All eyes will be on Reggie Corbin this fall. The redshirt-senior is back for his final hoorah after an impressive junior campaign under first year offensive coordinator Rod Smith. Corbin was the 13th Illini to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, led the nation in runs of 60+ yards and 70+ yards, and has already been named to various preseason award watch lists.
But let’s not forget about Mike Epstein. As a freshman, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida native burst onto the scene with 111 yards against Western Kentucky in Week 2. He’d rack up another 181 yards on 25 carries over the next three weeks before his season was cut short due to injury.