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Play for Illinois football, get to the pinnacle of the game

Illinois football players have done a ton of winning lately, and that has translated into the NFL.
ByRees Woodcock|
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Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) celebrates after a play during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) celebrates after a play during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The college game is a bit crazy today, but the Illinois football program has adapted pretty well.

In fact, I would argue I wouldn’t want another coach for the Illini. Bret Bielema has done a great job reshaping Illinois to a point where we are a contender in the Big Ten and knocking on the door for a College Football Playoff spot every season.

The recruiting trail has gotten harder, too. There is more money involved than ever. When it comes down to it, Illinois does have a recruiting chip that could help some recruits fall our way.

Come to Illinois, get to the highest levels of the NFL.

Not every team gets to say that. Illinois' spotlight on Sunday night in the Super Bowl was brighter than ever.

Devon Witherspoon was one of the captains for the now-Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. He was out there for the coin toss, and it was a great advertisement for the Illinois football program.

This is the most high-profile player Illinois has had on the big stage. Usually, it is an offensive lineman who is blocking for some big-time players, but Witherspoon was a captain, started, and was incredible for the Seahawks.

I would argue that Witherspoon was the most impactful player on the field. He finished the game with four tackles, three quarterback hits, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one pass deflection.

Witherspoon’s stat line would have been even more impressive, but toward the end of the game, he hit Drake Maye, and the ball was ruled a pass, and it was an interception returned for a touchdown. That interception was caused by Witherspoon, and it should have been a forced fumble in my book.

At one time in the second half, Witherspoon was playing so well that he was the second-favorite to win Super Bowl MVP. Kenneth Walker III was the lead dog, but Witherspoon was going off at +750, which were the second-best odds.

Devon Witherspoon is just the latest Illinois football player to win the Super Bowl

Illinois has had a myriad of players compete in the Super Bowl, but the winning streak is pretty impressive right now.

With Witherspoon’s victory on Sunday, Illinois has now had a Super Bowl winner in four straight big games. Sydney Brown took home the Lombardi Trophy in 2025, and Nick Allegretti won the title in 2023 and 2024.

Out of the last 17 Super Bowls, since 2010, Illinois has had a player on the Super Bowl-winning team in 10 of those contests. This includes two players on the 2012 New York Giants and three players on the 2015 New England Patriots.

It is pretty simple. If you come to Illinois, you can get to the highest levels of the NFL. It is a fact. The Illini once again had a Super Bowl winner on Sunday night. This is a trend.

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