The Daily Illini sports staff already made a gift list earlier, but there’s nothing wrong with asking for more. As some seasons come to a close and others begin to ramp up, we’re adding two more requests this holiday season, which would bring Illinois fans plenty of joy.
Football: Xavier Scott to return in 2025
Junior defensive back Xavier Scott had a career year for the Illini in 2024. After a strong season in 2023, where he led the Big Ten in pass breakups with 11, Scott stepped it up in 2024. With his 44 tackles and four interceptions, Scott earned multiple awards. Scott was selected as a part of the All-Big Ten First Team, All-Big Ten Second Team and AP All-Big Ten First Team.
Scott’s dominance in 2024
Scott’s four interceptions tie him for No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 15 in the nation. To kickstart the Illini this season, Scott played a huge part in helping them knock off the formerly ranked Jayhawks. That performance made Scott the first player in the nation to force three turnovers in a game during the 2024 season.
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Reasons to return
Scott is undecided about whether he wants to enter his name in the 2025 NFL draft. One appealing reason for Scott to stay would be the recent news from junior quarterback Luke Altmyer. The Illini have struggled at quarterback for years, and Altmyer’s return makes them an immediate threat to improve on their 9-3 record.
As of now, Scott is projected to be a day three pick in the NFL draft, according to NFL Mock Draft Database. The site projects Scott to be a fourth-round pick and the No. 120 overall player taken. While this isn’t bad, Scott could improve his draft stock to day two if he returns for another year.
More college players are coming back than ever due to the legality of NIL. According to 247Sports, the Illini have a collective $373 million to spend in NIL money, which ranks No. 26 in the nation. It would make lots of sense for Scott if he decided to take some NIL money to return in 2025 while also trying to increase his NFL draft stock.
Wrestling: Seize momentum
No. 11 Illinois (6-0, 1-0) has achieved its best start to a season since 2016. That year, it started 8-0, achieving Illinois’ best-ever start to a season. Now, the Illini have a chance to go beyond that.
They have steamrolled through almost every opponent they have faced so far. Their narrowest margin of win was 23-14 against No. 15 Missouri (1-3) in Illinois’ home opener.
What Illinois is doing right
Illinois has almost been perfect throughout the lineup. Apart from the 125-pound weight category, every other wrestler has stood up, earning valuable points for the team.
Illinois has established a “big three” within its lineup. It comprises 133-pound redshirt senior Lucas Byrd, 165-pound redshirt freshman Braeden Scoles and 285-pound redshirt senior Luke Luffman. All three are undefeated in duals, acing the middle-weight categories for Illinois.
Illinois has been fluent on the offensive and defensive sides of the mat. There have been duals with huge margins of wins, like the ones against SIUE (1-2), No. 20 Arizona State (3-2) and No. 29 Indiana (4-1, 0-1). There have also been tight duals against Missouri and No. 21 North Carolina (3-2), where defense won it all for Illinois.
Big Ten run
Illinois is now in the Big Ten stretch of the season. It competes against No. 6 Ohio State (4-0, 0-0) on Jan. 10, 2025, after a month-and-a-half break.
The Buckeyes put an end to the Illini’s 8-0 start in 2016, and they have an opportunity to repeat that before the Illini even get to 8-0. 125-pound junior Caelan Riley has struggled this season. He is currently 0-5, and Illinois hopes this break will give him the turnaround that supports the team.
Ohio State is a mighty opponent. Three out of its four wins have had a margin of 30 or more points. The opponents will visit Champaign in Illinois’ first home dual since Missouri on Nov. 21. In its second Big Ten matchup of the season, arguably the toughest matchup so far, Illinois will try to continue its invincible run.
