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Illinois Football: 4 assets Bret Bielema will bring the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 21, 2017; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2017; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 06: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans warms up prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 06: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans warms up prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

2. Player Development

Illinois football has put in an okay amount of players in the NFL over the past decade. We haven’t had a ton of talent get drafted, but they usually get a look by an NFL team and then stick on as a free agent.

That era of Illinois football could be coming to an end, though. With the addition of Bret Bielema as head coach of the program, the Illini will be getting a leader who can develop players into NFL talent.

If you look at the teams Wisconsin had when Bielema was head coach, you can see the NFL talent he developed. I’ll start with DeAndre Levy, who was picked in the third round in 2009 and had an eight-year NFL career.

Jonathan Casillas wasn’t drafted but went on to have an eight-year NFL career at linebacker and won two Super Bowl titles. James White was picked in the fourth round in 2014, won three Super Bowl titles and has been a main staple in the New England Patriots backfield for years.

A guy named JJ Watt came from Bielema’s coaching. He was only selected in the first round, made five Pro Bowls and is a five-time All-Pro at defensive end. Russell Wilson played one year under Bielema and then was picked in the third round in 2012, made six Pro Bowls and is a Super Bowl champion.

I mean, I could continue. I haven’t even mentioned Melvin Gordon yet. Bielema has developed some great NFL talent and can bring that teaching to Illinois. The current roster and the future players who come to Champaign should get excited.

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