No. 9: T.J. Neal, LB
Why he’s important: Nothing can help a much-maligned defense like an experienced middle linebacker. Neal fits that slot. To a T. The redshirt junior bloomed last season, filling the role Mason Monheim occupied the previous season. And Neal didn’t hurt the Illini’s defense after he corralled 98 tackles and started in all 13 games last season, averaging 7.8 tackles to rank 18th in the Big Ten. Neal brings sound tackling and good pursuit to the ball, two elements the Illini defense has lacked at times under Tim Beckman’s watch.