There have been a few examples of successful NFL quarterbacks who have come through the program. Some of the examples include Tony Eason who was selected with the No. 15 pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He had an okay career but he is most known for his ugly performance against the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl.
Jeff George was another quarterback who the Illini put in the NFL. He was the No. 1 pick in the 1990 NFL Draft. George had a long career but it never panned out to be the quality of a No.