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Illinois Football: Top 5 Illini prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sits on the field as players stretch before the start of the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sits on the field as players stretch before the start of the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 01: Doug Kramer #65 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. Doug Kramer

I honestly believe if Doug Kramer would have left after the 2020 campaign, his name would have been called in the NFL Draft. But the offensive line stalwart decided to return for one more season. This will probably enable him to become a better pick in 2021.

Why will Kramer be one of the next Illinois football players picked?

  • Anchor

At the next level, it always seems that NFL teams are looking for a solid offensive line. It is hard to find a player who can anchor an offensive line so that no matter what happens around that player, the offensive line will be a strong unit. That is what I believe Kramer does for the Illini.

No matter who has been in and out of the starting offensive line rotation, Kramer has been able to hold down the front five. He has been a staple in the Illinois offensive line for years and is the calm when the storm starts brewing. All NFL teams are trying to find their Olin Kreutz, and I believe that is what Kramer can be at the next level.

  • Experience

A part of being an anchor in the offensive line is always being there for the team. Kramer hasn’t just been available for the program, he has been a starter from day one. He started 3 games as a freshman, 12 games as a sophomore, 12 games as a junior and 5 games last season. He had a streak of 27 straight starts for the Illini.  For his Illinois career, Kramer has started in a total of 32 games and counting. That is invaluable experience.

  • Talent

In 2019, Kramer started to rack up some solid offensive line accolades. The past two seasons, he finished as an All-Big Ten honorable mention center for both the media and coaches. He was also rated as the No. 8 center in the nation by Pro Football Focus in 2019. During that same season, Kramer didn’t allow a sack in 751 snaps. I expect him to be a preseason All-Big Ten selection in 2021 as well. The sky is the limit for this talented center.

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