Antonio James to Serve as Honorary Captain vs. Western Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Former Fighting Illini defensive lineman and current Illinois assistant defensive line coach Antonio James will serve as the #12 Illinois football team's honorary captain against Western Illinois on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on Peacock. 

James was a four-year letterman on the defensive line for the Fighting Illini from 2006-09 and helped lead Illinois to the 2008 Rose Bowl Game. He earned his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Illinois in 2010.

James has been in coaching since the end of his playing career with stops at Urbana High School, Michigan, Morgan State, and Southern Illinois prior to returning home to Illinois. He is in his first season on the Fighting Illini staff in 2025. 

Tickets are available for Friday's game at FightingIllini.com.