2008 Defensive Position Battles for the Fighting Illini

The preseason 18 th ranked Illini are going to look pretty similar as far as the front 4 goes on defense. Left DE Will Davis will lead an experienced defensive line in 2008 coming off of a 9.5 sack campaign in 2007. Senior Derek Walker figured to start at the other end position, but junior Doug Pilcher figures to battle for a lot of reps. Jerry Brown also figures to see some time at DE after a 2.5 sack season in his freshman year. At left tackle, David Linquist will team up with Will Davis to pressure the quarterback from the left side. At right tackle expect to see a battle for the starting spot between Josh Brent and red shirt freshman D’Angelo McCray.

The Illini will have to carry on without the heart and soul of their defense at middle linebacker, J Leman. Brit Miller is the only returning starting linebacker and will slide into the middle to replace Leman. The outside linebacker positions are pretty much in place with senior Rodney Pittman expected to start on one side. The other side will be occupied by a guy used mainly in nickel packages on third downs last season, Martez Wilson. Wilson, a sophomore from Chicago, is a dynamic athlete at 6”4, 246 lbs, and if is able to stay on the field for the Illini can be a real playmaker. Sam Carson, a senior, and freshman, Ian Thomas, will most likely see the most time off the bench at these positions.

The Illini look pretty solid up front on defense but have some concerns about the secondary after having just the 77 th ranked pass defense a year ago and losing their starting, hard hitting safeties in Justin Harrison and Kevin Mitchell. The safety positions are up for grabs with Travon Bellamy being the favorite to start at free safety. Junior college transfer Donsay Hardeman and Bo Flowers will most likely compete for the strong safety slot. The one bright spot in the secondary is retuning junior and 1st team All Big-Ten honoree Vontae Davis at cornerback. Vontae is a very quick, athletic corner who is coming off of a 13 solo tackle performance in the Rose Bowl against USC. Illini opposing quarterbacks will most likely be throwing to the other side of the field which figures to be roamed by Dere Hicks. Marcus Thomas will also see a lot of action at corner and Ron Zook’s top recruit in 2008 Patrick Nixon, the 9 th ranked high school corner, could really help out the Illini defensively.

> Check out the 2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football preview and all of the 2008 Big Ten football previews here @ Big Ten Fans!

Note: Check out the position battles for the Illini offense in 2008 as well.

by Zack Estes
BigTen-fans.com Illinois Correspondent

> For more sports writing from Estes, check out his St. Louis Cardinals coverage @ MLBcenter.com!

> Check out the rest of the Big Ten football coverage here at Big Ten Fans!