Illinois Football: Illini offensive line depth chart with Phifer Griffin

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback AJ Bush Jr. #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and offensive lineman Nick Allegretti #53 and offensive lineman Alex Palczewski #63 and offensive lineman Kendrick Green #55 and offensive lineman Vederian Lowe #79 lead the team on the field against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 01: Doug Kramer #65 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Center

Starter: Doug Kramer (SR)

Senior leadership is the name of the game in 2020. Illinois is going to have some solid experience starting on the offensive line. One of the usual faces who will be starting is Doug Kramer.

Kramer is one of those offensive linemen who has developed over the years and has turned into one of the best in the conference. As a redshirt freshman, he would have started all 12 games but was injured in four of those contests. He did start the other eight games that season. He then started every game last year as a sophomore. I expect him to be the starting center this year and in 2020 too.

Backup: Jake Stover (JR)

The backup center in 2018 was Jake Stover. He is entering his sophomore campaign in 2019, and I expect him to continue being a solid backup to Kramer. Having solid backups is important for winning. I could see Stover being a strong backup in 2020 and then taking over the reins in 2021.

Backup: Preston Engel (SO)

I have Preston Engel behind both Kramer and Stover on the roster. Engel should continue providing depth for the Illini. He redshirted last year and will be a redshirt sophomore in 2020.

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