2020 Illinois Fighting Illini

[Leonardfan]

Since 06' Illinois' started 11, 8, 5, 4, 4, 6, 8, 10, 8, 10 , 10, 6 and 5 whites. In 2020 it looks like it is 6.

RB Mike Epstein has been snakebitten by injuries. An exicting player to watch when he is on the field let's hope he remains healthy in 2020.

Hatie has compiled alot of black quarterbacks but it looks like Peters and young QB Matt Robinson are at the top of the depth chart.

Players to watch:
QB Matt Robinson, DT Anthony Shipton, DB Michael Marchese



OFFENSE
QB - Brandon Peters
RB - Mike Epstein**
TE - Luke Ford **list as OR
C - Doug Kramer
RT - Alex Palczewski

DEFENSE
LB Jake Hansen

 

[Bucky]

Hansen had a pretty good year last season. Under the radar for sure.

Good to see Peters land on his feet after leaving the logjam at QB under Harblow.

 

[Leonardfan]

Curious to see how Bielema does - looking at the 2022 recruiting class -it seems like he is getting back to his roots - 3 White midwestern OL, two TEs, White QB and a White WR are all part of the class. I hope he can replicate the Wisconsin formula (after disappointing at Arkansas) although Alvarez may have been a much bigger component in Wisconsin's endured success and recruiting strategy.

For 2021 hopefully Bielema is able to get the OL coached up and build a strong running game with a healthy Epstein getting alot of carries to bolster his draft stock.

 

[DWF Upside]

Lovie Smiff easily would have had this at 22/22 in a year or less. Bielema gives them a chance to look more like a normal Big Ten team.

The white Illinois RB Aidan Laughery who will be a senior in HS currently the fastest small school 100 meter time is either an Illinois or most likely Iowa commit. He now has big school offers from Washington State ( Borghi), Mich State, and a few others.

Never been a fan of Epstein ( terrible name and 9th year senior who is never healthy). Not his fault but it is what it is. Either way Lovies 3 magical upsider Quota’s the DFW’s have been raving about are no longer a threat. Its going to take a while to un-Smiff this team. Also its 50/50 that Bielema says something not woke enough and gets fired.

 

[Don Wassall]

Lovie Smiff easily would have had this at 22/22 in a year or less. Bielema gives them a chance to look more like a normal Big Ten team.

The white Illinois RB Aidan Laughery who will be a senior in HS currently the fastest small school 100 meter time is either an Illinois or most likely Iowa commit. He now has big school offers from Washington State ( Borghi), Mich State, and a few others.

Never been a fan of Epstein ( terrible name and 9th year senior who is never healthy). Not his fault but it is what it is. Either way Lovies 3 magical upsider Quota’s the DFW’s have been raving about are no longer a threat. Its going to take a while to un-Smiff this team. Also its 50/50 that Bielema says something not woke enough and gets fired.

"Ninth year senior" Looks like he broke Bluto's record from Animal House.