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Illinois Football: Projected Illini depth chart on offense for 2020

By Rees Woodcock

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Brandon Peters #18 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up prior to the start of the RedBox Bowl game against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Brandon Peters #18 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up prior to the start of the RedBox Bowl game against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 10: Offensive lineman Doug Kramer #65 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks over the line against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Center

Starter: Doug Kramer

A future NFL offensive lineman and someone who has been the heart and soul of the Illinois line for years, Doug Kramer comes into his senior season with all eyes on him. He has been the heartbeat of this Illinois offense and someone we could always count on during a game.

Kramer will easily be the starting center for the Illinois football team in 2020. This has been the case since he pretty much stepped on campus. He started in eight games as a freshman. He then started in all 12 games as a sophomore in 2018. Kramer then started all 12 regular-season games last season but had to miss the bowl game due to injury. Look for Kramer to start every game for the Illini in 2020 at center. I can’t wait to see his career progress from this season through the NFL.

Primary Backup: Preston Engel

The primary backup at center won’t likely be used very often, if at all. In the one game Illinois needed a  backup center the last few years, it was Kendrick Green who slid over from guard to play the center role.

But, for now, I have Preston Engel backing up Kramer. Engle, a Normal, Illinois native, redshirted in 2018 and then played in a couple of games last season. He likely won’t see too much time in 2020, though.

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