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Illinois Football: 5 breakout players for the 2017 season

By Rees Woodcock

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMPER 27: Wide receiver Mike Dudek
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMPER 27: Wide receiver Mike Dudek /
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Illinois Sports
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 25: University of Illinois Fighting Illini fans cheer during the game against the Purdue University Boilermakers on September 25, 2004 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Purdue defeated Illinois 38-30. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

DT Jamal Milan

Jamal Milan is entering his sophomore season with the Illinois football team and this should be the year he takes a step forward in his progression. He did everything the team asked him to do as a true freshman and he impressed while doing so.

Milan was a part of the jumbled class of 2016. Lovie took over the team about a month after national signing day and Milan decided to stay with the team. There was the possibility of a transfer because of a coaching change but he stuck with the program.

In the first season under Lovie, Milan played pretty well and started to earn the coaching staff’s trust. He ended up seeing action in 10 games for the Illini and even started five of those contests. In the time Milan received, he accumulated 25 tackles and a sack. He also had a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.

This season should be even better for Milan. I projected him to be one of the starting defensive tackles for the Illini and it looks like that will come to fruition. He will be the undisputed leader on the defensive line and a player who could have a great year being a run stopper for this program.

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