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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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COLLEGE PARK, MD – OCTOBER 27: Jesse Aniebonam #6 of the Maryland Terrapins tries to get around Alex Palczewski #63 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during a college football game at Capitol One Field at Maryland Stadium on October 27, 2018 at College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – OCTOBER 27: Jesse Aniebonam #6 of the Maryland Terrapins tries to get around Alex Palczewski #63 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during a college football game at Capitol One Field at Maryland Stadium on October 27, 2018 at College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Right Tackle

Starter: Alex Palczewski

The offensive line is completed by someone who has been with Illinois from day one. Alex Palczewski takes the right tackle spot, and there won’t be a competition for the starting job. He is someone who will earn all the accolades that comes toward him this season.

A 6-foot-6, 310-pound Mount Prospect, Illinois native, Palczewski looks to continue his great start streak. As a freshman in 2017, he started the final 11 games at guard. In 2018 and 2019, Palczewski was a staple on the offensive line with 25 out of 25 starts at right tackle. He was there every game for the Illini. I see Palczewski joining his other starting offensive line teammates in entering the NFL next season. That is how much talent I believe this kid has.

Primary Backup: Julian Pearl

Developing a nice pipeline of offensive lineman coming out of the state of Illinois is something this coaching staff has accomplished. Julian Pearl is one of those linemen. He should be a primary backup at right tackle in 2020.

Pearl, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound Danville, Illinois native, looks to start making an impact in 2020. He redshirted his freshman season in 2018 and then only played in three games last year. Look for Pearl to get more time in 2020 and still be a solid backup for the Orange and Blue.

Backup: Phifer Griffin

An under-the-radar snag for Illinois out of the class of 2020 was Phifer Griffin. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Monroe, North Carolina native was the No. 1350 player in his class and is someone who should make an early impact for the Illini. I am not expecting a ton of snaps for Griffin, but he should see a nice development curve starting in 2020.

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Backup: Evan Kirts

Illinois is going to be able to play some of their freshmen from last season as they shed their redshirt status. Evan Kirts falls into this category. Kirts, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound Evergreen Park, Illinois native didn’t get play last season but will provide great depth in 2020. I don’t see him playing a ton, but he is a nice safety blanket.

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