2013 Illinois Fighting Illini

[Jack Lambert]

Here are your white starters for head coach Tim Beckman and the Illinois Fighting Illini in 2013. I think it’s still too early to judge Tim Beckman at Illinois, as he still has a ton of Ron Zook’s recruits yet. With “playmakuh” Nathan Scheelhaase at QB, the Fighting Illini struggled mightily last year, going 2-10, so much so that Reilly O’Toole had to replace him during the season. Now, with Scheelhaase somehow back in the starting QB job this fall, and a black center, the Illini offense looks poised to struggle to put up points yet again this season. Expect QB Reilly O’Toole to replace Scheelhaase yet again sometime for the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] straight year. Beckman seems to be moving away from Zook’s black QBs; he’s added Oklahoma State transfer Wes Lunt, and another white QB in Chayce Crouch. Last year’s starting FS, Steve Hull, who’s been starting for 2 years, has been moved to WR this season, and he looks to be a contributor to the offense this year, maybe even start by season’s end. The starting TE, Jon Davis, had better watch out: there’s a highly regarded white freshman coming in that may challenge him for the starting job: Tyler White, at 6-5, 245, he has the potential to be a great pass catcher over the middle for Illinois.

The defense looks like it has really whitened up this year for Illinois. I guess they don’t have any surefire NFL prospects there this year, because up to 5 white guys will be starting for them, including a ¾ white D-Line. However, Howe is going to have to hold off an amazing JUCO out of Miami who’s amazing NFL caliber potential has yet to be tapped into. Former LB Houston Bates has been moved to DE in Beckman’s 4-3 system this year, and manning the middle is Mason Monheim, who has the potential to blossom into a star for Illinois this year. Even with Steve Hull out of the secondary, there will be a white starting FS: an athletic ball-hawk out of Orlando by the name of Tyler Barton. This kid is a baller and is going to be good.

Since 2005, Illinois has started 10, 11, 8, 5, 4, 4, 6, and 8 whites. Look for another increase of 2 this year to 10! It will be 11 when Scheelhaase inevitably gets injured or replaced by Reilly O’Toole. Some white backups to look for are: QB Chase Haslett (Jim’s son..), WR Steve Hull, WR Jordan Bonohoom, TE Matt LaCosse, TE Tyler White, LT Austin Schmidt, LG Joe Spencer, C Jake Feldmeyer, RG Chris O’Conner, RT Scott McDowell, WLB Mike Svetina, MLB Henry Dickinson, and SS Ben Mathis.

Offense
WR(Z)- Spencer Harris
LT- Simon Cvijanovic
LG- Michael Heitz
RG- Ted Karras
RT- Dallas Hinkhouse – in a fight for the position

Defense
DT- Austen Teitsma
NT- Jake Howe - in a fight for the position
DE- Houston Bates
MLB – Mason Monheim
FS- Taylor Barton