The Top Ranked Illinois Fighting Illini Football Players of All-Time Help Keep the Site Ad Free By Supporting us at Patreon
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The Top Ranked Illinois Fighting Illini Football Players of All-Time
Notes: The players on this list are the greatest pro players that finished their college career at this school.
What players did in college is not factored into this list.
For a list of players based on college stats please go this page: Best Illinois Fightin Illini College Players.
| Rnk | Athlete | POS | Rookie Yr | Overall Rank |
| 1 | Dick Butkus | LB | 1965 | 50 |
| 2 | Bobby Mitchell | WR | 1958 | 122 |
| 3 | Ray Nitschke | LB | 1958 | 322 |
| 4 | Bill D. Brown | RB | 1961 | 532 |
| 5 | Simeon Rice | DL | 1996 | 615 |
| 6 | Abe Woodson | DB | 1958 | 652 |
| 7 | Red Grange | RB | 1925 | 659 |
| 8 | Buddy Young | RB | 1947 | 1046 |
| 9 | Ernie McMillan | OL | 1961 | 1102 |
| 10 | Joey Sternaman | RB | 1922 | 1212 |
| 11 | Scott Studwell | LB | 1977 | 1252 |
| 12 | Chuck Kassel | E | 1927 | 1273 |
| 13 | George Halas | E | 1920 | 1329 |
| 14 | Dutch Sternaman | RB | 1920 | 1416 |
| 15 | Julie Rykovich | RB | 1947 | 1432 |
| 16 | Larry McCarren | OL | 1973 | 1459 |
| 17 | Jeff George | QB | 1990 | 1507 |
| 18 | Ken Dilger | TE | 1995 | 1519 |
| 19 | Brad Hopkins | OL | 1993 | 1644 |
| 20 | David Diehl | OL | 2003 | 1696 |
| 21 | Les Bingaman | DL | 1948 | 1716 |
| 22 | Kevin Hardy | LB | 1996 | 1869 |
| 23 | Don Hansen | LB | 1966 | 1920 |
| 24 | Pierre Thomas | RB | 2007 | 1955 |
| 25 | Lou Gordon | OL | 1930 | 1996 |
| 26 | Joe Rutgens | DL | 1961 | 1999 |
| 27 | J.C. Caroline | DB | 1956 | 2005 |
| 28 | Neil Rackers | K | 2000 | 2049 |
| 29 | Laurie Walquist | RB | 1922 | 2052 |
| 30 | Brandon Lloyd | WR | 2003 | 2121 |
| 31 | Preston Pearson | RB | 1967 | 2440 |
| 32 | Doug Dieken | OL | 1971 | 2463 |
| 33 | Oscar Knop | RB | 1920 | 2570 |
| 34 | Abe Woodson (KR) | KR | 1958 | 2679 |
| 35 | Henry Jones | DB | 1991 | 2681 |
| 36 | Brandon Moore | OL | 2003 | 2683 |
| 37 | Ed O'Bradovich | DL | 1962 | 2976 |
| 38 | Jim McMillen | OL | 1924 | 3107 |
| 39 | Vontae Davis | DB | 2009 | 3188 |
| 40 | Steve Weatherford | P | 2006 | 3280 |
| 41 | Whitney Mercilus | LB | 2012 | 3344 |
| 42 | Abe Woodson (PR) | PR | 1958 | 3377 |
| 43 | Jimmy Warren | DB | 1964 | 3381 |
| 44 | Tony Eason | QB | 1983 | 3508 |
| 45 | Jack Trudeau | QB | 1986 | 3541 |
| 46 | Buddy Young (KR) | KR | 1947 | 3903 |
| 47 | Mike Taliaferro | QB | 1964 | 3959 |
| 48 | Corey Liuget | DL | 2011 | 4016 |
| 49 | Danny Clark | LB | 2000 | 4148 |
| 50 | Rich Kreitling | WR | 1959 | 4630 |
| 51 | Robert Holcombe | RB | 1998 | 4693 |
| 52 | Howard Griffith | RB | 1991 | 4702 |
| 53 | Jerry Sturm | OL | 1961 | 4800 |
| 54 | Mike Martin (PR) | PR | 1983 | 4802 |
| 55 | Rashard Mendenhall | RB | 2008 | 4896 |
| 56 | Devon Witherspoon | DB | 2023 | 4973 |
