Offensive Line
Starter (LT) – JC Davis
Bret Bielema’s biggest recruiting job of the offseason came in the form of retaining his own players. He went out to California to convince JC Davis to come back for one more year of football.
Davis could have easily gone to the NFL and been drafted. He is Illinois’ most talented offensive lineman, and he will start at the most important offensive line position, which is left tackle.
- 2nd String (LT) – Tyler McMillen
Illinois had some quietly good offseason additions. Bringing in Tyler McMillen was crucial. He transferred in from Southeast Missouri, where he started nine games at left tackle. McMillen is the perfect backup left tackle for Illinois.
Starter (LG) – Josh Gesky
All of Illinois’ starting offensive line from the end of last season returns. Coming back at left guard is starter Josh Gesky.
Gesky comes back to Champaign after starting every game for the program last season at left guard. The experience is going to be invaluable for the offensive line.
- 2nd String (LG) – Kellen Francis
The guard position doesn’t have a ton of depth, but I think the backup at left guard could be someone like Kellen Francis. Illinois brought in Francis last season after he was an all-conference honorable mention at the junior college level. He redshirted in 2024, and I think he will become a contributing part of this team in 2025.
Starter (C) – Josh Kreutz
I love having Josh Kreutz back at the starting center spot. It is the second most important offensive position, and having someone who has been starting for three years now is extremely crucial to the function of the offensive line.
- 2nd String (C) – TJ McMillen
Illinois’ backup at the center position for 2025 is likely TJ McMillen. He took snaps at center in 2024, and having someone with experience in the second string is huge for the program.
Starter (RG) – Brandon Henderson
I am curious how Brandon Henderson will look this season. He took over the starting job at right tackle in the second half of 2024, and now he has another offseason under his belt. I think there is a chance he not only starts, but Henderson could take a leap that makes him intriguing for NFL scouts.
- 2nd String (RG) – Zafir Stewart
If you had to put one weakness on the Illinois offensive line, it is the backup guard spots. Illinois doesn’t have a single backup guard who took a snap at the FBS or FCS level in 2024. I have Zafir Stewart as the backup behind Henderson. I think this works best for the Illini heading into 2025.
Starter (RT) – Melvin Priestly
Melvin Priestly is going to be important for the 2025 season. He was the lowest-rated Illinois offensive lineman last season, so his development this offseason is crucial. Having Priestly locking down the right side of the offensive line is paramount for 2025.
- 2nd String (RT) – Ayden Knapik
Bret Bielema did a great job building depth at some of the offensive line positions this offseason. Ayden Knapik is an under-the-radar addition for the Illini. He transferred in from Idaho, where he played 834 offensive snaps last season and graded out well.
- Depth (T) – Dezmond Schuster, Brandon Hansen, Nathan Knapik
Illinois’ tackle depth is okay. Dezmond Schuster is out there and can play. Nathan Knapik is a nice transfer piece. Brandon Hansen is young and has a lot of potential. I don’t see many snaps out of these three, though.
- Depth (G) – Zach Barrett, Eddie Tuerk
Again, going back to what I said earlier. Illinois’ weakness is guard depth. I don’t see either of these two depth pieces playing a single snap in 2025.
- Redshirt – Griffin Rousseau, JJ Hirdes, Michael McDonough, Dylan Frechette
Illinois has a lot of young talent. I have four freshmen taking a redshirt, as we won’t need them in 2025. The 2026 season might be a different story, though.