Illini Football Yearly Leaders
Last updated following the 2017 season
| Yearly Leaders | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Passing | Comp. | Pass Yds | Receiving | Rec. | Rec. Yds |
| 1946 | Perry Moss | 23 | 298 | Bill Heiss | 5 | 132 |
| 1947 | Perry Moss | 71 | 719 | Sam Zatkoff | 13 | 147 |
| 1948 | Bernie Krueger | 52 | 703 | Walt Kersulis | 22 | 329 |
| 1949 | Bernie Krueger | 42 | 477 | Ronnie Clark | 11 | 105 |
| 1950 | Fred Major | 32 | 464 | Tony Klimek | 13 | 200 |
| 1951 | Tom O’Connell | 62 | 692 | Rex Smith | 22 | 343 |
| 1952 | Tom O’Connell | 133 | 1,761 | Rocky Ryan | 45 | 714 |
| 1953 | Elry Falkenstein | 36 | 577 | Rocky Ryan | 16 | 308 |
| 1954 | Em Lindbeck | 38 | 476 | Dean Renn | 17 | 246 |
| 1955 | Em Lindbeck | 39 | 588 | Bob DesEnfants | 12 | 206 |
| 1956 | Hiles Stout | 20 | 278 | Abe Woodson | 12 | 257 |
| 1957 | Tom Haller | 51 | 675 | Rich Kreitling | 12 | 203 |
| 1958 | John Easterbrook | 34 | 656 | Rich Kreitling | 23 | 688 |
| 1959 | Mel Meyers | 32 | 495 | John Counts | 19 | 314 |
| 1960 | John Easterbrook | 40 | 538 | Ed O’Bradovich | 21 | 233 |
| 1961 | Dave McGann | 27 | 269 | Dick Newell | 16 | 184 |
| 1962 | Mike Taliaferro | 80 | 1,139 | Jim Warren | 18 | 230 |
| 1963 | Mike Taliaferro | 35 | 450 | Jim Warren | 10 | 121 |
| 1964 | Fred Custardo | 86 | 1,012 | Bob Trumpy | 28 | 428 |
| 1965 | Fred Custardo | 90 | 1,124 | John Wright, Sr. | 47 | 755 |
| 1966 | Bob Naponic | 70 | 998 | John Wright, Sr. | 60 | 831 |
| 1967 | Dean Volkman | 77 | 1,005 | John Wright, Sr. | 52 | 698 |
| 1968 | Bob Naponic | 83 | 813 | Doug Dieken | 21 | 223 |
| 1969 | Steve Livas | 42 | 705 | Doug Dieken | 29 | 486 |
| 1970 | Mike Wells | 71 | 906 | Doug Dieken | 39 | 537 |
| 1971 | Mike Wells | 84 | 1,007 | Garvin Roberson | 28 | 372 |
| 1972 | Mike Wells | 76 | 837 | Garvin Roberson | 31 | 569 |
| 1973 | Jeff Hollenbach | 78 | 916 | Garvin Roberson | 25 | 416 |
| 1974 | Jeff Hollenbach | 64 | 1,037 | Joe Smalzer | 29 | 525 |
| 1975 | Kurt Steger | 80 | 1,136 | Jeff Chrystal | 22 | 261 |
| 1976 | Kurt Steger | 87 | 1,243 | Frank Johnson | 24 | 306 |
| 1977 | Mike McCray | 36 | 418 | Tom Schooley | 15 | 231 |
| 1978 | Rich Weiss | 58 | 665 | Jeff Barnes | 22 | 270 |
| 1979 | Lawrence McCullough | 130 | 1,254 | Mike Holmes | 25 | 127 |
| 1980 | Dave Wilson | 245 | 3,154 | Greg Dentino | 40 | 512 |
| 1981 | Tony Eason | 248 | 3,360 | Darrell Smith | 43 | 495 |
| 1982 | Tony Eason | 313 | 3,671 | Mike Martin | 77 | 1,068 |
| 1983 | Jack Trudeau | 226 | 2,624 | David Williams | 69 | 958 |
| 1984 | Jack Trudeau | 247 | 2,724 | David Williams | 101 | 1,278 |
| 1985 | Jack Trudeau | 322 | 3,339 | David Williams | 92 | 1,156 |
| 1986 | Shane Lamb | 115 | 1,414 | Stephen Pierce | 43 | 602 |
| 1987 | Scott Mohr | 106 | 1,436 | Darryl Usher | 43 | 723 |
| 1988 | Jeff George | 232 | 2,451 | Keith Jones | 48 | 388 |
| 1989 | Jeff George | 242 | 2,738 | Mike Bellamy | 59 | 927 |