| 57 | Jim Grabowski | RB | 1966 | 4990 |
| 58 | Dave Wilson | QB | 1981 | 5023 |
| 59 | Revie Sorey | OL | 1975 | 5058 |
| 60 | Alex Agase | OL | 1947 | 5189 |
| 61 | Ron Acks | LB | 1968 | 5430 |
| 62 | Jake Lanum | RB | 1920 | 5554 |
| 63 | Cyril Pinder | RB | 1968 | 5668 |
| 64 | Nate Johnson | OL | 1946 | 5743 |
| 65 | Greg Lewis | WR | 2003 | 5785 |
| 66 | Russ Smith | OL | 1921 | 5912 |
| 67 | Ted Karras III | OL | 2016 | 5918 |
| 68 | Jameel Cook | RB | 2001 | 6109 |
| 69 | Chuck Ulrich | DL | 1954 | 6111 |
| 70 | Moe Gardner | DL | 1991 | 6472 |
| 71 | Chase McLaughlin | K | 2019 | 6474 |
| 72 | Tommy O'Connell | QB | 1953 | 6559 |
| 73 | Lloyd Burdick | OL | 1931 | 6878 |
| 74 | Joe Krakoski | DB | 1961 | 6969 |
| 75 | Mike Martin | WR | 1983 | 7167 |
| 76 | John Holecek | LB | 1995 | 7310 |
| 77 | Preston Pearson (KR) | KR | 1967 | 7429 |
| 78 | Scott Davis | DL | 1988 | 7512 |
| 79 | Jihad Ward | DL | 2016 | 7537 |
| 80 | Keith Taylor | DB | 1988 | 7542 |
| 81 | Mark Dennis | OL | 1987 | 7588 |
| 82 | Akeem Spence | DL | 2013 | 7608 |
| 83 | Gardie Grange | RB | 1929 | 7642 |
| 84 | Kerby Joseph | DB | 2022 | 7767 |
| 85 | Jim McCarthy | E | 1946 | 7857 |
| 86 | Bobby Mitchell (PR) | PR | 1958 | 7868 |
| 87 | Calvin Thomas | RB | 1982 | 7908 |
| 88 | Dawuane Smoot | DL | 2017 | 7943 |
| 89 | Bobby Mitchell (KR) | KR | 1958 | 7965 |
| 90 | Eugene Wilson | DB | 2003 | 7971 |
| 91 | Rocky Ryan | DB | 1954 | 7983 |
| 92 | George Bernhardt | OL | 1946 | 8426 |
| 93 | Cap Boso | TE | 1986 | 8454 |
| 94 | Tavon Wilson | DB | 2012 | 8501 |
| 95 | Tony Pashos | OL | 2003 | 8546 |
| 96 | Ed Brady | LB | 1984 | 8576 |
| 97 | Don Greenwood | RB | 1945 | 8581 |
| 98 | Jack Crangle | RB | 1923 | 8641 |
| 99 | Sam Knox | OL | 1934 | 8786 |
| 100 | Sid Nichols | RB | 1920 | 8894 |
| 101 | Michael Hoomanawanui | TE | 2010 | 9043 |
| 102 | Dick Hall | OL | 1927 | 9326 |
| 103 | Chase Brown | RB | 2023 | 9391 |
| 104 | Tom Hicks | LB | 1976 | 9424 |
| 105 | Mikel Leshoure | RB | 2011 | 9425 |
| 106 | Chick Maggioli | DB | 1948 | 9430 |
| 107 | Keith L. Jones | RB | 1989 | 9445 |
| 108 | Stan Wallace | DB | 1954 | 9484 |
| 109 | Burt Ingwersen | OL | 1920 | 9517 |
| 110 | Russ Oltz | OL | 1920 | 9677 |
| 111 | Kelvin Hayden | DB | 2005 | 9682 |
| 112 | Lonnie Perrin | RB | 1976 | 9729 |
| 113 | Gerry Sullivan | OL | 1974 | 9742 |
| 114 | Herb Siegert | OL | 1949 | 9791 |
| 115 | Swede Rundquist | OL | 1922 | 9939 |
| 116 | Bernie Halstrom | RB | 1920 | 9941 |
| 117 | Dave Cook | RB | 1934 | 9948 |
| 118 | Jeff Cumberland | TE | 2010 | 10126 |
| 119 | Buddy Young (PR) | PR | 1947 | 10180 |
| 120 | Tony Klimek | DB | 1951 | 10233 |
| 121 | Frosty Peters | RB | 1930 | 10504 |
| 122 | Jeff Allen | OL | 2012 | 10857 |
| 123 | Frank Hartley | TE | 1994 | 10939 |
| 124 | Earl Britton | RB | 1925 | 10953 |
| 125 | Ross Petty | OL | 1920 | 11044 |
| 126 | Nate Hobbs | DB | 2021 | 11419 |
