Verdis Brown's first three seasons at Illinois have been spent on the offensive line. But the 6-foot-4, 330-pound Chicago native, who started eight games at right guard in 2020, found himself among defensive linemen on Monday. "Got great short-area quickness. Very powerful. I know out of high school they said he was kind of recruited both ways," Illini coach Bret Bielema said. "I just went to him about two weeks before summer camp was done. I said, 'This is kind of what I'm thinking. What do you think?' ... He quickly gravitated toward it. I thought (Monday) actually went pretty good. I know that the D-line room took him in with open arms, and I know (defensive line coach Terrance Jamison) was excited to get him." - News Gazette Tribune