Call him Lovie Claus?

Lovie Smith called two walk-ons on Monday to hand out pretty pricey Christmas gifts. The Illinois coach told rising juniors, Bobby Walker and Jimmy Marchese, that they now were on scholarship.

Both shared the news on their Instagram accounts.

Marchese, a linebacker from Lincolnshire (Ill.) Stevenson, played all 12 games and totaled 18 tackles. He started two games at linebacker and recorded a team-high five tackles on special teams. His younger brother Michael is on the team and played as a walk-on safety this past season.

Walker, a Wilmette (Ill.) Loyola Academy product, played all 12 games and 103 snaps, fourth-most among tight ends this season, though Caleb Reams took many of his snaps at receiver. He had one catch on the season, against Nebraska, for seven yards.

Illinois currently has five to six scholarships available for next fall.

Maybe my most memorable Christmas yet. Got a call this morning from… https://t.co/Qi4IkoCmMp — Bobby Walker (@bobby_walker16) December 25, 2017