Illinois Football: 4 observations from the Illini loss to UTSA

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Aug 28, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, left, and Nebraska head coach Scott Frost, talk before the start of Saturday’s game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Depth in the secondary is just not there

All night long UTSA quarterback Frank Harris tore apart the Illinois secondary. We just didn’t have an answer for his solid passing abilities. A big reason we didn’t have an answer was due to the fact we just don’t have the talented depth we need to have.

Don’t get me wrong, I like some of the pieces we have in the secondary. Devon Witherspoon has developed into a solid cornerback who can make plays. There are a few other defensive backs who can shine at certain times as well.

But, overall, I was extremely disappointed with what I saw from the Illini secondary. We need help and I am not sure where that help is coming from. Looking at the class of 2022, there are zero defensive back commitments as of right now. That worries me greatly.

Illinois did have a good haul of defensive backs from the past couple of recruiting classes, though. The development of young guys like DD Snyder and Daniel Edwards is what we are relying on right now. The transfer portal is another source of hope as well.

I was expecting more out of some of our experienced defensive backs this season, but I just haven’t seen high-level play. Illinois doesn’t have enough talented depth to help the secondary stabilize either. This will be our bugaboo for the rest of the 2021 campaign.

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