Illinois was back out on the practice field early Tuesday morning. The practice was open to the media for the first four periods, which included individual / position drills and some special teams.
Offense notes:
- Gambling State transfer Melvin Priestly has established himself at right tackle. He's not a prototypical tackle at at around 6-foot-4, but he's probably the best athlete on the offensive line. Really bouncy, excellent feet and lateral quickness, and I love how to turns speed to power. We need to see him in a scrimmage situation to be sure, but Priestly looks like a steal from the portal.
- The starting wide receivers are Pat Bryant and Malik Elzy on the outside, and Kenari Wilcher in the slot. Ashton Hollins and Hank Beatty will also be in the rotation. This might be a position where Illinois will want to look to the portal to add some legitimate speed.
- The only two fully healthy scholarship running backs are Josh McCray and Aidan Laughery. Kaden Feagin (shoulder) is being held out. Jordan Anderson (knee) is limited, no contact, and going through a few drills.
Defense notes:
- I continue to be impressed by JUCO transfers Daniel Brown. As expected, he's working at WLB now and he should battle Kenenna Odeluga to start alongside MLB Dylan Rosiek. Great bursts of speed from Brown.
- Two second-year defensive linemen appear to have taken a leap forward. Alex Bray is very quick and is now around 280 pounds. Jeremiah Warren has changed his body and is playing with confidence. Both should be in the rotation.
- Ezekiel Holmes continues to rep with the interior defensive linemen. He is listed as an OLB.
- Zachary Tobe and Jaheim Clark are two underclassmen who I like at cornerback. Their athleticism stands out in the group and they were in the front group in all of the position drills. Tobe played last year and is ahead of Clark in terms of physicality, but both can move.
- Freshman CB Vernon Woodward is really physical. I can see him seeing the field early and possibly playing some nickel.
- Former JUCO transfer Kaleb Patterson is having a good spring. He has a chance to start at the boundary corner position.
Special teams notes:
Punt returners are Hank Beatty and Kenari Wilcher
Sophomore kicker David Olano looks much more consistent. He was money from 45 yards and closer with kicks splitting the uprights. Talented kid, and he's really striking the ball well.
Misc.
The transfer portal window opens next Tuesday April 16 and runs through the end of the month. I would expect attrition. So far, TE Owen Anderson and OL Joey Okla have announced plans to transfer. Illinois should have a few open rides to add players at positions of need.
Offense notes:
- Gambling State transfer Melvin Priestly has established himself at right tackle. He's not a prototypical tackle at at around 6-foot-4, but he's probably the best athlete on the offensive line. Really bouncy, excellent feet and lateral quickness, and I love how to turns speed to power. We need to see him in a scrimmage situation to be sure, but Priestly looks like a steal from the portal.
- The starting wide receivers are Pat Bryant and Malik Elzy on the outside, and Kenari Wilcher in the slot. Ashton Hollins and Hank Beatty will also be in the rotation. This might be a position where Illinois will want to look to the portal to add some legitimate speed.
- The only two fully healthy scholarship running backs are Josh McCray and Aidan Laughery. Kaden Feagin (shoulder) is being held out. Jordan Anderson (knee) is limited, no contact, and going through a few drills.
Defense notes:
- I continue to be impressed by JUCO transfers Daniel Brown. As expected, he's working at WLB now and he should battle Kenenna Odeluga to start alongside MLB Dylan Rosiek. Great bursts of speed from Brown.
- Two second-year defensive linemen appear to have taken a leap forward. Alex Bray is very quick and is now around 280 pounds. Jeremiah Warren has changed his body and is playing with confidence. Both should be in the rotation.
- Ezekiel Holmes continues to rep with the interior defensive linemen. He is listed as an OLB.
- Zachary Tobe and Jaheim Clark are two underclassmen who I like at cornerback. Their athleticism stands out in the group and they were in the front group in all of the position drills. Tobe played last year and is ahead of Clark in terms of physicality, but both can move.
- Freshman CB Vernon Woodward is really physical. I can see him seeing the field early and possibly playing some nickel.
- Former JUCO transfer Kaleb Patterson is having a good spring. He has a chance to start at the boundary corner position.
Special teams notes:
Punt returners are Hank Beatty and Kenari Wilcher
Sophomore kicker David Olano looks much more consistent. He was money from 45 yards and closer with kicks splitting the uprights. Talented kid, and he's really striking the ball well.
Misc.
The transfer portal window opens next Tuesday April 16 and runs through the end of the month. I would expect attrition. So far, TE Owen Anderson and OL Joey Okla have announced plans to transfer. Illinois should have a few open rides to add players at positions of need.
