Reda Talks About Illini Pledge

Rock Island kicker Jason Reda was in Champaign a couple of weeks ago for his official visit. Reda took one more visit before deciding on Illinois.

“I committed to Illinois last week,” said kicker Jason Reda. “I visited Illinois two weekends ago and I visited Northern Illinois (12-12) last weekend.

“Illinois is losing two scholarship kickers and I’ve been told in not so many words that I’m going to walk into the job.

“I know there’s going to be kickers already on the roster to compete with me and I’m fine with that. Competition, especially for kickers is always good.

“I kicked a 65-yard field goal at the Illinois camp during the summer.”

Reda, a 6-foot-2, 190-pounder from Rock Island has been the varsity kicker for the Rocks during the past three seasons.

Reda’s long field goal in 2003 was 48-yards. He missed a long attempt wide right of 50-yards. 95% of Jason’s kicks were through the end zone for a touchback.