He enrolled at Pasadena City College, at the time a major junior college program, and was recruited along with five other players to transfer to the University of Illinois where they were looking to involve the tight end more heavily in their offensive scheme. At Illinois he was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection as a tight end. At the end of his first season he played against the University of Alabama in the 1982 Liberty Bowl, which was Bear Bryant's final game.
He joined Pasadena City College, a prominent junior college institution at the time, and was recruited to join the University of Illinois team alongside five other players. The university sought to integrate the tight end more prominently into their offense. During his tenure, he earned All-Big Ten Conference honors twice as a tight end. His inaugural season culminated in a 1982 Liberty Bowl matchup against the University of Alabama, which marked Bear Bryant's farewell game.