Illinois Football: 5 Illini players to be excited about after spring practice

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Illinois Fighting Illini band members cheer on the football team during the Big Ten Conference game as the Illini take on the Michigan State Spartans on November 5, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Dele Harding /

5. Dele Harding

An underrated player Illinois snagged in the class of 2016 was Dele Harding. He was a three-star linebacker who actually flipped from Michigan to Illinois. This was a great get and someone who is going to make a huge impact this upcoming season.

Harding is a 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker for the Illini. He didn’t have a redshirt year and was thrown to the wolves as a true freshman. He ended up playing in nine games his first season in the Orange and Blue. Last year, he ended up playing in eight games and started in five of those contests. He missed the other four games due to injury.

The experience last season is going to help this year for Harding. He finished the 2017 campaign with 32 tackles which ranked No. 10 on the team. This season is going to be special, though.

I see Harding starting every game for the Illini as long as he is healthy. He is a tremendous linebacker with edge rushing abilities. Don’t be surprised if this kid makes at least honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2018 at the linebacker position.

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Illinois is going to use Harding a lot this upcoming season. He is extremely athletic and should be used in multiple ways. As long as he stays healthy, Harding should be one of the best on the defense.

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