Projected two deep.
One of the most enjoyable things to do before any Football season is map out the key
intriguing position battles and project a starting lineup. Football is pretty unique in how important depth is based on position, for instance you’d love it if your starting OL took 95% of the snaps in a season with the other 5% coming in mop up duty. On the other side of the ball ideally your starting DL takes about 55% of the snaps with initial backups taking 35% and third stringers the final 10%. This isn’t to say that OL depth isn’t important, it is hugely important in the case of injury, however DL depth is critical. You want to be able to rotate the DL and keep them fresh. That was not the case last year and it is a bigger concern to me at this time this year. It is for that reason that I will add a 3 deep chart for the DL. No other position relies on depth like DL, of course when you ask 300lb lineman to chase RBs and WRs 10-15 yards across or down the field, you’re going to need some depth. With that in mind this two deep will read like a 3 deep in some spots like the aforementioned DL but also in places like RB and WR where I expect guys on that list to see the field this year.
Offense
QB: 1. Luke Altmyer Jr. 2. Donovan Leary So. Emergency: Kirkland Michaux Jr.
RB: 1. Kaden Feagin So. 2. Josh McCray Jr. 3. Aiden Laughery So.
WR: 1. Pat Bryant Sr. 2. Malik Elzy So. 3. Collin Dixon Fr.
WR: 1. Zakari Franklin Sr. 2. Alex Capka-Jones Jr. 3. Ashton Hollins So
Slot: 1. Kendrick wilcher Jr. 2. Mario Sanders So. 3. Hank Beatty
TE: 1. Tanner Arkin Jr. 2. Henry Boyer So. 3. Carson Goda Sr.
LT: 1. JC Davis Sr. 2. Brandon Henderson So.
LG: 1. Josh Gesky Jr. 2. Kevin Wiggenton Jr.
C: 1. Josh Kreutz Jr. 2. TJ McMillan Fr.
RG: 1. Zy Crisler Sr. 2. Dezmond Schuster Jr. (I actually think this is Whitenack as well but I
wanted to illustrate that we truly have 10 guys that can play at OL)
RT: 1. Melvin Priestly Jr. 2. Magnus Moller So. (Probably Henderson see above)
KR: 1. Wilcher 2. Miles Scott 3. Franklin
PK: 1. David Olano So. 2. Ethan Moczulski So.
Things that stick out on Offense, Depth depth depth! Look at that OL and WR depth!
Concern: Depth at LT, QB and TE.
Defense
E: 1. Dennis Briggs Jr. Sr. 2. Gentile Hunt Sr. 3. Pat Ferrell Fr.
NT: 1. Terah Edwards Sr. 2. Enyce Sledge So.
E: 1. Alex Bray So. 2. Ezekiel Holmes Sr. 3. Jeremiah Warren Fr.
OLB: 1. Seth Coleman Sr. 2. Alec Bryant Jr. 3. Joe Barna
MLB: 1. Dylan Rosiek Jr. 2. Ryan Meed Sr.
WLB: 1. Kenenna Odeluga Jr. 2. James Kruetz So. 3. Malachi Hood So
OLB: 1. Gabe Jacas Jr. 2. Daniel Brown Jr. 3. Jojo Hayden Fr.
CB: 1. Terrence Brooks Jr. 2. Kaleb Patterson So.
CB: 1. Xavier Scott Jr. 2. Jaheim Clarke So. 3. Chase Canada So.
N: 1. Torrie Cox 2: Tyler Strain
SS: 1. Matthew Bailey Jr. 2. Saboor Karriem So. 3 Demetrius Hill Jr.
FS: 1. Miles Scott Jr. 2. Mac Resetich So.
PR: 1. Wilcher 2. Beatty
Punter: 1. Hugh Robertson Jr. 2. Declan Duley Fr.
Biggest things that stick out on D, the back 8 is deep and talented and experienced.
Furthermore very few senior starters with 2/3 of the being on the DL which is the biggest concern. Will Illinois be forced to move Jacas to End so Illinois can get their best 11 on the field or will guys like Warren and Farrell step up and make this a competent rotation?
Special teams should be enhanced by the level of depth this team has, this team is missing depth at positions that normally don’t impact STs and that is QB/TE and DL. I believe the kicking units are solid, the coverage units are good. Can we catch and retain punts is the question.
One last point, Illinois only trots out 7 Senior starter on Offense and Defense? Can Bielema develop a DL for 25 or hit the portal well enough to make 25 a very competitive team?