2025 Football Roster
Jersey Number 42
Luke Zardzin
- Position:
- LB
- Class:
- Senior
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- 225
- Major:
- Management
- Hometown:
- Mount Prospect, Ill.
- High School:
- Prospect
 University of Illinois Graduate |
2025 Senior
- Academic All-Big Ten
- Played in four games
- Five total tackles (four solo) on the season
- Tied career high with three tackles (all solo) in Week 3 win vs. Western Michigan (9/13/25)
- Participated in the 2025 NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis
2024 Junior
- Academic All-Big Ten
- Played in all 13 games
- Seven tackles (three solo) and one pass breakup on the season
- Recorded career-high three tackles (two solo) and a pass breakup at Wrigley Field vs. Northwestern (11/30/24)
2023 Sophomore
- Academic All-Big Ten
- Played in all 12 games, primarily on special teams
2022 Redshirt Freshman
- Academic All-Big Ten
- Played in one game
2021 Freshman
- Did not play in a game
- Illinois Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Week following the win at Minnesota 11/6/21
High School
- Helped Mount Prospect win the MSL East Division as a senior
- 2021 MSL East Offensive Player of the Year
- 2021 all-state and 2019 all-state honorable mention
- Three-time all-conference
- Two-time all-area
- Also played basketball and ran track and field
Personal
- Born July 28, 2003
- Son of Dave and Wendy Zardzin
- Has one brother, Jack, and two sisters, Paige and Kate
- Chose Illinois because, “The facilities and coaching staff are second to none in the country.”
- Majoring in Management (Master's)
- Graduated from the University of Illinois in August 2025 with a degree in recreation, sport, & tourism
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
