Illinois Fighting Illini Spring Game 2015: Five Things to Watch
By Wes Evans
Dec 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Josh Ferguson (6) runs the ball against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the Heart of Dallas Bowl at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
3. Running Backs Josh Ferguson and Dre Brown
If there is one position that Illinois doesn’t have to worry about their starter returning from an injury, its running back. Senior running back Josh Ferguson will be back for one more year as he gained 735 yards on 146 carries and found the end zone eight times in 2014.
Ferguson is the elder statesman of the running back core and will be looked to as a leader as the majority of the other players at the position are underclassmen. Dre Brown is one of those underclassmen and will spell Ferguson during games this season.
Brown is a good-sized back that has good vision and can break arm tackles in the hole but lacks the speed to separate himself from the back in the open field. Brown will compliment Ferguson as a runner and Beckman expects big things for Brown in the future.
It is safe to say that running back is one of the few positions that Illini fans can rest easy about since there are other question marks.
Next: Defensive line rotation