Illinois Football: Illini don Big Ten Network’s 2017 All-Freshman Team
The Illinois football team had the most freshman starts in the history of the program this season.
Playing young guys in 2017 will only benefit the program in the future. These freshmen were thrown into the fire and given a taste of what Big Ten football is all about. Some of the freshmen proved they were made for this type of football and others still need some improvement and will continue getting better.
The Big Ten Network came out with their 2017 Big Ten All-Freshman Team today. This list consists of the best freshmen at each position for the 2017 season. Illinois had a handful of players make this list.
Tight end Louis Dorsey was the only freshman to make the list on the offensive side of the ball. Despite the lack of quarterback play, Dorsey managed to pull in 22 catches for 395 yard and 3 touchdowns. He really came on late in the season and proved himself to be a big-time pass catcher for this team. I look for him to continue taking steps forward into becoming an All-Big Ten type of player.
The defensive side of the ball is where Illinois made the biggest impact for freshmen. On the defensive line, Bobby Roundtree made the All-Freshman Team. He played in 12 games for the Illini this season and had 50 tackles, 4 sacks and 3 pass deflections. His presence on the end of the line was huge for this young defense.
Illinois also had two defensive backs make the All-Freshman Team as well. Safety Bennett Williams was obviously selected to this team. He was absolutely sensational for the Illini and finished the year with 64 tackles and led the team with 3 interceptions. He will be one of the best safeties in the Big Ten next year.
Nate Hobbs was the other defensive back who made the list. Hobbs played in 11 games for Illinois and, honestly, he started the year off a little shaky. But, I was impressed with his development and he finished the season with 44 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. I started off by giving this kid a hard time but he proved me wrong and transformed into a top-notch player.
Illinois also had Blake Hayes don this list as well. He is the dynamic punter for the Illini. He had an average of 42 yards per punt this season and most of the time I was chanting MVP when he would step onto the field.
Next: What are the Illini expectations moving forward?
If anyone is losing hope with this Illinois football team, just look at the list the Big Ten Network put out today. Illinois players are spread throughout this list. These freshmen will mature and the Illini will be good. Just give it time and We Will Win.