| 1990 | Jason Verduzco | 226 | 2,567 | Shawn Wax | 60 | 863 |
| 1991 | Jason Verduzco | 252 | 3,014 | Kameno Bell | 64 | 503 |
| 1992 | Jason Verduzco | 184 | 1,779 | John Wright, Jr. | 47 | 508 |
| 1993 | Johnny Johnson | 135 | 1,688 | Ty Douthard | 43 | 406 |
| 1994 | Johnny Johnson | 198 | 2,495 | Jason Dulick | 52 | 550 |
| 1995 | Johnny Johnson | 99 | 1,110 | Jason Dulick | 36 | 453 |
| 1996 | Scott Weaver | 176 | 1,701 | Jason Dulick | 53 | 614 |
| 1997 | Mark Hoekstra | 115 | 1,029 | Robert Holcombe | 35 | 277 |
| 1998 | Kurt Kittner | 72 | 782 | Lenny Willis | 26 | 301 |
| 1999 | Kurt Kittner | 216 | 2,702 | Michael Dean | 45 | 608 |
| 2000 | Kurt Kittner | 173 | 1,982 | Greg Lewis | 40 | 544 |
| 2001 | Kurt Kittner | 221 | 3,256 | Brandon Lloyd | 65 | 1,062 |
| 2002 | Jon Beutjer | 193 | 2,511 | Brandon Lloyd | 65 | 1,010 |
| 2003 | Jon Beutjer | 162 | 1,597 | Kelvin Hayden | 52 | 592 |
| 2004 | Jon Beutjer | 107 | 1,082 | Kendrick Jones | 47 | 687 |
| 2005 | Tim Brasic | 206 | 1,979 | Kyle Hudson | 31 | 469 |
| 2006 | Juice Williams | 103 | 1,489 | Kyle Hudson | 30 | 403 |
| 2007 | Juice Williams | 153 | 1,743 | Arrelious Benn | 54 | 676 |
| 2008 | Juice Williams | 219 | 3,173 | Arrelious Benn | 65 | 1,055 |
| 2009 | Juice Williams | 131 | 1,632 | Arrelious Benn | 38 | 490 |
| 2010 | Nathan Scheelhaase | 155 | 1,825 | A.J. Jenkins | 56 | 746 |
| 2011 | Nathan Scheelhaase | 166 | 2,110 | A.J. Jenkins | 84 | 1,276 |
| 2012 | Nathan Scheelhaase | 149 | 1,361 | Ryan Lankford | 37 | 469 |
| 2013 | Nathan Scheelhaase | 287 | 3,272 | Steve Hull | 59 | 993 |
| 2014 | Wes Lunt | 153 | 1,763 | Mike Dudek | 76 | 1,038 |
| 2015 | Wes Lunt | 270 | 2,761 | Geronimo Allison | 65 | 882 |
| 2016 | Wes Lunt | 127 | 1,376 | Malik Turner | 48 | 712 |
| 2017 | Jeff George, Jr. | 94 | 1,273 | Ricky Smalling | 31 | 510 |
| Yearly Leaders | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Rushing | Rush Yds | All-Purpose | All-Purp. Yds |
| 1946 | Buddy Young | 456 | - | - |
| 1947 | Ruck Steger | 447 | - | - |
| 1948 | Ruck Steger | 265 | - | - |
| 1949 | John Karras | 826 | - | - |
| 1950 | Dick Raklovits | 709 | - | - |
| 1951 | John Karras | 716 | - | - |
| 1952 | Pete Bachouros | 484 | - | - |
| 1953 | J. C. Caroline | 1,256 | - | - |
| 1954 | J. C. Caroline | 440 | - | - |
| 1955 | Harry Jefferson | 514 | - | - |
| 1956 | Abe Woodson | 599 | - | - |
| 1957 | Ray Nitschke | 514 | - | - |
| 1958 | Marshall Starks | 303 | - | - |
| 1959 | Bill Brown | 504 | - | - |
| 1960 | Bill Brown | 531 | - | - |
| 1961 | Al Wheatland | 230 | - | - |
| 1962 | Ken Zimmerman | 225 | - | - |
| 1963 | Jim Grabowski | 616 | Jim Grabowski | 637 |
| 1964 | Jim Grabowski | 1,004 | Jim Grabowski | 1105 |
| 1965 | Jim Grabowski | 1,258 | Jim Grabowski | 1280 |
| 1966 | Bill Huston | 420 | John Wright, Sr. | 831 |
| 1967 | Rich Johnson | 768 | Rich Johnson | 779 |
