Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: Early look at the Illini defense for 2019

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks off the field and is met by athletic director Josh Whitman after losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes 63-0 at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks off the field and is met by athletic director Josh Whitman after losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes 63-0 at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 13
Next
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 07: Running back Akrum Wadley #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the first quarter past defensive back Stanley Green #7 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 7, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 07: Running back Akrum Wadley #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes up field during the first quarter past defensive back Stanley Green #7 of the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 7, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Safety

2018 Starter: Stanley Green (3-star #1723)

2019 Starter: Stanley Green (3-star #1723)

Stanley Green is one of the most experienced football players on the Illinois roster. This kid has been playing and starting for the Illini since his freshman season. He started seven games and played in 10 at the safety position as a freshman. He started in seven games and played in 10 at the safety position as a sophomore. He was also an All-Big Ten honorable mention player as well.

As a junior, Green once again had seven starts and played in 10 games for the Illini. He was a solid safety and continues to be a great player for this Illinois football team. I have him as one of the starting safeties heading into the 2019 season as well. Green will be entering his senior campaign, so look for this kid to be one of the best in the Big Ten at his position.

The backup for Green is likely to be Michael Marchese. Thanks to the lack of depth at safety, Marchese was pushed into a great deal of playing time in 2018. He played in 11 games for the Illini as a sophomore and even started three of those games at safety. He will likely be the primary backup to Green in 2019.

Depth is still an issue at safety for the Illini. I think this team is improving overall, but there are clearly still holes in this defense.

Home/Illinois Football