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Illinois Football: Projected Defensive Depth Chart

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 27, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illni defenders Jarrod Clements (99) and DeJazz Woods (90) signal first down as they wait for the referees
Sep 27, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illni defenders Jarrod Clements (99) and DeJazz Woods (90) signal first down as they wait for the referees /
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Nov 7, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Rob Bain (16) sacks Purdue Boilermakers quarterback David Blough (11) at Ross Ade Stadium. Illinois defeats Purdue 48-20. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Rob Bain (16) sacks Purdue Boilermakers quarterback David Blough (11) at Ross Ade Stadium. Illinois defeats Purdue 48-20. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

DT Rob Bain

Next: DE Carroll Phillips

The experienced defensive line continues as the other defensive tackle on the Illinois squad is senior Rob Bain.

Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini /

Illinois Fighting Illini

Bain is another piece to the future success of the Illinois defense.  He is going to be one of the most important players this season.

The recruiting process wasn’t as glamourous as many college athletes.  Bain had 9 scholarship offers but only one was from a power five conference program and that was Illinois.

This 3-star recruit was a nice pickup for the Illini because now he has developed into a Big Ten starter.

Bain did see some playing time in his first season in Champaign.  He played in 5 games and had 7 total tackles.

In Bain’s sophomore season he received a bigger role on the defense.  He played in 11 games and managed to rack up 28 tackles and a sack.

Last season Bain continued to improve as he played in 12 games and had 35 tackles and 2 sacks.

This season I expect Bain to improve even more.  I want to see him and Clements be an immovable object in the middle of one of the best Big Ten defenses.

Bain is going to be extremely important if the Illini want to keep opposing running backs in check.

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