2025 Football Roster
Jersey Number 1
Mario Sanders II
- Position:
- WR
- Class:
- Junior
- Height:
- 5-10
- Weight:
- 195
- Major:
- Recreation, Sport, & Tourism
- Hometown:
- Minneapolis, Minn.
- High School:
- Minneapolis North
- Prev School:
- Iowa Central CC
2025 Junior
- Entered the transfer portal following the season
- Played in three games
- First career reception as an Illini, for 14 yards, in Week 1 victory vs. Western Illinois (8/29/25)
2024 Sophomore
- Did not play in a game
2023 Redshirt Freshman - Iowa Central CC
- Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals
- Junior college ranks: #32 (ESPN), #34 (247Sports), #60 (On3)
- Junior college wide receiver ranks: #6 (247Sports), #8 (ESPN), #11 (On3)
- Played for head coach Jesse Montalto at Iowa Central CC
- 2023 NJCAA All-American First Team
- 2023 ICCAC Offensive Player of the Year
- Led the NJCAA in receptions (72)
- Tied for the national lead in receiving touchdowns (12)
- Ranked third in the nation in receiving yards (942)
- Five 100-yard games
- Four multi-touchdown games
- Returned two kicks for touchdowns
- Offers included Eastern Kentucky, Incarnate Word, Northern Iowa, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State, Southeast Missouri State, Utah State
2022 Freshman - Iowa Central CC
- Redshirted the season
High School
- Played for head coach Charles Adams at Minneapolis North
- Also played basketball in high school
- Honor Roll
Personal
- Born June 18, 2004
- Son of Mario and Jacquana Sanders
- One brother, J’Marion, and one sister, Quamariye
- Chose Illinois because, “It felt like home. I felt connected with coaches and players.”
- Majoring in recreation, sport, and 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
