The Fighting Illini Defense often runs out of a 4-3 under base formation utilizing two hybrid poisitions much like UNC's former 4-2-5 base set. The Leo Linebacker is very similar to the role that Carolina's former Bandit Position and the STAR Linebacker will remind you of the Ram position we saw the previous 3 years. This defense has been stout against very inferior competition, giving up on 165 yards per game and a total of three points. Illinois' defense faces their toughest task of the early season against Carolina's offense. Carolina should be able to put some points up against this group if they do not give up turnovers. The turnover game is an area that Illinois has improved tremendously after being one of the worst squads in FBS last year at forcing TOs.
The Fighting Illini Defensive Line
Defensive End
DE1 Jihad Ward (#17) 6-6 290 lbs Senior - One of Illinois brightest NFL prospects on the roster. Ward's a massive NFL prototype Defensive End who makes plays all over the field. Bentley Spain and Jon Heck will have to make sure to play with excellent technique to help set the edge against Mr Ward. Many expect Ward to improve upon his All B1G Honorable Mention position award he received in 2014. Ward's much better in run defense than in the pass rushing phase.
DE2 Kenny Nelson (#9) 6-6 250 lbs Senior - An experienced back up that is one of only two viable options at defensive end for the Illini. Outside of Ward and Nelson, there's only walk-ons in the system.
DE3 Brandon Roberts (#85) 6-3 265 lbs Sophomore
Nose Tackle
NT1 Jarrod "Chunky" Clements(#11) 6-3 290 lbs Junior - Clements has not been as active in the backfield as much as Illinois would like out of a Nose Tackle, registering only two tackles through two games. He's an ok player in his run fits, but often struggles to force pressure in the pass rushing phase.
NT2 Tito Idenigbo (#94) 6-3 280 lbs Redshirt Frosh - Chunky's Backup's actually been a tad more prductive registering 1.5 tackles for loss opposed to one.
Defensive Tackle
DT1 Rob Bain (#16) 6-3 300 lbs Junior - Bain's made an impact in special teams, blocking a field goal in the opener. He has a very good first step and shows solid burst in the pass rushing phase. Kid takes on double teams very well as he's mentioned as one of the strongest players in the program.
DT2 Nick Allegretti (#53) 6-4 305 lbs Redshirt Frosh - Allegretti's a former Offensive Guard who mad ethe switch because of the attrition at 3 technique. He's fared decently so far in 2015, breaking up a few plays through the first two games, but has yet to register a stat.
Leo Linebacker (hybrid defensive end)
LEO 1 Duwuane Smoot (#91) 6-3 270 lbs Junior - Smoot's the best pass rusher on the team. Possesses solid speed for his size and has shown the ability to set the win the edge. Rounds out what I think is a very solid defensive line. His run defense is a bit dicey but he can certainly pose problems in pass pro.
LEO 2 Carroll Phillips (#6) 6-3 230 lbs Junior - Expect to see this guy in at any position on the defensive line in passing situations. Phillips, while undersized, has been a problem for opposing teams in the passing game. He's very productive when he plays, with his only knock being he's only a situational player.
LEO 3 Henry McGrew (#45) 6-3 235 lbs redshirt Frosh - McGrew's been an excellent surprise in his first year of playing, registering 3 tackles for loss already through two games. He'll end up developing into a very good player for the Illini.
The Fighting Illini Linebackers
Will Linebacker
WLB 1 Mason Monheim (#43) 6-1 235 lbs Senior - The most active tackler on the Illini defense two years running. Monheim makes plays all over the field. Carolina's offense will have to keep tabs on where this guy lines up. He's a stud. Saturday will be his 40th start in an Illini uniform.
WLB 2 LaKeith Walls (#22) 6-2 215 lbs Junior - A very solid back up who's been as productive as the man ahead of him on the first team. Walls has very good range for a Will Linebacker and the Illini love to send him on blitzes.
WLB 3 Julian Jones (#44) 6-2 215 lbs Freshman
Mike Linebacker
MLB 1 TJ Neal Jr. (#52) 6-1 235 lbs Junior - Neal's been a mainstay at Mike Linebacker much like Monheim's been one at Will. He's a productive backer who plays well in space.
MLB 2 BJ Bello (#10) 6-3 225 Junior
Star Linebacker (hybrid DB)
STAR 1a James Crawford (#5) 6-2 215 lbs Sophomore
STAR 1b Eric Finney (#14) 6-0 220 Senior
STAR 3 Cedric Doxy (#26) 6-2 220 Junior
Craford's perfomed well in his first two starts in place for the injured Finney. With Finney back expect Crawford and Finney to split snaps at STAR linebacker all day on Saturday. The coaching staff loves to blitz both on run and pass blitzes with both players registering multiple TFLs already through two games.
The Fighting Illini Secondary
CB 1 V'Angelo Bentley (#2) 5-10 190 lbs Senior - Bentley's a much better all around player than he is cornerback with the most dangerous aspect of his game coming in the punt and kick return phase of the game. Coaches love to blitz Bentley off the edge and his production warrants it, registering over 9 tackles for loss the last couple of years for a cornerback. Carolina will be one of his biggest tests of 2015 with the size and speed combo Carolina's receivers have shown.
CB 2 Darius Mosely (#24) 5-11 190 lbs Junior - A solid back up. He's like Bentley specializes in the return game. He's the nickle back when Illinois puts that package on the field.
CB 3 Davontay Kwaaning (#23) 5-11 190 lbs Senior
CB 1 Eaton Spence (#27) 6-0 185 lbs Senior - With Bentley receiving most of the attention it's easy to look over how solid of a player Spence's been since he arrived at Illinois. Spence is a much surer tackler than Bentley but coaches do not send him on blitzes to make the splash plays you often see with Bentley.
CB 2 Jalen Dunlap (#28) 6-1 185 lbs Sophomore - Dunlap's played well as a back up after missing all of 2014. He's a member of the dime package.
FS 1 Clayton Fejedelem (#20) 6-1 195 lbs Senior - A former walk on who's made the most of his opportunity according to the Champaign Room. I can't disagree. As the leading tackler on a squad where's there no clear run away tackling machine like Carolina has, "Fej" has a well rounded body of work that makes you respect airing it out deep.
FS 2 Jevarius Little (#15) 6-0 190 Junior
SS 1 Taylor Barton (#3) 6-1 215 lbs Junior - Carolina must recognize where this guy lines up on the field as he's currently tied for leading the FBS in interceptions with three already this season. He has as many turnovers single handidly as Carolina has as a team.
SS 2 Darwyn Kelly (#4) 6-1 210 lbs Sophomore
The Fighting Illini Special Teams
Kicker Taylor Zalewski (#17) 6-2 220 lbs Senior- Zalewski is perfect on the year 4-4 in field goals, 11-11 in extra points, with a long of 43. Like Weiler he's been much improved this year.
Punter Ryan Frain (#13) 6-2 220 Junior - Frain averages over 40 a punt. He's a weapon in special teams.
Kick Off Returners: V'Angelo Bentley (#2) and Darius Mosely (#24) - see above.
Punt Returners V'Angelo Bentley (#2) and Darius Mosely (#24)
Now that we've covered both the Illinois Offense and Defense, it'll be prediction time shortly.
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