No. 5: Mason Monheim, LB
Why he’s important: Can’t ever have enough experience. And durability. Two elements the senior brings to the Illinois defense. He’ll man the weakside linebacker role for the second straight season, and enters his final season with the Illini having made 35 consecutive starts. For a defense that has lost key players for varying amounts of time because of injury, Monheim is one player co-defensive coordinators Tim Banks and Mike Phair should count on this season. To not only stay healthy, but also produce on the field. The leading returning tackler for Illinois after he made a career-best 111 tackles last season, Monheim has never failed to post at least 86 tackles in each of his first three seasons with the Illini.