Illinois Football: The 30 greatest Illini players of all time

Some of the Illinois football players on this list won’t be in the record books for statistics. They won’t be in the top 10 in rushing or passing. Some players will just have great careers and help lead the Orange and Blue to wins. One of those players is Bart Macomber.

Macomber joined the Illini and coach Bob Zuppke after attending Oak Park High School where Zuppke coached Macomber before taking over for Illinois. The marriage of Zuppke and Macomber was legendary. The Illinois football team had some of their best seasons with the two at the helm.

In 1914, Macomber’s first year in Champaign, Illinois won the Big Ten and National Title. In the first two seasons Macomber was there, the Illini had a record of 12-0-2 and they won two Big Ten titles.

He didn’t just play running back during his career with the Orange and Blue, though. He played multiple positions including kicker. But Macomber was a First-Team All-American in 1915 and 1916 as a running back. His 1915 selection was a consensus pick.

Everything that Macomber brings to the table is impressive. He was a two-time All-American and he won a national title with the Illini. Those are two huge reasons he is No. 9 on the list of top Illinois players of all time.