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Preston Gordon is in his second season as a defensive graduate assistant at Illinois in 2022. Gordon was a standout defensive lineman at Rice and Texas Tech before signing professionally with the Atlanta Falcons and Frisco Fighters (Indoor Football League).

Gordon helped coach one of the best defensive turnarounds in the nation in 2021, helping Illinois to a 5-7 record and ranked wins over #7 Penn State and #20 Minnesota. Illinois' scoring defense (31st from 97th), third down defense (31st from 89th), and total defense (52nd from 114th) all improved more than 50 spots in the nation rankings from 2020. The Illini made massive gains in the Big Ten defensive rankings, as well, jumping 9+ spots in scoring defense (4th from 14th), touchdowns allowed (t-3rd from 14th), yards allowed per game (5th from 14th), and passing yards allowed per game (1st from 10th). 

Gordon played his first four seasons of college football at Rice before transferring to Texas Tech for his senior year in 2018. He had 21 tackles and 2.5 TFLs while playing in all 12 games and starting three at nose tackle.

Gordon ended his Rice career with 28 starts on the defensive line in three seasons, totaling 87 tackles and 17.5 TFLs. He came to Rice out of Frisco Heritage High School in Frisco, Texas, where he finished his career with 209 tackles, 28 sacks, and 34 TFLs.

Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Rice in 2018. He finished a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies at Texas Tech in 2019.