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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 – SEPTEMBER 17: Illinois Fighting Illini fans are seen during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Center

Starter: Verdis Brown

Edit: Verdis is reported to be starting at defensive tackle according to a report by Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune.

A huge commitment for Lovie and the class of 2018 for Illinois was Verdis Brown. He was a recruit who committed elsewhere, decommitted and decided Champaign was the place to be. He was such a great get for the Illini and the future of the program.

Brown comes into the Illinois football team as a four-star recruit who is the No. 326 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 6 center in the nation. The big question is, does Hardy Nickerson get him for the defensive line or will Luke Butkus get him on the offensive line?

Since Brown’s true position is center, I think he will end up being the starting center for the Illini in 2018. This is a big-time job for a true freshman but I think he can handle the duties. He will be sensational year one and start every game for Illinois.

Backup: Doug Kramer

The backup center will be Doug Kramer. Before Brown committed to Illinois, I had Kramer as the starting center for the Illini in 2018. Things change, though, and now I have Kramer as the No. 2 center on the team.

I really like having Kramer as the backup center because he is a nice depth piece. He could easily start for a lot of teams out there and having a young – he is only a sophomore – talented offensive lineman like him on the team will be a great thing for the Illini.

Illinois is finally getting some depth on the offensive line. All of these players are talented and I can’t wait to see what they can do on the field.

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