CHAMPAIGN — From walk-on to Big Ten's best.

Chase McLaughlin, who wasn't on scholarship for his first two years at Illinois, was named Big Ten Kicker of the Year on Tuesday. The Illini senior also was named All-Big Ten First Team by coaches and All-Big Ten Second Team by media.

McLaughlin, a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, made 20 of 25 field goals this season and led the Big Ten in scoring with 96 points.

McLaughlin improved greatly from distance as a senior. He entered the year 1-for-5 for his career on 50-plus yard field goals and 7-for-16 on 40-plus yard field goals. This season, he tied for the FBS lead with nine field goals of 40-plus yards and was second in the FBS with four field goals of 50-plus yards. He owns the Illinois record for 50-plus yard field goals made in a season (four) and a career (five).

The Cypress (Texas) native ends his career fourth in Illinois history in field goals made (40) and fourth in field goal accuracy (.746).

McLaughlin is the first Illini football player to win one of the Big Ten's 11 individual awards, which started in 2011. He is the first Illini to win an individual award since 2007, when Rashard Mendenhall (Offensive Player of the Year), Arrelious Benn (Freshman of the Year) and Ron Zook (Coach of the Year) all won awards.

Fellow special teamer Blake Hayes, a sophomore, was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team by coaches after finishing third in the conference in punting average (43.6).

Senior linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips and sophomore defensive end Bobby Roundtree earned honorable mention All-Big Ten from media. Roundtree led the Illini with 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, which was seventh among Big Ten players. He also led FBS linemen with seven pass breakups. Phillips led Illinois with 97 tackles and was second in the Big Ten with four interceptions.

The conference will announce offensive awards on Wednesday. Running back Reggie Corbin and senior offensive lineman Nick Allegretti seem like the Illini's best bets to earn honors, and sophomore offensive tackle Alex Palczewski also had a strong season.