Illinois practiced today from 5:30pm to approximately 8:15pm. Helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts today, so they got their first contact.
Ligashesky took them through a bunch of special teams stuff. A lot of one-on-ones (DL vs. OL, WR vs. DB) today, so we got to see some interesting matchups. Then about 45 minutes of 11-on-11.
Out today: Christian DiLauro (hamstring), Jamal Milan, Lere Oladipo, Vederian Lowe (right knee), Jalen Dunlap (had a wrap on his right knee), Dre Brown (knee rehab). Reggie Corbin (hamstring) was limted but he does a little more every day.
Freshman DT Kendrick Green went down with a left knee injury towards the end of practice. Quite a bit of pain, and the trainers checked him over thoroughly. He did walk off under his own power and was walking around without a limp at the end of practice.
OFFENSE NOTES
* Some standouts on offense were Carmoni Green, Kendall Smith, Nick Allegretti, and Alex Palczewski
* A little better day for the quarterbacks today, though they faced a tough pass rush on the first day with some pads. Chayce Crouch was good on the short and intermediate routes. They didn't throw much downfield. Not much from Jeff George. He throws into coverage a lot. Cam Thomas was shaky with a pass rush baring down on him, but Lovie said he's happy with his progress. Thomas has a lot of tools to work with.
* Mike Epstein continued to impress. Once he gets in space, this kid runs to daylight and heads for the end zone. He's going to play a significant role as a freshman, and I think he's a more complete back than Reggie Corbin and definitely faster straight ahead.
* The offensive line is loaded with guards. They need to recruit tackles. After Christian DiLauro and Larry Boyd, they really don't have any tackles that I would feel good about throwing out there. With DiLauro out, Gabe Megginson moved outside and really struggled to stop the speed rush. Same deal with Adam Solomon. We've seen what Jordan Fagan can do. These guys just can't move laterally. Boyd can, at 340+.
* Remember the name Alex Palczewski. He will play this game for money. Looks like a guy you would see at Michigan or Wisconsin, and plays with anger. He's probably one of the top 5 linemen right now and he can any of the five spots. He was the No. 1 strong-side guard today with DiLauro sidelined.
* Mike Dudek didn't take any live reps today. They are smartly being very careful with him. Freshmen Carmoni Green and Kendall Smith continue to play well. Smith is one of the surprises of the camp. He has a knack for finding holes in the defense and has really good hands. Green has improved his route running from the spring.
* Nick Allegretti was simply dominant in one-on-ones. He's become great fundamentally, does everything right. And he's overpowering now at around 320 pounds. All-Big Ten type of guy.
* Right now at the tight end position, they have a bunch of guys who do one thing well. I talked to Ligashesky after practice and they're still looking for that well-rounded guy who can play all 4 downs.
DEFENSE NOTES
* Standouts on defense were Tymir Oliver and Julian Jones.
* No one is standing out yet for the starting cornerback spot opposite Jaylen Dunlap. They have a bunch of guys rotating in. Frank Sumpter, Evan Jones, and Ahmari Hayes have gotten the most reps. Nate Hobbs is still out sick, and I think he has an opportunity to play when he comes back. Tony Adams has more talent than the other guys in the mix too, but they're taking it slow with him. Patrick Nelson and Stanley Green are pretty much locked in at the two safety spots.
* The linebackers have had 3 solid practices. This group flies to the football, and Julian Jones has the best wheels of the group. Hardy Nickerson also loves Jakes Hanson who gets the majority of the No. 1 reps at the WILL. They have some other good options in Dele' Harding and Del'Shawn Phillips. It's a pretty solid group overall.
* Even though they need a year in the weight room, there's opportunity for freshmen DE's Bobby Roundtree and Owen Carney. They showed in one-on-ones today that they can be good speed rushers, but they struggle a little to get off of blocks. Tymir Oliver stood out in 1-on-1's, and Tito Odenigbo was pretty good. Tito is seasoned now, and he has several pass rush moves. Right DE James Crawford was a mismatch for Megginson and Solomon, but that probably says more about the O-linemen than it does Crawford.
