CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant, outside linebackers Seth Coleman and Gabe Jacas, and offensive lineman J.C. Davis have been named among the top players eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft as part of the Reese's Senior Bowl preseason watch list released Wednesday.
REESE'S SENIOR BOWL
The Reese's Senior Bowl is widely regarded as the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process. The longest continual-running all-star game has taken place in Mobile, Alabama, for the past 75 years. More than 900 NFL personnel, including key decision-makers from all 32 teams, and over 1,100 media members from around the country were credentialed for the 2024 Senior Bowl which produced 110 total picks, representing 43% of the entire NFL draft.
ILLINI AT THE SENIOR BOWL
Since its inception, 57 Fighting Illini have played in the Senior Bowl. Under head coach Bret Bielema's guidance six former Illini, a program record for a three-year period, have played in the annual showcase before going on to NFL careers.
In addition to the six participants since 2022, consensus All-Americans Devon Witherspoon (2023) and Jer'Zhan Newton (2024) earned invitations but did not participate before being selected in the first round (No. 5 overall) and second round (No. 36 overall) of their respective NFL drafts.
PAT BRYANT
REESE'S SENIOR BOWL
The Reese's Senior Bowl is widely regarded as the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process. The longest continual-running all-star game has taken place in Mobile, Alabama, for the past 75 years. More than 900 NFL personnel, including key decision-makers from all 32 teams, and over 1,100 media members from around the country were credentialed for the 2024 Senior Bowl which produced 110 total picks, representing 43% of the entire NFL draft.
ILLINI AT THE SENIOR BOWL
Since its inception, 57 Fighting Illini have played in the Senior Bowl. Under head coach Bret Bielema's guidance six former Illini, a program record for a three-year period, have played in the annual showcase before going on to NFL careers.
| ILLINOIS' SENIOR BOWL PARTICIPANTS UNDER BRET BIELEMA (2022-PRESENT) | |||
| NAME | POSITION | YEAR | NFL DRAFT SELECTION / FREE AGENT SIGNING |
| Kerby Joseph | DB | 2022 | Round 3, Pick 97 - Detroit Lions |
| Chase Brown | RB | 2023 | Round 5, Pick 163 - Cincinnati Bengals |
| Sydney Brown | DB | 2023 | Round 3, Pick 66 - Philadelphia Eagles |
| Jartavius Martin | DB | 2023 | Round 2, Pick 47 - Washington Commanders |
| Isaiah Adams | OL | 2024 | Round 3, Pick 71 - Arizona Cardinals |
| Keith Randolph Jr. | DL | 2024 | Free Agent - Chicago Bears |
PAT BRYANT
- 2024 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten Third Team
- 2024 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten Fourth Team
- Recorded a reception in all 12 games for the Illini during the 2023 season, leading the team with seven touchdown catches
- His seven touchdown receptions as a junior in 2023 tied for ninth in a single season in Illini program history.
- Overall, his seven touchdown receptions ranked tied for fourth in the Big Ten last season, and his five touchdown catches vs. Big Ten opponents ranked tied for fifth in the league.
- Hauled in seven catches for a career-high 131 yards and a TD in Illinois' win vs. Indiana (11/11/23)
- Tallied six catches, including the first two-touchdown game of his career, in Illini's victory over Toledo (9/2/23)
- Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten Third Team
- Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten Third Team
- Two-Time All-Big Ten honorable mention (2022 and 2023)
- Started all 24 games at outside linebacker over the last two seasons
- In 2023, recorded 50 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, and 6.0 sacks on the season
- His 6.0 sacks in 2023 all came on the road vs. Big Ten opponents, ranking first among Power-5 players in sacks in road games, and ranking second in the Big Ten in sacks in conference play
- For his Illini career, has tallied 130 tackles (81 solo) with 12 pass breakups, one force fumble, one fumble recovery, and 12.5 sacks.
- Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten Third Team
- Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten Fourth Team
- Highest-graded tackle in the nation to return to college football in 2024, according to PFF (min. 600 snaps)
- Transferred to Illinois from New Mexico with one year of eligibility remaining
- Started all 24 games and played more than 1,500 snaps over his last two seasons at New Mexico
- Earned All-Mountain West First Team honors as a junior in 2023 and honorable mention All-Mountain West as a sophomore in 2022
- During the 2023 season, ranked as the No. 4-graded tackle in the nation and No. 1 in the Group of 5 (84.6), according to PFF (min. 600 snaps)
- Named a 2022 Freshman All-American by the FWAA, and a True Freshman All-American by ESPN, 247Sports, and College Football News
- 2022 All-Big Ten honorable mention
- Has played in all 25 games of his collegiate career, tallying 66 total tackles (36 solo), with one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and 8.0 sacks.
- Tallied 4.0 sacks in each of his first two seasons as an Illini
- Pat Bryant - Senior Bowl
- Seth Coleman - Senior Bowl
- J.C. Davis - Senior Bowl
- Kaden Feagin – Doak Walker
- Zakhari Franklin – Comeback
- Gabe Jacas - Senior Bowl
- Josh Kreutz – Polynesian POY
- Josh McCray – Doak Walker, Comeback
- Kenenna Odeluga – Wuerffel
- Dylan Rosiek – Butkus
