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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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Defensive back Eddie Smith (25) stops wide receiver Chadarius Townsend (12) during second half action in the Alabama A-Day spring football scrimmage game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday April 13, 2019.Bama13 /

Key Additions

This is the exciting part that some people may not realize. Illinois has a lot of new additions to the secondary for the upcoming season.

Let’s start off with new faces who Bret Bielema is bringing in via the transfer route. Eddie Smith was probably the biggest snag for Bielema. The defensive back from Alabama didn’t get much playing time with the Crimson Tide, but he was highly regarded coming out of high school.

With great size and closing speed, Smith should be inserted in the first-string depth chart from day one. Since it seems that Walters likes to play more of a 4-2-5 defense, Illinois needs a nickel defensive back. I have Smith being inserted in this role.

The other transfer addition to the team is Prather Hudson. I know that it may seem he will come in and play running back, but I think he would be better suited in the Illinois secondary. Hudson has the experience and knowledge of how to play the position. He would be a great depth piece behind the first-string.

I don’t expect the freshmen who are coming into the Illinois program to compete for too many snaps from day one. But the Illini do have a nice haul coming in who will help build for the future.

Daniel Edwards, Joriell Washington, Prince Green, DD Snyder and Tyler Strain are all newcomers and will most likely take a redshirt in 2021. This group of talented defensive backs is the future of the secondary for the Orange and Blue.

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