Illinois held its first spring practice on Tuesday from 7:30 a.m to 9 a.m. at Memorial Stadium. Media had access for the first 30 minutes, so we got to see walk-thrus, warmups, and a few position drills.
Out today: RB Dre Brown, S Stanley Green, WR Ricky Smalling, CB Evan Jones. RB Mike Epstein, DT Verdis Brown, and LB Jake Hansen will likely be held out all spring. CB Tony Adams dressed and went through warm-ups but was held out of position drills.
Position news: James Knight has played some safety and nickel at Illinois, but he's a full time linebacker now. Kendall Smith is working at safety this spring after playing wide receiver last year. Justin Williams is playing wide receiver.
Jamal Woods is playing strong-side defensive end and got 1st team reps alongside DT Jamal Milan, DT Tymir Oliver, and DE Bobby Roundtree.
Jake Cerny got first team reps at tackle ahead of Larry Boyd
The only newcomer that I really got a look at was RB Jakari Norwood. He's small but may be the quickest running back on the team. He's more of a quick-cut guy than Reggie Corbin, for example. But he will need to get stronger, bigger.
Big recruiting weekend coming up, with a bunch of in-state kids on campus.
Next practice is Thursday at 7:30.
Out today: RB Dre Brown, S Stanley Green, WR Ricky Smalling, CB Evan Jones. RB Mike Epstein, DT Verdis Brown, and LB Jake Hansen will likely be held out all spring. CB Tony Adams dressed and went through warm-ups but was held out of position drills.
Position news: James Knight has played some safety and nickel at Illinois, but he's a full time linebacker now. Kendall Smith is working at safety this spring after playing wide receiver last year. Justin Williams is playing wide receiver.
Jamal Woods is playing strong-side defensive end and got 1st team reps alongside DT Jamal Milan, DT Tymir Oliver, and DE Bobby Roundtree.
Jake Cerny got first team reps at tackle ahead of Larry Boyd
The only newcomer that I really got a look at was RB Jakari Norwood. He's small but may be the quickest running back on the team. He's more of a quick-cut guy than Reggie Corbin, for example. But he will need to get stronger, bigger.
Big recruiting weekend coming up, with a bunch of in-state kids on campus.
Next practice is Thursday at 7:30.
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