Chambana Sun

University of Illinois graduate Natalie Woch has been appointed as the Director of Recruiting Operations for the university's football program, according to head coach Bret Bielema. Previously, Woch was the On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator for the University of Oklahoma's football program in 2024.

"Natalie is an alumni and former student worker for us that knows so much about life here at Illinois," stated Bielema. "She left after graduation for a great opportunity at Oklahoma and is now back in a new role. She will provide an invaluable perspective in recruiting and retention."

Expressing her enthusiasm for the new position, Woch said, "I am extremely blessed for the opportunity to come back home and be back with the Illini famILLy. Thank you to Coach Bielema and Patrick Embleton for believing in me and giving me the chance to return to a place that means so much to me. There is something special building here and I'm grateful to be a part of it."

Woch previously served as a student recruiting assistant for the Illinois football team, where she played a key role in managing student recruiting assistants during recruiting events and supported the director of recruiting with visit preparations. During her tenure at Oklahoma, she orchestrated official and unofficial visits, game day recruiting programming, junior days, and other special events. Her efforts contributed to Oklahoma achieving the No. 8 recruiting class nationwide, as reported by 247Sports. She also facilitated the operations concerning signees' initial eligibility with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Woch graduated from the University of Illinois in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in sports management and a minor in public relations.