No. 19: Joe Spencer, OL
Why he’s important: He won’t throw touchdown passes like Wes Lunt. Or picture-perfect spirals like Lunt. But without him, Lunt doesn’t get the opportunity to do so. True, more goes into the Illinois offense than just Spencer. But the fourth-year junior is the first component to get the Illini in gear. The left-handed snaps Spencer shuttled back to Lunt and Reilly O’Toole last season became a common sight and will be so again this year. After starting twice in 2013, both times filling in for injured offensive linemen at the two guard spots, Spencer solidified his hold on the center position.