The Illinois Fighting Illini football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Illinois Fighting Illini football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Fighting Illini represent the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the NCAA's Big Ten Conference.
Although Illinois began competing in intercollegiate football in 1890, the school's official record book generally does not include statistics from before the 1950s, as records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent. An exception to this is Red Grange, who appears several times on these lists despite playing in the 1920s.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons: Since the 1950s, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length. The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers. Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002. The Fighting Illini have played in 4 bowl games since then, all since 2008, giving recent players an extra game to accumulate statistics.
These lists are updated through the end of the 2025 season.
Passing
Passing yards
+ Career1Jack Trudeau8,7251981 1983 1984 19852Kurt Kittner8,7221998 1999 2000 20013Nathan Scheelhaase8,5682010 2011 2012 20134Juice Williams8,0372006 2007 2008 20095Luke Altmyer7,6072023 2024 20256Jason Verduzco7,5321989 1990 1991 19927Tony Eason7,0311981 19828Wes Lunt5,9002014 2015 20169Johnny Johnson5,2931992 1993 1994 199510Jon Beutjer5,1902002 2003 2004
+ Single season1Tony Eason3,67119822Tony Eason3,36019813Jack Trudeau3,33919854Nathan Scheelhaase3,27220135Kurt Kittner3,25620016Juice Williams3,17320087Dave Wilson3,15419808Jason Verduzco3,01419919Luke Altmyer3,007202510Wes Lunt2,7612015
+ Single game1Dave Wilson6211980 Ohio State2John Paddock5072023 Indiana3Tony Eason4791982 Wisconsin4Juice Williams4622008 Minnesota5Wes Lunt4562014 Western Kentucky6Juice Williams4512008 Missouri7Nathan Scheelhaase4502013 Indiana8Jason Verduzco4311991 Missouri9Jon Beutjer4302003 California10Jon Beutjer4262002 San Jose State
Passing touchdowns
+ Career1Kurt Kittner701998 1999 2000 20012Luke Altmyer572023 2024 20253Juice Williams562006 2007 2008 20094Jack Trudeau551981 1983 1984 1985Nathan Scheelhaase552010 2011 2012 20136Jason Verduzco421989 1990 1991 19927Jon Beutjer392002 2003 20048Tony Eason381981 19829Wes Lunt362014 2015 201610Johnny Johnson351992 1993 1994 1995
+ Single season1Kurt Kittner2720012Kurt Kittner2419993Jeff George221989Juice Williams222008Luke Altmyer22 2024Luke Altmyer22 20257Jon Beutjer212002Nathan Scheelhaase2120139Tony Eason20198110Dave Wilson191980Jack Trudeau191983Johnny Johnson191994
+ Single game1Dave Wilson61980 Ohio State2Tom O'Connell51952 WashingtonJeff George51989 IndianaJuice Williams52008 MissouriReilly O'Toole52012 Charleston SouthernNathan Scheelhaase52013 Miami (Ohio)
Rushing
Rushing yards
+ Career1Robert Holcombe4,1051994 1995 1996 19972Chase Brown3,2062019 2020 2021 20223Antoineo Harris2,9851999 2000 2001 20024Thomas Rooks2,8871982 1983 1984 19855Jim Grabowski2,8781963 1964 19656Rocky Harvey2,7111998 1999 2000 20017Josh Ferguson2,5862011 2012 2013 2014 20158Juice Williams2,5572006 2007 2008 2009Mikel Leshoure2,5572008 2009 201010Pierre Thomas2,5452003 2004 2005 2006
+ Single season1Mikel Leshoure1,69720102Rashard Mendenhall1,68120073Chase Brown1,643 20224Antoineo Harris1,33020025Robert Holcombe1,28119966Jim Grabowski1,25819657J.C. Caroline1,25619538Robert Holcombe1,25319979Keith Jones1,196198810Howard Griffith1,1151990
