Joe Barna

2025 SOPHOMORE Played in all 12 regular-season games Made first-career start in win vs. #21 USC (9/27/25) Career-high six tackles (three solo) and 1.0 sack at #19 Indiana (9/20/25) Tied for sixth on the team with two PBUs, a single-season career high 2024 FRESHMAN Played in nine regular-season games Three tackles (one solo) with a sack for a loss of five yards in college debut vs. Eastern Illinois (8/29/24) Three tackles (two solo) and a half sack in homecoming win over Central Michigan (9/14/24) Season-high five tackles (three solo, two assisted) against #9 Penn State (9/28/24) HIGH SCHOOL Three-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals Defensive lineman ranks: #101 (ESPN), #131 (247Sports), #136 (On3) State of Illinois ranks: #24 (ESPN), #27 (Rivals), #31 (247Sports), #37 (On3) Played for head coach Joe Wardynski at Wheaton North 2023 IHSFCA 7A All-State 2023 News-Gazette All-State Special Mention Two-time all-area 2023 DuKane Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year Two-time All-DuKane Conference 2023 Wheaton North Defensive Player of the Year Helped Wheaton North to state titles in 2021 and 2022 Also played basketball as a freshman and sophomore Offers included Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Purdue, Tulane, Washington State, and Wisconsin PERSONAL Born February 8, 2006 Son of Dan and Michelle Barna One brother, Andrew Chose Illinois because, “The coaches and the atmosphere. I feel like to have Coach Bielema as a defensive-minded coach and have had coached D-line and played, it helps me. The atmosphere also truly embodies their motto that is FamILLy. This group of coaches and people do really give the family feel and I think big things are ahead for this program.” Majoring in exploratory studies RELATED CONTENT There is no related content available. Related Headlines Related Press Clips Related Videos Related Photos STATISTICS Season: 2025 HISTORICAL PLAYER INFORMATION 43 2024 Freshman OLB 6'4" 265 lbs