Sept. 5, 2008

University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics officials announced Friday that Fighting Illini greats J Leman and Jason Reda will return to Champaign-Urbana for the Illinois Renaissance Celebration Game against Eastern Illinois Sept. 6. The pair completes a long list (see photos below) of legendary Illinois players who will be on hand for the 2008 home opener, when fans will get their first look at the newly finished stadium.

J Leman, LB, 2004-07

"I am extremely honored to be part of the 10 greatest linebackers of all time at the real `Linebacker U,'" Leman said. "And I am really excited to see the team and all of the former players who are able to make it back to Champaign."

Leman led Illinois to the 2008 Rose Bowl, helping engineer the greatest turnaround in college football in 2007. A consensus All-American, Leman was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection. He led the Illini in tackles in both 2006 and 2007, and finished in the top five in the Big Ten both seasons. He finished his career sixth on the all-time tackles list and fifth in career tackles for loss.

Jason Reda, K, 2004-07

Reda broke Illinois' career scoring record in 2007, finishing his career with 267 points. His 92 points last season ranks fifth all-time, and his 51 career field goals rank third. He holds the fourth- and fifth-best season field goal totals and ranks second in both career and single-season field goal accuracy. His four field goals of 50 yards or more is tied for the school record with Dan Beaver.

The Illinois Renaissance celebration will be highlighted by the return of a multitude of former Fighting Illini players, with the list of 10 greatest Illini in Memorial Stadium history at each position being honored during eight breaks throughout the game. The current team also will honor past greats by donning throwback uniforms modeled in the style of the Dick Butkus era. Illinois will take on Eastern Illinois Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. The game will be nationally televised by the Big Ten Network.

Here is final list of the 47 Fighting Illini greats slated to attend the Sept. 6 Renaissance Celebration, followed by a pictorial directory of all 80 of those honored former players:

QUARTERBACKS
Jack Beynon 1932-34	Tony Eason 1981-82	Jeff George 1988-89	Kurt Kittner 1998-2001	Tommy O'Connell 1951-52	Mike Taliaferro 1962-63	Jack Trudeau 1983-85	Jason Verduzco 1989-92	Mike Wells 1970-72	Dave Wilson 1980

RUNNING BACKS
J.C. Caroline 1953-54	Jim Grabowski 1963-65	Red Grange 1923-25	Howard Griffith 1987-90	Robert Holcombe 1994-97	John Karras 1949-51	Rashard Mendenhall 2005-07	Bobby Mitchell 1955-57	Thomas Rooks 1982-85	Buddy Young 1944, 46

RECEIVERS
Mike Bellamy 1988-89	Tim Brewster 1982-83	Doug Dieken 1968-70	Ken Dilger 1991-94	Rich Kreitling 1957-58	Brandon Lloyd 1999, 2001-02	Mike Martin 1980-82	David Williams 1983-85	John Wright Sr. 1965-67	Walter Young 1999-2002

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Alex Agase 1941-42, 1946	David Diehl 1999-2002	Brad Hopkins 1990-2002	Jim Juriga 1982-85	Larry McCarren 1970-72	Tony Pashos 1999-2002	Bernie Shively 1924-26	Time Simpson 1988-91	Revie Sorey 1972-74	Archie Sutton 1962-64

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Mel Agee 1987-90	Tab Bennett 1970-72	Mark Butkus 1980-83	Scott Davis 1983-87	Moe Gardner 1987-90	Ed O'Bradovich 1959-60	Simeon Rice 1992-95	Joe Rutgens 1958-60	Don Thorp 1980-83	Fred Wakefield 1997-2000

LINEBACKERS
Darrick Brownlow 1987-90	Bill Burrell 1957-59	Dick Butkus 1962-64	Kevin Hardy 1992-1995	John Holocek 1991-94	Dana Howard 1991-1994	J Leman 2004-2007	Ray Nitschke 1955-1957	Scott Studwell 1973-76	John Sullivan 1997-2000

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Al Brosky 1950-52	George Donnelly 1962-64	Chris Green 1987-90	Mike Gow 1972-74	Kelvin Hayden 2003-04	Henry Jones 1987-90	Craig Swoope 1982-85	Keith Taylor 1983-87	Eugene Wilson 1999-2002	Abe Woodson 1954-56

SPECIALISTS
Mike Bass 1980-82	Dan Beaver 1973-76	Dike Eddleman 1946-48	Nathan Hodel 1997-2000	Adam Lingner 1979-82	Neil Rackers 1996-1999	Jason Reda 2004-2007	Pierre Thomas 2003-2006	Steve Weatherford 2002-05	Chris White 1983-85