Illinois had no problem leaning into the College Football Playoff buzz at Big Ten Media Days last week in Las Vegas.
The Illini are old, experienced and coming off a 10-win season with most of their starters returning for this season. Yet, the Illini were clearly impressed with a handful of freshmen in winter workouts, spring practices and summer training. They’ve gotten head coach Bret Bielema‘s attention entering training camp later this week.
“Some of those freshmen who looked good in the spring, now they get the summer with us. They get fall camp. If they haven’t enrolled early, I don’t know if that window can be as big,” Bielema said on the Illini Inquirer Podcast.
How many will ultimately break into the two-deep or meaningful roles on the team remains to be seen, but Illini Inquirer breaks down five freshmen to watch entering training camp.