CHAMPAIGN — Illinois football's large senior class meant Pro Day was going to be a meaningful job fair for NFL Draft hopefuls.
Representatives from all 32 NFL teams were at the Smith Center on Thursday for the program's Pro Day, the first time in head coach Bret Bielema's tenure that all 32 teams were in attendance, to watch a group of nearly 20 seniors go through workouts.
The Illini are expected to have at least three draft picks — outside linebacker Gabe Jacas, tackle J.C. Davis and quarterback Luke Altmyer — while offensive lineman Josh Gesky and James Thompson Jr. had strong days and put themselves in serious contention to be selected in the draft.
Of note, Jacas did not participate in the Pro Day, but he's expected to have his own on-campus performance in front of NFL scouts in early April.
"It's obviously fun while they're here," Bielema said. "You never like to see them leave. But on the flip side, to get 32 teams here kind of puts a signal in my head of where we've come. I think about it a lot. Compared to places I've been at before, especially in this league, to have a team that has this many guys who are moving on but also be excited about the guys who are coming back. A lot of the guys who are here now on this roster have watched these guys play. Even the guys we've added through the portal, a lot of times, they're guys who want to be the guys who just left. Sustainable success has always been the goal, and this is another big step in that process."
Illini Inquirer caught up with many of the Illini's Pro Day participants on Thursday.