Nebraska Opponent Spring Review: Illinois
Nebraska’s first Big Ten game of the 2024 season is against Illinois on Friday, September 20 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
The Fighting Illini wrapped up their fourth spring with Head Coach Bret Bielema at the helm. Illinois had a strong second season (8-5) under Bielema but finished 5-7 in 2023. After losing many veteran starters, Illinois is hoping to a return to a bowl game.
HuskerOnline caught up with Scott Beatty, an Illinois expert from WDWS in Champaign, for an in-depth look into Illinois’s status after spring practice.
Previous Opponent Spring Reviews: UTEP | Colorado | Northern Iowa |
Spring Overview
Illinois’s confidence in their offensive line depth and quality was one of the highlights of their spring and beyond. The Fighting Illini have the strongest 10 offensive linemen they’ve had in a while, Beatty said. They have five strong starters but also five quality backups.
After the 2023 season, Illinois lost six offensive linemen in the two-deep chart but reloaded a couple of transfers and young players.
Additionally, the secondary is a big story this off-season and continuing into the fall. The Fighting Illini’s secondary was one of its least effective position groups in 2023. They allowed 228.1 passing yards per game as a unit, the ninth most in the Big Ten.
However, the defensive backs seem to have leveled up this spring. Bielema hired former Toledo coach Corey Parker to be his defensive back’s coach and transform the position. At Toledo, Parker coached Quinyon Mitchell, a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Parker added Texas cornerback transfer Terrance Brooks to his group. Brooks is slotted to be one of the best players on Illinois’s defense. Sophomore safety Matthew Bailey is back after a season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023. He had a big freshman season in 2022 and is projected to be even better in 2024.
Illinois’s biggest concern is the loss of d-lineman Johnny Newton, one of the greatest players in Illinois history. Defensive tackle Keith Randolph Jr. also moved on to the NFL. The Fighting Illini can not replace their professional talent but will try a few portal editions, including Dennis Briggs Jr. from Florida State and Florida A&M transfer Gentle Hunt.
Luke Altmeyer Illinois Football (Credit by Illinois Communications)
Offensive Star: QB Luke Altmeyer and/or RB Kaden Feagin
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmeyer is returning after starting nine games in 2023. He didn’t start every game in 2023 because while he was out with an ankle injury, backup John Paddock had an “all-world performance.”
Altmeyer is poised to take another step forward in 2024. In his nine games last season, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound QB threw for 1,883 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 64.81 competition rate. Against Nebraska in 2023, the Illinois QB went 29-for-47 with 289 passing yards.
After his first season as a starter, the Mississippi transfer had the ability to raise the tide of Illinois’s improving offense.
There are a couple of young running backs who have All-Big Ten potential, according to Beatty. Sophomore Kaden Feagin was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention by the coaches in 2023. He was also a two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound back rushed for 441 yards on 95 carries in nine games
A strong run game is important to Bielema so Feagin could easily become the star of Illinois’ offense along with Altmeyer.
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Star: CB Terrance Brooks
Cornerback transfer Terrance Brooks is projected to be the Fighting Illinois’s best player of defense.
Matthew Bailey, outside linebackers Seth Coleman, Gabe Jacas and linebacker Dylan Rosiek all have a chance to be special in this defense.
Brooks will likely stand out amongst other solid players. At Texas, he was named a 2023 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention after starting 13 games in 2023. He recorded 20 tackles, three interceptions and six pass breakups. As a freshman in 2022, he played in nine games with three starts.
The 6-foot-0, 200-pound corner could pave a similar path to former Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Biggest Question: Can Illinois’ defense be good enough to make a bowl game?
Illinois’s 2022 defense carried them to an 8-5 record in Bielema’s second season. However, the 2023 season was disappointing due to a 5-7 record and not performing to their capability. Illinois lost many upperclassmen, especially on defense.
The biggest question heading into the 2024 season is can Illinois’s defense be good enough to get them back to a bowl game? Their offense is projected to be solid with a returning quarterback and a strong offensive line.
Illinois’s defense experienced a drop-off after defensive coordinator Ryan Walters left to be the head coach at Purdue. New D-coordinator Aaron Henry is entering his second season and added DB coach Corey Parker.
The defense struggled against the pass in 2023. The new coach and players have a shot to improve from the 2023 season.
Key Newcomer/Transfer: JC Davis
New Mexico transfer JC Davis is projected to start at left tackle this fall. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive tackle spent two seasons at New Mexico, where he started 24 games at left tackle. He was an All-Mountain West First Team selection in 2023. He played at Contra Costa College as a freshman and made the All-CCCA First Team.
At New Mexico in 2023, Davis was the No. 4-graded offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 1 in the Group of 5 conference, according to Pro Football Focus. Over two years with the Aggies, the senior played 1,531 snaps at left tackle. He’ll make an instant impact on Illinois’s offensive line.
Early Outlook on Illinois vs. Nebraska
Beatty: “It’s definitely going to be a tough test for Illinois because of their history of recent on Friday night road games. Knowing the talent that Matt Rhule is assembling in his second year. This far out, having not seen Illinois play a snap yet, I would have to lean towards Nebraska as the favorite at home.”
2024 Win-Loss Expectations
Beatty: “I would see a six-win season as a success based on off-season expectations for this team. There are a couple of matchups that Illinois was thought to be the favorite in last year, but they didn’t perform well. And if they can turn those in their favor, then they can have a more successful season.
“If they can beat the teams that were in the now former Big Ten West that are at a similar place right now – I’m talking about Purdue and Northwestern – if they get a couple of those wins. They’ve handled Minnesota for the last few years, so that’s been a favorable matchup. Couple that with a couple of nonconference wins at least, and Illinois grabs something down the road somewhere or upsets somebody at home, there’s a path to a bowl game.”
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