Wheaton North’s 6’4, 250 lber. Joe Barna Joe Barna 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Wheaton North | 2024 State IL held a more-than-healthy offer sheet comprised of the likes of Oklahoma, Indiana, Kansas, Wisconsin, Mizzou, Washington State, Purdue, Toledo, Kent State, Old Dominion, Tulane, Wyoming, Western Michigan, Miami (OH), Ohio, Bowling Green State, Central Michigan, Ball State, Northern Illinois, and Iowa State before recently shutting things down and committing to the homestate Illini on June 27th. In addition to playing B1G football in the Land of Lincoln, Barna is also one of the state’s hardest hitters, which is a terrifying reality for opposing QBs who have to deal with the 250 lber. coming off the edge as a DE. The two-way starter, who earned First Team All-Dukane Conference honors last fall, absolutely crushes QBs when he makes contact. Thanks to his heavy and active hands, bend, ability to go speed to power, and general high-motor playstyle, Barna can get to QBs uninhibited and with a full head of steam, where he likes to hit shoulder pad to shoulder pad and make sure his opposition feels his full 250 pounds. I also like how he slams ball carriers into the ground full force, which can’t feel good to experience, and between the slams and the full-throttle hits in the backfield, Barna created some of the biggest collisions I saw when watching film for the 2024 update. Crushing, crumpling, and sending opponents flying are the first few descriptors that come to mind when watching him hit, and I’m scared in advance for QBs who have to feel his wrath in 2023. Barna is a strong kid who can freeze and shed blocks well while he finds the ball, can start/stop and make plays in space, and made a big impact in both run and pass defense last fall. The strength, body control, high-energy relentless motor, and hard-hitting playstyle fit in very well for future B1G play and he makes for a great in-state land for Bret Bielema & the Illini staff.