2023 Illinois fighting Illini

[Bucky]

Bret Bielema has done a fantastic job of building up Illinois football. They finally have an identity as a hard nosed, physical, Big Ten team. Unfortunately this will be a Dark team with only 4 starters.

Since 2006 Illinois has started 11, 8, 5, 4, 4, 6, 8, 10, 8, 10 , 10, 6, 5, 6 and 8, and 4 in ‘22.

Offense

QB Luke Altmeyer 6’2 200 RSo. *Ole Miss transfer

TE Tip Reiman 6’5 265 RJr. and Colorado State transfer Tanner Arkin 6’5 245.

C Josh Kreutz 6’2 280 Jr. *Son of Olin Kreutz

Defense = 0

Backups: QB John Paddock(Ball State starter last season) RB Aidan Laughery, and Nick Fedanzzo. TEs Henry Boyer and Griffin Moore. OLs Josh Gesky, Hunter Whitenack, And Zachary Barlev. DE Bryce Barnes, LBs Dylan Rosiek and Jake Kreutz.

 

[Leonardfan]

Disappointing numbers for sure. The 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes were fairly White friendly though so that leaves some hope for the future.

 

[Bucky]

Disappointing numbers for sure. The 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes were fairly White friendly though so that leaves some hope for the future.

By my count whole backup OL is a snow plow. One of those guys might break into the starting lineup and apparently Barnes has put himself into the DE rotation.

Laughery has 10.7 100m speed but has been battling injuries his first 2 years of college.