We continue our series where we will review the performance of each Illinois player and see what might be in store for the Illini’s future.
Today we move to defense and take a look at another very young posistion in the defensive line. This unit struggled throughout Big Ten play, and Illinois will need more out of them going forward. Illinois will have to do it after losing the two best players on the line— James Crawford (graduation) and Tito Odeninbo (transfer).
James Crawford had a breakout year in his senior season. The former linebacker — and before that defensive back — moved to DL and his speed on the edge allowed Crawford to get pressure as an edge rusher on his way to leading the team in tackles for loss with 5.