+ Single game1Mikel Leshoure3302010 Northwestern2Robert Holcombe3151996 Minnesota3Howard Griffith2631990 Northwestern4Chase Brown2572021 Charlotte5Jim Grabowski2391964 Wisconsin6Red Grange2371925 Pennsylvania7Chase Brown2232021 Penn State8Rocky Harvey2151998 Middle Tennessee9Rashard Mendenhall2142007 Indiana10Red Grange2121924 Michigan
Rushing touchdowns
+ Career1Howard Griffith311987 1988 1989 19902Jason Ford262008 2009 2010 20113Thomas Rooks251982 1983 1984 1985Robert Holcombe251994 1995 1996 19975Johnny Karras241949 1950 1951Jim Grabowski241963 1964 1965Chubby Phillips241973 1974 1975 19768Red Grange231923 1924 1925Ty Douthard231993 1994 1995 1996Mikel Leshoure232008 2009 2010
+ Single season1Rashard Mendenhall172007Mikel Leshoure1720103Howard Griffith1519904Johnny Karras1319515Red Grange121924Robert Holcombe1219967Keith Jones1119888Jim Grabowski101964Steve Havard101999Chase Brown10 2022Josh McCray10 2024
+ Single game1Howard Griffith81990 Southern Illinois2Red Grange41924 MichiganAntoineo Harris42002 Indiana
Receiving
Receptions
+ Career1David Williams2621983 1984 19852Isaiah Williams2142019 2021 2022 20233Josh Ferguson1972011 2012 2013 20144Jason Dulick1691993 1994 1995 19965A. J. Jenkins1672008 2009 2010 20116Brandon Lloyd1601999 2000 2001 20027John Wright1591965 1966 1967Arrelious Benn1592007 2008 20099Walter Young1471999 2000 2001 200210Mike Martin1431979 1980 1981 1982
+ Single season1David Williams10119842David Williams9219853A. J. Jenkins9020114Isaiah Williams82 2022 Isaiah Williams8220236Mike Martin7719827Mike Dudek7620148Hank Beatty7020259David Williams69198310Arrelious Benn672008
+ Single game1David Williams161985 Purdue2Keith Jones131988 Michigan StateSteve Hull132013 NorthwesternIsaiah Williams132023 Minnesota5Mike Martin121982 Ohio StateDavid Williams121984 MichiganKameno Bell121991 Ohio StateBrandon Lloyd122001 NorthwesternArrelious Benn122008 MinnesotaA. J. Jenkins122011 Northwestern
Receiving yards
+ Career1David Williams3,3921983 1984 19852Brandon Lloyd2,5831999 2000 2001 20023A. J. Jenkins2,4322008 2009 2010 20114Walter Young2,3821999 2000 2001 20025Isaiah Williams2,3042019 2021 2022 20236Mike Martin2,3001979 1980 1981 19827John Wright2,2841965 1966 19678Arrelious Benn2,2212007 2008 20099 Pat Bryant2,0952021 2022 2023 202410Jason Dulick2,0041993 1994 1995 1996
+ Single season1David Williams1,27819842A. J. Jenkins1,27620113David Williams1,15619854Mike Martin1,06819825Brandon Lloyd1,06220016Arrelious Benn1,0552008 Isaiah Williams1,055 20238Mike Dudek1,03820149Brandon Lloyd1,010200210Steve Hull9932013
+ Single game1A. J. Jenkins2682011 Northwestern2Steve Hull2242013 Indiana3Casey Washington2182023 Northwestern4David Williams2081984 Northwestern5Mike Dudek2002014 PurdueIsaiah Williams2002023 Indiana7Pat Bryant1972024 Rutgers8Mike Sherrod1911980 Indiana9Rex Smith1881952 IowaDavid Williams1881983 Minnesota
Receiving touchdowns
+ Career1David Williams241983 1984 19852Brandon Lloyd211999 2000 2001 20023Pat Bryant192021 2022 20232024A. J. Jenkins192008 2009 2010 20115Mike Martin151980 1981 1982Jason Dulick151993 1994 1995 1996Walter Young151999 2000 2001 20028Isaiah Williams142019 2021 2022 20239John Wright121965 1966 1967Oliver Williams121981 1982Shawn Wax121988 1989 1990Greg Lewis121999 2000 2001 2002Josh Imatorbhebhe122019 2020
+ Single season1Pat Bryant102024David Williams101985Brandon Lloyd1020014Brandon Lloyd92002Josh Imatorbhebhe920196Randy Grant81984David Williams81984Mike Bellamy81989Walter Young82001A. J. Jenkins82011
+ Single game1David Williams31985 PurdueMike Bellamy31989 IndianaShawn Wax31990 IowaGus Palma31991 HoustonGreg Lewis32000 Middle TennesseeA. J. Jenkins32011 NorthwesternCasey Washington32023 NorthwesternCollin Dixon32026 Duke
Total offense Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.
