Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: Profile of the Illini starting defensive backs

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 12, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini helmets during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini helmets during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Apr 16, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Man Berg (21) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Frank Sumpter (19) during the Illinois Spring Game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Man Berg (21) is tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Frank Sumpter (19) during the Illinois Spring Game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

CB Frank Sumpter

Lovie and the Illinois coaching staff did a great job forming this team into a competitive squad last season. They helped develop talent and one of those players was Frank Sumpter.

Sumpter wasn’t highly rated coming out of Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He was only a low three-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 1628 player in the class of 2015 and the No. 151 cornerback in the nation.

There wasn’t a ton of competition for Sumpter but Illinois saw something in him no one else did. He ended up being a great get for the Illini and someone Lovie could mold into a starting defensive back.

In his freshman campaign, Sumpter took a redshirt. This enabled him to sit out the season and learn the pace of the college game without losing a year of eligibility. This had to of helped him with the learning curve and development as well.

When Lovie took over the program he helped Sumpter with his defensive back skills. Lovie took the trial by fire method and played Sumpter in nine games last season and even started him twice. This enabled the coaching staff to really see what they had with him.

Sumpter did enough to impress the coaches and it looks like he will get a chance to start this season. He did pretty well when he did see snaps in 2016 as well. He finished the year with 10 tackles and expect those numbers to increase greatly starting at free safety.

Next: Illini being in Ayodele Adeoye’s top 10 is huge

Illinois has talented defensive backs and Sumpter fits that mold. He will continue to grow as a player and it is exciting to see the development.

Home/Illinois Football