Illinois Football: 5 breakout players for the 2017 season

MLB Tre Watson

Entering the 2017 season the Illinois football team has experience in the middle of the defense and that is what the team can build around moving forward. The fact Lovie has his own Brian Urlacher once again in Tre Watson is going to help this team tremendously.

Watson has played in every game for the Illini since his redshirt freshman season in 2015. He played all 12 games his first and second year and even started 8 games last season. He will now be the starting middle linebacker as a junior and this should help the defense for the Illini.

Many people are worried about the Illinois defense this season. I think that worry is a little overrated because there are many talented players on this side of the ball. All of this talent should work well together because they have a leader like Watson in the middle to do the play calling and to call out reads when they are happening.

I also think Watson can add on to his great 2016 campaign as well. He had 102 tackles last year and that was only starting 8 games for the Illini. Just imagine what he could do if he started all 12 games.

Next: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

This season is going to be better than people project. Watson will lead this Illini defense and they will win some games.