OT J.C. Davis was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team, while C Josh Kreutz, OG Josh Gesky, and OT Melvin Priestly picked up honorable mention accolades. It is the third consecutive year that every full-time starter on the offensive line earned All-Big Ten honors. 

All-Big Ten Awards - Defense

Illinois' defense was led by All-Big Ten First Team honoree Xavier Scott, who joined Devon Witherspoon (2022), Sydney Brown (2022), and Kerby Joseph (2021) as All-Big Ten First Team defense backs during Bret Bielema's tenure. Illinois has had an All-Big Ten First Team defender for four straight seasons for the first time since going nine consecutive years from 1987-95. 

OLB Gabe Jacas was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team as a defensive lineman, as there are no positions for outside linebackers. Jacas ranked sixth in the Big Ten in sacks (8.0) and tied for first in fumble recoveries (3). Jacas finished fourth in the Big Ten in sacks during conference games with 7.0.

Three Illini defenders picked up All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors: LB Dylan Rosiek, DL TeRah Edwards, and DB Matthew Bailey. It was the second consecutive year that Rosiek has earned honorable mention, while Edwards and Bailey each picked up their first-career awards. 

LB Kenenna Odeluga, who fought his way back from a severe leg injury last season, was named Illinois' Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient. 

All-Big Ten Awards - Special Teams

The best punt returner in the Big Ten was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team, as Hank Beatty picked up his first career honors. Beatty led the Big Ten in punt return average at 14.7 yards, which ranked third-best in the nation. 

LS Lane Hansen and K David Olano were both named to honorable mention lists.