Illini Football 2019

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#276      
I quickly typed up a depth chart after viewing the spring game, and factoring in the transfers, and incoming freshman. Interesting to think as many as 5 transfers (6 if Tate comes) could start for us next year. Biggest strengths are the ridiculous amount of talent and versatility at running back, the consistency of our starting OLine, the depth of our DLine, and starting secondary. Biggest concerns are both starting quarterback and depth, second string OLine, Linebackers, and secondary depth. If this team stays healthy it can be a 6/7 win team and maybe an even higher ceiling with Tate. If we lose a few starters though it could quickly turn to another 4-8 season. All in all I have great faith in the season, and feel like the program has a lot of positivity swirling around it. Let me know if you think I should make changes or am missing something, and as always Go Illini!

QB- Isaiah Williams(FR) / MJ Rivers(SO) / Matt Robinson(R-FR)
HB- Reggie Corbin(R-SR) / Mike Epstein(JR) / Ra’Von Bonner(JR)
WR- Trevon Sidney(R-JR) / Dominic Stampley(JR) / Kendall Smith(JR)
WR- Ricky Smalling(JR) / Trenard Davis(R-SR) / Edwin Carter(R-FR)
WR- Dejon Brissett(R-SR) / Justice Williams(R-SR) / Caleb Reams(SR)
TE- Luke Ford(SO) / Daniel Barker(SO) / Griffin Palmer(JR)
LT- Vederian Lowe(JR) / Jake Cerny(R-JR)
LG- Richie Petitbon(R-SR) / Jordyn Slaughter(R-FR)
C- Doug Kramer(R-JR) / Jake Stover(R-JR)
RG- Kendrick Green(R-SO) / Verdis Brown(R-FR)
RT- Alex Palcewzski(JR) / Keivan Myers(R-FR)

DE- Bobby Roundtree(JR) / Isaiah Gay(JR) / Moses Okpala(FR) / Keith Randolph(FR)
DT- Jamal Milan(R-SR) / Jamal Woods(R-SO) / Kenyon Jackson(SR)
DT- Tymir Oliver (SR) / Calvin Avery(SO) / Olalere Oladipo(R-SO)
DE- Oluwole Betiku Jr.(R-JR) / Owen Carney Jr.(JR) / Ayo Shogbonyo(R-JR)
WLB- Jake Hansen(R-JR) / Khalan Tolson(SO)
MLB- Camilo Eifler(R-SO) / Shammond Cooper(FR)
SAM- Dele Harding(SR) / Alec McEachern(R-SO)
NB- Delano Ware(SO) / Kerby Joseph(SO)
CB- Nate Hobbs Jr.(JR) / Marquez Beason(FR)
SS- Sydney Brown(SO / Stanley Green Jr.(SR)
FS- Tony Adams(JR) / Michael Marchese(JR)
CB- Jartavius Martin(SO) / Ron Hardge Jr.(R-FR)
 
#277      
I quickly typed up a depth chart after viewing the spring game, and factoring in the transfers, and incoming freshman. Interesting to think as many as 5 transfers (6 if Tate comes) could start for us next year. Biggest strengths are the ridiculous amount of talent and versatility at running back, the consistency of our starting OLine, the depth of our DLine, and starting secondary. Biggest concerns are both starting quarterback and depth, second string OLine, Linebackers, and secondary depth. If this team stays healthy it can be a 6/7 win team and maybe an even higher ceiling with Tate. If we lose a few starters though it could quickly turn to another 4-8 season. All in all I have great faith in the season, and feel like the program has a lot of positivity swirling around it. Let me know if you think I should make changes or am missing something, and as always Go Illini!

QB- Isaiah Williams(FR) / MJ Rivers(SO) / Matt Robinson(R-FR)
HB- Reggie Corbin(R-SR) / Mike Epstein(JR) / Ra’Von Bonner(JR)
WR- Trevon Sidney(R-JR) / Dominic Stampley(JR) / Kendall Smith(JR)
WR- Ricky Smalling(JR) / Trenard Davis(R-SR) / Edwin Carter(R-FR)
WR- Dejon Brissett(R-SR) / Justice Williams(R-SR) / Caleb Reams(SR)
TE- Luke Ford(SO) / Daniel Barker(SO) / Griffin Palmer(JR)
LT- Vederian Lowe(JR) / Jake Cerny(R-JR)
LG- Richie Petitbon(R-SR) / Jordyn Slaughter(R-FR)
C- Doug Kramer(R-JR) / Jake Stover(R-JR)
RG- Kendrick Green(R-SO) / Verdis Brown(R-FR)
RT- Alex Palcewzski(JR) / Keivan Myers(R-FR)

