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University of Illinois Athletics

2025 Football Roster

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
  • Instagram jiggy.rio
  • Twitter Mariosanders_1

Biography

2025 Junior

  • 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

Statistics

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 1

    2024Sophomore

    WR
    5'10" 190 lbs
    1
  • 1

    2025Junior

    WR
    5'10" 195 lbs
    1