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Illinois Football: 5 surprises on the Scout depth chart

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks off the field after the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. Western Michigan defeated Illinois 34-10. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks off the field after the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. Western Michigan defeated Illinois 34-10. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 16: A general view of Memorial Stadium as the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 16, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 60-35. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

4. Defensive line has a shake-up

Last season, Illinois lost four defensive linemen who were all talented. The two defensive ends to fill in for the lost talent are Sean Adesanya and James Crawford. Most people had these two projected as the starting duo at defensive end.

Jamal Milan was a sure thing as one of the two starting defensive tackles for the Illini as well. But I thought, since he saw a tremendous amount of snaps last season, Kenyon Jackson would be the other starting defensive tackle. It looks like I was wrong.

Jackson is actually slotted as a third-string tackle to start the season. He is replaced by sophomore Tymir Oliver, who I also liked a lot last season. Oliver should be a great fill-in for the Illini and will be on the defensive line for the next few years.

Projected ahead of Jackson as the second-string defensive tackle is true freshman Kendrick Green. He is a Peoria, Illinois product who is extremely athletic. I am excited to see what he can do on the football field for the Illini.

Besides for Jackson being third string, I wasn’t too surprised by anything else. Bobby Roundtree has a ton of potential with his size and he is in front of Owen Carney at defensive end. The defensive line is clearly getting deeper with every recruiting class. There is a lot of young talent on this squad.

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