| 127 | Darrick Brownlow | LB | 1991 | 11528 |
| 128 | Jim Juriga | OL | 1986 | 11586 |
| 129 | Johnny Counts (KR) | KR | 1962 | 11604 |
| 130 | Mike Martin (KR) | KR | 1983 | 11841 |
| 131 | Pierre Thomas (KR) | KR | 2007 | 11849 |
| 132 | Paul Patterson | RB | 1949 | 11896 |
| 133 | Arrelious Benn | WR | 2010 | 11977 |
| 134 | Don Stevens (KR) | KR | 1952 | 12008 |
| 135 | Lonnie Perrin (KR) | KR | 1976 | 12269 |
| 136 | Jim McCarthy (K) | K | 1946 | 12290 |
| 137 | Jon Asamoah | OL | 2010 | 12465 |
| 138 | Mike Piel | DL | 1988 | 12655 |
| 139 | Don Stevens | RB | 1952 | 12694 |
| 140 | Don Stevens (PR) | PR | 1952 | 12695 |
| 141 | Al Brosky | DB | 1951 | 12698 |
| 142 | Mike Sherrod | TE | 1981 | 12898 |
| 143 | Ken Gillen | DL | 1983 | 13028 |
| 144 | Marv Berschet | OL | 1952 | 13124 |
| 145 | Sammy Price | RB | 1966 | 13334 |
| 146 | Julie Rykovich (KR) | KR | 1947 | 13402 |
| 147 | Packie Nelson | OL | 1929 | 13573 |
| 148 | Johnny Karras | RB | 1952 | 13816 |
| 149 | Fred Wakefield | DL | 2001 | 13858 |
| 150 | Alan Ball | DB | 2007 | 13878 |
| 151 | Adam Lingner | OL | 1983 | 13890 |
| 152 | Mush Crawford | OL | 1925 | 14115 |
| 153 | Tommy DeVito | QB | 2023 | 14183 |
| 154 | John Wright (WR) | WR | 1968 | 14486 |
| 155 | Terry Miller | LB | 1968 | 14566 |
| 156 | Doug Cozen | TE | 1980 | 14659 |
| 157 | Darryl Usher (KR) | KR | 1989 | 14980 |
| 158 | Geronimo Allison | WR | 2016 | 15086 |
| 159 | Jer'Zhan Newton | DL | 2024 | 15133 |
| 160 | Keith L. Jones (KR) | KR | 1989 | 15150 |
| 161 | Perry Moss | QB | 1948 | 15311 |
| 162 | Marshall Starks (KR) | KR | 1963 | 15560 |
| 163 | Matt Cushing | TE | 1998 | 15610 |
| 164 | Jack Squirek | LB | 1982 | 15642 |
| 165 | Joe Wendryhoski | OL | 1961 | 15782 |
| 166 | Gregg Schumacher | DL | 1965 | 15789 |
| 167 | Dick Reichle | E | 1923 | 15850 |
| 168 | Jack Depler | OL | 1921 | 15851 |
| 169 | Scott Turner | DB | 1995 | 16049 |
| 170 | David Williams | WR | 1986 | 16131 |
| 171 | Mitchell Brookins | WR | 1984 | 16144 |
| 172 | Matt LaCosse | TE | 2015 | 16369 |
| 173 | Josh Ferguson | RB | 2016 | 16371 |
| 174 | Carey Davis | RB | 2004 | 16384 |
| 175 | Mel Agee | DL | 1991 | 16768 |
| 176 | Tim Norman | OL | 1981 | 16812 |
| 177 | Ron Ferrari | LB | 1982 | 16862 |
| 178 | Dwight Beverly | RB | 1984 | 17040 |
| 179 | George Donnelly | DB | 1965 | 17100 |
| 180 | Aaron Moorehead | WR | 2003 | 17197 |
| 181 | Bruce Thornton (DL) | DL | 1979 | 17623 |
| 182 | Bert Piggott | RB | 1947 | 17676 |
| 183 | Earnest Adams | LB | 1981 | 18137 |
| 184 | Bruce E. Thornton | DL | 1979 | 18372 |
| 185 | Bill Waller | E | 1936 | 18816 |
| 186 | Nick Allegretti | OL | 2019 | 18906 |
| 187 | Malik Turner | WR | 2018 | 19136 |
| 188 | Charles Armstead | DB | 1983 | 19385 |
| 189 | Isaiah Williams (2001) (PR) | PR | 2024 | 19427 |
| 190 | Rich Johnson | RB | 1969 | 19450 |
| 191 | Hardy Nickerson Jr. | LB | 2017 | 19461 |
