Illinois wrestling has often been overshadowed in the Big Ten by the conference’s powerhouses, notably Iowa and Penn State. Despite being one of the mid-level teams in the conference, the Illini have put forward some outstanding wrestlers over the years. Obviously, Isaiah Martinez and Jesse Delgado come to mind, but B.J. Futrell was the most prominent wrestler in the era before those two stars burst onto the scene.
Futrell was well known for his aggressiveness and emphasis on pins, which vaulted him up the leader boards in that category. He began his career at Illinois wrestling in the 125-pound weight class, before moving up to 133 pounds and ultimately, 141 pounds.