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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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 05: Fans wave the ‘Hail to the Orange’ flag over Dad’s day as the Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Michigan State Spartans during the Big Ten Conference game on November 5, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Quarterback

Starter: MJ Rivers

I think it is fair to say the Illinois quarterback situation in 2017 was a complete train wreck. Is that too harsh? Well, it was a train wreck and there is no getting around it. They didn’t have a capable quarterback but that is all changing.

Illinois snagged arguably the most talented quarterback – since Nathan Scheelhaase – in the class of 2018. MJ Rivers committed to the Illini and made the outlook for the program extremely bright.

Rivers is a three-star recruit who is the No. 930 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 27 quarterback in the nation. I am telling you right now, the recruiting rankings are off. This kid has top 300 talent and he will show the world his skills in the Orange and Blue.

I am so excited about Rivers because he is a quarterback who can not only run the ball, but he can pass it as well. Illinois wide receivers and tight ends are going to be used the proper way. They are going to have tremendous seasons because Rivers is in the program. I can’t wait until he takes the field.

Backup: Cam Thomas

The backup quarterback to Rivers is likely to be Cam Thomas. Thomas saw the field in four games and started in two last season. He struggled at times, though.

I really liked the switch to Thomas because the other quarterbacks weren’t getting the job done, so you might as well see what you have in the true freshman. Things didn’t go well, and the Illini floundered.

Thomas finished the 2017 campaign 28-of-66 for 375 yards, zero touchdowns and five interceptions. He will improve heading into next season, but I think Rivers has the starting job and Thomas will hold the clipboard to start the year.

Backup: Jeff George Jr.

The best arm on the team in 2017 was Jeff George Jr. Granted there wasn’t much of a competition, but George could at least get the ball down the field. He couldn’t get away from defenders as the offensive line broke down, though.

George will likely be third string in 2018. He isn’t going to see time unless there are some injuries.

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