Adam Solomon

Illinois Football: Key Positions to Fill for the 2017 Season

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:46 a.m. ET

Fansided, Rees Woodcock/FanSided via Writing Illini

The Illinois football team is losing some pretty talented players heading into the 2017 season.

It will be interesting to see who officially takes the place of the key players that are graduating. But, for now I will just plan out who I think will see snaps at certain positions.

C Joe Spencer

Spencer has been one of the few stable things for the Illinois football over the last few seasons. He started at center in every game this season besides for the Murray State contest.

Heading into 2017, the Illini are looking for a new center. This starting spot could end up going to Nick Allegretti. He filled in for Spencer during that Murray State game.

Like in the game against the Racers, Allegretti moved to center while Darta Lee started at right guard. This is what I am expecting to happen in 2017.

OT Austin Schmidt

illinois fighting illini

Writing Illini 4dIllinois Football: Antwan Collier Picks Central Florida

More headlines around FanSided:

4d - Illinois Football: Illini Flip Del'Shawn Phillips From Arizona 6d - Illinois Football: Lovie Smith Has Options at Quarterback 1 w - Illinois Football: Class of 2017 Recruits Visiting This Weekend 1 w - Illinois Football: Defensive MVP for the 2016 Season 1 w - Illinois Football: Dwayne Lawson Is a Huge Pickup for Lovie SmithMore News at Writing Illini

The offensive tackle position will be wide open as Schmidt graduates. This leaves multiple players looking to fill his spot.

I think Gabe Megginson could possible move over to that role, but if that doesn’t happen, look for Adam Solomon to fill the tackle position.

LB Hardy Nickerson

Illinois received a huge transfer last season from Nickerson. He provided a nice boost to the defense, but I wish he was going to be around for more than one season.

I am not sure the Illini have their starting middle linebacker on the team right now. I think it will end up being incoming transfer Del’Shawn Phillips.

Whoever it ends up being, they have pretty big shoes to fill. Nickerson led the team with 107 tackles and 2 interceptions.

Defensive Line

The Illinois defensive line is getting decimated after this season. Starting defensive ends Carroll Phillips, Dawuane Smoot, and backup defensive end Gimel President are all departing.

Starting defensive tackles Rob Bain and Chunky Clements are also going to be gone as well.

There is a ton to replace here. I am going to assume that Jamal Milan will get the nod at one of the defensive tackles positions. He started five games in 2017.

Kenyon Jackson will be the other starting defensive tackle as he also made five starts this past season. These two players will only be sophomores as well, so the Illini will be set for the next few seasons.

As for the defensive ends, I am not sure the starting players are on the team right now.

Illinois has some options that are coming back for 2017. Brandon Jones, Henry McGrew, Sean Adesanya, and Brandon Roberts are all possibilities at defensive end.

But, the downfall about these four players is that we haven’t seen a lot of them on the field. That could leave the possibility for an incoming freshman to take the job.

Olalere Oladipo is coming in from the class of 2017. He is an extremely talented player that stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 235-pounds.

I wouldn’t doubt if Oladipo comes in and competes for snaps day one.

Another strong possibility to start day one would be Owen Carney. He isn’t committed yet to the program, but he is one of the bigger targets for the Illini and would fill a major hole.

Illinois has some options on the defensive line. Hopefully, Lovie can snag a few more talented recruits and build this defensive into a powerhouse.