DE- Bobby Roundtree(JR) / Isaiah Gay(JR) / Moses Okpala(FR) / Keith Randolph(FR)
DT- Jamal Milan(R-SR) / Jamal Woods(R-SO) / Kenyon Jackson(SR)
DT- Tymir Oliver (SR) / Calvin Avery(SO) / Olalere Oladipo(R-SO)
DE- Oluwole Betiku Jr.(R-JR) / Owen Carney Jr.(JR) / Ayo Shogbonyo(R-JR)
WLB- Jake Hansen(R-JR) / Khalan Tolson(SO)
MLB- Camilo Eifler(R-SO) / Shammond Cooper(FR)
SAM- Dele Harding(SR) / Alec McEachern(R-SO)
NB- Delano Ware(SO) / Kerby Joseph(SO)
CB- Nate Hobbs Jr.(JR) / Marquez Beason(FR)
SS- Sydney Brown(SO / Stanley Green Jr.(SR)
FS- Tony Adams(JR) / Michael Marchese(JR)
CB- Jartavius Martin(SO) / Ron Hardge Jr.(R-FR)
Linebacker makes me very worried. Eifler might be solid, but I am not sure that Harding and Hansen are Big Ten caliber lbs.
 
#278      

Deleted member 654622

D
Guest
I quickly typed up a depth chart after viewing the spring game, and factoring in the transfers, and incoming freshman. Interesting to think as many as 5 transfers (6 if Tate comes) could start for us next year. Biggest strengths are the ridiculous amount of talent and versatility at running back, the consistency of our starting OLine, the depth of our DLine, and starting secondary. Biggest concerns are both starting quarterback and depth, second string OLine, Linebackers, and secondary depth. If this team stays healthy it can be a 6/7 win team and maybe an even higher ceiling with Tate. If we lose a few starters though it could quickly turn to another 4-8 season. All in all I have great faith in the season, and feel like the program has a lot of positivity swirling around it. Let me know if you think I should make changes or am missing something, and as always Go Illini!

QB- Isaiah Williams(FR) / MJ Rivers(SO) / Matt Robinson(R-FR)
HB- Reggie Corbin(R-SR) / Mike Epstein(JR) / Ra’Von Bonner(JR)
WR- Trevon Sidney(R-JR) / Dominic Stampley(JR) / Kendall Smith(JR)
WR- Ricky Smalling(JR) / Trenard Davis(R-SR) / Edwin Carter(R-FR)
WR- Dejon Brissett(R-SR) / Justice Williams(R-SR) / Caleb Reams(SR)
TE- Luke Ford(SO) / Daniel Barker(SO) / Griffin Palmer(JR)
LT- Vederian Lowe(JR) / Jake Cerny(R-JR)
LG- Richie Petitbon(R-SR) / Jordyn Slaughter(R-FR)
C- Doug Kramer(R-JR) / Jake Stover(R-JR)
RG- Kendrick Green(R-SO) / Verdis Brown(R-FR)
RT- Alex Palcewzski(JR) / Keivan Myers(R-FR)

DE- Bobby Roundtree(JR) / Isaiah Gay(JR) / Moses Okpala(FR) / Keith Randolph(FR)
DT- Jamal Milan(R-SR) / Jamal Woods(R-SO) / Kenyon Jackson(SR)
DT- Tymir Oliver (SR) / Calvin Avery(SO) / Olalere Oladipo(R-SO)
DE- Oluwole Betiku Jr.(R-JR) / Owen Carney Jr.(JR) / Ayo Shogbonyo(R-JR)
WLB- Jake Hansen(R-JR) / Khalan Tolson(SO)
MLB- Camilo Eifler(R-SO) / Shammond Cooper(FR)
SAM- Dele Harding(SR) / Alec McEachern(R-SO)
NB- Delano Ware(SO) / Kerby Joseph(SO)
CB- Nate Hobbs Jr.(JR) / Marquez Beason(FR)
SS- Sydney Brown(SO / Stanley Green Jr.(SR)
FS- Tony Adams(JR) / Michael Marchese(JR)
CB- Jartavius Martin(SO) / Ron Hardge Jr.(R-FR)
Correct me someone if I am mistaken, but didn't Miles smith say that Dele was playing MLB and Delano was battling Milo for the SAM?
Also I think it is a slam dunk that Marquez starts opposite Hobbs at CB. Although very impressive INT by Jartavius in the spring game
 
#279      
Linebacker makes me very worried. Eifler might be solid, but I am not sure that Harding and Hansen are Big Ten caliber lbs.

