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Illinois Football: If reports are true, who replaces Larry Boyd for the Illini?

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 28: Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Garret Dooley (5) passes rushes against Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Larry Boyd (76) during the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 28, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 28: Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Garret Dooley (5) passes rushes against Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Larry Boyd (76) during the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 28, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Illinois football team is going through another bump in the road as one of their players is reportedly in trouble for some off the field issues.

On Tuesday night, the Writing Illini received DM’s relating to the possible suspension and/or removal of offensive tackle Larry Boyd. An article was posted last night by Jeremy Werner of 247Sports confirming the news that Boyd would at least be suspended indefinitely.

This news about Boyd is going to hurt the Illinois football team if the reports are true. He was a big member of this team in 2017 and was likely to be another big piece moving forward. He played in every game for the Orange and Blue last season and started in nine of those contests. He was also a Big Ten Network All-Freshman Team honorable mention as well.

Let’s evaluate what Illinois will be looking at on the offensive line if Boyd is gone for at least the entire season.

Boyd would likely have been the starter entering the 2018 campaign. I have Doug Kramer at center, Nick Allegretti and Alex Palczewski at guard and Vederian Lowe would be one of the two tackle positions. Who would fill in for Boyd at the other tackle spot?

Jake Cerny could be an option and is being reported as the way to go, but he only played in two games last season as a redshirt freshman. That would make me nervous. Adam Solomon did start a game last season at tackle, but he doesn’t feel like a reliable option when it comes to a backup plan. Do we go with a true freshman in this spot?

Reuben Unije is coming into the Illinois program as one of the most highly rated tackles in the class of 2018. He would be my No. 1 option to replace Boyd at this point in time. Yes, weight wise, he is a little undersized, but I like a mobile tackle that can get off the line quickly. I think that is what Unije would bring to the table.

A few other options would be Kievan Myers and Jordyn Slaughter. I would like to have redshirted both of these players but at this point, it looks like it is all hands on deck. These two offensive linemen will have a shot to get some serious playing time and potentially a few starts under their belts year one.

Let’s also not forget about Kendrick Green. He flipped from defensive tackle to offensive tackle this spring. He would be an interesting option to go with, but I am not sure how set he is at the position just yet.

Hopefully, Boyd figures out whatever is going on in his life right now. That is the most important thing. Football is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. If these reports are true, please get some help and develop a support system that will be there for you.

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On a football level, losing Boyd for a year or whatever the time may be is going to hurt the program. Thankfully, Lovie Smith brought in some talented players in the class of 2018 to help fill that void. We actually have some depth and it is coming in handy.

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