It's really early, obviously. But never too early to predict the starting lineup for 2017. If these are the starters, then Illinois will return 17 starters in 2018. The needle is pointing up.
Offense
QB Dwayne Lawson
RB Kendrick Foster
OT Christian DiLauro
OT Gabe Megginson
OG Darta Lee
OG Larry Boyd
C Nick Allegretti
TE Zarrian Holcombe
WR Mike Dudek
WR Malik Turner
WR Carmoni Green
PK Chayce McLaughlin
Offense notes
* Allegretti could stay at guard if Doug Kramer is good enough to start at center
* Former JUCO Jordan Fagan beat out Darta Lee at one point last season.
* Ricky Smalling, Sam Mays, and Dominic Thieman will also get a lot of reps at WR. Smalling could start.
* If Holcombe isn't yet strong enough to play TE, there are 4 contenders including frosh Louis Dorsey
* Reggie Corbin will start out as the No. 2 RB but he could get pushed by Dre Brown or one of the freshmen. I really like Ra'Von Bonner.
* With HoJo Watkins being here in the spring, he could also crack the lineup at one of the guard spots. Watkins is 6-foot-5, 308 lbs already. He reminds me of Jeff Allen.
* Who plays the fullback / superback role? Austin Roberts tore his ACL for the second time during the season last fall.
Defense
SDE Tito Odenigbo
DT Jamal Milan
DT Kenyon Jackson
WDE Owen Carney
MLB Tre Watson
SLB Dele' Harding
WLB Del'Shawn Phillips
CB Jaylen Dunlap
CB Cameron Watkins
SS Stanley Green
FS Patrick Nelson
Defense notes
* Tymir Oliver is another guy besides Tito who could move to SDE
* Not sure what to expect from WDE Sean Adesanya at this point. Former JUCO who has been hurt a lot.
* I like these 3 LBs to start but positions could change. They are interchangeable.
* They could sure use another 5th year senior DL like Gimel President. Or maybe a CB.
* James Crawford got some reps at WDE last year.
* Look for a true freshman to step in as the punter. Ohio product Brad Robbins is the top guy.
Offense
QB Dwayne Lawson
RB Kendrick Foster
OT Christian DiLauro
OT Gabe Megginson
OG Darta Lee
OG Larry Boyd
C Nick Allegretti
TE Zarrian Holcombe
WR Mike Dudek
WR Malik Turner
WR Carmoni Green
PK Chayce McLaughlin
Offense notes
* Allegretti could stay at guard if Doug Kramer is good enough to start at center
* Former JUCO Jordan Fagan beat out Darta Lee at one point last season.
* Ricky Smalling, Sam Mays, and Dominic Thieman will also get a lot of reps at WR. Smalling could start.
* If Holcombe isn't yet strong enough to play TE, there are 4 contenders including frosh Louis Dorsey
* Reggie Corbin will start out as the No. 2 RB but he could get pushed by Dre Brown or one of the freshmen. I really like Ra'Von Bonner.
* With HoJo Watkins being here in the spring, he could also crack the lineup at one of the guard spots. Watkins is 6-foot-5, 308 lbs already. He reminds me of Jeff Allen.
* Who plays the fullback / superback role? Austin Roberts tore his ACL for the second time during the season last fall.
Defense
SDE Tito Odenigbo
DT Jamal Milan
DT Kenyon Jackson
WDE Owen Carney
MLB Tre Watson
SLB Dele' Harding
WLB Del'Shawn Phillips
CB Jaylen Dunlap
CB Cameron Watkins
SS Stanley Green
FS Patrick Nelson
Defense notes
* Tymir Oliver is another guy besides Tito who could move to SDE
* Not sure what to expect from WDE Sean Adesanya at this point. Former JUCO who has been hurt a lot.
* I like these 3 LBs to start but positions could change. They are interchangeable.
* They could sure use another 5th year senior DL like Gimel President. Or maybe a CB.
* James Crawford got some reps at WDE last year.
* Look for a true freshman to step in as the punter. Ohio product Brad Robbins is the top guy.
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