CHAMPAIGN — Shock, then confusion, and then awe.
Gabe Megginson didn’t experience those feelings by just pulling a practical joke on an Illinois football teammate — although he’s likely to do so.
The Illinois offensive lineman felt that way with the coaching transition Illinois has endured in the past nine months.
The Jacksonville native and highly-touted Class of 2015 recruit first committed to Illinois with Tim Beckman still in charge.
He then redshirted the 2015 season with Bill Cubit leading the program.
And now the redshirt freshman will likely play his first snaps at Illinois this season with Lovie Smith roaming the sidelines.