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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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Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; General view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during the second quarter against California Golden Bears at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Safety

  • Starter: Demetrius Hill

I can’t wait to see what some of the transfers do for the Illini this season. Demetrius Hill was one of the biggest transfer portal additions for the program. He decided to bolt the Florida International program and picked Illinois as his landing spot.

In his redshirt freshman season in 2022, Hill would amass 95.0 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 forced fumbles, 2.0 pass deflections, 1.0 sacks, and 1.0 interceptions. This great number earned him Freshman All-American honors. Now Illinois is getting the talented defensive back. I have Hill coming in and starting for the Orange and Blue at safety. I think this secondary is going to sneak up on some teams.

  • 2nd String: Solo Turner

Backing up Hill at the safety position is Solomon Turner. He joined the Illinois program last season but he had to sit it out due to it being his second transfer. In 2021, Turner played safety for Hawaii and ended up with 22.0 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 forced fumbles, and 1.0 sacks. I think he is a solid depth piece and someone who will see snaps in 2023.

  • 3rd String: Saboor Karriem

Illinois has so many talented freshmen coming in from the class of 2023. I can’t wait to see what Saboor Karriem becomes with the program. He is entering as a four-star recruit who was the No. 345 player in the 2023 class. It wouldn’t shock me to see Karriem work his way up the depth chart. I don’t think he takes a redshirt. I think Karriem makes an impact in 2023.

  • 4th String: Tyson Rooks

In 2022, Tyson Rooks got to see action in three games but then ended up taking a redshirt. He had a tackle on the season, but I think he is our fourth-string safety entering the 2023 campaign. This gives Rooks more time to develop. He probably won’t see snaps this season.

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