Week two of the NFL preseason is in the books, and a handful of former Illinois football players stood out.
The Illini have drafted and undrafted talent littered throughout the NFL. I want to highlight the players who had the best preseason week two.
Here are the Illinois football standout performances in NFL preseason week two
Milo Eifler – Atlanta Falcons
Not all good performances come with a dub. Milo Eifler showed out in preseason week two, with a nice game in a 13-12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The undrafted fourth-year player out of Illinois is in his second season with the Falcons. He only saw action in two games last season, but Eifler is looking to make Atlanta his permanent home.
Against the Ravens, Eifler finished the game with eight tackles, six of which were solo. Both were second on the team behind Natrone Brooks.
Keith Randolph Jr. – Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have looked great in all three preseason games thus far, and Keith Randolph Jr. is finally getting a taste of that success.
Randolph would go undrafted just months ago in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he is looking to be a mainstay in the Bears defense line.
The Bears dominated Cincinnati on Saturday, winning 27-3. The Bengals were driving late in the game, and they had the ball in the Bears’ territory. Cincinnati’s quarterback fumbled the ball and Randolph scooped it up to end their chances at a comeback. That was a big play for the talented defensive lineman.
Jake Hansen – Houston Texans
Another win with a former Illinois football player having a big role came in the Houston Texans game. The Texans dismantled the New York Giants, 28-10.
Jake Hansen was a big part of this win. The undrafted third-year player has spent his first two seasons with the Texans and hopes to continue being a part of the resurging franchise.
In the victory, Hansen amassed four tackles, two of which were solo. He ranked third on the team in tackles for the game and sixth in solo tackles.
Isaiah Williams – Detroit Lions
Illinois has a former player quickly rising on the depth charts for one of the best teams in the NFL. I never thought I would say that about the Detroit Lions.
The Lions beat the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, 24-23. There are plenty of players trying to make the roster and undrafted rookie Isaiah Williams is in that mix.
Williams is shining bright, though. He had a good week one, and this past Saturday, Williams had his best game yet. He finished with six receptions for 71 yards, all of which were team-highs. He also had one carry for 11 yards and three punt returns for 41 yards, which included a 20-yard return.
Denzel Daxon – Dallas Cowboys
There are plenty of undrafted Illinois football players lingering in the preseason, and one who could make a splash is Denzel Daxon.
Daxon went undrafted a couple of years ago and tried to stick with a franchise, and he is now with the Dallas Cowboys trying to get on the final roster.
The Cowboys beat the Las Vegas Raiders 27-12 this past weekend, and Daxon was a big part of the win. He finished with five tackles, three of which were solo tackles. Those numbers ranked No. 3 and No. 2 on the team, respectively.