| 192 | Quan Martin | DB | 2023 | 19560 |
| 193 | Bill Burrell | LB | 1960 | 19711 |
| 194 | Craig Swoope | DB | 1986 | 19878 |
| 195 | Wally McIlwain | RB | 1926 | 19946 |
| 196 | Bob Naponic | QB | 1969 | 20058 |
| 197 | Jack Delveaux | LB | 1959 | 20316 |
| 198 | Hugh Thornton | OL | 2013 | 20698 |
| 199 | Oliver Williams | WR | 1983 | 20746 |
| 200 | J.P. Machado | OL | 1999 | 21040 |
| 201 | Tony Adams (DB) | DB | 2022 | 21055 |
| 202 | Duke Preston | OL | 2005 | 21230 |
| 203 | Clayton Fejedelem | DB | 2016 | 21232 |
| 204 | Ken Blackman | OL | 1996 | 21675 |
| 205 | Marques Sullivan | OL | 2001 | 21772 |
| 206 | A.J. Jenkins | WR | 2012 | 21780 |
| 207 | Chris Green | DB | 1991 | 21840 |
| 208 | Kelvin Atkins | LB | 1983 | 21866 |
| 209 | Del'Shawn Phillips | LB | 2019 | 22019 |
| 210 | Vederian Lowe | OL | 2022 | 22150 |
| 211 | Archie Sutton | OL | 1965 | 22625 |
| 212 | Xavier Fulton | OL | 2009 | 22749 |
| 213 | Darryl Byrd | LB | 1983 | 22820 |
| 214 | Martez Wilson | LB | 2011 | 22954 |
| 215 | Kurt Kittner | QB | 2002 | 23143 |
| 216 | Jake Hansen | LB | 2022 | 23174 |
| 217 | John Gillen | LB | 1981 | 23231 |
| 218 | Don D. Griffin | RB | 1944 | 23382 |
| 219 | John P. Sullivan | LB | 1979 | 23498 |
| 220 | Mike Johnson (DL) | DL | 1984 | 23544 |
| 221 | Josh Brent | DL | 2010 | 23683 |
| 222 | Darryl Usher | WR | 1988 | 23710 |
| 223 | Dave Harbour | OL | 1988 | 23739 |
| 224 | Greg Engel | OL | 1994 | 23872 |
| 225 | Troy McMillin | OL | 1982 | 24062 |
| 226 | Steve Sucic | RB | 1946 | 24069 |
| 227 | Dennis Stallings | LB | 1997 | 24104 |
| 228 | Marshall Starks | DB | 1963 | 24277 |
| 229 | Willie Osley | DB | 1973 | 24294 |
| 230 | Brit Miller | RB | 2009 | 24324 |
| 231 | Dana Howard | LB | 1995 | 24360 |
| 232 | Bobby Dawson (1966) | DB | 1990 | 24389 |
| 233 | Michael Young | LB | 2002 | 24411 |
| 234 | Justin Hardee | DB | 2017 | 24469 |
| 235 | Jason Davis | RB | 2008 | 24712 |
| 236 | Vince Osby | LB | 1984 | 24908 |
| 237 | Cliff Roberts | OL | 1961 | 24922 |
| 238 | Johnny Counts | RB | 1962 | 25045 |
| 239 | Bob Robertson | OL | 1968 | 25249 |
| 240 | Don Thorp | DL | 1984 | 25443 |
| 241 | Dave L. Edwards | DB | 1985 | 25529 |
| 242 | Kendrick Green | OL | 2021 | 25580 |
| 243 | Chris Duvalt | WR | 2010 | 25814 |
| 244 | Derrick Strong | DL | 2004 | 26033 |
| 245 | Will Davis (DE) | DL | 2009 | 26641 |
| 246 | Sydney Brown | DB | 2023 | 26680 |
| 247 | Stephen Jordan | DB | 1989 | 26783 |
| 248 | Isaiah Adams | OL | 2024 | 26952 |
| 249 | Gerry Patrick | OL | 1961 | 26974 |
| 250 | Tip Reiman | TE | 2024 | 27043 |
| 251 | Casey Washington | WR | 2024 | 27112 |
| 252 | Mike Bellamy | WR | 1990 | 27204 |
| 253 | Matt Sinclair | LB | 2005 | 27206 |
| 254 | Derek Walker | DL | 2009 | 27419 |
| 255 | James Crawford | LB | 2018 | 27933 |
| 256 | Ryan Schau | OL | 1999 | 28077 |
| 257 | Garrett Johnson | DL | 2000 | 28126 |
