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Illinois Football: Fighting Illini looking to escape Big Ten cellar in 2018

By Connor Muldowney

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Cam Thomas #10 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs with the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the game on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Cam Thomas #10 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs with the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the game on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 28: Bradrick Shaw #7 of the Wisconsin Badgers is tackled during the rush by Del’Shawn Phillips #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 28: Bradrick Shaw #7 of the Wisconsin Badgers is tackled during the rush by Del’Shawn Phillips #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Defense

The Fighting Illini couldn’t stop many teams last season, and that could be the main weakness of the team in 2018. There are decent pieces, just like any college team, but the Illini need to make drastic improvements from a squad that ranked 91st in the nation in points allowed and surrendered nearly 420 yards per game.

Leading tackler Del’Shawn Phillips returns to the linebacking unit after 85 tackles, four for loss and a sack as a junior. He’ll likely be playing alongside a couple of guys with minimal experience in James Knight and Dele Harding — the latter was 10th on the team in tackles last season.

Sophomore Bobby Roundtree leads the defensive line from the end position, finishing with 50 tackles and four sacks last season. He is expected to be one of the top defensive ends in the Big Ten in 2018. Fellow sophomore Isaiah Gay will be back as a potential breakout star at the other end position. Tymir Oliver and Jamal Milan, the projected tackle starters, combined for 56 tackles, six for loss and three sacks last season. Depth could be an issue, though.

The passing defense was much more impressive than the run defense last season for the Illini. In fact, they allowed less than 200 yards per game through the air as opposed to 218 on the ground.

Returning are Stanley Green, Bennett Williams, Nate Hobbs and Cameron Watkins. This unit should be strong yet again, combining for five interceptions in 2017.

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