| 1968 | Rich Johnson | 973 | Rich Johnson | 969 |
| 1969 | Dave Jackson | 465 | Dave Jackson | 930 |
| 1970 | Darrell Robinson | 749 | Darrell Robinson | 756 |
| 1971 | John Wilson | 543 | John Wilson | 748 |
| 1972 | George Uremovich | 611 | George Uremovich | 988 |
| 1973 | George Uremovich | 519 | George Uremovich | 646 |
| 1974 | Chubby Phillips | 772 | Chubby Phillips | 1,047 |
| 1975 | Lonnie Perrin | 907 | Lonnie Perrin | 1,100 |
| 1976 | James Coleman | 687 | James Coleman | 1,134 |
| 1977 | James Coleman | 715 | James Coleman | 1,352 |
| 1978 | Wayne Strader | 389 | Greg Foster | 562 |
| 1979 | Mike Holmes | 792 | Mike Holmes | 919 |
| 1980 | Mike Holmes | 305 | Mike Martin | 923 |
| 1981 | Calvin Thomas | 390 | Darryl Wilson | 859 |
| 1982 | Dwight Beverly | 396 | Mike Martin | 1,038 |
| 1983 | Thomas Rooks | 863 | Thomas Rooks | 1,020 |
| 1984 | Thomas Rooks | 1,056 | David Williams | 1,278 |
| 1985 | Thomas Rooks | 753 | Thomas Rooks | 1,065 |
| 1986 | Keith Jones | 534 | Keith Jones | 1,194 |
| 1987 | Keith Jones | 322 | Darryl Usher | 1,470 |
| 1988 | Keith Jones | 1,196 | Keith Jones | 1,818 |
| 1989 | Howard Griffith | 747 | Mike Bellamy | 1,386 |
| 1990 | Howard Griffith | 1,115 | Howard Griffith | 1,277 |
| 1991 | Kameno Bell | 664 | Kameno Bell | 1,290 |
| 1992 | Darren Boyer | 593 | Darren Boyer | 892 |
| 1993 | Ty Douthard | 599 | Ty Douthard | 1,005 |
| 1994 | Ty Douthard | 765 | Ty Douthard | 1,129 |
| 1995 | Robert Holcombe | 1,051 | Robert Holcombe | 1,121 |
| 1996 | Robert Holcombe | 1,281 | Robert Holcombe | 1,522 |
| 1997 | Robert Holcombe | 1,253 | Robert Holcombe | 1,530 |
| 1998 | Rocky Harvey | 634 | Rocky Harvey | 1,117 |
| 1999 | Steve Havard | 790 | Rocky Harvey | 1,210 |
| 2000 | Antoineo Harris | 772 | Rocky Harvey | 913 |
| 2001 | Antoineo Harris | 629 | Brandon Lloyd | 1,173 |
| 2002 | Antoineo Harris | 1,330 | Antoineo Harris | 1,459 |
| 2003 | E.B. Halsey | 525 | E.B. Halsey | 1,285 |
| 2004 | Pierre Thomas | 893 | Pierre Thomas | 1,665 |
| 2005 | Pierre Thomas | 664 | Pierre Thomas | 1,350 |
| 2006 | Pierre Thomas | 755 | Pierre Thomas | 1,057 |
| 2007 | Rashard Mendenhall | 1,681 | Rashard Mendenhall | 1,999 |
| 2008 | Juice Williams | 719 | Arrelious Benn | 1,668 |
| 2009 | Mikel Leshoure | 734 | Mikel Leshoure | 911 |
| 2010 | Mikel Leshoure | 1,697 | Mikel Leshoure | 1,893 |
| 2011 | Nathan Scheelhaase | 624 | A.J. Jenkins | 1,381 |
| 2012 | Donovonn Young | 571 | Josh Ferguson | 907 |
| 2013 | Josh Ferguson | 779 | Josh Ferguson | 1,351 |
| 2014 | Josh Ferguson | 735 | Josh Ferguson | 1,162 |
| 2015 | Ke’Shawn Vaughn | 723 | Josh Ferguson | 988 |
| 2016 | Kendrick Foster | 720 | Kendrick Foster | 1,328 |
| 2017 | Mike Epstein | 346 | Kendrick Foster | 587 |
| Yearly Leaders | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Punting | Punt Yds | Kicking | PAT | FG | Points Leader | Points |
| 1946 | Dike Eddleman | 39.3 | Don Maechtle | 14 | 1 | Perry Moss | 36 |
