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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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Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a helmet during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Lineman #3

  • Starter: TeRah Edwards

The third member of the starting defensive line is TeRah Edwards. Now that Calvin Avery has departed, Illinois needed a great replacement, and it is time for Edwards to step up. He started his career at Northwestern but didn’t get much traction there. Edwards then transferred into the Illinois program for his sophomore season in 2022.

Last year, Edwards had a pretty good campaign. He would finish with 14 tackles and a sack, and he would play in every game for the Illini. I fully expect Edwards to have a pretty good 2023 campaign. The attention will be focused on Johnny Newton and Keith Randolph Jr., so there will be times Edwards has free lanes or one-on-one situations. This is a chance for him to rack up some big-time stats.

  • 2nd String: Sed McConnell

Behind Edwards is some experience in Sed McConnell. He took a redshirt in 2021 and then played in seven games in 2022. The former three-star recruit is going to get his chance to see increased time this season. I have McConnell as the primary backup to Edwards in 2023. If he can play well enough, who knows, maybe he even sees a start or two.

  • 3rd String: Alex Bray

Illinois’ depth includes some talented freshmen. It would worry me if we have to use our freshmen this season, but the talent coming in from the 2023 class is impressive. In the third-string role, I have incoming defensive lineman Alex Bray. He is a three-star recruit who is the No. 1166 player in the 2023 class. I love Bray’s size, and he will be a huge asset down the road. Hopefully, he can take a redshirt this season, though.

  • 4th String: Christian Lorenzo

I have Christian Lorenzo at the bottom of the depth chart when it comes to the defensive line. He was a freshman last season but didn’t see any playing time. Lorenzo would take a redshirt. I don’t expect him to see a snap in 2023 unless the game is a blowout.

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