MAC ON SPORTS: ILLINI HANSEN’S SURGERY ENDS SEASON, CAREER
J. Thomas McNamara
Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen has announced that he will miss the remainder of the season.
“This week I underwent successful knee surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. It pains me to say that I will not play another game as an Illinois football player. I would like to thank everyone that has been a part of my journey as an Illini especially my family, teammates, coaches, strength staff, athletic trainers, academic counselors, and fans! I will look back at my time here with no regrets and will continue to cherish every moment I enjoyed here. With that said I look forward to pursuing my life long dream of playing in the NFL!
I-L-L 🔶🔷”
Hansen is the NCAA’s active career leader in forced fumbles with 12 and ranks second in Illinois history, one behind Illini legend Simeon Rice’s career record of 13 forced fumbles. He led the nation in takeaways over the span of two seasons from 2019-20 (14), including leading the nation in forced fumbles in 2019 with seven. Hansen was an All-Big Ten second team selection by the media in 2020 after earning honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2019.
Hansen graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in kinesiology.
