NIL Opportunities

2023 Redshirt Freshman

• Did not play in a game 

2022 Freshman

• Played in one game and redshirted the season
• Made his Illinois debut against Chattanooga 9/22/22

High School 

• Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals
• Position ranks: #62 (Rivals), #115 (247), #153 (ESPN)
• State ranks: #9 (Rivals), #18 (247), #19 (ESPN)
• Played for head coach Matt Battaglia at Fenwick
• Three-year varsity starter
• Led Fenwick to the 2021 IHSA 5A state championship
• Also played basketball and ran track in high school
• Offers included Ball State, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Toledo, and UNLV

Personal

• Born January 21, 2004
• Son of Melanie and Gregory Pugh
• One brother, Evan
• Uncle, Deryk Gilmore, played football at Penn State and attended Illinois for his master’s degree
• Chose Illinois because, “The overall school and the connections I can make with the people here. Also, the coaching staff made me feel welcome. It was the best official visit I had, so it was a no-brainer when the time came.”
• Plans to major in business