Photo by Richard Paul Kane

Six University of Illinois football players earned recognition on Phil Steele’s Midseason All-America team. Junior DE Whitney Mercilus was named to the first team, while senior WR A.J. Jenkins was on the second team, senior OT Jeff Allen was on the third team, and senior DB Tavon Wilson was given fourth-team honors. Sophomore QB Nathan Scheelhaase and junior C Graham Pocic were honorable mention All-America selection.

To add to the fun, 11 Illini were named to Steele’s Midseason All-Big Ten Teams, including four first team selections. Allen, Jenkins, Mercilus, Wilson and bandit Michael Buchanan earned first-team honors, while linebacker Jonathan Brown, DB Terry Hawthorne, Scheelhaase, DT Akeem Spence and LB Ian Thomas were named to the second team. Center Graham Pocic earned third-team honors.

Illini on Steele’s Midseason All-America Teams:

First Team: DE Whitney Mercilus

Second Team: WR A.J. Jenkins

Third Team: OL Jeff Allen

Fourth Team: DB Tavon Wilson

Honorable Mention: QB Nathan Scheelhaase, C Graham Pocic

Illini on Steele’s Midseason All-Big Ten Teams:

First Team: OL Jeff Allen, BAN Michael Buchanan, WR A.J. Jenkins, DE Whitney Mercilus, DB Tavon Wilson

Second Team: LB Jonathan Brown, DB Terry Hawthorne, QB Nathan Scheelhaase, DT Akeem Spence, LB Ian Thomas

Third Team: C Graham Pocic