NFL teams relying on former Illinois football players for key roles

It is no secret that the Illinois football team has had some of the most talented players come from the college ranks and succeed in the NFL.

You can start with some of the best like Illini greats Red Grange and Dick Butkus. Grange was one of the foundation pieces for football in America. He revolutionized the game at both levels. Years later, Butkus would not only be one of the most dominating players in the college ranks on both sides of the ball, but he would go on to be one of the most menacing NFL players this planet has ever seen.

Those two legendary names are of a different time. Illinois football is in a much different place today as well. While the program continues to navigate its way back to prominence, there are many new faces who are blazing their own trail in the NFL ranks.

Even after Grange and Butkus, Illinois had a smattering of solid NFL talent. Names like Jeff George, Simeon Rice, and Brandon Lloyd, among others, have made a name for themselves, but what we are seeing in the NFL seems to be a rarity for the program.

Illinois football doesn’t just have NFL talent, but we have quality players at some crucial positions

Since the turn of the century, having Illinois players to root for on Sundays has been few and far between. Sure, there will be a player here and there, but there isn’t a widespread talent pool throughout the NFL.

Until now.

I took a look at all of the Illinois football players in the NFL, and the quality of talent in the professional ranks is quite impressive.

When you look at the Illinois website, they have 24 former Illini players suiting up for NFL teams. These aren’t just players who are deep on the depth chart.

Out of the 24 players in the NFL, Illinois has 10 players listed on the team’s first-string depth chart. Even though the Denver Broncos doesn’t have Alex Palczewski as a first-string left guard, I have him as a starter as he has started the past couple of games.

Among the first-string players listed on NFL team’s websites includes New York Jets safety Tony Adams, Washington Commanders free safety Quan Martin and left guard Nick Allegretti, Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras, Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs, Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph, New England Patriots left tackle Vederian Lowe, Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin, and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Safety Sydney Brown would be on this list too, but he is on the physically unable-to-perform list for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Think about that for a second. Only the best of the best get starting jobs in the NFL, and as of right now, Illinois has 10 first-string players on NFL rosters.

Illinois is also prevalent when it comes to the important second-string roles. Not only do we have 10 starters in the NFL, but the Illini program has 10 second-string players as well. This second-string group includes running back Chase Brown who just led the Cincinnati Bengals to their first win of the season.

Illinois football fans have a huge rooting interest in Saturdays. The program is on the rise, and we are witnessing a great start to the 2024 campaign. But let’s not discount Sundays. This program has developed great players over the past five or so years, and we are seeing the results. Illinois produces NFL talent.