I am optimistic, not yet sold, on Eifler (we haven't seen much) but I agree that he could end up as the best LB on the team. Out of that group of three I am most confident in Harding. He can make some big plays and is built like a B1G run-stopping LB. I agree with you on the doubts cc: Hansen. He is elite against the run against bad teams, okay against the run against good teams, okay against the pass against bad teams, and pretty bad against the pass against good teams.
 
#280      
Correct me someone if I am mistaken, but didn't Miles smith say that Dele was playing MLB and Delano was battling Milo for the SAM?
Also I think it is a slam dunk that Marquez starts opposite Hobbs at CB. Although very impressive INT by Jartavius in the spring game

As for this position group... I think it would be very cool to see Beason at NB. That way you can still start Hobbs and Martin, and that accounts for Ware getting his reps in mostly at SAM.
 
#281      

Deleted member 29907

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It's more than injuries. Unless Tate's coming, QB is a huge question mark. The trend is definitely up, but poor QB play could really hurt us. Injuries: have to stay healthy in key spots. Very large difference between the ones and twos in some groups.
Perhaps the WRs know something we don't?
 
#283      
Correct me someone if I am mistaken, but didn't Miles smith say that Dele was playing MLB and Delano was battling Milo for the SAM?
Also I think it is a slam dunk that Marquez starts opposite Hobbs at CB. Although very impressive INT by Jartavius in the spring game

I think this is accurate and that Delano had been getting most of the first team reps. I am a little more optimistic than most about the talent and depth at linebacker. Milo will get plenty of time regardless if he starts and he has been eased back into everything because of a shoulder injury I believe. I got frustrated with Hansen a bit last year without remembering that it was his first year actually playing. The game should slow down for his this season and his reads should come even faster. The staff just raves about his ability.

I think the secondary has the most second level talent on it currently, and that is before Beason arrives. Hobbs in particular looks like our best corner since Vontae Davis and ready to dominate his side of the field.
 
#286      
I noticed that you do not have Donny Navarro listed in your list of wide receivers. I think he will be better than many are giving him credit for. I realize that Valparaiso is not noted as a big time football school but I think it is still noteworthy that he led them in receptions if I recall correctly. Hopefully we find that he is a gamer!
 
#287      
If all of our QBs struggle in the passing game, IW is a MUCH better runner than the others. If all we can do is run, we can do it much better with him in the backfield.

Tate isn’t happening. I feel like this whole storyline with him has been all smoke for months and never any substance. All of this is based on our OC being his former OC. I’ve never heard anything more
 
#288      

Deleted member 654622

D
Guest
Tate isn’t happening. I feel like this whole storyline with him has been all smoke for months and never any substance. All of this is based on our OC being his former OC. I’ve never heard anything more
Whether it happens or not is one thing. But updating his school timeline so he can graduate in the summer, after he was denied, is something.
 
#289      
I noticed that you do not have Donny Navarro listed in your list of wide receivers. I think he will be better than many are giving him credit for.

Navarro was the receiving star of the spring game.
 
#291      

illiniswish09

Northwest Suburbs
I haven’t been following the Tate situation closely at all the past couple months.. Do we actually think we still have a legitimate shot at him? What would people put are chances at? Unfortunately I can’t tell if some people are messing around mentioning his name as a possibility.
 
#292      
I haven’t been following the Tate situation closely at all the past couple months.. Do we actually think we still have a legitimate shot at him? What would people put are chances at? Unfortunately I can’t tell if some people are messing around mentioning his name as a possibility.

At one point, some people believed he was coming. The likelihood following the season was pretty high. More recently, I spoke with people in Arizona and they believe the offseason has been spent working on a hybrid for him within the system. If I were to guess, as of this moment, I would say no. But, everything could change when Gunnell gets to campus. Sumlin has coached a lot of Heisman winners and has started some great Freshmen QBs pretty early in their career.
 
