After four months of training — but really a lifetime of preparation — four Illini football players heard their names called at the NFL Draft this weekend. Offensive lineman Hugh Thornton, cornerback Terry Hawthorne, defensive linemen Akeem Spence and Michael Buchanan have fulfilled a lifelong dream of making it to the NFL.

Illinois’ four players drafted led all Big Ten teams. Since 2010, the Illini have had 10 players drafted in the first three rounds, best in the Big Ten. Illinois has had 19 players drafted in the last five years and at least four in each of the past four drafts.

Thornton was the first Illini chosen, going to the Colts in the third round at 86th overall. And when he got the call Friday night, it was a familiar voice he was hearing at the other end of the line. Colts offensive line coach Joe Gilbert held the same position at Illinois from 2009-11, Thornton’s first three years as an Illini. 

“I think it was the best possible place for me,” Thornton said in a teleconference from Boise, Idaho, where he was watching the draft with his family. “I’m excited about going there to continue my career. Coach Gilbert gave me the call, and the emotions started coming out. He helped me prepare for this day at Illinois and I’m happy to be reuniting with him at the next level.”

The other three Illini were chosen Saturday between rounds four and seven. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Spence in the fourth round at 100th overall. Hawthorne was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the next round at 150th overall, followed by Buchanan, whom the New England Patriots drafted in the seventh round at 226th overall.

The Buccaneers traded up 12 spots to draft Spence, who left Illinois with one year of eligibility remaining and is from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., a few hours’ drive from Tampa. 

“I’m happy to be a Buc,” he said. “When I got the phone call from Coach (Greg) Schiano, and he said they were trading up to take me, I screamed and jumped around like a kid. It’ll be a thrill playing at the next level in my home state just a couple of hours away from my friends and family.”

Spence and Buchanan became the third and fourth Illinois defensive linemen drafted in the last three years, following first round picks Corey Liuget and Whitney Mercilus in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Buchanan will be joining former Illini Tavon Wilson in New England, who was drafted by the Patriots in 2012 and played in all of their regular season games and both playoff games.  Buchanan recorded 7 1/2. 

Hawthorne was one of the more heralded recruits from the Ron Zook era in Champaign. He came to the program as a wide receiver and was the 58th-ranked recruit in the nation according to Scout.com and was a Parade and USA Today All-American. 

He will likely remain on the defensive side of the ball with the Steelers. 

Hawthorne, Buchanan and Spence, along with Wilson and Mercilus, were key pieces in the 2011 Illinois defense, which finished the season ranked seventh in the nation in total defense. 

Despite the individual talent, the Illini dropped to 2-10 in 2012. But Thornton was grateful for his experience in Champaign.  

“I want to say thank you to Illini Nation for all their support,” he said. “All the hard work I’ve put in, it’s a blessing and an honor to get picked.”

Sean can be reached at [email protected] and @sean_hammond.