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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 linebacker Jake Hansen (35) 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 linebacker Jake Hansen (35) 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) /

Linebacker

2018 Starter: Jake Hansen (3-star #1999)

2019 Starter: Jake Hansen (3-star #1999)

Jake Hansen had a pretty good sophomore campaign for the Illinois football team. He managed to start every game for the Illini, which is impressive coming off a season-ending injury the year before during training camp.

I see Hansen taking the starting job once again for the Illini. It is hard to see anyone taking the job from him considering how good of a season he had in 2018. He finished the year with 95 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He also had a pass deflection and a fumble recovery as well. I see him starting again for the Illini at linebacker.

Behind Hansen, I have a player that may come as a surprise to some people. I have Khalan Tolson taking over the backup linebacker spot behind Hansen. Coming out of high school, Tolson was a highly rated recruit. He was a three-star linebacker who was the No. 933 player in the class of 2018. As a true freshman, Tolson played in every game for the Illini but mainly on special teams. I see him taking a step forward and becoming a primary backup at linebacker. This kid has talent.

I have James Knight backing up Tolson as the No. 3 linebacker. Knight managed to play in seven games this past season and even started one. He is entering his junior year with the Illini and should provide stability at linebacker.

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