I think we need dudes on defense,dudes with speed and athleticism that is what this defense is lacking besides other things.
Illini Football 2025
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I could see a freshman and a couple redshirt freshmen starting next year.
This will sounds weird, but I'd rather be in 3rd and 3 with this defense rather than 3rd and 10. When you’re going right at this secondary, it's literally automatic. When its 3rd and 3, it could be run, pass, rub concepts, etc. When teams drop back to pass, there's legitimately zero life in this defense.
What redshirt freshman do you see starting
For being a developmental program it seems like we’ve seen players regress this year
Staff has some decisions on what freshmen to play the next 4 games and what ones to sit but Beerman would be an example if he sits
Beerman has already burned his redshirt. The only other freshman playing is Lovett on special teams. I don’t see him breaking through in the safety rotation yet
They don't think (and rightfully so) that he will need the extra year. If he progresses nearly as well as they have talked about him. Maybe he sniffs early entry? But likely just makes the NFL leap as a senior. I think Bret has had enough years under his belt to project that out.
Not too mention the possibility **knock on wood** that he has to medical redshirt at some point.
I think it's tremendously beneficial for him to play this year, especially if they believe him to be a key rotation piece next year, if not full on starter.
Since yall have brought this up....the only guy I can see making the leap to win a starting spot next year would be Brayden Trimble. ( Maybe not opening day but work his way into a spot)
That's also VERY hard to do with Dixon, J-Bo, Clement and others having the option to return. I just see him as talented enough to justify his name in the conversation.
Hopefully we get a glimpse of him in a couple games down the stretch.
If I'm not mistaken....You can play 4 games AND the bowl and still retain your redshirt.
Werner and Lehman came about as close as they could be to saying that Henry should be fired. Essentially made it clear that he is doing a terrible job and that major changes need to be made.
I think they were clear to point out IF opponents continue to average 40 points a game on us, THEN yes.
I see a very real possibility of us winning the next 4 games in the 34-17 range, and this talk all calming down.
If the next 4 games end in the 34-32 range, you truly have a tough decision to make.
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Good call on Trimble. I don’t think he will start but he should be in the rotation. We have several incoming freshman that will get on the field next year but I doubt they have big roles. Last year we burned Angelo Mcculloms redshirt so he could play 16 plays on the year. Not really sure what the logic was on that.
Obviously he has done a bad job coaching but the head coach in approving the game plan. Regardless the in game coaching and player development on the defense is trash. We look confused out there and that’s part of the reason we look so slow. It sucks that we lost X for the season but maybe we shouldn’t have had him in during garbage time against a mac team.
I’m sure BB hopes we finish the season strong and he doesn’t have to get rid of his guy. Hopefully we come to play sat take it to Rutgers. This team hasn’t looked hungry all year
I'd go one farther and say 2026 class will have the most Freshmen starters/rotation players since the 2022 class which had
Jacas
X Scott
Bailey
Beatty
All burnt their redshirts (some started).
2026 Class who could feasibly start next year.
Rankin
Hankins
Possible rotation pieces
Eberhart
Wheeler
Kenyon Alston
Special Teams
Kaedyn Cobbs-- He'll find the field next year. I really like his tenacity.
Isaiah Williams (Because how could he not with that name)
Jacas
X Scott
Bailey
Beatty
All burnt their redshirts (some started).
2026 Class who could feasibly start next year.
Rankin
Hankins
Possible rotation pieces
Eberhart
Wheeler
Kenyon Alston
Special Teams
Kaedyn Cobbs-- He'll find the field next year. I really like his tenacity.
Isaiah Williams (Because how could he not with that name)
They looked hungry against USC. As a whole team. If we just talk about the defense, I don't think we've had a good game outside of Duke.
And aside from the turnovers, we still had bad tackling and explosive plays through the air (although a majority of them were YAC).
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
You need to look at how we were scored on by the better teams. Even if the D steps up and holds these last four opponents way below our average, it doesn't negate the fact that we are not competing effectively with the top teams, and that should be the goal. I think the decision should have already been made, and Henry should be out at the end of the season. If, as you suggest, these last four games are just as bad as the others, I wouldn't even wait until then. I know he wouldn't do it, but if Rutgers scores over 30 points, Henry should be fired that afternoon.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
the Illini played a prevent style defense in the secondary for all 60 minutes and the number of times that wash's receivers were WIDE OPEN was appalling at worst and hideously embarrassing at best.......looked like zone coverage and our defenders were in a different time zone than their receivers were in.......I think ole 74 year old arthritis stricken pru could have gotten 300 passing yards and numerous TD's..........I really really do...........I could have used my mom's walker and made 10 or more reads of the non existent Illini defense and
never been touched......maybe an embellishment as I probably would only have gotten 275 yards passing............
put me in coach.............the more you know...........
never been touched......maybe an embellishment as I probably would only have gotten 275 yards passing............
put me in coach.............the more you know...........
Koenning is my favorite Illini assistant coach of all time. I don't believe we've had another DC that so rapidly improved our defense.
His interviews were gold as well.
I believe you mean Vic Koenning . . .
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
sacraig
- The desert
But we don't have any nuclear vessels.How about Walter Koenig?
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