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Illinois Football: Early Illini projected depth chart for 2018

By Rees Woodcock

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 07: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini before the match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 7, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Defensive Tackle

Starter: Tymir Oliver

I am excited about every position for the Illinois football team, but the one position that has me the most excited is defensive tackle. The big boys up front will make this Illini defense into a force to be reckoned with.

Tymir Oliver is the returning defensive tackle who will be starting for the Illini in 2018. He was one of the captains last season, and he started in ten games and played in all 12 for Lovie. He finished the year with 33 tackles, three sacks and two pass deflections.

I can’t wait to see what Oliver can do in year two of starting. He has last season under his belt and now he can form into one of the best defensive tackles in the Big Ten. I have him locked in the starting defensive tackle role the entire 2018 campaign.

Backup: Jamal Milan

One of the deepest areas on the team is defensive tackle. Having a player like Jamal Milan being a backup is such a nice luxury to have for the program.

Milan ended up starting six games for the Illini last season and played in ten total, but he did miss the final two games with an injury. He will be looked at to play vital snaps in 2018 as well.

I could see Milan playing in every game for the Illini and maybe starting a few. But, if he does start, it will likely be in place of the other defensive tackle, Calvin Avery.

Backup: Kendrick Green

Kendrick Green came in from the class of 2017. He is a talented player who was a four-star recruit according to Scout and should be a key contributor in the near future.

Illinois actually has some nice depth at defensive tackle. I wouldn’t doubt if we see Green playing this season but he will have to fight for his playing time. I am excited to see what he can do in spring practice, though.

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