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Newton Named 2023 Walter Camp Preseason All-American

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton was named to the first team of the 2023 Walter Camp Preseason All-America list, the publication announced Friday. Newton was a Walter Camp All-American second-team selection last season.

Newton is coming off a huge year leading the nation's No. 1 scoring defense in tackles for loss (14.0), sacks (5.5), and quarterback hurries (11). He led all Power-5 interior defensive linemen in pressures (59), seven more than any Power-5 interior defensive lineman, and ranked seventh overall in the nation, according to PFF.

Newton was named to four All-America second teams with honors from Walter Camp, Associated Press, CBS, and PFF. He was an All-Big Ten first-team selection by both the media and coaches and an Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Newton chose to come back to Illinois for his fourth season in 2023. He was appearing on early mock drafts by the media before his announcement to return to Illinois on January 16.

"Having the opportunity to take care of my family, generational wealth with me playing in the NFL, I just feel like everything is a process," Newton said to the media last week. "I know I could have went, but I know if I stayed and had another productive year I could go higher in the draft than where I was projected to or where I wanted to. I could just help my team out."
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Sorta OT: One B1G fan base is the worst in the conference???

I think the title the following article from The Spun is a bit misleading.

The article talks about a tweet from a writer at the Wall Street Journal sharing a quote from an Evanston resident who with other residents are debating the construction of the proposed $800M stadium.

My initial thought was this was a consensus of B1G fans who agreed on this.

This resident shares his take on the various fan bases from the B1G when the visit Ryan Field.

No mention of our fan base so I wonder how residents really feel about the "Illannoy" fans from Rantoul's B1G team that show up and outnumber the NUrd fans on gameday?

B1G Portal Entries

Thought it would be interesting to track the other B1G teams portal entries. This is not a complete up-to-date list but what I've been able to find as of 3/29/23.

IL: Epps, Lieb
MN: Battle, Cooper, Thompson, Henley
RU: Palmquist, Reiber, Miller
NW: Roper
MSU: Brooks
IN: Bates, Duncomb, Geronimo
MI: Barnes, Dickinson
IA: Uhlis
PSU: probably lots
MD: Hart, Cornish
WI: Davis
OSU: Brown


Early draft entries:
OSU: Sensabaugh
IN: JHS
RU: Omoruyi

Feel free to add those I've missed and as other announcements occur.

Underwood to receiver Coaches vs. Cancer award

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Brad Underwood will be honored for his longtime commitment in the fight against cancer, as the sixth-year Fighting Illini head coach will be presented the Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award on Friday at a National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) reception in Houston.

For nearly 30 years, the Coaches vs. Cancer program, in collaboration with the NABC, has united coaches and fans nationwide to help the American Cancer Society defeat a common enemy – cancer. The Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award recognizes and promotes one outstanding Division I collegiate coach annually who has made extraordinary, significant, and sustained contributions to the American Cancer Society's mission of improving the lives of people with cancer and their families and ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

The individual receiving this prestigious honor:

  • Serves the Society as a leader in community mission delivery and revenue generating programs
  • Makes a significant impact on and contributes to the furtherance of the Society's strategic goals and mission driven programs with demonstrated leadership progression
  • Represents the Society in a manner that advances the Society's cause and expands its community presence
  • Demonstrates a continuing commitment to the Society through a willingness to serve
Underwood has served on the Coaches Council of Coaches vs. Cancer for the entirety of his 10-year head coaching career. Highlighting his service to the program while at Illinois, Underwood hosts an annual fundraiser called "Kickin' Cancer" at Gordyville USA, a horse show arena in Gifford, Illinois, located 30 minutes outside of Champaign.

Last spring, Underwood welcomed back former Fighting Illini head coaches Bill Self and Lon Kruger as celebrity guests. The dinner was a sold-out event with more than 1,200 guests in attendance. It was the most attended social/gala for the entire Coaches vs. Cancer program last year, with the evening raising nearly $300,000.

This year's Kickin' Cancer event is set for Tuesday, April 11 at Gordyville USA and will have a Big Ten theme with select conference head coaches as special guests. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at coachesvscancerillinois.com.
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