2021 Football Roster
Jersey Number 46
Alec McEachern
- Position:
- LB
- Class:
- Junior
- Height:
- 6-1
- Weight:
- 225
- Hometown:
- Plainfield, Ill.
- High School:
- Benet Academy
2021 Senior
- Academic All-Big Ten
- NFF Hampshire Honor Society
- Played in all 12 games with one start
- Nine tackles on the season
- Awarded with a scholarship by head coach Bret Bielema after during team meeting 4/6/21 (video)
2020 Junior
- Played in all eight games, primarily on special teams
- Five tackles on the season
2019 Sophomore
- Played in all 13 games, primarily on special teams
- Four tackles on the season
2018 Redshirt Freshman
- Played four games, primarily on special teams
- Made his Illinois debut against Minnesota 11/3/18, making one tackle
- Also played against Nebraska, Iowa and Northwestern
- Academic All-Big Ten
2017 Freshman
- Walk-on redshirted the 2017 season
High School
- All-state honorable mention as a senior
- Two-time all-conference and all-area selection
- Two-time Benet Co-Offensive MVP
- Lettered three years
- Played for coach Pat New
- Also lettered in baseball (3), basketball (1) and lacrosse (1) in high school
Personal
- Born Feb. 2, 1999
- Son of TJ and Tess McEachern
- One brother, Hayes, and one sister, Avery
- Father, TJ, played football at North Central
- Uncle played football at Aurora
- Chose Illinois because, “Illinois was my favorite team as a kid and was always a dream school of mine. I also wanted to be coached by a man who has great integrity and is known by his players to be a players dream coach. Finally, Illinois has some of the best academics in the country.”
- Plans to start his own business following his playing career
- Graduated with a degree in finance
- Enrolled in the technology management master's program
Illinois Football | Bret Bielema Press Conference 3/5/26
Thursday, March 05
Illinois Football | Bobby Hauck Introductory Press Conference 2/12/26
Thursday, February 12
Illinois Football | Bret Bielema Press Conference 2/4/26
Thursday, February 05
Illinois Football | Xavier Scott Return Announcement Press Conference Press Conference 1/21/26
Wednesday, January 21