| 1947 | Dike Eddleman | 35.2 | Don Maechtle | 24 | 0 | Dike Eddleman | 42 |
| 1948 | Dike Eddleman | 43.0 | Don Maechtle | 16 | 1 | Patterson/Krueger | 24 |
| 1949 | John Vukelich | 34.6 | Sam Rebecca | 6 | 1 | John Karras | 42 |
| 1950 | Don Laz | 37.0 | Sam Rebecca | 17 | 0 | Dick Raklovits | 48 |
| 1951 | Ken Miller | 37.3 | Sam Rebecca | 25 | 1 | John Karras | 78 |
| 1952 | Ken Miller | 39.9 | Richard Miller | 15 | 0 | Rocky Ryan | 36 |
| 1953 | Ken Miller | 37.6 | Ken Miller | 17 | 0 | Mickey Bates | 66 |
| 1954 | J. C. Caroline | 40.4 | Bob Wiman | 9 | 0 | Abe Woodson | 42 |
| 1955 | Abe Woodson | 39.6 | Richard Miller | 8 | 1 | Bob Mitchell | 30 |
| 1956 | Abe Woodson | 37.7 | Richard Miller | 8 | 0 | Abe Woodson | 30 |
| 1957 | Jack Delveaux | 33.9 | Don Yeazel | 9 | 0 | Ray Nitschke | 30 |
| 1958 | Bill Brown | 40.2 | Don Yeazel | 7 | 1 | Rich Kreitling | 30 |
| 1959 | Bill Brown | 39.3 | Gerald Wood | 10 | 1 | Bill Brown | 36 |
| 1960 | Ed O’Bradovich | 31.1 | Gerald Wood | 16 | 3 | Marshall Starks | 42 |
| 1961 | Doug Mills | 37.1 | Jim Plankenhorn | 5 | 2 | Jim Plankenhorn | 11 |
| 1962 | Mike Taliaferro | 33.2 | Jim Plankenhorn | 5 | 1 | Dave Pike | 12 |
| 1963 | Mike Taliaferro | 36.2 | Jim Plankenhorn | 16 | 8 | Jim Grabowski | 42 |
| 1964 | George Donnelly | 38.2 | Fred Custardo | 15 | 1 | Jim Grabowski | 60 |
| 1965 | Terry Miller | 35.0 | Fred Custardo | 25 | 4 | Fred Custardo | 43 |
| 1966 | Terry Miller | 35.5 | Jim Stotz | 16 | 5 | Bob Naponic | 36 |
| 1967 | Terry Miller | 36.6 | Dan McKissic | 15 | 2 | Rich Johnson | 36 |
| 1968 | Charlie Bareither | 36.2 | Dan McKissic | 5 | 2 | Rich Johnson | 34 |
| 1969 | Terry Masar | 38.2 | Dan McKissic | 7 | 3 | Four Tied | 18 |
| 1970 | Terry Masar | 38.8 | Mike Wells | 9-16 | 8-10 | Mike Wells | 57 |
| 1971 | Terry Masar | 38.3 | Mike Wells | 19-21 | 2-5 | John Wilson | 42 |
| 1972 | Jim Rucks | 36.3 | Mike Wells | 18-21 | 1-2 | Mike Wells | 51 |
| 1973 | Phil Vierneisel | 37.3 | Dan Beaver | 14-17 | 12-23 | Dan Beaver | 50 |
| 1974 | Phil Vierneisel | 39.0 | Dan Beaver | 22-24 | 10-17 | Chubby Phillips | 56 |
| 1975 | Phil Vierneisel | 40.8 | Dan Beaver | 24-27 | 7-13 | Dan Beaver | 45 |
| 1976 | Phil Vierneisel | 40.8 | Dan Beaver | 24-25 | 9-17 | James Coleman | 62 |
| 1977 | Dave Finzer | 37.3 | Dave Finzer | 7-13 | 6-11 | Dave Finzer | 25 |
| 1978 | Dave Finzer | 36.3 | Dave Finzer | 8-9 | 5-8 | Dave Finzer | 23 |
| 1979 | Chris Sigourney | 34.9 | Kirk Bostrom | 13-15 | 6-13 | Mike Holmes | 38 |
| 1980 | Kirk Bostrom | 36.7 | Mike Bass | 24-25 | 7-11 | Mike Bass | 46 |
| 1981 | Chris Sigourney | 41.5 | Mike Bass | 33-35 | 10-17 | Mike Bass | 63 |
| 1982 | Chris Sigourney | 40.5 | Mike Bass | 32-34 | 24-28 | Mike Bass | 104 |
| 1983 | Chris Sigourney | 40.6 | Chris White | 39-40 | 14-23 | Chris White | 81 |
| 1984 | Chad Little | 38.9 | Chris White | 31-32 | 24-28 | Chris White | 103 |
