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Illinois Football: Early 2021 evaluation of the Illini secondary

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Sydney Brown (30) reacts to a penalty call during the third quarter 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 defensive back Sydney Brown (30) reacts to a penalty call during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Marquez Beason (3) attempts to tackle Penn State Nittany Lions running back Caziah Holmes (26) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Illinois 56-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Marquez Beason (3) attempts to tackle Penn State Nittany Lions running back Caziah Holmes (26) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Illinois 56-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Returnees

I am excited about the returning players for the Illini in 2021. I want to start off by pointing out the return of Marquez Beason. I think we are all waiting for this kid to develop into the top 100 talent that we expected from the start.

An injury to start Beason’s career slowed him down, but he finally got his feet wet in a few games of action in 2020. Beason is still a redshirt freshman in 2021 due to the NCAA not counting 2020 against eligibility. That means Illinois has a chance to develop the talented Texas native another year. With Ryan Walters stepping in as defensive coordinator, I am excited to see Beason take the next step.

Three other key returnees for the Orange and Blue include Tony Adams, Derrick Smith and Sydney Brown.

Adams transitioned into a safety role for the Illini under the previous coaching regime, and a lot of that had to do with depth issues. It wouldn’t shock me to see Adams back full-time as a cornerback for this program.

Having Brown return is going to be great for the safety position. With his strength and speed, Brown should be one of the starting safeties for the Illini entering the 2021 campaign. I also have Smith coming back and being the other starting safety for Illinois. Brown and Smith should form a formidable safety duo.

All four of the guys mentioned above should be starting next season. Illinois will then have some depth in the secondary with Quan Martin, Kendall Smith, Tahveon Nicholson and Devon Witherspoon all coming back as well.

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