Illinois Football: Breakdown of the Illini class of 2023

Instant Impact Guys

• Kaleb Patterson

What is one of the areas that Illinois took the biggest hit this offseason? That would be in the defensive secondary. We are losing a ton of talent, and thankfully, the Illini coaching staff secured players like Kaleb Patterson.

Patterson is a 6-foot-2, 186-pound cornerback from Pearl River Community College in Mississippi. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 40 JUCO transfer this offseason. He is also the No. 9 JUCO cornerback and the No. 10 JUCO player coming out of Mississippi.

Illinois needs help in the secondary. We are losing Devon Witherspoon, Sydney Brown, and Quan Martin, among others. Patterson, with post-high school experience under his belt, should be plug-and-play for the newly minted defensive coordinator, Aaron Henry.

• Brandon Henderson

Illinois actually has some of their offensive line return for the 2023 campaign, but there are still some holes that need to be filled. We also needed more depth on the offensive line. That is where Brandon Henderson comes into play.

Henderson is a 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive lineman from East St. Louis High School in Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 937 player in the class of 2023. He is also the No. 72 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 19 player coming out of the state of Illinois.

The Illini have some big-time names returning on the offensive line. Zy Crisler and Isaiah Adams are both back. Julian Pearl and Jordyn Slaughter should make a ton of starts as well. But Illinois lose starting tackle Alex Palczewski and starting center Alex Pihlstrom. Illinois has some young talent waiting in the wings, but this is also an opportunity for someone like Henderson to come in and get snaps in year one. He also enrolled early, which is huge for his development.

• Antwan Hayden

I would love to have more depth at linebacker. Over the past decade, it has felt like a patchwork bunch for the most part. I think adding someone like Antwan Hayden should help solidify this position.

Hayden is a 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker from East St. Louis High School in Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 1017 player in the class of 2023. He is also the No. 82 linebacker in the country and the No. 21 player coming out of Illinois.

The current Illinois coaching staff has really built a nice stable of talented outside linebackers. But our inside linebackers are losing a big piece in Isaac Darkangelo. He led the team with 72 tackles this past season but is departing. Thankfully, Calvin Hart Jr. and Tarique Barnes are both back. They should provide decent depth. With Darkangelo gone, though, this provides an opportunity for Hayden to step in and contribute in year one. He also enrolled early, so he is going to know the playbook entering the fall semester.