| 1985 | Chad Little | 40.4 | Chris White | 33-33 | 15-22 | Chris White | 78 |
| 1986 | Chad Little | 38.9 | Chris Siambekos | 19-20 | 14-19 | Chris Siambekos | 61 |
| 1987 | Chad Little | 37.6 | Doug Higgins | 12-14 | 8-13 | Doug Higgins | 36 |
| 1988 | Brian Menkhausen | 36.4 | Doug Higgins | 28-28 | 11-15 | Keith Jones | 66 |
| 1989 | Brian Menkhausen | 41.3 | Doug Higgins | 38-39 | 6-9 | Howard Griffith | 66 |
| 1990 | Forry Wells | 39.0 | Doug Higgins | 35-35 | 14-20 | Howard Griffith | 90 |
| 1991 | Forry Wells | 38.7 | Chris Richardson | 29-31 | 13-18 | Chris Richardson | 68 |
| 1992 | Forry Wells | 39.6 | Chris Richardson | 22-25 | 12-18 | Chris Richardson | 58 |
| 1993 | Forry Wells | 40.9 | Chris Richardson | 18-19 | 14-20 | Chris Richardson | 60 |
| 1994 | Brett Larsen | 40.6 | Chris Richardson | 34-36 | 13-17 | Chris Richardson | 73 |
| 1995 | Brett Larsen | 40.8 | Bret Scheuplein | 19-21 | 10-17 | Bret Scheuplein | 49 |
| 1996 | Jason Higgins | 39.1 | Neil Rackers | 18-18 | 2-5 | Robert Holcombe | 78 |
| 1997 | Ryan Tabloff | 41.0 | Neil Rackers | 10-11 | 5-10 | Robert Holcombe | 38 |
| 1998 | Steve Fitts | 41.3 | Neil Rackers | 14-16 | 7-10 | Rocky Harvey | 42 |
| 1999 | Steve Fitts | 42.3 | Neil Rackers | 44-44 | 20-26 | Neil Rackers | 110 |
| 2000 | Steve Fitts | 40.9 | Steve Fitts | 25-25 | 5-10 | Antoineo Harris | 42 |
| 2001 | Steve Fitts | 42.1 | Peter Christofilakos | 29-29 | 12-13 | Peter Christofilakos | 65 |
| 2002 | Steve Weatherford | 39.7 | Peter Christofilakos | 40-40 | 9-12 | Peter Christofilakos | 67 |
| 2003 | Steve Weatherford | 44.5 | John Gockman | 21-21 | 14-22 | John Gockman | 63 |
| 2004 | Steve Weatherford | 45.4 | Jason Reda | 26-27 | 7-12 | Pierre Thomas | 60 |
| 2005 | Steve Weatherford | 42.6 | Jason Reda | 20-20 | 13-20 | Jason Reda | 59 |
| 2006 | Kyle Yelton | 37.4 | Jason Reda | 24-24 | 15-19 | Jason Reda | 69 |
| 2007 | Anthony Santella | 37.7 | Jason Reda | 44-45 | 16-18 | Rashard Mendenhall | 114 |
| 2008 | Anthony Santella | 38.4 | Matt Eller | 39-41 | 15-20 | Matt Eller | 84 |
| 2009 | Anthony Santella | 41.3 | Matt Eller | 23-24 | 4-10 | Mikel Leshoure | 42 |
| 2010 | Anthony Santella | 44.8 | Derek Dimke | 43-43 | 24-29 | Mikel Leshoure | 122 |
| 2011 | Ryan Lankford | 40.1 | Derek Dimke | 34-34 | 10-12 | Derek Dimke | 64 |
| 2012 | Justin DuVernois | 41.9 | Taylor Zalewski | 12-12 | 4-7 | Ryan Lankford | 30 |
| 2013 | Justin DuVernois | 41.1 | Taylor Zalewski | 38-38 | 12-17 | Taylor Zalewski | 74 |
| 2014 | Justin DuVernois | 44.0 | David Reisner | 22-24 | 6-11 | Josh Ferguson | 60 |
| 2015 | Ryan Frain | 40.2 | Taylor Zalewski | 31-31 | 16-25 | Taylor Zalewski | 79 |
| 2016 | Ryan Frain | 40.1 | Chase McLaughlin | 26-26 | 12-17 | Chase McLaughlin | 62 |
| 2017 | Blake Hayes | 42.0 | Chase McLaughlin | 17-17 | 12-17 | Chase McLaughlin | 53 |
| Yearly Leaders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Interceptions | No. | Yards | Avg. | TD |
