2019 Football Roster
Bobby Roundtree
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-5 / 255
- Position:
- DL
- Hometown:
- Largo, Fla.
- High School:
- Largo
Former Illini Football Star Bobby Roundtree Passes Away (July 16, 2021)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illini Family has lost one of its inspirational leaders with the passing of former Fighting Illini football student-athlete Bobby Roundtree Friday in the Tampa Bay area. Roundtree, 23, suffered a serious spinal cord injury during a boating and swimming accident in Tampa Bay on May 18, 2019, and has been working on his rehabilitation there for more than 18 months, sharing much of his progress on his social media accounts.
"All of us with Illinois Athletics are shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Bobby Roundtree," said UI Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. "From his first day on campus, Bobby was a leader. His work ethic, competitive fire, and drive for excellence set him apart. Following his tragic accident, those same qualities allowed him to tackle his new challenges with the same vigor and determination that we had seen on the football field. In so doing, he continued to bring light and inspiration to the lives of those around him — and, in fact, to so many people who had never had the pleasure of meeting him.
"In the face of incredible adversity, he demonstrated he was, and always will remain, a true champion. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We will support them, and our players, coaches, and staff who knew him well, as we struggle to understand this terrible news and, ultimately, look to celebrate the remarkable young leader we have lost."
Career Highs
Tackles: 12 vs. Penn State, 9/21/18
Solos: 10 vs. Penn State, 9/21/18
TFLs: 3.0 at Nebraska, 11/10/18
Sacks: 2.0, three times (last at Nebraska, 11/10/18)
QB Hurries: 1 at Minnesota, 10/21/17
Fumbles Forced: 1, twice (last at Nebraska, 11/10/18)
PBUs: 2, twice (last vs. South Florida 9/15/18)
2019 Junior
- Missed the 2019 season after suffering a severe spinal injury on May 18, 2019, in a swimming accident near his home of Largo, Florida
2018 Sophomore
- All-Big Ten honorable mention (media)
- Played all 12 games with 11 starts at defensive end
- Won team’s Dick Butkus Outstanding Defensive Player award
- 66 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, seven PBUs, one forced fumble and four QB hurries
- Led Illinois in TFLs (12.5), sacks (7.5) and PBUs (7)
- Led all FBS defensive linemen with 7 PBUs
- Second on the team in QB hurries (4) and third on the team in tackles (66)
- Career-high 12 tackles, including 10 solo, against Penn State 9/21/18
- Career-high 3.0 TFLs at Nebraska 11/10/18
- Multiple sacks against Penn State, Nebraska and Iowa
- At least 0.5 TFLs in 10 of 12 games, including the last nine consecutive games
2017 Freshman
- BTN.com All-Freshman Team
- Played in all 12 games with nine starts at defensive end
- 50 tackles (28 solo), 4.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, three pass breakups, one QB hurry, one forced fumble on season
- Tied for the team lead in sacks (4.0) with James Crawford
- Tied for third on the team in pass breakups (3)
- Sixth on the team in tackles (50)
- First Illini true freshman defensive end to start the season opener since Terry Cole in 1980 vs. Northwestern
- Team-high 2.0 sacks vs. Western Kentucky
- Led the nation in sacks by a true freshman (0.75/game) through the first four games of the season
High School
- Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Scout
- Ranked No. 70 strong-side defensive end in the nation by 247Sports and No. 87 by ESPN
- Played at Largo for head coach Marcus Paschal
- Also played basketball in high school
Personal
- Born Feb. 7, 1998
- Son of Bobby Roundtree and Jacqueline Hearns
- Chose Illinois because, “I felt like the university was the best fit for me and I trusted the coaching staff to develop me to be the best I can be after graduating.”
- Enrolled in general curriculum
