2021 Football Roster
Jersey Number 86
Donny Navarro III
- Position:
- WR
- Class:
- Junior
- Height:
- 5-11
- Weight:
- 185
- Hometown:
- Naperville, Ill.
- High School:
- Neuqua Valley
- Prev School:
- Valparaiso
2021 Junior
- Announced intentions to transfer following the season
- Academic All-Big Ten
- Played in all 12 games with four starts
- 17 receptions for 167 receiving yards on the season
- Fourth on the team in receptions (17)
- 16 punt returns for 121 yards on the season
- Fourth in the Big Ten in yards per punt return (7.6)
- Three kickoff returns for 49 yards on the season
- Burlsworth Trophy nominee, presented to the best former walk-on in college football
2020 Junior
- Played in all eight games and started three at wide receiver
- Eight catches for 88 yards on the season
- One punt return for 16 yards on the season
- Rated as the No. 4 wide receiver in the nation after win over Nebraska 11/21/20 and No. 2 among receivers with multiple receptions according PFF
2019 Sophomore
- Back-up wide receiver
- Surprised with a full scholarship by head coach Lovie Smith during a team meeting 11/7/19 (video)
- 27 receptions, 345 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns on the season
- Five punt returns for 25 yards on the season
- Second on the team in receptions (27) and receiving yards (345)
- Career-high seven receptions for 49 yards at Michigan State 11/9/19 to help Illinois win 37-34 in the biggest comeback in program history
- Career-high 57 receiving yards and tied career high with 48-yard reception in 38-10 win over Rutgers 11/2/19
- First career start in 24-6 win at Purdue 10/26/19
- First career Illini touchdown on a 48-yard reception vs. No. 6 Wisconsin 10/19/19 to help Illinois win 24-23 and complete one of the biggest upsets in Big Ten history
- Three receptions for 33 yards at Minnesota 10/5/19
- Made Illinois debut in the season opener against Akron
2018 Sophomore
- Sat out the season due to NCAA transfer rules
- Three years of eligibility remaining starting in 2019
2017 Freshman (Valparaiso)
- Led Valparaiso in receptions (32), receiving yards (539), yards per catch (16.8), touchdown receptions (5) and receiving yards per game (49.0)
- Transferred to Illinois following his freshman season with three years of eligibility left
- Led all PFL freshmen in receiving yards per game, total receiving yards and yards per catch
- 50-yard reception at Montana on Sept. 2 for first career catch
- 33-yard touchdown at Montana for his first collegiate score
- Finished his collegiate debut with three catches for 93 yards
- First career two-touchdown game on Sept. 30, helping Valpo to a 27-24 win over Stetson
- Totaled 100 receiving yards against Stetson, which stood as his season high
- Fourth Crusader in the last 10 years to surpass 500 yards receiving in a season
- Longest catch of the season was a 79-yarder on Oct. 28 against Morehead State
- Season-high six receptions Sept. 16 at Trinity International
High School
- Played for head coach Bill Ellinghaus at Neuqua Valley
- Unanimous all-conference selection
- All-DuPage County
- Naperville Sun All-Area first team
- Neuqua Valley Football Athlete of the Year
- Team captain
- Also played basketball as a freshman and sophomore
- Two-time national qualifier in Business Professionals of America
Personal
- Born Aug. 25, 1999
- Son of Don Navarro, Jr. and Shirley Navarro
- Younger brother, Donovan, and younger sister, Zoe
- Picked Illinois because of the, “it was a great fit for me as a student-athlete. Academically, it is one of the top universities in the country. The football program has great coaching, is a good fit, and competes in the Big Ten Conference.”
- Plans to, “design and implement digital technologies that promote learning through the use of web technologies and mobile applications,” following his playing career
- Graduated with a degree in information sciences
- 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
