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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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Sep 7, 2019; East Hartford, CT, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jake Hansen (35) sacks Connecticut Huskies quarterback Jack Zergiotis (11) in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2019; East Hartford, CT, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jake Hansen (35) sacks Connecticut Huskies quarterback Jack Zergiotis (11) in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker

Starter: Jake Hansen

The heart and soul of the Illinois football defense is Jake Hansen. This kid has been a beast from day one and is someone I would hitch my wagon to in the NFL. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker should anchor the middle of the Illini defense and be one of the best in the Big Ten.

Hansen is entering his senior year as an All-Big Ten second-team nomination by Phil Steele and a third-team nomination by Athlon. He is also on the Bednarik, Butkus and Nagurski award watch lists. Hansen has played in 33 games for the Illini with 22 of those games being starts at linebacker. You can’t get much better than this kid.

Primary Backup: Tarique Barnes

Health will be key for the Illini at linebacker in 2020 as depth isn’t the greatest. I have Tarique Barnes stepping into the primary backup role for the Illini behind Hansen. The most likely scenario here would be someone like Khalan Tolson steps into this role if need be. But, for now, I have Barnes as the primary backup. He played in 13 games last season for the Illini, but that was mostly on defense.

Backup: Sean Coghlan

The other backup at linebacker behind Hansen is someone who doesn’t have much experience as well. Sean Coghlan has played in 16 games for the Orange and Blue which has mostly come on special teams. I don’t see Coghlan getting much time in 2020.

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