11 Illini Earn All-Big Ten Recognitions on Defense and Special Teams

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference announced its All-Big Ten awards for defense and special teams on Wednesday. Illinois had eight players honored on defense and three on special teams, highlighted by All-Big Ten First Team selection Gabe Jacas, who led the conference in sacks. 

All-Big Ten Awards - Defense

Gabe Jacas headlined the defensive awards with a first-team selection. Jacas led the conference in sacks (11.0), ranked second in forced fumbles (3) and fourth in sack yards (60). 2025 represents Jacas' first selection to the top team, and third overall, after being tabbed to the All-Big Ten Third Team in 2024 and earning honorable mention as a freshman in 2022.

Seven Illini defenders picked up All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors including Matthew Bailey, who paced the Illini with 61 solo tackles, and Miles Scott, who added his first career game with two interceptions against Northwestern on Nov. 29. Dylan Rosiek was honored for the third consecutive year and Bailey for the second, while the other five recipients picked up their first-career awards.

All-Big Ten Awards - Special Teams

LS Lane Hansen and K David Olano were both named honorable mention for the second straight year. Olano finished tied for fourth in the league with seven made field goals. Beatty earned his second-career selection after being recognized on the third team in 2024.