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Lovie Smith awards scholarships to two Illini on Christmas Day
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Two Illinois players received some pretty awesome gifts on Christmas Day.
Tight end Bobby Walker and linebacker Jimmy Marchese were both given scholarships from head coach Lovie Smith on Dec. 25, making for a really special holiday. Both players said they received the call from their head coach on Monday.
Both Walker and Marchese posted about the gifts on social media accounts.
#Illini TE Bobby Walker now on scholarship. Cool Christmas present https://t.co/bBUKoBC277
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 26, 2017
Maybe my most memorable Christmas yet. Got a call this morning from… https://t.co/Qi4IkoCmMp
— Bobby Walker (@bobby_walker16) December 25, 2017
#illini LB Jimmy Marchese earns scholarship too pic.twitter.com/dIiwlxydHN
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 26, 2017
This won’t be a Christmas either of the two Illini forgets.
Both former walk-ons saw a significant number of field time this season and appeared in all 12 games. Walker had one catch for seven yards on the year while Marchese posted 18 tackles.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB