CHAMPAIGN – Jake Hansen didn’t take a straight path to a starting spot at linebacker in the University of Illinois football training camp. It had a few more twists and turns.

A native of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Hansen was recruited by only two power five conference programs. The academies – Army, Navy and Air Force – all offered the honor roll student who had a 4.3 grade-point average at East Lake High School. He also gained interested from the Ivy League, plus schools in the MAC and smaller programs closer to home like Florida International and Florida Atlantic.

Hansen eventually committed to Iowa State, but a coaching change for the Cyclones left him looking again. He decided to go with Illinois and coach Bill Cubit. Shortly thereafter, Cubit was fired and replaced by Lovie Smith.

“I decommitted from Iowa State in December, visited Illinois in January and signed in February,’’ Hansen said. “Then the staff changed, and Lovie Smith was going to be my coach with Hardy Nickerson the defensive coordinator. We had a ton of NFL experience. I was pumped.’’

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