2019 Football Roster
Jersey Number 9
Dele Harding
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-1 / 230
- Position:
- LB
- Hometown:
- Elkton, Md.
- High School:
- Eastern Christian
Pronunciation: DAY-lay
Career Highs
Tackles: 17 vs Eastern Michigan, 9/14/19
Solos: 7 vs Eastern Michigan, 9/14/19
TFLs: 2.0, twice (last at Michigan State, 11/9/19)
Fumbles Forced: 1, four times (last vs. Rutgers 11/2/19)
Fumbles Recovered: 1 vs. Wisconsin, 10/19/19
Interceptions: 1, three times (last vs. Rutgers 11/2/19)
Interception Return Yards: 54 vs. Rutgers 11/2/19
Touchdowns: 1, twice (last vs. Rutgers 11/2/19)
2019 Senior
- Started all 13 games at linebacker
- Team captain for second straight season
- All-Big Ten first team (media)
- All-Big Ten third team (coaches)
- Associated Press All-Big Ten second team
- Led the Big Ten and ranked second in the nation in tackles per game (11.8), behind only Cal’s Evan Weaver (14.0)
- 153 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery on the season
- Second in the Big Ten in interceptions (3)
- No. 45 graded linebacker in the nation and No. 8 in the Big Ten by PFF (74.2)
- Led Illinois in tackles (153) and TFLs (14.5) and tied for the team lead in interceptions (3)
- 14 tackles and 2.0 TFLs at Michigan State 11/9/19 to help Illinois win 37-34 in the biggest comeback in program history
- Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and PFF National Team of the Week after 12 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, one forced fumble, and one interception returned for a touchdown against Rutgers 11/2/19
- Became just the second player in the nation in the last 20 seasons to have 12+ tackles, 2.0+ TFLs, 1+ forced fumbles, 1+ interceptions, and 1+ touchdowns in a single game against Rutgers 11/2/19 (Kentuckey's Mike Edwards vs. Middle Tennessee 11/17/2018)
- PFF National Team of the Week after 12 tackles vs. No. 6 Wisconsin 10/19/19 to help Illinois win 24-23 and complete one of the biggest upsets in Big Ten History
- First career touchdown on an interception and 40-yard return at Minnesota 10/5/19, while also adding 15 tackles
- Career-high 17 tackles against Eastern Michigan, the most by an Illini since Clayton Fejedelem had 19 against Wisconsin in 2015
- First career interception helped seal the win in the fourth quarter at UConn 9/7/19
- PFF Big Ten Team of the Week after UConn game 9/7/19
- Voted the team’s Defensive MVP at the annual postseason banquet
2018 Junior
- Voted team’s special teams captain for the season
- Played nine games at linebacker and on special teams coverage, with two starts at linebacker
- 37 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble on season
- Foruth on the team in TFLs (5.0)
- Started and had a career-high 1.5 TFLs and first career forced fumble at Nebraska 11/10/18
- Tied career high with seven tackles against Minnesota 11/3/18
2017 Sophomore
- Played in eight games with five starts at linebacker
- Missed four games with injuries
- Sixth on the team in tackles (32)
- Second on the team in special teams tackles (4)
- First start of the season at Iowa
2016 Freshman
- Nine games played, primarily on special teams
- First career TFL vs. Minnesota
- Career-high seven tackles (three solo) and 0.5 TFL vs. Michigan State during increased playing time on defense
- Missed the final three games with an injury
High School
- Consensus three-star recruit (247 Sports, ESPN.com, Rivals and Scout)
- Ranked as No. 1 ILB in Maryland and No. 23 in nation by Scout
- Ranked as No. 18 overall recruit in Maryland by ESPN.com, No. 19 by 247sports and No. 20 by Rivals
- Two-time consensus all-state
- Led team with 118 tackles, 23 TFLs, five sacks and three interceptions in 2015
- Tallied 75 tackles and forced five fumbles in 2014
- Captained the team as a junior and senior
- Lettered four years in high school
- Played for head coach Dwayne Thomas
- Originally committed to Michigan and also had offers from Rutgers, Tennessee and USC
Personal
- Born March 28, 1998
- Son of David and Akeya Harding
- Has one brother and one sister
- Chose Illinois because, “academics, coaching and being a part of something special.”
- Plans to work in physical therapy following his playing career
- Majoring in kinesiology
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
