2021 Football Roster
Jersey Number 87
Daniel Barker
- Position:
- TE
- Class:
- Junior
- Height:
- 6-4
- Weight:
- 250
- Hometown:
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- High School:
- Deerfield Beach
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
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
