NFL Draft 2024: Which Illinois players will be drafted? Here are 7 Illini who could get the call

This could be a historic NFL Draft weekend for the Illinois football program.

According to Pro Football Focus' full mock draft, the Illini could have as many as seven players selected this weekend — its most since the draft moved to seven rounds in 1994. (Illinois had nine players picked across 12 rounds in 1986).

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Here is a look at the seven players projected to be picked by PFF starting Thursday when the NFL Draft kicks off across three days in Detroit:

Jer'Zhan 'Johnny' Newton, DL, Illinois

• What to know: 6-foot-2, 295 pounds. In 2023, he had 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery — and led the nation with four blocked kicks. The Florida native was the first Illini in 29 years to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
• Draft projection: A projected mid-first-round pick, he is the 12th-ranked prospect overall and third-ranked defensive lineman according to NFLdraftbuzz.com. PFF projects him going No. 21 overall in the first round.

Isaiah Adams, OL, Illinois

• What to know: 6-foot-5, 320-pound Ajax, Ontario, native is a team captain and full-time starter on the offensive line.
• Draft projection: Projected as a fourth-round pick, ranked 125th overall and 26th among offensive linemen, according to nfldraftbuzz.com. PFF has him going in the fifth round, 149th overall.

Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois

• What to know: 6-foot-5, 270 pounds. 19 catches, 203 yards, 3 TDs in 2023. The South Dakota native is a former walk-on who worked himself up to Illini starter and team captain.
• Draft projection: Reiman went from unranked to now being projected as a sixth-round pick, ranked 169th overall and 10th among tight ends, according to nfldraftbuzz.com. PFF has him selected in the sixth round, 181st overall.

Isaiah Williams, WR, Illinois

• What to know: The St. Louis native is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound all-Big Ten first-teamer. He had a league-best 82 catches with 1,055 yards and 5 TDs in 2023.
• Draft projection: Projected sixth-round pick, ranked 187th overall and 30th as a receiver, according to NFLdraftbuzz.com. PFF has him getting selected in the sixth round, 188th overall.

Casey Washington, WR, Illinois

• What to know: The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Texas native started 11 games in 2023, among the league's top 10 receivers in catches.
• Draft projection: Unranked by some prospect websites, Washington worked his way onto NFL draft radars with a stellar pro day that included a 4.48-second 40-yard dash. PFF says he'll be selected in the sixth round at pick No. 212 overall.

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Julian Pearl, OL, Illinois

• What to know: The Danville, Illinois, native is a 6-foot-6, 315-pounder who started 12 games at left tackle in 2023.
• Draft projection: Projected seventh-round pick, ranked 227th overall and 42nd among offensive linemen by nfldraftbuzz.com. PFF has him being selected in the seventh round, 239th overall.

Keith Randolph Jr., DL, Illinois

• What to know: The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder started 10 games at defensive tackle, finishing top five in the nation with 4.9 tackles per game. In high school, he was part of Belleville West's state championship basketball team.
• Draft projection: Projected seventh-round pick, ranked 215th overall and 42nd at his position by nfldraftbuzz.com. PFF projects he'll be selected 254th overall, in the seventh round.