Illinois practiced on Monday from 2:30 to approximately 5:30. No pads today. Shorts and helmets.
The script was as usual. Walk-thrus of special teams, offense and defense for about 30 minutes. Warmups, position drills, 7 vs. 7, then about 45 minutes of team.
Out today: Vederian Lowe has a sprained knee and is day-to-day. Reggie Corbin is out with a wrap on his hamstring. He did catch a few punts. Jaylen Dunlap – ankle. Dre Brown – knee rehab.
OFFENSE NOTES
QB Chayce Crouch
RB Kendrick Foster
OT Christian DiLauro
OG Gabe Megginson
C Doug Kramer
OG Nick Allegretti
OT Larry Boyd
TE Caleb Reams or Griffin Palmer
H-back Nathan Echard
WR Mike Dudek
WR Malik Turner
WR Sam Mays or Carmoni Green
* Boyd is with the 1s on the first day. He got a ton of reps and was gassed at the end of practice. I talked to Luke Butkus and he said everyone needs to get in better shape and they will over the next couple weeks.
* Neither Chayce Crouch or Jeff George were very sharp throwing the ball today. It’s just day 1 obviously, but there were quite a few underthrown balls. They particularly struggle throwing on the move, and there were a lot of roll-outs, waggles, etc. today.
* We need to see him more, but its apparent that Cam Thomas is the most physically talented QB on the roster. The ball comes out of his hand with some zip, and he’s head and shoulders above the others as an athlete and has sprinters speed. He’s just learning the offense and sometimes doesn’t know where to throw, but he throws a really nice ball. He’s especially good on the deep out. Thomas probably isn't physical enough yet to take many hits in the Big Ten.
* I spoke to Mikey Dudek after practice and he had no pain or swelling in his knee. He was nervous at first, but he still has those special feet. He was with the 1’s, but didn’t take as many reps as the other wideouts. Mike is going to practice every other day, so he's going to sit out on Tuesday.
* Alex Palczewski is playing center. Butkus loves this kid. Really tough kid and he’s up to 292 pounds.
* Freshman WR Kendall Smith isn’t a speedster, but he showed some really good hands. He should be in the rotation.
* Nick Allegretti took reps at guard and center.
* With Reggie Corbin out, freshman Ra’Von Bonner is the No. 2 running back. Even when Corbin comes back, Bonner should get carries this season. Good size and nimble feet.
* Trenard Davis is playing WR. He had to fill in at QB last year when everyone was getting injured.
* WR Ricky Smalling is working through an academic issue. Coaches expect him back sometime this week.
DEFENSE NOTES
DE Sean Adesanya
DT Jamal Milan
DT Tymir Oliver
DE James Crawford
MLB Tre Watson
WLB Julian Jones
SLB Jake Hanson
CB Frank Sumpter
SS Patrick Nelson
FS Stanley Green
CB Evan Jones
* There were a lot of guys rotating in and out in the back 7, so I expect the starters to change. Someone needs to break out at the CB spot opposite Dunlap. Didn’t see anyone today who is the clear leader.
* Stanley Green is beefed up this year, looks about 15 pounds heavier. Can’t wait to see him in pads.
* If freshman DE Bobby Roundtree plays anything like he looks on the hoof, Illinois got a stud. He’s the best looking DL recruit since Jihad Ward. Really similar to Michael Buchanan but thicker. Roundtree is already in the 2-deep.
* Freshman CB Tony Adams looks 100%. He had the ACL early in his senior year of high school. He’s running really well.
* No pads, so you can’t really judge the pass rush. That said, it didn’t look very good. No zone blitzes yet, just straight up 4-3.
* JUCO transfer Del’Shawn Phillips has talent, but he’s going through some growing pains learning the scheme.
* I'm not sure James Crawford has enough size to be an every-down player at DE.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
* Chase McLaughlin is the obvious starting kicker. The others aren’t very good.
* The kid from Australia Blake Hayes should be the punter. He was a little inconsistent today, but he has a big leg.
* Kick / punt returners were Mike Dudek, Carmoni Green. Reggie Corbin, Tony Adams, and Trenard Davis
The Illini are back on the practice field on Tuesday at 2:30
New commits Khalon Tolson and Jartarvius Martin were at practice.
