The Illini practiced this morning from 9:45 to noon in full pads. They go again today a 5:00 pm in shorts.
NFL scouts were at practice again today. This time from the Dolphins. They were looking at G-Mo, Ferguson, Karras, Bentley, Monheim and Ward. They also inquired about Phillips, Clements, and Odenigbo.
Freshman O-lineman Gabe Megginson was full go today and got reps at the third left tackle. Kendrick Foster was full go. Adesanya was in green and still nursing a hamstring. Safety Jevaris Little was in red. Still out are TEs Andrew Davis (hamstring), TE Tyler White (flu), LB Mike Svetina (foot), DE Kenny Nelson, DT Joe Fotu (calf).
The 2's and 3's got a ton of reps today. They want to see the film and figure out who can help them this year. During team, they did situational stuff - down and distance, time left on the clock, etc.
Quarterback: Jimmy Fitzgerald has the upper hand as the No. 3 QB. He's a bit more polished than George Jr. with his footwork, quicker release, and is more accurate. Crouch could see action this year in certain situations when they want to run the option play.
Running back: Ke'Shawn Vaugn is getting all of his reps with the 1's. Stud. I talked to Alex Golesh who recruited him and they think he's really special. Vaughn broke off another long run for a TD today on a great block by Chris Boles. One cut, and off to the races. The third RB will be a battle between Enyenihi, Foster, and the other freshman Reggie Corbin. They love Dre Brown when he's healthy. Illinois is positioned very well at the RB spot.
Tight end: With White and Davis out, Tim Clary is the No. 1. They like freshman Caleb Rams - hands, athleticism - but don't know if he will be ready this year. Look for the walk-on Nathan Echard to earn a scholarship. Anslie Johnson is strictly a blocker from the H-back spot.
Wide receiver: Malik Turner continues to be inconsistent. If he doesn't put it together, he could get beat out. G-Mo and DJ Taylor are both having good camps. G-Mo ran past Eaton Spence for a 60 yard TD from Lunt. In the mix for the 4th receiver are freshmen Sam Mays and Desmond Cain, Marchie Murdock, and Zach Grant. I don't think Tyrin Stone-Davis will play much.
Offensive line: Chris Boles continues to hold down the left guard spot and he had a pretty good day. He made a great inside trap block that freed up Vaughn for a long run. If Boles has to move much left or right or pull, he isn't very quick. But he's strong. Karras and DiLauro were both outstanding today. It was a step backwards for the No. 2's. I expect Megginson will move up, and they could look at him at guard. He dominated the No. 3 DL.
Defensive line: You have to really like he versatility they have. They will be able to move guys around according to down and distance. Smoot played some on the strong side. Carroll Phillps was unblockable coming off the edge from the LEO, and he plays the WILL in the dime package. Really exciting player. It's a battle between Odenigbo and freshman Jamal Milan for the 4th DT spot. Teko Powell didn't have a great day and they ran with Clements and Bain a lot with the first unit. Henry McGrew is better than I thought he would be. Al Seamonson said McGrew will play a lot of football at Illinois.
Linebackers: Very solid against the run except for one big play. Not as good vs. the pass. They will need Walls in there on passing downs. The freshman Julian Jones had another good day. The kid can really run. He won't play this year unless he can beat out BJ Bello, but he has a good future. Finney and Crawford are still in a battle at the STAR position. Crawford is more athletic, while Finney is more more experienced. Good battle, and they both will play.
Secondary: Rough camp for Darius Mosely. He's the No. 2 boundary corner and just seems to be in a funk so far. The other No. 2 corner Jaylen Dunlap has the best combination of size and speed of anyone in the position group. I think he will play in the NFL. Spence is physical, but needs to keep receivers in front of him. Clayton Fejedelem is really good against the run. Look for him to be one of the leaders on the team in tackles.
NFL scouts were at practice again today. This time from the Dolphins. They were looking at G-Mo, Ferguson, Karras, Bentley, Monheim and Ward. They also inquired about Phillips, Clements, and Odenigbo.
Freshman O-lineman Gabe Megginson was full go today and got reps at the third left tackle. Kendrick Foster was full go. Adesanya was in green and still nursing a hamstring. Safety Jevaris Little was in red. Still out are TEs Andrew Davis (hamstring), TE Tyler White (flu), LB Mike Svetina (foot), DE Kenny Nelson, DT Joe Fotu (calf).
The 2's and 3's got a ton of reps today. They want to see the film and figure out who can help them this year. During team, they did situational stuff - down and distance, time left on the clock, etc.
Quarterback: Jimmy Fitzgerald has the upper hand as the No. 3 QB. He's a bit more polished than George Jr. with his footwork, quicker release, and is more accurate. Crouch could see action this year in certain situations when they want to run the option play.
Running back: Ke'Shawn Vaugn is getting all of his reps with the 1's. Stud. I talked to Alex Golesh who recruited him and they think he's really special. Vaughn broke off another long run for a TD today on a great block by Chris Boles. One cut, and off to the races. The third RB will be a battle between Enyenihi, Foster, and the other freshman Reggie Corbin. They love Dre Brown when he's healthy. Illinois is positioned very well at the RB spot.
Tight end: With White and Davis out, Tim Clary is the No. 1. They like freshman Caleb Rams - hands, athleticism - but don't know if he will be ready this year. Look for the walk-on Nathan Echard to earn a scholarship. Anslie Johnson is strictly a blocker from the H-back spot.
Wide receiver: Malik Turner continues to be inconsistent. If he doesn't put it together, he could get beat out. G-Mo and DJ Taylor are both having good camps. G-Mo ran past Eaton Spence for a 60 yard TD from Lunt. In the mix for the 4th receiver are freshmen Sam Mays and Desmond Cain, Marchie Murdock, and Zach Grant. I don't think Tyrin Stone-Davis will play much.
Offensive line: Chris Boles continues to hold down the left guard spot and he had a pretty good day. He made a great inside trap block that freed up Vaughn for a long run. If Boles has to move much left or right or pull, he isn't very quick. But he's strong. Karras and DiLauro were both outstanding today. It was a step backwards for the No. 2's. I expect Megginson will move up, and they could look at him at guard. He dominated the No. 3 DL.
Defensive line: You have to really like he versatility they have. They will be able to move guys around according to down and distance. Smoot played some on the strong side. Carroll Phillps was unblockable coming off the edge from the LEO, and he plays the WILL in the dime package. Really exciting player. It's a battle between Odenigbo and freshman Jamal Milan for the 4th DT spot. Teko Powell didn't have a great day and they ran with Clements and Bain a lot with the first unit. Henry McGrew is better than I thought he would be. Al Seamonson said McGrew will play a lot of football at Illinois.
Linebackers: Very solid against the run except for one big play. Not as good vs. the pass. They will need Walls in there on passing downs. The freshman Julian Jones had another good day. The kid can really run. He won't play this year unless he can beat out BJ Bello, but he has a good future. Finney and Crawford are still in a battle at the STAR position. Crawford is more athletic, while Finney is more more experienced. Good battle, and they both will play.
Secondary: Rough camp for Darius Mosely. He's the No. 2 boundary corner and just seems to be in a funk so far. The other No. 2 corner Jaylen Dunlap has the best combination of size and speed of anyone in the position group. I think he will play in the NFL. Spence is physical, but needs to keep receivers in front of him. Clayton Fejedelem is really good against the run. Look for him to be one of the leaders on the team in tackles.
