Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: Illini Team Grades Through 3 Games

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 10, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; (left to right) Illinois Fighting Illini offensive line coach Luke Butkus, head coach Lovie Smith, and back judge Jim Biddle watch the replay board during the 4th quarter at Memorial Stadium. North Carolina beat Illinois 48 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; (left to right) Illinois Fighting Illini offensive line coach Luke Butkus, head coach Lovie Smith, and back judge Jim Biddle watch the replay board during the 4th quarter at Memorial Stadium. North Carolina beat Illinois 48 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 9
Next
Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Taylor Barton (3) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Taylor Barton (3) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

C. . DB. 196.7 PYPG (40th), 2 INT (86th). DEFENSIVE BACKS

Heading into the 2016 season, the main issue fans and media were talking about was the young and inexperienced Illinois defensive backs.

This group has kind of impressed me this season, so far.  They are young and haven’t had a ton of experience but they are playing well.

Illinois is currently giving up 196.7 yards per game through the air.  This ranks as No. 40 in all of college football.  That is quite impressive considering the teams they have played so far.

This squad is led by safety Taylor Barton.  He currently has 14 tackles and 1 interception on the season.  Opposing teams need to fear him over the middle.

Illinois is also getting some decent play out of surprising starter Julian Hylton.

Hylton was thrust into the starting safety role and has done pretty well since.  He has 8 tackles and 1 interception on the year.

The cornerback play hasn’t been great but they have done an okay job.  Jalen Dunlap and Darius Mosely are going to need to step up to cause some more turnovers on the outside.

Illinois currently has only 2 interceptions on the season and those were by Hylton and Barton.  They don’t have a single pick by a cornerback yet.

The Illini currently rank No. 86 in the nation in interceptions.  To give up fewer touchdowns and to score more points, Illinois defensive backs need to step up and cause turnovers.

Overall, I would give the defensive backs a ‘C’.  They haven’t been awful but they aren’t feared, yet.  There is still a ways to go for this squad.

Home/Illinois Fighting Illini