Illinois EDGE Joe Barna on how he can get himself to the next level

University of Illinois edge rusher Joe Barna has switched positions this season, in order to try and help fill the pass-rushing void left by the departure of Gabe Jacas . The Big Ten sacks leader last season , Jacas went on to get selected by the New England Patriots in the second round this past April.

Last week, Jacas became the final second round pick, in this year's NFL rookie class, to sign his contract. If Barna adjusts from linebacker, to a true, hand-in-the-ground defensive end, and gets home with regularity this upcoming season, he'll one day get a nice payday, like Jacas, as well.

In today's NFL, there is always a big bull market for edge rushers. Of course, there is stiff competition to earn those positions as well.

"The only way you can get better is by being consistent, trusting the process and being determined in what you believe," Barna said in an exclusive interview with Ratings.org . "I feel like if I do that, I will get home and I will get to the quarterback.”

The junior from Wheaton, IL has a good first step, and moves swiftly for a man listed at 265. Illinois will be switching to a base 3-3-5 defense this season, under new coordinator Bobby Hauck, but they did often use elements of this formation, under his predecessor, Aaron Henry.

One of the many knocks on Henry was his reluctance to utilize more aggressive blitz packages, or at least to do so with more regularity.

Jacas might have racked up even more sacks, had Henry done so. It is expected that Hauck will employ more blitzes, and if that's the case, Barna is one of the leading people who stands to gain.

Illini head coach Bret Bielema said at Big Ten Media Days that Barna projects with Pat Farrell to be the two starting defensive ends this fall, with Jacksonville State transfer Darrell Prater at the nose tackle.

He also said that Prater squatted five reps at SIX HUNDRED (yes, 600!!!!) pounds this summer.

"I've never seen that before in a college football player," Bielema said. So keep an eye on that kid as well.

However, Barna is a play-maker, and one of the best examples came in the Music City Bowl this past December. Barna had a game-changing strip sack which set up a crucial fumble recovery touchdown, which turned the tide of that postseason game.

It paved the way for an Illini upset victory over #23 Tennessee , which capped off Illinois' 9-4 season in 2025.

Illinois is expected to finish in the middle of the pack of the Big Ten this season, but then again, so was the 2024 team that went 10-3. Barna is excited about 2026, and all at the position switch offers.

“I was more of an outside linebacker, and now I’m a hand-in-the-dirt kind of defensive lineman, so that’s going to be different," he said.

"I’ve got to adjust to that, but I played that position in high school, so I’m very confident, and I’m going to thrive in it."

This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Illinois EDGE Joe Barna on how he can get himself to the next level

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