Roundtree makes first return to Champaign

After a swimming accident hospitalized the junior back in May, Illinois defensive end Bobby Roundtree made his first return back to Champaign just in time to deliver a pregame speech before Senior Day.

Roundtree was expected to be an integral part of this year’s Illini team and a potential draft pick come this Spring.

In his physical absence from the program, the Illini have rallied around the Florida native by visiting him multiple times over the course of the season and frequently FaceTiming him in the post game locker room.

Back in October, the University set up a GoFundMe page to help cover Roundtree’s medical expenses. The goal was $97,000 in honor of the No. 97 he wore — they passed that figure in a matter of days.

He’s expected to be back on campus to resume classes for the Spring semester.