TRACKING THE BACKS
Sophomore-to-be Mike Epstein and junior Dre Brown aren't participating in spring drills as they recover from injury.
"We want to have everybody out there, but it doesn't work that way," Illinois coach Lovie Smith said. "We have guys that have injuries. They will eventually be back. When guys are out, you have a chance to concentrate on those guys that can go."
With Epstein and Brown out, healthy backs Reggie Corbin and Ra'Von Bonner are getting plenty of work. So is Jakari Norwood, a speedy freshman from Florida who enrolled a semester early.