Illinois State senior wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz could rank No. 1 all-time in school history in three categories if he achieves 69 receptions, 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Barry Bottino
Over the past three seasons, Daniel Sobkowicz has piled up impressive receiving numbers, ranking in the top five all-time for Illinois State in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches.
If he achieves 69 catches, 1,161 yards and 10 TDs in the 2025 season, the senior will be ISU’s career leader in all three categories.
But the number that matters most is a different No. 1.
“I knew I was definitely up there,” Sobkowicz said of his career numbers. “That would be a really cool achievement to have. But I’d definitely trade that in for a national championship any second.
“That’s at the top of my list,” he said. “That’s my focus and that’s the team’s focus. Personal achievements are a bonus.”
The Redbirds, who advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season, are the first Illinois FCS team to begin spring practices. ISU hits the field Tuesday and will conduct its annual spring game at 1 p.m. on April 12 in Normal.
Sobkowicz told Prairie State Pigskin that he isn’t likely to have a big workload this spring after a recent ankle surgery. “Now’s the time to fix it,” he said. “It’s been a couple weeks (since surgery). It was nothing too serious. I’m healing up slowly, but everything is going well.”
The offense returns eight starters from last season’s 10-4 campaign and first playoff berth since 2019. That unit averaged more than 402 yards a game and nearly 27 points.
Sobkowicz expects even more.
“We have a really experienced group and a bunch of leaders on offense,” he said. “Our offense is constantly getting better and better. I’m looking forward to that.”
Perhaps the biggest returning piece is quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse. As a junior last season, he posted the best statistical season for a Redbird QB (3,320 yards of offense, 25 total TDs) since Tre Roberson in 2014, when ISU played in the national championship game.
“Me and him are in the same class,” Sobkowicz said. “We clicked from the start. Now it’s paying off.”
Rittenhouse’s 480 rushing yards and eight TDs on the ground added a unique dimension to ISU’s offense.
“I already knew he was fast,” Sobkowicz said. “But he can move really well and scramble. He keeps plays alive. That’s a really big thing for receivers and tight ends. There’s always a second chance with him because he can get out of the pocket and make magic happen.”
Sobkowicz and the passing game also benefited from WR Xavier Loyd, the Kansas State transfer that piled up 66 catches for 912 yards and six TDs last season.
“He was impactful right away in our offense,” Sobkowicz said. “You could rely on him to make a big play of whatever, especially in the deep passing game. He’s really fast and has good hands. He runs good routes.”
Spring news and notes
The Redbirds must replace five starters of defense from the season finale at UC Davis, including both starting safeties – Keondre Jackson and Dillon Gearhart. At linebacker, Amir Abdullah and Lavoise-Deontae McCoy completed their eligibility, along with Jack linebacker Jalan Gaines. Those five players combined for 142 career starts at ISU. … Offensive lineman Jake Pope, who started 13 games at right tackle last season, is returning as a graduate student. … Leading tackler Tye Niekamp (112 stops), who earned several FCS All-America honors last season, returns for his junior season. He also led the team with four interceptions.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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