Illinois State All-American Daniel Sobkowicz Prepares for Pro Days After Record Season

Former walk‑on Daniel Sobkowicz closed his Illinois State career as the Redbirds’ leader in receptions and receiving touchdowns, finishing with 262 catches for 3,559 yards and 41 receiving TDs across 51 games. His senior season produced 83 receptions, 1,141 yards and a school single‑season record 19 receiving touchdowns, and he now pivots to pro days after ISU’s 35-34 overtime loss to Montana State in the FCS national championship game in Nashville.

Sobkowicz began structured pro training the week after that championship and spent roughly two months in Fort Myers, Florida working mainly in a receiver‑defensive back group. “There were maybe 12 or 13 guys (in that group) and closer to about 40 with all the positions,” he said, and he characterized the work as “more just fine tuning. There wasn’t one specific thing I was working on.” He added, “When you go to those facilities, everyone is training for the 40‑yard dash, (improving) your speed and change of direction and getting stronger too.”

Prairie State Pigskin reports Sobkowicz returned to Normal, Illinois this week to take part in an Illinois State pro day in the Redbirds’ indoor facility north of Hancock Stadium and that he accepted an invite to Northwestern’s pro day on March 17 in Evanston. “The pro days are where I’m going to be able to show my skills. That’s where I’m at right now,” Sobkowicz said, noting multiple pro scouts have contacted him and that “a lot of it is filling out questionnaires at this point.”

Scouting assessments peg Sobkowicz as a high‑production, multi‑scheme prospect with length and contested‑catch ability. Sports Illustrated and FCS scouting notes highlight his 6‑foot‑3, 205‑pound frame, strong hands and body control to finish sideline catches, and they project him as an adequate NFL rotational prospect with upside as a starting possession receiver. Mel Kiper Jr., quoted on the tape from the Murray State game, labeled him “OK, here’s a late‑Day 3 guy to watch,” and pointed to Sobkowicz’s 8 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown against Murray State, plus a rushing TD in that game, while flagging speed as the chief question scouts will need answered at pro days and the combine.

Sobkowicz’s senior résumé includes multiple 100‑yard playoff outings - 136 yards at Southeast Missouri State and 111 at UC Davis - a 156‑yard, two‑TD game versus Indiana State, and a 28‑yard touchdown at Southern Illinois. His rise from a walk‑on to program leader drew attention across the Valley; Sam Baker said, “After Dan’s sophomore year his coaches were already talking to him that he had a chance to be in an NFL camp,” a line that underscores both development and loyalty after Sobkowicz turned down Power 4 transfer interest to remain in Normal.

Recognized as a first‑team All‑MVFC selection in 2025 and an AP second‑team FCS All‑American, Sobkowicz enters draft season ranked No. 2 among FCS prospects by FCS Football Central. With the 2026 NFL Draft scheduled for April 23-25, his pro‑day measurements and any all‑star performances will be pivotal in resolving the speed concerns that separate a late‑Day 3 projection from a potential Day 2 leap, and they will determine whether he can become Illinois State’s first drafted player since Davonte Harris in 2018.