#293      
I haven’t been following the Tate situation closely at all the past couple months.. Do we actually think we still have a legitimate shot at him? What would people put are chances at? Unfortunately I can’t tell if some people are messing around mentioning his name as a possibility.
It seems mostly speculation & guess at this point. He seemed set to transfer, then apparently came to the realization he wasn't close enough to graduate and needed to get to the degree before showing his hand. Certainly some fit questions for him in Arizona, he certainly has shown that he was thinking about going elsewhere, and it seems like it became apparent to him that it was premature discussions until he could finalize a degree. Then if you put the timeline of a summer graduation into the equation, where you would think the best fit would be a system he is familiar with and a coach he is familiar with in Rod Smith.
...So it is pretty much a lock & don't let anyone tell you differently. /s
 
#294      

Hoppy2105

Little Rock, Arkansas
I haven’t been following the Tate situation closely at all the past couple months.. Do we actually think we still have a legitimate shot at him? What would people put are chances at? Unfortunately I can’t tell if some people are messing around mentioning his name as a possibility.

At this point it’s all just conjecture. But here is the info we have.

1. He and Rod Smith were CLOSE from what it looks like on the outside.

2. Tate THRIVED in Smith’s offense to the point that people thought he was draft ready last year and/or a potential heisman candidate.

3. While he still put up good numbers (a few more passing TDS but a lot less running TDs) people felt he struggled under Sumlin and regressed. (Diffferent styles)

4. There has been talk that Sumlin has brought in a big time transfer/new recruit (can’t remember which) that he wants to have run the offense but doesn’t want to bench Tate. (More conjecture)

5. Tate was ambiguous about whether he would stay at Arizona back at the end of the season. He later confirmed he was staying but it has been concluded (whether rightly or wrongly) that he wanted to leave and wasn’t going to be able to because he wouldn’t graduate in time.

6. This was somewhat confirmed when Tate himself made a big deal a month or so later showing his intention to graduate this summer with a revised graduation date.

Now, all of that may lead to nothing. But it leaves the door wide open. The reason why we won’t hear anything until AFTER it’s guaranteed he will graduate is because he doesn’t want to show his hand.

If he announces too early, Sumlin will give that back-up (whom he wants) the majority of snaps as it doesn’t help Sumlin to give Tate reps. Also, if Tate announces now but then doesn’t actually graduate, he will have lost the valuable spring reps and may already be behind that other guy and basically screw over his final season.

TL;DR - Go back up and read it you lazy bums. :thumb:

Edit: Green and Thunder beat me to it.
 
#295      
At one point, some people believed he was coming. The likelihood following the season was pretty high. More recently, I spoke with people in Arizona and they believe the offseason has been spent working on a hybrid for him within the system. If I were to guess, as of this moment, I would say no. But, everything could change when Gunnell gets to campus. Sumlin has coached a lot of Heisman winners and has started some great Freshmen QBs pretty early in their career.
gunnell is on campus right now. but i think he fits the OC system better than tate
 
#296      

mhuml32

Cincinnati, OH
I haven’t been following the Tate situation closely at all the past couple months.. Do we actually think we still have a legitimate shot at him?

I would put it at less than 1%. I was very hopeful in January, but him playing in their spring game and being "the guy" in their spring practices killed that hope. Why would the coaching staff give him all these reps unless he gave them assurances that he's staying? Imagine we were in Arizona's shoes, wouldn't we be screaming to high heaven if the coaching staff gave all of their QB reps in the spring to a player who might leave?

I'm hoping I'm wrong because all of the reports I've read are about how the Illinois QBs are not ready and Tate would take their 2019 season into a new level.
 
#299      
I would put it at less than 1%. I was very hopeful in January, but him playing in their spring game and being "the guy" in their spring practices killed that hope. Why would the coaching staff give him all these reps unless he gave them assurances that he's staying? Imagine we were in Arizona's shoes, wouldn't we be screaming to high heaven if the coaching staff gave all of their QB reps in the spring to a player who might leave?

I'm hoping I'm wrong because all of the reports I've read are about how the Illinois QBs are not ready and Tate would take their 2019 season into a new level.
only got 5 reps in the spring game and was not injury
 
#300      

lstewart53x3

Scottsdale, Arizona
I would put it at less than 1%. I was very hopeful in January, but him playing in their spring game and being "the guy" in their spring practices killed that hope. Why would the coaching staff give him all these reps unless he gave them assurances that he's staying? Imagine we were in Arizona's shoes, wouldn't we be screaming to high heaven if the coaching staff gave all of their QB reps in the spring to a player who might leave?

I'm hoping I'm wrong because all of the reports I've read are about how the Illinois QBs are not ready and Tate would take their 2019 season into a new level.

While I agree that it’s doubtful Tate ends up here, I wouldn’t put much into him playing in the Spring Game.

Even if he does decide to leave at the end of Summer, he probably isn’t telling the coaches that.

He’s 100% all in there, until he isn’t.
 
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