CHAMPAIGN — Moses Okpala was locked in to everything Illinois defensive line coach Austin Clark said Saturday afternoon at the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility. He followed the drills closely. Joined the huddle when Clark would break down what was next. And couldn't help but smile when Illini coach Lovie Smith ventured over for a one-on-one teaching moment.
Okpala, decked out in khakis, loafers and a Ladue Rams pullover, was just a spectator Saturday afternoon for the fourth of 15 Illinois spring practices. The 6-foot-7, 250-pound future Illini defensive end, though, isn't far off from his summer arrival in Champaign.