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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, IL – SEPTEMBER 22: Ailym Ford #0 of the Chattanooga Mocs is tackled by Seth Coleman #49 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 22: Ailym Ford #0 of the Chattanooga Mocs is tackled by Seth Coleman #49 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Outside Linebacker

  • Starter: Seth Coleman

I know Illinois lost a ton of talent in the secondary from last season, but we are returning an impressive amount of talent in our front six. Seth Coleman is not being talked about enough. I believe he will enter the 2023 campaign as the other starting outside linebacker for the Illini.

Coleman is coming off a season where he started 12 games for Illinois. He now has 19 starts under his belt and continues to impress each time he is on the field. Coleman also improves his numbers each season. He finished 2022 with 45.0 tackles, 6.0 pass deflections, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. I could see those numbers taking another jump with so much attention on the Illinois defensive line.

  • 2nd String: Alec Bryant

Illinois was able to receive an underrate transfer back in 2021. Alec Bryant bolted the Virginia Tech program and picked the Illini. He was unleashed in 2022 and would finish the season with 11.0 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 quarterback hurries, 1.5 sacks, and 1.0 pass breakups. I think Bryant enters 2023 as the primary backup at outside linebacker. He will get his snaps, though. Bryant will make an impact this season.

  • 3rd String: Jared Badie

A player I am excited about is Jared Badie. I have him in the third string, but his future is so bright. Badie played a little last season but ended up taking a redshirt. He is a former top 700 recruit who checks in at 6-foot-3, 225-pounds. This kid is going to be a beast. I think Badie sees snaps in 2023 but then blossoms in 2024 and beyond.

  • 4th String: Pat Farrell

I don’t think Pat Farrell will see much action in 2023, but I have him down here as the fourth-string outside linebacker. Farrell is entering the Illinois program as a three-star recruit who was the No. 1238 player in the class of 2023. I would bet he takes a redshirt this season and then is a solid depth piece in 2024.

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