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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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COLLEGE PARK, MD – OCTOBER 27: An Illinois Fighting Illini football helmet during a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capitol One Field at Maryland Stadium on October 27, 2018 at College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

Linebacker

2018 Starter: Del’Shawn Phillips (2-star #2644)

2019 Starter: Milo Eifler (4-star #142)

One of the starting linebackers for the Illinois football team in 2018 was senior Del’Shawn Phillips. He was a good player for the Illini and started in 21 games in two seasons with the program. Phillips would finish the 2018 season with 95 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four interceptions. But, he has now departed the program and Milo Eifler will be taking over.

Eifler transferred into the Illinois program after his redshirt freshman season with Washington. He ended up playing in 13 games for the Huskies and had six tackles for the year. Illinois is now getting a linebacker who was a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 142 player in the class of 2016. I fully expect him to start at linebacker for the Illini and be sensational for the final two years of his eligibility.

Behind Eifler, I have senior Dele Harding. Having Harding as a primary backup is huge for the Illini. He is extremely experienced and provides great depth for this program. Harding has started in seven games for the Illini throughout his career and has played in a total of 26 games. His presence is huge for Illinois.

I then have Marc Mondesir as the No. 3 linebacker for the Illini. He hasn’t had a start since joining the Illinois football program, but he has played in 21 games and provides stability for the linebacker corps. Look for this junior to help the team win some games in 2019.

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