The Illini practiced on Thursday from 2:30 to approximately 4:30.
Several player were held out with minor injuries. Reggie Corbin (hamstring), Gimel President (ankle), James Crawford (unknown), Desmond Cain (unknown), Kenyon Jackson (ankle), Eddie Fish (shoulder), Cameron Watkins (unknown), Christian Abercrombie (unknown). Freshman LB Ayo Shogbonyo came off the field late in practice with an arm injury.
The offensive is starting to click. Wes Lunt was sharp throwing the ball and they appear to have most of the playbook in now. You're going to see plays and formation this year that haven't been in the playbook for a while. They will run traditional power plays out of a 2-back set. Sprint draws. Shallow crossing routes to the tight end. Swing passes and quick outs to the full back. Play-action. Lunt froze the safeties on play action and connection with Zach Grant on a long post pattern. You can now start to see what kind of players they will need to recruit to make this system work: road graders up front, and physical guys to play tight end and fullback.
The Illini practiced a lot of red zone offense. The inside running game looked pretty good. I spoke to OT Christian DiLauro after practice and he said they've been working on a lot of inside zone stuff. They aren't road graders up front, so they are going to double team and play the numbers game with defensive fronts. Ke'Shawn Vaughn is a stud, but Kendrick Foster is actually a bit better at spotting the cut back lanes. There were some nice catches on fade routes. A one-handed grab by Sam Mays in the back of the endzone. Zarrian Holcombe high-pointed the ball for a TD. Holcombe is a little stiff in his route running, but when he beefs up he should be a pretty good flex-tight end.
It was a good day for the corners on defense. Darius Mosely had a pick of Lunt on a deep out pattern. Lunt's throw was short. Mosely is pretty good covering the flats, but he's not great when he has to turn and run. Frank Sumpter had an INT on a tipped ball. Jaylen Dunlap was very aggressive during the red zone stuff - maybe too aggressive. He could have been flagged a couple of times. With Crawford out, Tre Watson ran with the 1's at LB. Up front, Jamal Milan continues to shine. He'll push Rob Bain. Henry McGrew stepped in for President. He's an underrated player. Solid all-around player at WDE. Caleb Day and Darwyn Kelly continue to get 1st team reps at SS. Day is the one that bit on play action on the Zach Grant TD.
I talked to Bog Ligashesky about special teams. He said there is still a 3-way battle for PK, but David Reisner looks like the clear No. 1 to me. Ryan Frain will punt. He's been okay. Return men include Mosely, freshman MJ McGriff, and Reggie Corbin.
Quick hitters:
There were four pro scouts in on Tuesday to watch practice, including a scout from the Buccaneers.
With Jimmy Fitzergald gone, walk-on Camren Miller is now the 4th QB. He now wears No. 14. Miller is a freshman from Chicago Brother Rice. Decent athlete, but no arm.
Freshman OL Doug Kramer continues to play well. He could possibly play center next year.
Lovie Smith said when there is a serious injury he will give details, but none of the current injuries threaten to keep anyone out for Murray State.
The practice Saturday night (7:00pm) in Memorial Stadium isn't a scrimmage according to Lovie. Normal practice.
The Illini will start game planning for Murray State once training camp is over on Aug. 20.
Lovie said they are starting to get a very good idea what the 2-deep looks like. It's more about getting reps now, rather than figuring out who will play.
Garrick McGee said they are going to spread the wealth in the passing game. There isn't really any go-to guy in the wide receiver corps. Malik Turner has probably been the most consistent.
I also talked to McGee about keeping Wes Lunt healthy. Interesting conversation. They aren't going to change anything with an eye on Lunt's health. McGee said you have to play and not worry about injuries.
The Illini are back on the practice field on Friday at 11:00am.
Several player were held out with minor injuries. Reggie Corbin (hamstring), Gimel President (ankle), James Crawford (unknown), Desmond Cain (unknown), Kenyon Jackson (ankle), Eddie Fish (shoulder), Cameron Watkins (unknown), Christian Abercrombie (unknown). Freshman LB Ayo Shogbonyo came off the field late in practice with an arm injury.
The offensive is starting to click. Wes Lunt was sharp throwing the ball and they appear to have most of the playbook in now. You're going to see plays and formation this year that haven't been in the playbook for a while. They will run traditional power plays out of a 2-back set. Sprint draws. Shallow crossing routes to the tight end. Swing passes and quick outs to the full back. Play-action. Lunt froze the safeties on play action and connection with Zach Grant on a long post pattern. You can now start to see what kind of players they will need to recruit to make this system work: road graders up front, and physical guys to play tight end and fullback.
The Illini practiced a lot of red zone offense. The inside running game looked pretty good. I spoke to OT Christian DiLauro after practice and he said they've been working on a lot of inside zone stuff. They aren't road graders up front, so they are going to double team and play the numbers game with defensive fronts. Ke'Shawn Vaughn is a stud, but Kendrick Foster is actually a bit better at spotting the cut back lanes. There were some nice catches on fade routes. A one-handed grab by Sam Mays in the back of the endzone. Zarrian Holcombe high-pointed the ball for a TD. Holcombe is a little stiff in his route running, but when he beefs up he should be a pretty good flex-tight end.
It was a good day for the corners on defense. Darius Mosely had a pick of Lunt on a deep out pattern. Lunt's throw was short. Mosely is pretty good covering the flats, but he's not great when he has to turn and run. Frank Sumpter had an INT on a tipped ball. Jaylen Dunlap was very aggressive during the red zone stuff - maybe too aggressive. He could have been flagged a couple of times. With Crawford out, Tre Watson ran with the 1's at LB. Up front, Jamal Milan continues to shine. He'll push Rob Bain. Henry McGrew stepped in for President. He's an underrated player. Solid all-around player at WDE. Caleb Day and Darwyn Kelly continue to get 1st team reps at SS. Day is the one that bit on play action on the Zach Grant TD.
I talked to Bog Ligashesky about special teams. He said there is still a 3-way battle for PK, but David Reisner looks like the clear No. 1 to me. Ryan Frain will punt. He's been okay. Return men include Mosely, freshman MJ McGriff, and Reggie Corbin.
Quick hitters:
There were four pro scouts in on Tuesday to watch practice, including a scout from the Buccaneers.
With Jimmy Fitzergald gone, walk-on Camren Miller is now the 4th QB. He now wears No. 14. Miller is a freshman from Chicago Brother Rice. Decent athlete, but no arm.
Freshman OL Doug Kramer continues to play well. He could possibly play center next year.
Lovie Smith said when there is a serious injury he will give details, but none of the current injuries threaten to keep anyone out for Murray State.
The practice Saturday night (7:00pm) in Memorial Stadium isn't a scrimmage according to Lovie. Normal practice.
The Illini will start game planning for Murray State once training camp is over on Aug. 20.
Lovie said they are starting to get a very good idea what the 2-deep looks like. It's more about getting reps now, rather than figuring out who will play.
Garrick McGee said they are going to spread the wealth in the passing game. There isn't really any go-to guy in the wide receiver corps. Malik Turner has probably been the most consistent.
I also talked to McGee about keeping Wes Lunt healthy. Interesting conversation. They aren't going to change anything with an eye on Lunt's health. McGee said you have to play and not worry about injuries.
The Illini are back on the practice field on Friday at 11:00am.
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