No. 24: Nick Allegretti, OL
Why he’s important: He didn’t play a snap last season, but it was by design. The Lincoln-Way East product redshirted, guaranteeing he could contribute well beyond the 2014 season for the Illini. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Allegretti doesn’t have the left guard spot locked down. But he could by the time the season opens on Sept. 4 against Kent State. A physical run blocker with a bit of nastiness that coaches love in offensive lineman, Allegretti has bulked up in the past year since arriving at Illinois while refining his technique.