| 1949 | @Ruck Steger | 3 | 30 | 10.0 | 0 |
| 1950 | Al Brosky | 11 | 96 | 8.7 | 1 |
| 1951 | Al Brosky | 11 | 197 | 17.9 | 0 |
| 1952 | Al Brosky | 8 | 77 | 9.6 | 0 |
| 1953-58 | na | ||||
| 1959 | @Marshall Starks | 4 | 74 | 18.5 | 0 |
| 1960-61 | na | ||||
| 1962 | @Dick Butkus | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 0 |
| 1963 | George Donnelly | 5 | 88 | 17.6 | 0 |
| 1964 | George Donnelly | 8 | 54 | 6.8 | 0 |
| 1965 | @Don Hansen | 3 | 20 | 6.7 | 0 |
| @Ron Acks | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | |
| 1966 | Phil Knell | 7 | 83 | 11.9 | 0 |
| 1967 | Ron Bess | 6 | 198 | 33.0 | 1 |
| 1968 | Charlie Bareither | 3 | 63 | 21.0 | 0 |
| 1969 | John Ryan | 2 | 33 | 16.5 | 0 |
| Bob Bucklin | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | |
| 1970 | Gary Windy | 3 | 36 | 12.0 | 0 |
| 1971 | Willie Osley | 7 | 127 | 18.1 | 1 |
| 1972 | Mike Gow | 4 | 64 | 16.0 | 0 |
| 1973 | Mike Gow | 10 | 142 | 14.2 | 1 |
| 1974 | Mike Gow | 5 | 78 | 15.6 | 2 |
| 1975 | Bill Cerney | 2 | 49 | 24.5 | 0 |
| Mac McCracken | 2 | 30 | 15.0 | 0 | |
| 1976 | Dale Hardy | 3 | 115 | 38.3 | 0 |
| 1977 | David Blakely | 3 | 40 | 13.3 | 0 |
| John Meyer | 3 | 34 | 11.3 | 0 | |
| 1978 | Lloyd Levitt | 4 | 56 | 14.0 | 0 |
| 1979 | Jack Squirek | 2 | 32 | 16.0 | 0 |
| Bonji Bonner | 2 | 21 | 10.5 | 0 | |
| Dave Kelly | 2 | 9 | 4.5 | 0 | |
| 1980 | Six Tied | 1 | |||
| 1981 | Kelvin Atkins | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 |
| Craig Kirbel | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | |
| 1982 | Craig Swoope | 5 | 112 | 22.4 | 0 |
| 1983 | David Edwards | 5 | 95 | 19.0 | 2 |
| Mike Heaven | 5 | 52 | 10.4 | 0 | |
| 1984 | Craig Swoope | 3 | 101 | 33.7 | 1 |
| Mike Heaven | 3 | 7 | 2.3 | 0 | |
| 1985 | Craig Swoope | 3 | 8 | 2.7 | 0 |
| Todd Avery | 3 | 2 | 0.7 | 0 | |
| 1986 | African Grant | 2 | 4 | 2.0 | 0 |
| 1987 | Keith Taylor | 4 | 37 | 9.3 | 0 |
| 1988 | Marlon Primous | 3 | 11 | 3.7 | 0 |
| 1989 | Henry Jones | 5 | 58 | 11.6 | 0 |
| 1990 | Romero Brice | 3 | 17 | 5.7 | 0 |
| Henry Jones | 3 | 16 | 5.3 | 0 | |
| 1991 | Filmel Johnson | 3 | 24 | 8.0 | 0 |
| 1992 | Filmel Johnson | 2 | 28 | 14.0 | 0 |
| Jeff Arneson | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 0 | |
| 1993 | Antwoine Patton | 4 | 13 | 3.3 | 0 |
| 1994 | Robert Crumpton | 4 | (-4) | (-1.0) | 0 |
| 1995 | Kevin Hardy | 3 | 26 | 8.7 | 0 |
| Dennis Stallings | 3 | 58 | 19.3 | 0 | |
| Duane Lyle | 3 | 36 | 12.0 | 0 | |
| Trevor Starghill | 3 | 22 | 7.3 | 0 | |
| 1996 | Asim Pleas | 4 | 41 | 10.3 | 1 |
| Trevor Starghill | 4 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | |
| 1997 | Trevor Starghill | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Ivan Benson | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | |
| 1998 | Asim Pleas | 3 | 100 | 33.3 | 1 |
| 1999 | M. Abdullah | 5 | 52 | 10.4 | 0 |
| 2000 | Eugene Wilson | 4 | 22 | 5.5 | 0 |
