CHAMPAIGN — Illinois football training camp doesn’t start for another three months, and the Illinois football staff has a lot to accomplish before then, particularly in recruiting.
But it’s never too early to look ahead to the fall in what will be a significant season of change for Illinois, which replaced about half of its roster and about half of its coaching staff following back-to-back 9+ win seasons.
During 15 spring practices in March and April, the staff got a great early look at its new personnel, including a new starting quarterback and significantly altered wide receiver, offensive line and defensive line rooms. The coaches also installed significant parts of new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck‘s defense and now will reassess and determine if any tweaks to that scheme must be made to fit this roster.
The players also got to show the staff who they are, and some clear position battles got underway. Here are eight position battles that will definitely be worth watching once Illinois resumes practice in late July/early August.
