Illinois Football: Projected Illini depth chart against Eastern Michigan

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EAST HARTFORD, CT – SEPTEMBER 07: Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jake Hansen (35) sacks UConn Huskies quarterback Jack Zergiotis (11) during the game between the UConn Huskies and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 7, 2019 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Linebackers

Starter: Jake Hansen

Illinois’ linebackers are fun to watch this season. When you think dominating linebackers, you always think Lovie Smith. This has his fingerprints all over it.

Jake Hansen should continue to start at linebacker for the Illini. He had 7 tackles and 1 sack against UConn this past weekend. He now has 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks for 2019. He is on pace for 84 tackles and 9 sacks this season.

Starter: Dele Harding

I would say the defensive player of the game for the Illini against UConn was Dele Harding. He came through big with 8 tackles and 1 interception. That interception was in a crucial part of the game too.

Look for Harding to continue to start this season for Illinois. He now has 13 tackles this season. He is on pace for a total of 78 tackles in 2019.

Starter: Milo Eifler

The third solid linebacker who is going to be starting for the Illini against Eastern Michigan is Milo Eifler. He has been a great addition to this team. I wish he could have played last season, but his presence this year has been sensational.

Eifler finished the UConn game with 7 tackles and .5 tackles for loss. He now has nine tackles on the season and is on pace for 54 tackles in 2019.

Backup: Shammond Cooper, Khalan Tolson, Delano Ware

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