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Illinois Football: 3 reasons the Illini need to land Willie Shaw III

By Rees Woodcock

IOWA CITY, IA. - NOVEMBER 23: The Illinois block I flag as seen during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 23, 2019, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IA. - NOVEMBER 23: The Illinois block I flag as seen during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 23, 2019, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 01: Mike Epstein #26 of the Illinois Fighting Illini rushes the ball as Zayin West #97 of the Kent State Golden Flashes tries to make the stop at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 01: Mike Epstein #26 of the Illinois Fighting Illini rushes the ball as Zayin West #97 of the Kent State Golden Flashes tries to make the stop at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

1. Running back depth

The decision for Willie Shaw III is going to be a big one on Sunday. One of the reasons why it is so big for the Illini is the fact we are going to need more depth at the running back position moving forward.

Heading into the 2020 campaign, I am okay with what we have at running back. Most of these running backs will be returning for 2021 as well.

When the 2021 season rolls around, it is possible to have Mike Epstein (SR) starting for the Illini. I would then have Reggie Love (SO) as his primary backup. Then there would be some mashup of Chase Brown, Jakari Norwood and Kenyon Sims behind those two.

The problem with the depth that I just mentioned is the lack of consistency. Epstein seems to be hurt every season. I can’t confidently say he is making it through a 13-game campaign. Love is a true freshman in 2020, so I don’t know what I am getting out of him. Brown just transferred in from Western Michigan, so he is an unknown. Norwood and Sims haven’t had a chance to run the ball much, so they are question marks too.

With such an uncertain backfield moving forward, it will be nice to have someone like Shaw come in and compete for the starting job from day one. I think he has a chance to get carries as a true freshman and then, potentially, start by his sophomore or junior year. We need more solid running back depth and that is what this kid can bring to the table.

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