| 258 | Randy Bierman | OL | 1994 | 28333 |
| 259 | Michael Buchanan | DL | 2013 | 28563 |
| 260 | Jack Delveaux (P) | P | 1959 | 28628 |
| 261 | Ray Redziniak | OL | 2001 | 28816 |
| 262 | Walter Young | WR | 2003 | 29037 |
| 263 | Chuck Kogut | LB | 1974 | 29090 |
| 264 | Nate Bussey | LB | 2011 | 29096 |
| 265 | Jerry Schumacher | LB | 2003 | 29137 |
| 266 | John Janata | OL | 1983 | 29384 |
| 267 | Terrell Washington | LB | 2002 | 29475 |
| 268 | Mick Heinrich | DL | 1974 | 29500 |
| 269 | Alex Palczewski | OL | 2023 | 29583 |
| 270 | Glenn Foster | DL | 2013 | 29673 |
| 271 | Rameel Connor | DL | 2000 | 29727 |
| 272 | Mike Gomez | TE | 2004 | 29846 |
| 273 | Luke Butkus | OL | 2002 | 30025 |
| 274 | Ryan Lankford (KR) | KR | 2014 | 30034 |
| 275 | Milo Eifler | LB | 2021 | 30098 |
| 276 | Sean Bubin | OL | 2004 | 30137 |
| 277 | Winston Taylor | LB | 2004 | 30401 |
| 278 | Elbert Turner | WR | 1992 | 30450 |
| 279 | Ryan Lankford | WR | 2014 | 30459 |
| 280 | African Grant | DB | 1988 | 30690 |
| 281 | Derek Allen | OL | 1995 | 30864 |
| 282 | Mike Suarez | OL | 1995 | 30873 |
| 283 | Tim Simpson | OL | 1992 | 30901 |
| 284 | Jon Burman | OL | 1989 | 30947 |
| 285 | John Levanti | OL | 1974 | 31001 |
| 286 | Jeremy Leman | LB | 2008 | 31158 |
| 287 | Eric Guenther | LB | 2000 | 31559 |
| 288 | Gabriel De La Garza | LB | 1988 | 31889 |
| 289 | Glenn Cobb | DB | 1989 | 32079 |
| 290 | Bobby Jackson (1979) | DB | 2002 | 32473 |
| 291 | Bob Sebring | LB | 1987 | 32608 |
| 292 | Josh Whitman | TE | 2001 | 32700 |
| 293 | Jamal Woods | DL | 2023 | 32806 |
| 294 | Kendrick Jones | WR | 2006 | 32823 |
| 295 | Kirby Wilson | DB | 1983 | 32981 |
| 296 | Tim McGill | DL | 2001 | 33087 |
| 297 | Reggie Corbin | RB | 2020 | 33144 |
| 298 | Steve Williams (WR) | WR | 1990 | 33602 |
| 299 | Justin Staples | LB | 2013 | 33824 |
| 300 | Ryan Lankford (PR) | PR | 2014 | 34039 |
| 301 | Isaac Darkangelo | LB | 2023 | 34195 |
| 302 | Steve Glasson | LB | 1990 | 34492 |
| 303 | Carroll Phillips | DL | 2017 | 34594 |
| 304 | Mike Bellamy (KR) | KR | 1990 | 35141 |
| 305 | Christian Morton | DB | 2004 | 35395 |
| 306 | Kody Case (PR) | PR | 2023 | 35856 |
| 307 | Khalan Tolson | LB | 2022 | 35860 |
| 308 | Kirby Wilson (PR) | PR | 1983 | 36307 |
| 309 | Brett Wilson | RB | 1987 | 36391 |
| 310 | Kirby Wilson (KR) | KR | 1983 | 36653 |
| 311 | Jack Delveaux (KR) | KR | 1959 | 36910 |
| 312 | Christian DiLauro | OL | 2018 | 37431 |
| 313 | Reggie Corbin (KR) | KR | 2020 | 37774 |
| 314 | Ron Nietupski | DL | 1960 | 37980 |
| 315 | Gimel President | LB | 2017 | 38052 |
| 316 | Jason Dulick | WR | 1999 | 38070 |
| 317 | Doug Kramer | OL | 2022 | 38340 |
| 318 | Jamal Milan | DL | 2020 | 38456 |
| 319 | Jaylen Dunlap | DB | 2018 | 39030 |
| 320 | Alex Pihlstrom | OL | 2023 | 39102 |
| 321 | Jacob Willis | WR | 2007 | 39187 |
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