Freshman of the Year History | Buy Tickets
CHAMPAIGN Ill. – The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) announced Tuesday its 2022-23 Freshmen of the Year. Freshman All-American Gabe Jacas (football) and Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection Brooke Mosher (volleyball) have been named winners of the annual award, presented to the top male and female Illini competing in their first collegiate season. The recipients were selected by vote of Illinois head coaches and DIA executive staff.
Jacas played in every game as a true freshman, earning eight starts at outside linebacker. He was a Freshman All-America pick by four news organizations and received All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition after recording 35 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, and five quarterback hurries. Jacas tied for the national lead in QB hits among freshmen with 13, and his four sacks rank second in UI history by a true freshman behind only Simeon Rice.
He follows Rice, the Fighting Illini Hall of Famer, as only the second football defensive player ever to be selected Illinois Freshman of the Year. Jacas is the eighth football player overall to win the award since it began in 1990, and the first since 2011.
Mosher played in every match for the Illini, starting 17. She earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team accolades after tallying more than 200 kills and 200 digs as a rookie, averaging 2.1 kills and 1.9 digs per set. Mosher posted double-digit kills in 12 matches, led by a season-high 21 kills twice: at No. 8 Wisconsin and vs. No. 9 Minnesota.
Mosher is the seventh volleyball player voted Illinois Freshman of the Year, and the first since Jacqueline Quade in 2017.
Jacas and Mosher both return to their respective programs for the 2023 season. Fighting Illini Football tickets and Illinois Volleyball tickets are on sale now.
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