Illinois Fighting Illini 2024 Football Preview

Bert Bielema’s teams have long been a thorn in the side of Husker football starting with the 2012 annihilation in the Big Ten championship game. In 2021, Husker mental lapses and poorly timed penalties in the week zero season opener were a sign of a season (and coaching staff) that was simply not-to-be. Last season, Matt Rhule finally found a way to pull off a solid win for the Huskers against a Bert-coached team.

Junior Luke Altmyer (6’2” 200 lbs.) returns as the undisputed leader at quarterback after a shaky first season after transferring from Ole’ Miss. Altmyer’s nearly 65% completion percentage for 1,883 yards was promising, but the ten interceptions compared to 13 touchdowns raises questions. John Paddock, who put up huge numbers while Altmyer was injured for a stretch mid-season departs, leaving no experienced backups for 2024.

At running back, sophomore Kaden Feagin (6’3” 250 lbs.) and junior Josh McCray (6’1” 235 lbs.) form a tandem that has put up some big rushing numbers at times in the past. Feagin rushed for 438 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and appears to be the leader going into the season. McCray missed much of last season due to injury, rushing for only 156 yards and two touchdown, but rushed for 605 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry his first two seasons. 298 of those yards came in two games against Penn State and Purdue as a freshman. Sophomore Aidan Laughery (5’11” 200 lbs.) should see some more playing time this season, likely as a third-down back. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry in limited play as a freshman.

Illinois will probably lean even more on their ground game in 2024 as the Illini lose three of their top four receivers, including a first-team All-Big Ten honoree and two NFL draft picks. Senior Patrick Bryant (6’3” 200 lbs.) caught 43 passes for 560 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns last season. After that, Illinois will be needing scout team players to emerge from deep on the bench.

Bert’s teams can be counted on to have great offensive lines, and while the Illini are losing two linemen to the NFL, they’ll continue to be solid up front. Senior right guard Zy Crisler (6’6” 330 lbs.) is a two-year starter who won honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2022. Juniors Joshua Kreutz (6’2” 290 lbs.) and Josh Gesky (6’5” 325 lbs.) also return at center and left guard respectively. Joining the Illini will be transfers J.C. Davis (6’5” 320 lbs.), a first team All-Mountain West honoree at left tackle, and Melvin Priestly (6’4” 300 lbs.), who has started 19 games at Grambling.

Defensively, the Illini have to replace the entire defensive line in 2024. A lot will fall on defensive end Dennis Briggs (6’4” 275 lbs.), who transferred from Florida State where he had seven career starts with 77 tackles with nine for a loss. Junior nose tackle TeRah Edwards (6’2” 320 lbs.) did have 13 tackles last year in his first extensive playing time.

At linebacker, junior Dylan Rosiek (6’1” 230 lbs.) returns at middle linebacker after leading the Illini with 82 tackles last season. Senior outside linebacker Seth Coleman (6’5” 255 lbs.) added 45 tackles last season. Junior outside linebacker Gabe Jacas (6’3” 285 lbs.) had 31 tackles and a team leading five quarterback hurries last season; Jacas was a freshman All-American in 2022.

Junior cornerback Xavier Scott (5’11” 190 lbs.) returns after a 57 tackle 2023 season; Scott led the Illini with 11 pass breakups and two interceptions. He’ll be joined by Texas transfer Terrance Brooks (6’0” 209 lbs.), an honorable mention All-Big XII honoree with three interceptions last season. Junior safety Miles Scott (5’11” 210 lbs.) was second on the Illini in tackles with 63; he also had two interceptions on the season.

Too many question marks on the defensive line and at receiver are the primary reasons the Illini are picked to finish 13th in the expanded Big Ten. I suspect the defensive line situation will fix itself faster, but if the Illini can come up with a serviceable passing game, the Illini could surprise a few opponents in 2024.

And yes, this game is on a Friday night. It’ll get more viewers on a prime-time Fox broadcast, but it’s a huge issue for families of high school players throughout the state who won’t be able to watch the Huskers unless their school can find a way to move the game. Columbus and Fremont have found an option, moving their game from Fremont to Memorial Stadium at noon Saturday; hopefully that’s a sign that more high schools will be playing on Saturday. (And that the Nebraska athletic department is trying to make the best out of an uncomfortable scheduling decision by the Big Ten and Fox.)