Illinois practiced on Saturday from around noon to 2:15 pm. We got to watch the entire practice today, along with all of the visitors from the junior day.
Players who sat this one out: RB Dre Brown, RB Reggie Corbin, WR Ricky Smalling, DL Verdis Brown, S Stanley Green, RB Mike Epstein, CB Evan Jones, LB Jake Hansen, DT Jamal Milan.
The offense under Rod Smith is really a different look. They spread things out a lot more horizontally, and also try to stretch the field with the vertical passing game.
Cam Thomas struggled to make all of the throws in this offense. I've always thought he had enough arm strength, but it didn't show today. Throws came up short when he tried to go deep or throw across the field. His accuracy on the shorter stuff was pretty good, though.
I watched the offensive line a lot. Everyone who has watched this group early in the spring has commented how impressive of a group it is physically. They're long, big, and athletic. I'm told Vederian Low has had the best off season. He has cut 30 pounds, is noticeably thicker in the arms and chest, and is moving really well. Look him to have a very good sophomore season.
Starters are LT Jake Cerny, LG Alex Placzewski, C Doug Kramer, RG Nick Allegretti, RT Vederian Lowe. Larry Boyd is the No. 2 LT right now. He came off with a right knee injury and was on the trainers' table for a while. It doesn't appear serious, though. He walked off the field under his own power after practice. Reuben Unije really looks the part. Another tall kid with a big frame who can move.
With Smalling out, starting wide receivers are Mike Dudek, Carmoni Green, and Sam Mays. Newcomer Shaedon Meadors is with the 2's. He has pretty good quickness and should be a contributor. Dudek was the most impressive. He catches everything.
The running game will be less of a power type of scheme. They ran inside zone with Ra'Von Bonner, but also quite a few stretch plays to freshman Jakari Norwood. I don't know how much he will play when Epstein comes back, but he can scoot. They also run jet sweeps to the slot receivers and some read option. They get guys in space, which is a different approach from the last two seasons.
I didn't watch the defense as much today. I'll try to get a closer look at them during one of the practices next week. There are obvious depth concerns at linebacker. A fifth year transfer would make a lot of sense. Two sophomores, Ayo Shogbonyo and Marc Mondesir, got a lot of reps and they are good athletes but still not very physical.
DE Isaiah Gay and TE Louis Dorsey haven't been at practice yet this spring. Lovie Smith wasn't available today since he was spending time with recruits, so I wasn't able to ask him what's up with those two.
Great group of visitors, but some of the kids on the list weren't able to make it. No-shows were Steven Hawthorne, Jacardia Wright, AJ Henning, and Keith Randolph. Henning had a 7v7 event. Randolph had a conflict with basketball since Belleville West is still playing. Hawthorne had a transportation issue. I'm not sure about Wright.
Illinois extended two new offers on Saturday. RB Nick Fedanzo from Montini Catholic, and WR Langston Anderson from Midlothian (Texas) Heritage.
Players who sat this one out: RB Dre Brown, RB Reggie Corbin, WR Ricky Smalling, DL Verdis Brown, S Stanley Green, RB Mike Epstein, CB Evan Jones, LB Jake Hansen, DT Jamal Milan.
The offense under Rod Smith is really a different look. They spread things out a lot more horizontally, and also try to stretch the field with the vertical passing game.
Cam Thomas struggled to make all of the throws in this offense. I've always thought he had enough arm strength, but it didn't show today. Throws came up short when he tried to go deep or throw across the field. His accuracy on the shorter stuff was pretty good, though.
I watched the offensive line a lot. Everyone who has watched this group early in the spring has commented how impressive of a group it is physically. They're long, big, and athletic. I'm told Vederian Low has had the best off season. He has cut 30 pounds, is noticeably thicker in the arms and chest, and is moving really well. Look him to have a very good sophomore season.
Starters are LT Jake Cerny, LG Alex Placzewski, C Doug Kramer, RG Nick Allegretti, RT Vederian Lowe. Larry Boyd is the No. 2 LT right now. He came off with a right knee injury and was on the trainers' table for a while. It doesn't appear serious, though. He walked off the field under his own power after practice. Reuben Unije really looks the part. Another tall kid with a big frame who can move.
With Smalling out, starting wide receivers are Mike Dudek, Carmoni Green, and Sam Mays. Newcomer Shaedon Meadors is with the 2's. He has pretty good quickness and should be a contributor. Dudek was the most impressive. He catches everything.
The running game will be less of a power type of scheme. They ran inside zone with Ra'Von Bonner, but also quite a few stretch plays to freshman Jakari Norwood. I don't know how much he will play when Epstein comes back, but he can scoot. They also run jet sweeps to the slot receivers and some read option. They get guys in space, which is a different approach from the last two seasons.
I didn't watch the defense as much today. I'll try to get a closer look at them during one of the practices next week. There are obvious depth concerns at linebacker. A fifth year transfer would make a lot of sense. Two sophomores, Ayo Shogbonyo and Marc Mondesir, got a lot of reps and they are good athletes but still not very physical.
DE Isaiah Gay and TE Louis Dorsey haven't been at practice yet this spring. Lovie Smith wasn't available today since he was spending time with recruits, so I wasn't able to ask him what's up with those two.
Great group of visitors, but some of the kids on the list weren't able to make it. No-shows were Steven Hawthorne, Jacardia Wright, AJ Henning, and Keith Randolph. Henning had a 7v7 event. Randolph had a conflict with basketball since Belleville West is still playing. Hawthorne had a transportation issue. I'm not sure about Wright.
Illinois extended two new offers on Saturday. RB Nick Fedanzo from Montini Catholic, and WR Langston Anderson from Midlothian (Texas) Heritage.