| 2001 | Eugene Wilson | 6 | 29 | 4.8 | 0 |
| 2002 | Mike Hall | 2 | 9 | 4.5 | 0 |
| 2003 | Marc Jackson | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Travis Williams | 1 | 32 | 32.0 | 1 | |
| 2004 | Kelvin Hayden | 4 | 84 | 21.0 | 1 |
| 2005 | Alan Ball | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| James Cooper | 1 | 41 | 41.0 | 0 | |
| Justin Harrison | 1 | 30 | 30.0 | 0 | |
| Remond Willis | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 0 | |
| 2006 | Travon Bellamy | 2 | 88 | 44.0 | 1 |
| Brit Miller | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 0 | |
| Kevin Mitchell | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | |
| 2007 | Kevin Mitchell | 5 | 1 | 0.2 | 0 |
| 2008 | Vontae Davis | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 |
| 2009 | Russell Ellington | 1 | 78 | 78.0 | 0 |
| Doug Pilcher | 1 | 41 | 41.0 | 0 | |
| Tavon Wilson | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Terry Hawthorne | 1 | 44 | 44.0 | 1 | |
| Garrett Edwards | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 0 | |
| 2010 | Trulon Henry | 3 | 24 | 8.0 | 0 |
| 2011 | Terry Hawthorne | 3 | 39 | 13.0 | 1 |
| 2012 | Steve Hull | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 0 |
| 2013 | Jonathan Brown | 1 | 16 | 16.0 | 0 |
| V’Angelo Bentley | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | |
| Taylor Barton | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | |
| 2014 | Mason Monheim | 2 | 52 | 26.0 | 1 |
| 2015 | Taylor Barton | 4 | 49 | 12.2 | 0 |
| 2016 | Darius Mosely | 2 | 102 | 51.0 | 1 |
| Hardy Nickerson | 2 | 33 | 16.5 | 0 | |
| 2017 | Bennett Williams | 3 | 55 | 18.3 | 0 |
@ Big Ten games only
| Yearly Leaders | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Tackles | Assist | Solo | Total | Tackles For Loss | TFL-Yds | Sacks | Sacks-Yds |
| 1970 | - | - | - | - | Jim Rucks | 10-78 | - | - |
| 1971 | Dave Wright | 53 | 49 | 102 | Tab Bennett | 11-53 | - | - |
| 1972 | Larry Allen | 57 | 45 | 102 | Larry Allen | 14-62 | - | - |
| 1973 | Ty McMillin | 51 | 47 | 98 | Octavus Morgan | 18-89 | - | - |
| 1974 | Ty McMillin | 80 | 39 | 119 | John DiFeliciantonio | 12-43 | - | - |
| 1975 | John Sullivan | 69 | 72 | 141 | John DiFeliciantonio | 10-32 | - | - |
| 1976 | Scott Studwell | 95 | 82 | 177 | John DiFeliciantonio | 10-72 | - | - |
| 1977 | John Sullivan | 78 | 124 | 202 | Bruce Thornton | 10-50 | - | - |
| 1978 | John Gillen | 80 | 75 | 155 | John Gillen | 9-28 | - | - |
| 1979 | John Gillen | 44 | 85 | 129 | Kelvin Atkins | 10-30 | - | - |
| 1980 | John Gillen | 53 | 65 | 118 | John Gillen | 10-41 | - | - |
| 1981 | Jack Squirek | 34 | 59 | 93 | Don Thorp | 12-71 | - | - |
| 1982 | Mike Weingrad | 43 | 31 | 74 | Epps/Thorp | 9 | - | - |
| 1983 | Don Thorp | 49 | 41 | 90 | Don Thorp | 18-99 | Don Thorp | 6.0-48 |
| 1984 | Sam Ellsworth | 42 | 29 | 71 | Guy Teafatiller | 8-52 | Guy Teafatiller | 5.0-43 |
