Will Illinois Football Rebuild Or Reload In 2023? | Illinois Football 2023

In late October of the 2022 College Football season, the Illinois Fighting Illini were 7-1 (4-1) and locked like a lock to win the Big Ten West in Bret Bielema's second year as head coach. Then, the team went on a 1-4 run with close losses to Michigan State, Purdue, and Michigan and ended up finishing 8-5 (5-4) to end the season. Despite this, what Illinois did last season was impressive, and despite the loss of star running back Chase Brown and elite cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Bret Bielema has the potential to do even better in year 3. Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, who left to take the head coaching job at Purdue, has been replaced by defensive backs coach Aaron Henry. Assisting Henry off the field will be none other than former Wisconsin Badgers' defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who is regarded as one of the best in his profession. Leonhard was hired as an off-the-field analyst, but I have no doubt that he will be promoted after this year. The defense returns three All-Big Ten caliber players in defensive ends Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr and defensive tackle Terah Edwards. The defensive line should be one of the best in the nation, with coach Henry having the 2nd best defensive end room in the country. Linebacker and defensive back, while losing several starters, should be retooled with good players and grow as the year goes on. Offensively, Barry Lunney Jr brought in former Ole Miss quarterback Luke Altmyer from the transfer portal. The offensive also returns offensive linemen Isaiah Adams and Julian Pearl, and wide receivers Casey Washington and Isaiah Williams. Reggie Love III looks to start at running back and I think this team will be able to run the football and establish game control. Quarterback will be this team's biggest weakness, but if I am wrong, 11 or 12 wins will be the ceiling of the Bret Bielema-led Fighting Illini. Leave a like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more of the best College Football content! My Merchandise Store: https://cfbwithsam.threadless.com/ Spotify Link: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/A9u1hWG8nyb Illinois 2023 Football Schedule: https://fbschedules.com/2023-illinois-football-schedule/ Illinois 2023 Football Depth Chart: https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/illinois/90705 #collegefootball #illinoisfootball #illinoisfightingillini #bigtenfootball #michiganfootball #ohiostatefootball #pennstatefootball #minnesotafootball #iowafootball #collegefootball