James Kreutz

krew-tz Career-high 15 tackles (eight solo) with 1.0 sack in overtime win at Michigan State (10/10/26) Played in all 12 games with one start · 29 total tackles (15 solo) with 3.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups on the season · Tied for fifth on the team with 3.5 tackles for loss · Three tackles (one solo) with a tackle for loss in Music City Bowl victory vs. #23 Tennessee (12/30/25) · Three tackles and a PBU in rivalry win vs. Northwestern (11/29/25) · Tied season high with five tackles (four solo) and added a pass breakup in win vs. Rutgers (11/1/25) · Season-high five tackles (two solo) at #19 Indiana (9/20/25) Played in all 13 games with four starts · Fourth on the team with 55 tackles (26 solo), 0.5 tackles for loss, two QB hurries and one pass breakup · Career-high 12 tackles (two solo) and 0.5 tackles for loss at Rutgers (11/23/24) · Nine tackles (five solo) against Minnesota (11/2/24) Played in all 12 games with one start at linebacker · First career start against Nebraska (10/6/23) · Recorded first mult-tackle game with two special teams stops vs. Toledo (9/2/23) Played in three games · Illinois' Defensive Look Team Player of the Year · One tackle on the season · First career tackle at Indiana (9/22/22) Three-star recruit by 247Sports · Two-star recruit by Rivals · Position ranks: #183 (247) · State ranks: #35 (247) · Played for head coach John Holecek at Loyola Academy · 2021 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association 8A All-State first team · 2021 Chicago Catholic League Blue Defensive Player of the Year · 2021 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area · 2022 Polynesian Bowl invite · 137 tackles (69 solo), 19.0 TFLs, and 6.0 sacks as a senior · Played running back and linebacker in high school Born August 10, 2004 · Son of Olin and Wendi Kreutz · Brother, Josh Kreutz, was a center for the Illinois football team · Father, Olin Kreutz, was a six-time Pro Bowler with the Chicago Bears · Graduated from the University of Illinois in August 2026 with a degree in recreation, sport, & tourism