They had multiple picks they could've traded to get Spoon and JSN in the top 20. I'm cool with how it turned out though. Wright is a potential perennial Pro Bowler. Obviously got Williams and Odunze the next year so it turned out well.
Illini in the Pros (Football)
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They had multiple picks they could've traded to get Spoon and JSN in the top 20. I'm cool with how it turned out though. Wright is a potential perennial Pro Bowler. Obviously got Williams and Odunze the next year so it turned out well.
Considering all these guys are on the same timeline as Caleb...
you'll only be able to afford a big second contract to one player per position (at best).
Drafting both Odunze and JSN would be poor roster building because you'll have to let one walk after year 4.
Odunze and Wright? You MIGHT be able to squeeze both in (considering one's a tackle and one's a WR).
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Whenever I read a success story of one of our guys in the NFL, I can't help but think of Bobby Roundtree and how close he came to being one of those success stories before fate had other, cruel plans for him before he could even get to the NFL. Such a great player and even better person(I met him once and his act of kindness towards me when I was in the worst time in my life will never be forgotten by me). So tragic what happened to him.
That being said, I'm very excited for and proud of Devon Witherspoon. He's definitely earned it and I couldn't be happier for him!
Bobby Roundtree would've definitely been a top 2 round guy, potentially a 1st as I expected him to have a huge year. He would have definitely been still causing havoc in the league.
That was a big loss for sure which was even more unfortunate when he passed.
First Kerby, now Spoon. The pitch ia the secondary has to be come to Illinois, become the highest paid player at your position.
Its not slowing down either. Besides the guys on campus like Hankins, etc. (My hot take is he's a freshman AA), you have Johnson and others committed in '27. Soon it'll be back to that no fly zone type of secondary they had in '22.
It’ll never be like 2022.
Good? Sure. That good? No.
It was an extreme lightning in the bottle scenario. Not just the secondary, but that entire defense. Too bad we couldn’t maximize our potential that year (I get that 8 wins is good for Illinois standards).
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
ESPN released a power ranking of NFL teams projected over the next 3 years:
Some familiar teams:
1. Seahawks
3. Lions
4. Broncos
6. Patriots
It’s also wild to see just how many former Illini are active in the NFL right now:
www.ourlads.com
Some familiar teams:
1. Seahawks
3. Lions
4. Broncos
6. Patriots
It’s also wild to see just how many former Illini are active in the NFL right now:
2026 Illinois Fighting Illini in the NFL | Ourlads.com
The most respected source for NFL Draft info among NFL Fans, Media, and Scouts, plus accurate, up to date NFL Depth Charts, Practice Squads and Rosters.
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
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For 2026-27, the best team is Denver or Los Angeles.ESPN released a power ranking of NFL teams projected over the next 3 years:
Some familiar teams:
1. Seahawks
3. Lions
4. Broncos
6. Patriots
It’s also wild to see just how many former Illini are active in the NFL right now:
2026 Illinois Fighting Illini in the NFL | Ourlads.com
The most respected source for NFL Draft info among NFL Fans, Media, and Scouts, plus accurate, up to date NFL Depth Charts, Practice Squads and Rosters.
Seattle lost so many players from their championship team last year.
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