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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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Nov 26, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Tarique Barnes (8) carries The Land of Lincoln Trophy after Illinois defeated the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Inside Linebacker

  • Starter: Tarique Barnes

I think there is a reason Illinois doesn’t keep a ton of inside linebackers on the roster and is loading up on defensive backs. We are going to play more of a nickel defense heading into the future. So, I think it is going to be a 3-3-5, meaning there is likely to be just one inside linebacker. The starter I have for 2023 is Tarique Barnes.

Barnes has been fun to watch the past few seasons, and it is comforting knowing that Illinois has a ton of experience starting at linebacker. Barnes has 25 starts at linebacker in his career, and he is now entering his final season as the starter at inside linebacker again. I think he is going to be able to add to his 46.0 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 pass breakups, 1.5 sacks, and 1.0 quarterback hurries in 2023.

  • 2nd String: Kenenna Odeluga

There were a couple of options as the primary backup to Barnes, but I went with Kenenna Odeluga. He was able to play in every game for the Illini last season, and he finished with 8.0 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and 1.0 pass deflections. I think Odeluga is a solid second-string inside linebacker, and he gives Illinois some good depth.

  • 3rd String: Dylan Rosiek

In the third string, I have Dylan Rosiek. Some people might see him more as a second-string player, but I think there is a chance he and Odeluga are interchangeable in 2023. Rosiek finished the 2022 campaign with 8.0 tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss. This season will be about development for the future.

  • 4th String: Jojo Hayden

I don’t think Jojo Hayden will be needed in 2023, but I have him as the fourth-string inside linebacker. The East St. Louis star is coming into the program as a three-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 1024 player in the class of 2023. Hayden shouldn’t be used much this season, and I fully expect him to take a redshirt. I think he will be a big piece of the linebacker corps in the coming years, though.

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