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Illinois Football: Projected Illini depth chart on defense for 2020

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini run out of the tunnel before the game against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini run out of the tunnel before the game against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Owen Carney Jr. (99) runs on to the field at the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Owen Carney Jr. (99) runs on to the field at the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive End

Starter: Owen Carney Jr.

The starting defensive end positions will have a ton of experience. With Isaiah Gay on one side of the line, the other side should be anchored by Owen Carney Jr.  A 6-foot-3, 260-pound Florida native, Carney is one of the best defensive players on the team, and he has some great experience as well.

Illinois was able to snag Carney out of Florida high school powerhouse Miami Central back in 2017. Since then, Carney has played a lot for the Orange and Blue. In his three years of suiting up for the Illini, Carney has played in 35 games with at least eight starts on the defensive line. Look for him to have one of his best seasons yet as a senior in 2020.

Primary Backup: Keith Randolph Jr.

Much like the other side of the defensive line, the primary backup to the starting defensive end is going to be a young player coming off a redshirt season. Keith Randolph Jr. should be taking over the primary backup duties for the Orange and Blue.

Randolph, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound in-state product, was one of the best gets for the Illinois football team in 2019. A top 600 recruit nationally, the talented defensive end will have a chance to shine in 2020. He did play in a few games last season before redshirting, so look for Randolph to get a lot of snaps this year and potentially a few starts under his belt.

Backup: Marc Mondesir

Another player coming out of Lovie Smith’s first real recruiting class in 2017 is Marc Mondesir. A 6-foot-2, 240-pound Chicago, Illinois native, Mondesir looks to end his Illinois career with a bang. This kid came in as a linebacker but has been moved around the field so much. He is now settled into a defensive line position. I don’t see Mondesir being used too much in 2020.

Backup: Ezekiel Holmes

Illinois has some solid depth finishing the defensive end position out with Ezekiel Holmes. A 6-foot-5, 240-pound Texas product, Holmes hasn’t had much of a chance to play after taking a redshirt in 2018. He saw action in one game in 2019, and I don’t expect to see too much out of him this year either.

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