Illinois’ best punters since 2004
Blake Hayes has the most punting yards of the 9 punters who played at Illinois since 2004, 14,275 in 57 games. Justin DuVernois is 2nd with 10,571. Lars Rau is 8th, with 996; 585 more passes Keelan Crimmins for 7th.
Of the Big Ten’s best punters since 2004, Blake Hayes is 2nd and Justin DuVernois 7th.
Illinois’ punters this season
- Lars Rau7 games, 43.3 yards a punt996 at Illinois, the 8th-most since 2004. 585 more puts him past Keelan Crimmins for 7th.996punting yards
By decade: 2020s · 2010s · 2004–09
Compare with in · side by side
| Place | Player | punting yards | punts | yards per punt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blake Hayes2017 – 2021 · 57 games | 14,275 | 326 | 43.8 |
| 2 | Justin DuVernois2011 – 2014 · 47 games | 10,571 | 254 | 41.6 |
| 3 | Anthony Santella2007 – 2010 · 50 games | 9,964 | 244 | 40.8 |
| 4 | Hugh Robertson2020 – 2024 · 38 games | 6,164 | 150 | 41.1 |
| 5 | Steve Weatherford2004 – 2005 · 22 games | 5,445 | 124 | 43.9 |
| 6 | Kyle Yelton2006 – 2007 · 13 games | 1,876 | 51 | 36.8 |
| 7 | Keelan Crimmins2025 · 13 games | 1,580 | 36 | 43.9 |
| 8 | Lars Rau2026 · still playing | 996 | 23 | 43.3 |
| +996 this season · passes Keelan Crimmins for 7th in 5 games at his pace | ||||
| 9 | Jared Bosch2006 · 3 games | 281 | 8 | 35.1 |
punting yards by decade
2020s
- Hugh Robertson2020 – 2024 · 38 games6,164
- Blake Hayes2020 – 2021 · 20 games4,906
- Keelan Crimmins2025 · 13 games1,580
- › Lars Rau2026 · 7 games996
2010s
- Justin DuVernois2011 – 2014 · 47 games10,571
- Blake Hayes2017 – 2019 · 37 games9,369
- Anthony Santella2010 · 13 games2,866
2004–09
- Anthony Santella2007 – 2009 · 37 games7,098
- Steve Weatherford2004 – 2005 · 22 games5,445
- Kyle Yelton2006 – 2007 · 13 games1,876
- Jared Bosch2006 · 3 games281
Also at Illinois: quarterbacks · running backs · wide receivers · tight ends · defenders · kickers · Illinois record book
Method
- Every punter who played at Illinois since 2004, ranked by punting yards over his games there. Bowl and playoff games count.
- The numbers here start in 2004, so a punter who played at Illinois before then isn't here.
- A decade counts his punting yards at Illinois in its seasons.