Leman Named First-Team All-Big Ten: Five Illini earn all-conference honors

University of Illinois linebacker J Leman was named first team All-Big Ten by the league's media representatives and earned second-team honors by the conference coaches, as announced by the Big Ten on Tuesday. Cornerbacks Alan Ball and Vontae Davis, running back Pierre Thomas and placekicker Jason Reda were named honorable mention picks.

"I am really proud of J," Head Coach Ron Zook said. "The defense showed great improvement this year, and that is a tribute to everyone out there, but there is no doubt that J is one of the leaders and did a tremendous job with everything that was asked of him this season."

Leman led the conference in total tackles (152) and tackles per game (12.7), and ranked second in the NCAA. He was even more impressive in league games, with 13.4 tackles per contest. He was also among the Big Ten's best in tackles for loss with 19 for the season, which was second in the league and 10th in the nation. His tackles and TFLs both rank sixth on the Illinois single-season lists. Leman is Illinois' first first-team All-Big Ten selection since Steve Weatherford in 2004.

"I feel very honored," Leman said. "The credit for this award goes to the defensive line and all the players around me as well as Coach Zook, Coach (Dan) Disch and Coach (Vince) Okruch. They are the reason I was able to play well and excel this season."

Leman Named First-Team All-Big Ten: Five Illini earn all-conference honors