What are your questions?
The script was as usual. Walk-thrus of special teams, offense and defense for about 30 minutes. Warmups, position drills, 7 vs. 7, then about 45 minutes of team.
Out today: Vederian Lowe has a sprained knee and is day-to-day. Reggie Corbin is out with a wrap on his hamstring. He did catch a few punts. Jaylen Dunlap – ankle. Dre Brown – knee rehab.
OFFENSE NOTES
QB Chayce Crouch
RB Kendrick Foster
OT Christian DiLauro
OG Gabe Megginson
C Doug Kramer
OG Nick Allegretti
OT Larry Boyd
TE Caleb Reams or Griffin Palmer
H-back Nathan Echard
WR Mike Dudek
WR Malik Turner
WR Sam Mays or Carmoni Green
* Boyd is with the 1s on the first day. He got a ton of reps and was gassed at the end of practice. I talked to Luke Butkus and he said everyone needs to get in better shape and they will over the next couple weeks.
* Neither Chayce Crouch or Jeff George were very sharp throwing the ball today. It’s just day 1 obviously, but there were quite a few underthrown balls. They particularly struggle throwing on the move, and there were a lot of roll-outs, waggles, etc. today.
* We need to see him more, but its apparent that Cam Thomas is the most physically talented QB on the roster. The ball comes out of his hand with some zip, and he’s head and shoulders above the others as an athlete and has sprinters speed. He’s just learning the offense and sometimes doesn’t know where to throw, but he throws a really nice ball. He’s especially good on the deep out. Thomas probably isn't physical enough yet to take many hits in the Big Ten.
* I spoke to Mikey Dudek after practice and he had no pain or swelling in his knee. He was nervous at first, but he still has those special feet. He was with the 1’s, but didn’t take as many reps as the other wideouts. Mike is going to practice every other day, so he's going to sit out on Tuesday.
* Alex Palczewski is playing center. Butkus loves this kid. Really tough kid and he’s up to 292 pounds.
* Freshman WR Kendall Smith isn’t a speedster, but he showed some really good hands. He should be in the rotation.
* Nick Allegretti took reps at guard and center.
* With Reggie Corbin out, freshman Ra’Von Bonner is the No. 2 running back. Even when Corbin comes back, Bonner should get carries this season. Good size and nimble feet.
* Trenard Davis is playing WR. He had to fill in at QB last year when everyone was getting injured.
* WR Ricky Smalling is working through an academic issue. Coaches expect him back sometime this week.
DEFENSE NOTES
DE Sean Adesanya
DT Jamal Milan
DT Tymir Oliver
DE James Crawford
MLB Tre Watson
WLB Julian Jones
SLB Jake Hanson
CB Frank Sumpter
SS Patrick Nelson
FS Stanley Green
CB Evan Jones
* There were a lot of guys rotating in and out in the back 7, so I expect the starters to change. Someone needs to break out at the CB spot opposite Dunlap. Didn’t see anyone today who is the clear leader.
* Stanley Green is beefed up this year, looks about 15 pounds heavier. Can’t wait to see him in pads.
* If freshman DE Bobby Roundtree plays anything like he looks on the hoof, Illinois got a stud. He’s the best looking DL recruit since Jihad Ward. Really similar to Michael Buchanan but thicker. Roundtree is already in the 2-deep.
* Freshman CB Tony Adams looks 100%. He had the ACL early in his senior year of high school. He’s running really well.
* No pads, so you can’t really judge the pass rush. That said, it didn’t look very good. No zone blitzes yet, just straight up 4-3.
* JUCO transfer Del’Shawn Phillips has talent, but he’s going through some growing pains learning the scheme.
* I'm not sure James Crawford has enough size to be an every-down player at DE.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
* Chase McLaughlin is the obvious starting kicker. The others aren’t very good.
* The kid from Australia Blake Hayes should be the punter. He was a little inconsistent today, but he has a big leg.
* Kick / punt returners were Mike Dudek, Carmoni Green. Reggie Corbin, Tony Adams, and Trenard Davis
The Illini are back on the practice field on Tuesday at 2:30
New commits Khalon Tolson and Jartarvius Martin were at practice.
What are your questions?
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