Total offense yards
+ Career1Nathan Scheelhaase10,634 2010 2011 2012 20132Juice Williams10,594 2006 2007 2008 20093Kurt Kittner8,880 1998 1999 2000 20014Jack Trudeau8,640 1981 1983 1984 19855Luke Altmyer8,3482023 2024 20256Jason Verduzco7,256 1989 1990 1991 19927Tony Eason7,002 1981 19828Wes Lunt5,602 2014 2015 20169Johnny Johnson5,358 1992 1993 1994 199510Jon Beutjer5,158 2002 2003 2004
+ Single season1Juice Williams3,892 20082Tony Eason3,671 19823Nathan Scheelhaase3,543 20134Tony Eason3,331 19815Jack Trudeau3,321 19856Luke Altmyer3,249 20257Kurt Kittner3,242 20018Jason Verduzco2,983 19919Dave Wilson2,960 198010Luke Altmyer2,934 2024
+ Single game1Dave Wilson5851980 Ohio State2Juice Williams5032008 Minnesota3John Paddock4992023 Indiana4Nathan Scheelhaase4952013 Indiana5Tony Eason4801982 Wisconsin6Juice Williams4612008 Missouri7Tony Eason4501981 Northwestern8Jason Verduzco4451991 Missouri9Wes Lunt4392014 Western Kentucky Luke Altmyer4392024 Purdue
Total touchdowns
+ Career1Kurt Kittner77 1998 1999 2000 20012Juice Williams74 2006 2007 2008 2009Nathan Scheelhaase74 2010 2011 2012 20134Luke Altmyer692023 2024 20255Jack Trudeau60 1981 1983 1984 19856Jason Verduzco47 1989 1990 1991 19927Tony Eason44 1981 19828Jon Beutjer41 2002 2003 20049Wes Lunt37 2014 2015 201610Johnny Johnson36 1992 1993 1994 1995
+ Single season1Kurt Kittner29 20012Juice Williams27 2008Luke Altmyer27 20254Luke Altmyer26 20245Tony Eason25 1981Kurt Kittner25 1999Nathan Scheelhaase25 20138Jon Beutjer23 20029Jeff George22 1989Nathan Scheelhaase22 2010
+ Single game1Howard Griffith81990 Southern Illinois
Defense
Interceptions
+ Career1Al Brosky301950 1951 19522Mike Gow191972 1973 19743George Donnelly131962 1963 1964Mike Heaven131981 1982 1983 1984Craig Swoope131982 1983 1984 19856Red Grange111923 1924 1925Henry Jones111987 1988 1989 1990Eugene Wilson111999 2000 2001 20029Phil Knell101964 1965 1966 1967 1968Ron Bess101965 1966 1967Trevor Starghill101994 1995 1996 1997Sydney Brown102018 2019 2020 2021 2022
+ Single season1Al Brosky111950Al Brosky1119513Mike Gow1019734Al Brosky81952George Donnelly819646Willie Osley719717Red Grange61925Ron Bess61967Terry Miller61967Eugene Wilson62001Sydney Brown6 2022
+ Single game1Mike Gow41974 Stanford2Mike Gow31973 MinnesotaPhil Knell31966 PurdueDuane Lyle31995 East CarolinaEugene Wilson32001 Penn State
Tackles
+ Career1Dana Howard5951991 1992 1993 19942John Sullivan5011974 1975 1976 1977 19783Darrick Brownlow4831987 1988 1989 19904John Gillen4411977 1978 1979 19805John Holecek4361991 1992 1993 19946Jeremy Leman4072004 2005 2006 20077Danny Clark3811996 1997 1998 19998Dick Butkus3741962 1963 19649Steve Glasson3711986 1987 1988 198910Jerry Schumacher3701999 2000 2001 2002
+ Single season1John Sullivan20219772Scott Studwell17719763Darrick Brownlow16619884Darrick Brownlow16119905John Gillen15519786Dele Harding15420197Jeremy Leman15220068Dana Howard1501992Dana Howard150199410Dana Howard1481993
+ Single game1John Sullivan341977 Minnesota2John Sullivan271977 Syracuse3Bill Burrell261959 Purdue4John Sullivan251977 Ohio State5Dana Howard241991 Ohio State
Sacks
+ Career1Simeon Rice44.51992 1993 1994 19952Gabe Jacas27.0 2022 2023 2024 20253Scott Davis23.01983 1984 1985 1986 19874Fred Wakefield21.01997 1998 1999 20005Mike Poloskey20.01988 1989 1990 19916Moe Gardner18.01987 1988 1989 1990Kevin Hardy18.01992 1993 1994 1995Whitney Mercilus18.02009 2010 2011Johnny Newton18.0 2020 2021 2022 202310Dawuane Smoot15.52013 2014 2015 2016Owen Carney Jr.15.52017 2018 2019 2020 2021
+ Single season1Simeon Rice16.01994Whitney Mercilus16.020113Mike Poloskey15.019914Simeon Rice11.519955Gabe Jacas11.0 20256Scott Davis10.019877Will Davis9.520078Scott Davis9.01985Moe Gardner9.01989Mel Agee9.01989Simeon Rice9.01992Fred Wakefield9.02000Carroll Phillips9.02016Oluwole Betiku Jr.9.02019
+ Single game1Simeon Rice5.01994 Washington State2Mike Poloskey4.01991 East CarolinaWill Davis4.02007 IndianaClay Nurse4.02009 Minnesota5Jeff Weisse3.51998 Middle TennesseeOluwole Betiku Jr.3.52019 UConn
Kicking
Field goals made