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University of Illinois Athletics

2021 Football Roster

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Mark Jones / Illinois Athletics

87 Daniel Barker

  • Position TE
  • Class Junior
  • Height 6-4
  • Weight 250
  • Hometown Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
  • High School Deerfield Beach
  • Instagram 87_degrees
  • Twitter DB9_Era

Biography

2021 Junior

  • Announced intentions to transfer following the season
  • Played in 12 games with five starts
  • Third on the team with 18 receptions for 202 receiving yards and tied for the team lead with four receiving touchdowns
  • Tied for the team lead with five touchdowns (4 receiving, 1 rushing)
  • 17th in the Big Ten in receiving touchdowns (4)
  • Illinois career record holder for touchdown receptions by a tight end (11)
  • First tight end to catch two touchdowns in a game since Matt LaCosse in 2013
  • Career-high five receptions for 74 receiving yards and two touchdowns against UTSA 9/4/21
  • PFF Preseason All-Big Ten third team
  • No. 15 NFL Draft prospect among tight ends according to The Athletic

2020 Junior

  • Played in all eight games and started five at tight end
  • 19 catches for 268 yards and two touchdowns on the season
  • Second on the team in catches (19)
  • Second on the team in receiving yards (268)

2019 Sophomore

  • Played on all 13 games and started eight at tight end
  • 18 receptions, 273 receiving yards, four touchdowns on the season
  • 25th in the Big Ten in receiving touchdowns (4)
  • Second on the team in receiving touchdowns (4) and third in receiving yards (273)
  • Game-winning last-second touchdown catch at Michigan State 11/9/19 to help Illinois finish the biggest comeback in program history in 37-34 win
  • Three receptions for 37 yards vs. No. 6 Wisconsin, 10/19/19 to help Illinois win 24-23 and complete one of the biggest upsets in Big Ten History
  • Career-highs in receptions (4, tied), receiving yards (90) and long reception (52) against Eastern Michigan 9/14/19
  • Caught a touchdown at UConn 9/7/19, his second straight game with a TD to start the season

2018 Freshman

  • Played all 12 games with three starts at tight end
  • Sixth-most starts at TE by a true freshman in Illinois history
  • Nine receptions for 84 yards and one touchdown on season
  • First career touchdown against Minnesota 11/3/18 on a career-long 30-yard reception
  • First career reception against South Florida 9/15/18
  • First career start in season opener against Kent State 9/1/18
  • Second true freshman tight end to start a season opener in program history, joining Evan Wilson in 2010

High School

  • Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals
  • Ranked No. 66 tight end in the nation by 247Sports
  • Ranked No. 237 recruit in Florida by 247Sports
  • 2017 Sun Sentinel honorable mention
  • High school teammate of fellow Illini Jakari Norwood
  • Verbally committed to Illinois in July 2017
  • Offers included Kentucky, Pittsburg, FIU, FAU, Marshall, Southern Miss, Toledo, UAB and UCF

Personal

  • Born Sept. 23, 1999
  • Majoring in communication

Statistics

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 87

    2018Freshman

    TE
    6'4" 245 lbs
    87
  • 87

    2019Sophomore

    TE
    6'4" 250 lbs
    87
  • 87

    2020Junior

    TE
    6'4" 250 lbs
    87
  • 87

    2021Junior

    TE
    6'4" 250 lbs
    87