| 1985 | Mark Tagart | 63 | 23 | 86 | Scott Davis | 11 -75 | Scott Davis | 10.0-67 |
| 1986 | Ed White | 57 | 59 | 116 | Davis/Piel | 9 | Davis/Hairston | 4.0 |
| 1987 | Glenn Cobb | 63 | 57 | 120 | Mike Piel | 19-88 | Scott Davis | 10.0-74 |
| 1988 | Darrick Brownlow | 99 | 67 | 166 | Moe Gardner | 10-31 | Mel Agee | 3.0-35 |
| 1989 | Darrick Brownlow | 73 | 64 | 137 | Moe Gardner | 20-92 | Gardner/Agee | 9.0 |
| 1990 | Darrick Brownlow | 105 | 56 | 161 | Three Tied | 9 | Mike Poloskey | 5.0-37 |
| 1991 | Dana Howard | 102 | 45 | 147 | Mike Poloskey | 23-104 | Mike Poloskey | 15.0-88 |
| 1992 | Dana Howard | 85 | 65 | 150 | Simeon Rice | 11-67 | Simeon Rice | 9.0-65 |
| 1993 | Dana Howard | 89 | 59 | 148 | Mikki Johnson | 17-73 | Simeon Rice | 8.0-45 |
| 1994 | Dana Howard | 84 | 66 | 150 | Simeon Rice | 20-126 | Simeon Rice | 16-114 |
| 1995 | Dennis Stallings | 90 | 40 | 130 | Simeon Rice | 23-127 | Simeon Rice | 11.5-80 |
| 1996 | Dennis Stallings | 87 | 48 | 135 | Jeff Weisse | 5-19 | Paul Marshall | 5.0-4 |
| 1997 | Danny Clark | 70 | 25 | 95 | Danny Clark | 13-55 | Clark/Wakefield | 5.0 |
| 1998 | Danny Clark | 84 | 31 | 115 | Garrett Johnson | 11-49 | Garrett Johnson | 5.5-40 |
| 1999 | Danny Clark | 82 | 37 | 119 | Danny Clark | 11-65 | Mike McGee | 7.0-41 |
| 2000 | Robert Franklin | 83 | 26 | 109 | Fred Wakefield | 21-78 | Fred Wakefield | 9.0-58 |
| 2001 | Jerry Schumacher | 85 | 40 | 125 | Jerry Schumacher | 17-45 | Jerry Schumacher | 6.0-23 |
| 2002 | Jerry Schumacher | 78 | 44 | 122 | Schumacher/Strong | 12 | Schumacher/Strong | 5.0-32 |
| 2003 | Matt Sinclair | 61 | 68 | 129 | Derrick Strong | 11-28 | Three Tied | 4.0 |
| 2004 | Matt Sinclair | 47 | 40 | 87 | Matt Sinclair | 8-47 | Matt Sinclair | 4.0-31 |
| 2005 | Kevin Mitchell | 49 | 29 | 78 | Chris Norwell | 7.5-31 | Chris Norwell | 3.0-19 |
| 2006 | J Leman | 75 | 77 | 152 | J Leman | 19-65 | Derek Walker | 5.5-25 |
| 2007 | J Leman | 71 | 61 | 132 | Will Davis | 12.5-56 | Will Davis | 9.5-45 |
| 2008 | Brit Miller | 72 | 60 | 132 | Brit Miller | 15.5-63 | Walker/Miller | 6.0 |
| 2009 | Ian Thomas | 57 | 38 | 95 | Clay Nurse | 10.5-54 | Clay Nurse | 5.5-37 |
| 2010 | Martez Wilson | 47 | 65 | 112 | Corey Liuget | 12.5-43 | Corey Liuget | 4.5-27 |
| 2011 | Jonathan Brown | 62 | 46 | 108 | Whitney Mercilus | 22.5-123 | Whitney Mercilus | 16.0-105 |
| 2012 | Mason Monheim | 33 | 53 | 86 | Jonathan Brown | 9.5-37 | Michael Buchanan | 4.5-43 |
| 2013 | Jonathan Brown | 62 | 57 | 115 | Jonathan Brown | 15-53 | Jonathan Brown | 5.0-31 |
| 2014 | Mason Monheim | 43 | 68 | 111 | Teitsma/Thomas III | 9.5 | Earnest Thomas III | 4.5-25 |
| 2015 | Clayton Fejedelem | 74 | 66 | 140 | Dawuane Smoot | 15-84 | Dawuane Smoot | 8.0-64 |
| 2016 | Hardy Nickerson | 69 | 38 | 107 | Carroll Phillips | 20.0-89 | Carroll Phillips | 9.0-58 |
| 2017 | Del'Shawn Phillips | 46 | 39 | 85 | James Crawford | 5.5-30 | Crawford/Roundtree | 4.0 |