Practice on Thursday is at 2:20.
What are your questions?
Ligashesky took them through a bunch of special teams stuff. A lot of one-on-ones (DL vs. OL, WR vs. DB) today, so we got to see some interesting matchups. Then about 45 minutes of 11-on-11.
Out today: Christian DiLauro (hamstring), Jamal Milan, Lere Oladipo, Vederian Lowe (right knee), Jalen Dunlap (had a wrap on his right knee), Dre Brown (knee rehab). Reggie Corbin (hamstring) was limted but he does a little more every day.
Freshman DT Kendrick Green went down with a left knee injury towards the end of practice. Quite a bit of pain, and the trainers checked him over thoroughly. He did walk off under his own power and was walking around without a limp at the end of practice.
OFFENSE NOTES
* Some standouts on offense were Carmoni Green, Kendall Smith, Nick Allegretti, and Alex Palczewski
* A little better day for the quarterbacks today, though they faced a tough pass rush on the first day with some pads. Chayce Crouch was good on the short and intermediate routes. They didn't throw much downfield. Not much from Jeff George. He throws into coverage a lot. Cam Thomas was shaky with a pass rush baring down on him, but Lovie said he's happy with his progress. Thomas has a lot of tools to work with.
* Mike Epstein continued to impress. Once he gets in space, this kid runs to daylight and heads for the end zone. He's going to play a significant role as a freshman, and I think he's a more complete back than Reggie Corbin and definitely faster straight ahead.
* The offensive line is loaded with guards. They need to recruit tackles. After Christian DiLauro and Larry Boyd, they really don't have any tackles that I would feel good about throwing out there. With DiLauro out, Gabe Megginson moved outside and really struggled to stop the speed rush. Same deal with Adam Solomon. We've seen what Jordan Fagan can do. These guys just can't move laterally. Boyd can, at 340+.
* Remember the name Alex Palczewski. He will play this game for money. Looks like a guy you would see at Michigan or Wisconsin, and plays with anger. He's probably one of the top 5 linemen right now and he can any of the five spots. He was the No. 1 strong-side guard today with DiLauro sidelined.
* Mike Dudek didn't take any live reps today. They are smartly being very careful with him. Freshmen Carmoni Green and Kendall Smith continue to play well. Smith is one of the surprises of the camp. He has a knack for finding holes in the defense and has really good hands. Green has improved his route running from the spring.
* Nick Allegretti was simply dominant in one-on-ones. He's become great fundamentally, does everything right. And he's overpowering now at around 320 pounds. All-Big Ten type of guy.
* Right now at the tight end position, they have a bunch of guys who do one thing well. I talked to Ligashesky after practice and they're still looking for that well-rounded guy who can play all 4 downs.
DEFENSE NOTES
* Standouts on defense were Tymir Oliver and Julian Jones.
* No one is standing out yet for the starting cornerback spot opposite Jaylen Dunlap. They have a bunch of guys rotating in. Frank Sumpter, Evan Jones, and Ahmari Hayes have gotten the most reps. Nate Hobbs is still out sick, and I think he has an opportunity to play when he comes back. Tony Adams has more talent than the other guys in the mix too, but they're taking it slow with him. Patrick Nelson and Stanley Green are pretty much locked in at the two safety spots.
* The linebackers have had 3 solid practices. This group flies to the football, and Julian Jones has the best wheels of the group. Hardy Nickerson also loves Jakes Hanson who gets the majority of the No. 1 reps at the WILL. They have some other good options in Dele' Harding and Del'Shawn Phillips. It's a pretty solid group overall.
* Even though they need a year in the weight room, there's opportunity for freshmen DE's Bobby Roundtree and Owen Carney. They showed in one-on-ones today that they can be good speed rushers, but they struggle a little to get off of blocks. Tymir Oliver stood out in 1-on-1's, and Tito Odenigbo was pretty good. Tito is seasoned now, and he has several pass rush moves. Right DE James Crawford was a mismatch for Megginson and Solomon, but that probably says more about the O-linemen than it does Crawford.
Practice on Thursday is at 2:20.
What are your questions?
