Kramer, Hansen and Hayes - first three-time captains in Illinois football history.

Illinois Athletics Communication

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football team named six captains for the 2021 season: Tony Adams, Owen Carney Jr., Jake Hansen, Blake Hayes, Doug Kramer, and Vederian Lowe. The captains were selected by a vote of the players.

Courtesy Illinois Football

Kramer, Hansen, and Hayes were named captains for the third consecutive year, marking the first three-time captains in Illinois program history.

Tony Adams

• Fourth-year starting defensive back
• First-time team captain
• 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten fourth team

Owen Carney Jr.

• First-time team captain
• 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten first team
• 2021 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten second team
• Represented Illinois at Big Ten Media Days

Jake Hansen

• Fourth-year starting linebacker
• Three-time team captain
• 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-American fourth team
• 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten first team
• 2021 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten second team
• 2021 PFF Preseason All-Big Ten third team

Blake Hayes

• Fifth-year starting punter
• Three-time team captain
• 2021 PFF Preseason All-Big Ten second team
• 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten third team
• 2021 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten third team
• 2019 Big Ten Punter of the Year

Doug Kramer

• Fourth-year starting center
• Three-time team captain
• 2021 PFF Preseason All-America honorable mention
• 2021 PFF Preseason All-Big Ten second team
• 2021 Rimington Award watch list
• 2021 Outland Trophy watch list
• 2021 Rotary Lombardi Award watch list
• Represented Illinois at Big Ten Media Days

Vederian Lowe

• Fifth-year starting offensive lineman
• First-time team captain
• 2021 Outland Trophy watch list
• Represented Illinois at Big Ten Media Days