An already deep Illinois football backfield just got a little deeper over the weekend.
According to Bob Asmussen of The News-Gazette, Illinois running back Mike Epstein is returning for another year with the Illini. This news comes after months of speculation whether or not the longest-tenured Illinois running back would be coming back to Champaign or staying home in Florida.
In the article by Asmussen, Epstein’s dad breaks the news to the great reporter and talks about some of the issues with injuries that Mike has had during his time at Illinois. He also talks about the relationship that his son and the new Illinois coaching staff have built over the past half-year.
Great to see tailback Mike Epstein return to the @IlliniFootball team in 2021. He has a chance to move way up the #Illini career rushing list in Bret Bielema's first season. Asmussen | Epstein's return gives Illini run game a boost https://t.co/8xzYr78JgJ via @news_gazette
— Bob Asmussen (@BobAsmussen) June 6, 2021
It is exciting to have Epstein back in the fold. He has had an injury-riddled career, but this kid can play when he is on the field. Epstein has a career average of 6.0 yards per carry, which is a great number. If he is healthy in 2021, there is no doubt in my mind Illinois will benefit greatly from his return to Champaign.
Illinois football is going to have a surplus of running back talent this season.
Returning for his sophomore season is 2020 leading rusher, Chase Brown. The Canadian-born workhorse is going to be the lead man carrying the rock for the upcoming campaign. He averaged a solid 5.2 yards per carry last season, so look for Brown to be reliable once again
The second-leading running back for the Illini last season was Epstein. Losing him would have meant Illinois would have lost 367 yards and 4 touchdowns from the shortened season. That great production is now coming back to Champaign.
Numbers-wise, the depth drops off from there, but Bret Bielema’s offense should lend more opportunities for other running backs as well. I still can’t wait to see what Reggie Love brings to the table on a consistent basis. He is ready to break out.
Kyron Cumby and Jakari Norwood are both small speedsters who can tear up the field. It wouldn’t shock me to see Bielema use both of these talented athletes in multiple areas of the field.
I haven’t even mentioned the addition of Chase Hayden to the mix. The former Arkansas Razorback is now with the Illini and ready to contribute. He has some great experience and should be in a competition for snaps early on.
I remember the days, not too long ago, when Illinois’ depth at running back was awful. Those days are in the past now, and the Illini have some of the best ball-carrying talent I have seen in years. This is what I was hoping for with Bielema taking the reins.