In their 12th year under head coach Ray Eliot, the Illini compiled a 7–1–1 record, finished in a tie for first place in the Big Ten Conference, and were ranked #7 in the final AP Poll.

[1] Tackle Don Ernst was selected as the team's most valuable player.

[2] Sophomore halfback J. C. Caroline led the team with 1,256 rushing yards on 194 attempts (6.5 yards per carry) and was selected as a consensus first-team player on the 1953 College Football All-America Team.

[3] Guard John Bauer was selected by the Newspaper Enterprise Association as a third-team All-American.

This college football 1950s season article is a stub.