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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) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – OCTOBER 06: Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Bobby Roundtree (97) during the College Football Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 6, 2018, at HighPoint.Com Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – OCTOBER 06: Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Bobby Roundtree (97) during the College Football Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 6, 2018, at HighPoint.Com Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Defensive end

2018 Starter: Bobby Roundtree (3-star #1335)

2019 Starter: Bobby Roundtree (3-star #1335)

The development of Bobby Roundtree since first suiting up for the Illinois football team has been nothing short of incredible. This kid wasn’t a top 1000 recruit coming out of the class of 2017 but has proved doubters wrong. He finished with 67 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 2018 and will continue to be a force in 2019.

Illinois likely won’t replace Roundtree this season, but the upgrade at this side of the defensive line will be depth. The Illini are bringing in some extremely talented defensive ends from the class of 2019. I honestly see Keith Randolph stepping in as the primary backup defensive end. He is a three-star recruit who is the No. 593 player in the class of 2019.

Behind Randolph, I have junior Isaiah Gay continuing to be a solid option at defensive end. He had a solid 2018 campaign and should see time in 2019 as well. His presence as one of the backup defensive ends will be huge for this Illini team.

Another player Illinois is getting from the class of 2019 is Seth Coleman. He is a three-star recruit who is the No. 1779 player in the class of 2019. I see him being behind Gay to start the season. Honestly, I think he should redshirt his freshman year, though.

So, I have Coleman redshirting and that means Ayo Shogbonyo would be behind Gay as the No. 4 defensive end on the depth chart. He would see some snaps throughout the year but is a solid depth guy. Illinois finally has depth on the defensive line.

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