The former Illinois All-America linebacker and Champaign Central graduate knows what it takes for Illinois football to reach national prominence. The 30-year-old played on the last Illini team to make the Rose Bowl after the 2007 season. Leman was back in town on Friday night, working the Illini’s opener against Kent State for BTN. He’ll return to Champaign again this Saturday when Illinois hosts Western Illinois, serving in an analyst role on the BTN broadcast. Sports editor MATT DANIELS caught up with Leman to get his take on this year’s Illini, Bill Cubit’s new gig and how social media has changed college football:
How do you like Illinois’ chances this year?