Illinois was back on the practice field Wednesday morning at 10:30. It was the first day in full pads following the 7-day acclimation period. The team practiced on the grass fields today.
Out today were RB Jordan Anderson, OLB Jared Badie, SAF Mathew Bailey, WR Hank Beatty, SAF Nicario Harper, and OL Dezmond Schuster.
Anderson tweaked his back on Monday and missed the last two practices. He should be back this week. Badie's undisclosed injury carried over to fall camp. He was dressed but limited.
Bailey was on crutches and wearing a boot on his right foot. Same injury that kept him sidelined in the spring. Bielema has indicated that Bailey should return approximately two weeks before the opener against Toledo. Schuster's "physical" issue is longer term than expected. No timetable.
NFL scouts were there from the Chargers and Steelers.
DEFENSE NOTES
Cornerbacks did a lot of work on press-man coverage and slide step technique. Taz Nicholson and Tyler Strain continue to be the top two guys.
Again, I like what I'm seeing from freshman Jaheim Clarke. He's long and twitchy, just needs muscle. I love his ability to plant and break on the football. He would have benefited from being here early for spring ball, so he has some catching up to do.
There's still a battle going on for No. 3 corner. In the mix are Prince Ford, Kaleb Patterson, and freshmen Clark, Zach Tobe, and Saboor Karriem. Tobe and Karriem may eventually end up at safety.
STAR / Nickel depth chart appears to be Xavier Scott, Tyson Rooks, and Elijah Mc-Cantos.
FIU transfer Demetrius Hill continues to impress. We loved how he moved the first few day of practice in shells, now he shows some physicality with the team in full pads. He should start at free safety, with Bailey now projected to play strong safety.
Linebacker may be a stronger and deeper position that thought with the emergence of Malachi Hood. Hood and Dylan Rosiek are the 2's right now behind MLB Tarique Barnes and WILL Kenenna Odeluga.
I love what I'm seeing from Hood in particular. A converted strong safety, he's 6-2, long, and is now up to 220 pounds. He jumps out at you in drills because of his ability to move laterally and close on the ball in short bursts.
I didn't get a chance to watch the defensive line today. A couple of personnel changes. Freshmen Mason Muragin and Pat Farrell were initially listed at DL and OLB respectively. It's not the other way around. Muragin is playing OLB and Farrell inside at DL. Muragin has been a standout.
OFFENSE NOTES
It is legitimately a three-man race to start at right guard between Jordyn Slaughter, Josh Gesky, and freshman Brandon Henderson. They're giving Slaughter his shot, but I would put my money on Gesky right now. The ability to move laterally gives him the edge over Slaughter, IMO. Henderson is the most talented, so don't rule him out.
WR starters continue to be Isaiah Williamsm, Pat Bryant, and Casey Washington.. Malik Elzy will likely be the the fourth wide receiver to start the season. There's a reason why the staff is repping Bryant both at X-WR and in the slot. Elzy is going to play a lot on the outside. I know some are tempering expectations, but why? The kid is the most gifted sill position player on the team.
After those four, it's a battle for reps between Kenari Wilcher, Shawn Miller, Alex Capka-Jones, Collin Dixon, Eian Pugh, Ashton Hollins, and Hank Beatty (out today).
I don't see enough speed and quick-cut ability from Capka-Jones, honestly, but they like him in the red zone. Hollins is another guy they like because of his size and straight line speed. He needs to learn to make sharper cuts. He was rounding them off today and he has to gather his feet before cutting. Still learning after playing a lot of defense in high school. He's also rail thin.
I mentioned Aidan Laughery a couple of days ago. I need to see more, but I'm more and more convinced he can carve out a role this year as a 3rd down back. He looks really natural running routes out of the backfield and has good hands.
No predictions, but Josh McCray does look in better physical condition and seems to have the burst back that he had as a freshman. He's a huge key to the season. I like how he was moving and cutting in running back drills. Need to see him in live action now. His vision is a question mark for me.
It's still a competition for QB2 between Donovan Leary and John Paddock. I like Leary to win that battle. However, Paddock is more comfortable handling the ball and executing on read options, RPO's etc. That's where his experience comes ins. He's not a threat to stretch the field, though.
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