Illinois Fighting Illini

Scouts roam Illini practice sidelines

Published Aug. 13, 2015 12:53 p.m. ET

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The Illinois Fighting Illini have had a drought in the NFL Draft. The team hasn't had a player selected since 2013 and it was particularly glaring when the 2015 Draft was held in Chicago.

In 2016, when the NFL Draft returns to Chicago, could the Illini break the streak? It looks like they have a shot because according to the Herald-Review, there have already been scouts on hand to take in Illini practices:

Four teams were on hand when Camp Rantoul opened on Monday. Another handful showed up Tuesday. On Wednesday, six teams were represented including the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tim Beckman gives the credit the players who have worked hard to improve their game:

“It’s a credit to the kids, to the players,” Beckman said. They are the ones who are bringing them out. Those scouts are not coming to watch me, that’s for sure.”

Even after all the offseason turmoil that the Illini went through, the 2015 team has a real chance to be the most talented group under Tim Beckman. Time will tell if the on-field results will be better but for now take it as a great sign that scouts are showing up to watch.

(h/t Herald-Review)