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Illinois Football: Lovie Smith talks about Illini QB situation

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Lovie Smith 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)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Lovie Smith 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) /
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There was a lot to unpack from the Illinois football press conference yesterday with Lovie Smith.

Most of the unpacking of this press conference was coach-speak. Usually, that is the case considering we are only four practices into training camp. But there were some tidbits throughout the half-hour Q&A with the media that I found interesting.

Brandon Peters seems like the eventual starter

The way Lovie was talking, Peters is going to be the starter for this program as long as he is here. He mentioned in the press conference that Peters is more athletic than people give him credit for, and he also talked about how he was ideal for the quarterback position.

Lovie sees Isaiah Williams as the future

To piggyback off the sentiment that Peters is going to be the starting quarterback, Lovie also talked about Williams as the future of the quarterback position. A big indicator that Peters will start over Williams in 2019 and, probably 2020, is Lovie mentioning that Williams doesn’t have the pressure to turn around the program. What that means to me is Williams will have time to develop and doesn’t have to start right away.

Offensive line position battles

I love the depth on the offensive line this season. Lovie talked about the offensive line and how there are legitimate position battles this season. I do think there are a few set pieces on the offensive line, like Doug Kramer and Alex Palczewski, but there are a few positions that are up for grabs. The fact Lovie is excited about the offensive line excites me.

Defensive end has depth as well

Lovie talked about the graduate transfers coming into the program. Wole Betiku was a player he pointed out as someone who is coming in and helping the defensive end position immediately. He also mentioned how Isaiah Gay, Ayo Shogbonyo and Owen Carney need to step up in place of injured Bobby Roundtree.

dark. Next. 3 observations from early on in Illini training camp

This was the basic outline of the Lovie Smith press conference held on Tuesday. Lovie seemed pretty upbeat about the upcoming season. He was happy to see everyone picking the Illini to do nothing this season. That means he thinks this could be a special year. Let’s go.

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