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Projected 2023 Illinois football depth chart – defense

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 10, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. (88) reacts after Saturday’s 24-3 win over the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. (88) reacts after Saturday’s 24-3 win over the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 10: Keith Randolph Jr. #88 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play during the second quarter in the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 10: Keith Randolph Jr. #88 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play during the second quarter in the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Defensive Lineman #2

  • Starter: Keith Randolph Jr.

You can’t have the Law Firm without Keith Randolph Jr. He and Johnny Newton form one of the most dangerous one-two punches in all of college football. Randolph has been a big part of the Illinois football team since joining the program in 2019. He has 19 starts on the defensive line, and that number will grow in 2023.

This upcoming season, Randolph will start for the Illini. He will be a part of one of the greatest defensive lines in program history. The country is taking notice of his talents as well. Randolph is a preseason third-team All-American and is on multiple defensive award watch lists.

  • 2nd String: Denzel Daxon

Illinois received some depth on the defensive line this offseason. Coming out of high school, Daxon was a top 700 recruit. Teams like Miami (FL), Florida, and Georgia wanted him. He would commit to Ohio, but he couldn’t get things off the ground, as he had 11 tackles and a sack in two seasons. Illinois is now getting a defensive lineman we can mold into another NFL Draft pick. I have Daxon as the primary backup to Randolph this season.

  • 3rd String: Jeremiah Warren

On the third string, I have freshman Jeremiah Warren. Illinois doesn’t have a ton of depth on the defensive line, but we did bring in a few big-time recruits from the class of 2023. Warren was a three-star recruit who was the No. 1340 player in the 2023 class. I don’t think he will have to play much as a freshman, but we at least have him back there just in case.

  • 4th String: Mason Muragin

Another defensive lineman Illinois has coming in from the class of 2023 is Mason Muragin. He was a three-star recruit who was the No. 1286 player in the 2023 class. I think Muragin is going to be interchangeable with Warren, but I have him as the fourth-string defensive lineman. Again, I don’t think he will be called upon too much in 2023. It wouldn’t shock me to see Muragin redshirt.

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