Illinois Football: The 30 greatest Illini players of all time

Some of the great players to come through the Illinois football program had brief stints with the team. They were like a shooting star. Tony Eason was one of those players for the Illini.

Eason goes down as one of the best passers, if not the best, we have ever had in the Orange and Blue. He was sensational in the two years he spent with the program. During that time, Eason was able to leave his mark in the record books.

Eason threw for 7,031 yards in the two seasons, which ranks No. 6 all time in career passing yardage. His 1981 season where he threw for 3,360 yards is No. 2 all time in single-season passing yardage, only to be overshadowed by his 1982 campaign where he threw for 3,671 yards.

The yardage piled up for Eason and so did the touchdowns. He was able to throw for 38 touchdowns while with the Illini and that ranked No. 7 in career touchdown passes.

His 1981 season was the best for touchdowns, as he was able to throw 20 touchdowns that season, which ranks No. 7 all time. His great play also helped him earn Third-Team All-American honors during his 1982 season.

Illinois was able to make the 1982 Liberty Bowl with Eason leading the way. The Illini didn’t manage to win that game, but he still threw for 423 yards. Overall, Eason had a big-time arm and put up some crazy numbers. That is why he deserves to be on the list of the best Illini players of all time.