The Illini held their first practice of camp on Thursday from 2:30 to approximately 4:30 on the east practice field. The uniform today was shorts and t-shirts.
The Illini went through walk-thrus, warmups, and positions drills, before a getting in a bunch of reps in 7v7 and team.
Here are a few notes from the practice:
* McGarigle continues to rotate guys in at the two OLB spots. Hardy Nickerson is the starter in the middle, obviously. The 1's were MLB Nickerson, WILL Justice Williams, and SAM James Crawford. Nothing is settled yet except for Nickerson.
* The Illini ran a lot of sets offensively that included a full back / super back. Former TE Nathan Echard and former LB Austin Roberts both saw time at the position.
* There's a good battle for the No. 2 running back between Reggie Corbin and Kendrick Foster. Corbin is an all-purpose type. Foster is quite a bit quicker this year after improving his body fat.
* Darwyn Kelly is running with the 1's at strong safety. Caleb Day is with the 2's for now. Starting corners are Jaylen Dunlap and Darius Mosely. Dunlap looks really good. I expect him to have a breakout season. I also like Cameron Watkins, who has really beefed up in the upper body. Freshman Evan Jones is playing cornerback.
* The emphasis on turning the ball over and scoring on defense really stands out. Nickerson had an INT that would have been a pick 6 in a game. Tre Watson also had a pick.
* Freshman Dominic Thieman had the best catch of the day. On a go route, he reached up high over a defender on an under-thrown ball and made the catch, then scooted into the end zone.
* Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman spoke to the team during a break 3/4 of the way through practice.
* Lovie Smith will be at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday. His friend Tony Dungy and former player Orlando Pace are both being inducted.
* Bolingbrook (Ill.) defensive back I'shawn Stewart visited today for practice.
* Best walk-on? RB Christian Bobak. By far. Very good athlete who could have played a lot in the MAC or FCS.
* The three freshmen tight ends all got reps. Andrew Trainer, Griffin Palmer, and Zarrian Holcombe. Holcombe split out wide a lot.
* I plan to watch more of the offensive and defensive lines on Friday.
What are your questions?
The Illini went through walk-thrus, warmups, and positions drills, before a getting in a bunch of reps in 7v7 and team.
Here are a few notes from the practice:
* McGarigle continues to rotate guys in at the two OLB spots. Hardy Nickerson is the starter in the middle, obviously. The 1's were MLB Nickerson, WILL Justice Williams, and SAM James Crawford. Nothing is settled yet except for Nickerson.
* The Illini ran a lot of sets offensively that included a full back / super back. Former TE Nathan Echard and former LB Austin Roberts both saw time at the position.
* There's a good battle for the No. 2 running back between Reggie Corbin and Kendrick Foster. Corbin is an all-purpose type. Foster is quite a bit quicker this year after improving his body fat.
* Darwyn Kelly is running with the 1's at strong safety. Caleb Day is with the 2's for now. Starting corners are Jaylen Dunlap and Darius Mosely. Dunlap looks really good. I expect him to have a breakout season. I also like Cameron Watkins, who has really beefed up in the upper body. Freshman Evan Jones is playing cornerback.
* The emphasis on turning the ball over and scoring on defense really stands out. Nickerson had an INT that would have been a pick 6 in a game. Tre Watson also had a pick.
* Freshman Dominic Thieman had the best catch of the day. On a go route, he reached up high over a defender on an under-thrown ball and made the catch, then scooted into the end zone.
* Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman spoke to the team during a break 3/4 of the way through practice.
* Lovie Smith will be at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday. His friend Tony Dungy and former player Orlando Pace are both being inducted.
* Bolingbrook (Ill.) defensive back I'shawn Stewart visited today for practice.
* Best walk-on? RB Christian Bobak. By far. Very good athlete who could have played a lot in the MAC or FCS.
* The three freshmen tight ends all got reps. Andrew Trainer, Griffin Palmer, and Zarrian Holcombe. Holcombe split out wide a lot.
* I plan to watch more of the offensive and defensive lines on Friday.
What are your questions?
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