Illinois Football: Top 5 Illini players poised to have a breakout season

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Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Matthew Bailey (2) celebrates after intercepting the ball in the end zone against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second quarter during the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Matthew Bailey

The offense isn’t going to have all the fun in 2023. While the Illini lost a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball, there are talented players ready to step up into the starting job.

Illinois lost pretty much the entire starting secondary minus a name or two. Having the secondary depleted is a scary thought, but someone like Matthew Bailey has a chance to prove that he is a special player.

Bailey played in every game as a true freshman in 2022, and he even started the bowl game against Mississippi State due to the departures for the NFL. Bailey would take advantage of the opportunity he earned too. He would keep Illinois in the bowl game with a big interception in the red zone. He had a career-high five tackles against the Bulldogs as well.

There might be some growing pains early, but I think Bailey is poised to have a big year at safety for the Illini. He is just a sophomore this season, but the small sample size that I saw against a solid quarterback from Mississippi State was awfully impressive.

The Moline native is extremely quick and has great instincts for the ball. It would honestly not shock me to see him make an All-Big Ten team in 2023. Look for Bailey to be a starter for the Illini and have a great season.

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