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Illinois Football: Multiple Illini make preseason All-American teams

ByRees Woodcock|
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 22: Jer'Zhan Newton #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini lays a hit on Preston Hutchinson #9 of the Chattanooga Mocs during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 22: Jer'Zhan Newton #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini lays a hit on Preston Hutchinson #9 of the Chattanooga Mocs during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois football has some special talent up front for the 2023 campaign

The Illini had one of the best seasons in the last couple of decades in 2022. We got to eight wins on the season, and players elevated the team to great heights. Illinois also had multiple players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, including the No. 5 overall pick, Devon Witherspoon.

We could have had more players selected in the draft, though. Keith Randolph Jr. and Johnny Newton could have declared and they both would have been top-five-round picks. But they didn’t. They decided to come back to Illinois for one more go at winning even more on the football field.

With the law firm of Randolph and Newton returning, they are already starting to get some preseason recognition for the potential they have for the upcoming season.

Keith Randolph Jr. and Johnny Newton have a chance to elevate their NFL Draft stock this season with the Illinois football team

Last Thursday, Athlon Sports released their preseason All-American teams. On the teams are the usual names. USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. both made the first team. Another familiar name on this roster is Newton.

That is right, Illinois has a preseason first-team All-American in Newton. Coming off a sophomore campaign where he was nearly a unanimous second-team All-American, Newton is poised to make the jump to the first team. He has all of the ability in the world, and I fully expect him to have a great year.

You don’t have to scroll too far to find Randolph on an All-American roster as well. Athlon Sports named Randolph to the preseason third-team All-American roster. He earned this honor with a tremendous 2022 campaign that saw Randolph make the All-Big Ten team and finish with 53 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.


These two talented defensive linemen are already getting preseason accolades, and their performance during the 2023 campaign could really boost their 2024 NFL Draft stock if they play well.

As of right now, most 2024 mock drafts, for what they are worth, have Newton getting picked in the middle-to-late first round. With a big year, he could easily move into the top 10. NFL teams need good defensive linemen.

For Randolph, the highest I have seen him in the early sixth round. With his athletic ability and quickness, I could easily see him skyrocketing up NFL Draft boards. If he can have a good year in 2023, then there is no telling how high Randolph could climb. It wouldn’t shock me to see him sneak into the back end of the first round.

Illinois has some great talent coming into the 2023 campaign. Our defensive line is the best I have seen it in over a decade. Let’s watch this legendary duo dominate this season.

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