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Illinois Football: Backup quarterback in place for Illini in 2020

By Rees Woodcock

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of the match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes, on November 23, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of the match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes, on November 23, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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It looks like the Illinois football backup quarterback situation is all sorted out.

During the 2019 campaign run to the Redbox Bowl, Illinois dealt with some injuries at the quarterback position. Starter Brandon Peters missed some time throughout the year. Who was the backup last season to Peters?

Matt Robinson

Robinson threw for 475 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions for the Illini as a freshman in 2019. These aren’t terrible numbers considering the San Juan Capistrano native was only ranked as the No. 2233 player in the class of 2018.

We are now entering the 2020 season with Peters back at the helm for the Orange and Blue. With only eight games on the schedule, I look for Peters to have a great year and to stay healthy for his final run with the program.

But the backup quarterback position was a question heading into the upcoming season. Was Robinson going to continue being the primary backup or was highly-touted dual-threat passer Isaiah Williams going to take the reins and be the No. 2 man?

That question was answered just a couple of days ago by Lovie Smith. Who is the backup for the Illini heading into the 2020 campaign?

Matt Robinson

In an article by Jeremy Werner of 247Sports, Werner mentions that Lovie says Robinson will be the backup for right now. Lovie would go on to say that Williams and Coran Taylor are getting better and Deuce Spann is getting reps.

Hopefully, none of this will matter because Peters will stay healthy. But it will be interesting to see if Robinson is going to be the backup and soon-to-be starter moving forward.

Williams was a four-star recruit coming into the Illinois football program. He received limited time in 2019, as he only played in four games and took a redshirt. His development this season is going to be key in the future of the Illini. If we can get him going and more accurate, then I think the future is extremely bright for this program.

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But, for now, it looks like Robinson is the primary backup to Peters. Williams will have to wait and continue to improve. 2021 is going to be a fascinating quarterback competition.

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