Joe Barna

Photo by: Aaron Quinn/Fighting Illini

Photo by: Aaron Quinn/Fighting Illini

Photo by: Aaron Quinn/Fighting Illini

Photo by: Ashley Ray/Fighting Illini

Photo by: Illinois Fighting Illini

Played in nine regular-season games
Three tackles (one solo) with a sack for a loss of five yards in college debut vs. Eastern Illinois (8/29/24)
Three tackles (two solo) and a half sack in homecoming win over Central Michigan (9/14/24)
Season-high five tackles (three solo, two assisted) against #9 Penn State (9/28/24)

Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals
Defensive lineman ranks: #101 (ESPN), #131 (247Sports), #136 (On3)
State of Illinois ranks: #24 (ESPN), #27 (Rivals), #31 (247Sports), #37 (On3)
Played for head coach Joe Wardynski at Wheaton North
2023 IHSFCA 7A All-State
2023 News-Gazette All-State Special Mention
Two-time all-area
2023 DuKane Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year
Two-time All-DuKane Conference
2023 Wheaton North Defensive Player of the Year
Helped Wheaton North to state titles in 2021 and 2022
Also played basketball as a freshman and sophomore
Offers included Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Purdue, Tulane, Washington State, and Wisconsin

Born February 8, 2006
Son of Dan and Michelle Barna
One brother, Andrew
Chose Illinois because, “The coaches and the atmosphere. I feel like to have Coach Bielema as a defensive-minded coach and have had coached D-line and played, it helps me. The atmosphere also truly embodies their motto that is FamILLy. This group of coaches and people do really give the family feel and I think big things are ahead for this program.”
Majoring in exploratory studies