It was another beautiful day in Champaign. The Illini practiced in helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts today from 2:30-4:30. A nice crowd of fans showed up to watch practice.
They changed up the practice script today, with a big focus on individual skills and special teams before the usual reps of 7v7 and team. With the pads on, they also had their first go at 1-on-1s (OL vs. DL).
I'll have an article on breakout performers in the next couple of days. Spoiler alert...both OL Nick Allegretti and DT Jamal Milan will be on it. They both kicked ass in the one-on-ones. Allegretti has settled in as a solid starter. Milan's first step is super quick and he's a glass eater type.
OT Austin Schmidt was another standout in 1-on-1's. He got the best of Dawuane Smoot, which is obviously no easy task. DiLauro was good too in matchups with Carroll Phillips and Gimel President.
The offense picked things up today and are starting to get their timing down after being well behind the defense the first two days.
East St. Louis 4-star wide receiver Jeff Thomas visited today and said Illinois has jumped back into his recruitment. Story HERE.
Offense notes:
Both Wes Lunt and Jeff George Jr. made some really nice long throws today. Justin Hardee made a diving catch of a Lunt pass down the right sideline. George connected with Zach Grant on a deep post route. Lunt was very accurate all day, especially on the dig routes and out patterns that McGee likes to run.
Gabe Megginson is still a work in progress at one starting guard spot. It's mostly mental. Connor Brennan probably still has a shot at grabbing the spot.
The name Dominic Thieman keeps popping up as the top freshman. He's a polished route runner with good hands. I'm not sure he is a good enough blocker yet, though. I think Thieman will play this year, but expect him to hit a freshman wall at some point.
Strength coach Joey Boese describes frosh RB Tre Nation as a "project". Boese wants Nation to cut his weight to under 210 lbs. and hopefully improve his quick-cut ability.
QB Jimmy Fitzgerald was absent from practice again. Nothing new to report.
Defense notes:
The best position battle is still at strong safety between Caleb Day and Darwyn Kelly, who both got 1st team reps. Day is the better athlete, but he still makes read mistakes.
Ainslie Johnson saw quite a few reps as a blocking tight end. They won't throw when he's on the field, but he could be part of the power running game. Former starter Tyler White moved backwards on the depth chart and is with the 3's.
I want to see what the linebackers do in full pads before predicting the third starter (Nickerson and Crawford are locked in). These guys can run, but are they physical?
Special teams notes:
I watched the kickers prior to practice. They had a good day. David Reisner looks like he will be the guy, backed up by Chase McLaughlin. Freshman James McCourt has a pretty good leg, but is inconsistent.
Some guys catching punts today included Reggie Corbin, MJ McGriff, Dionte Taylor, and Dominic Thieman.
What are your questions?
They changed up the practice script today, with a big focus on individual skills and special teams before the usual reps of 7v7 and team. With the pads on, they also had their first go at 1-on-1s (OL vs. DL).
I'll have an article on breakout performers in the next couple of days. Spoiler alert...both OL Nick Allegretti and DT Jamal Milan will be on it. They both kicked ass in the one-on-ones. Allegretti has settled in as a solid starter. Milan's first step is super quick and he's a glass eater type.
OT Austin Schmidt was another standout in 1-on-1's. He got the best of Dawuane Smoot, which is obviously no easy task. DiLauro was good too in matchups with Carroll Phillips and Gimel President.
The offense picked things up today and are starting to get their timing down after being well behind the defense the first two days.
East St. Louis 4-star wide receiver Jeff Thomas visited today and said Illinois has jumped back into his recruitment. Story HERE.
Offense notes:
Both Wes Lunt and Jeff George Jr. made some really nice long throws today. Justin Hardee made a diving catch of a Lunt pass down the right sideline. George connected with Zach Grant on a deep post route. Lunt was very accurate all day, especially on the dig routes and out patterns that McGee likes to run.
Gabe Megginson is still a work in progress at one starting guard spot. It's mostly mental. Connor Brennan probably still has a shot at grabbing the spot.
The name Dominic Thieman keeps popping up as the top freshman. He's a polished route runner with good hands. I'm not sure he is a good enough blocker yet, though. I think Thieman will play this year, but expect him to hit a freshman wall at some point.
Strength coach Joey Boese describes frosh RB Tre Nation as a "project". Boese wants Nation to cut his weight to under 210 lbs. and hopefully improve his quick-cut ability.
QB Jimmy Fitzgerald was absent from practice again. Nothing new to report.
Defense notes:
The best position battle is still at strong safety between Caleb Day and Darwyn Kelly, who both got 1st team reps. Day is the better athlete, but he still makes read mistakes.
Ainslie Johnson saw quite a few reps as a blocking tight end. They won't throw when he's on the field, but he could be part of the power running game. Former starter Tyler White moved backwards on the depth chart and is with the 3's.
I want to see what the linebackers do in full pads before predicting the third starter (Nickerson and Crawford are locked in). These guys can run, but are they physical?
Special teams notes:
I watched the kickers prior to practice. They had a good day. David Reisner looks like he will be the guy, backed up by Chase McLaughlin. Freshman James McCourt has a pretty good leg, but is inconsistent.
Some guys catching punts today included Reggie Corbin, MJ McGriff, Dionte Taylor, and Dominic Thieman.
What are your questions?
