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 Draft Scout College Football Player News: Illinois
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  08/29/22 - Chase BrownSr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + More +

  AUG 29 BIG TEN CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Chase Brown, Illinois, RB - Jr. - London, Ontario - St. Stephens Episcopal (Fla.),...Led the Illinois offense to a 38-6 win over Wyoming in Week 0, rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to three receptions (on three targets) for 16 yards and a touchdown...Brown's 151 yards pushed him past the 2,000-yard milestone for his collegiate career, while his rushing yards are the most in a season-opener by an Illinois rusher since at least 1945...Recorded the first receiving touchdown of his career with a 14-yard TD reception from Tommy DeVito on the game's opening drive...Earns his third career Offensive Player of the Week award...Last Illinois Offensive Player of the Week: Chase Brown (Oct. 25, 2021). - Big Ten Football

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023 RB Chase BrownIllinois
News Source: Big Ten Football
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  08/28/22 - Tommy DeVitorSr/2023, Illinois, 6-1, 210 (DS#18 QB) + More +

  2022 PRESEASON JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD WATCH LIST: Tommy DeVito, Illinois,...First seson at Illinois after transferring to Champaign from Syracuse...Played in 24 games with 15 starts over three seasons at Syracuse...Completed 305-of-520 (.586) passes for 3,478 yards and 27 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, while rushing for 128 yards and three scores...Responsible for 3,606 career yards of total offense and 26 touchdowns...Ranked in the top 10 all-time at Syracuse in completion percentage (7th, 58.6), passer rating (8th, 128.1), passing yards per game (7th, 144.9), touchdown passes (7th, 27), completions (9th, 305) and passing yards (10th, 3,478). - Illinois Football

(DS#18 QB) rSr/2023 QB Tommy DeVitoIllinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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  08/27/22 - Chase BrownSr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + More +

  Chase Brown scored three touchdowns and rushed for 151 yards and Tommy DeVito completed 27 of 37 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns in his debut as Illinois breezed past Wyoming 38-6 in a season-opener on Saturday. Only 41 seconds elapsed before Brown found his way into the end zone, latching onto a 14-yard pass from DeVito to put Illinois in front. Brown surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards - including his freshman season at Western Michigan - on an 18-yard run in the second quarter.

Brown followed with an 11-yard TD run and kicker Caleb Griffin connected from 27 yards out to give Illinois a 17-3 halftime lead. Wyoming quarterback Andrew Peasley completed just six of 21 passes for 40 yards in his debut. Cowboys running back Titus Swen rushed for 98 yards on 17 carries, while Peasley added 76 rushing yards on eight attempts. The Cowboys converted just 1 of 12 third-down attempts, while the Illini were successful on 7 of 16. John Hoyland had field goals of 22 yards and 46 yards for the Cowboys' lone scores. Illinois upped its lead to 31-6 early in the fourth quarter when Brown scored on a 5-yard run. - Illinois/AP College Football


(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023 RB Chase BrownIllinois
News Source: Illinois/AP College Football
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  08/25/22 - Tommy DeVitorSr/2023, Illinois, 6-1, 210 (DS#18 QB) + More +

  Bret Bielema announced Syracuse transfer Tommy DeVito as Illinois' starting quarterback on Thursday. DeVito has a promising arm and the potential to boost the offense under first-year coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., hired from UTSA after the Roadrunners embarrassed Bielema's squad last year. The run-happy Cowboys lost quarterbacks Sean Chambers and Levi Williams to the transfer portal and brought in Andrew Peasley from rival Utah State and Evan Svoboda from Snow College. The result could hinge on which team's newcomers hit the ground running. - AP College Football

(DS#18 QB) rSr/2023 QB Tommy DeVitoIllinois
News Source: AP College Football
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  08/22/22 - Nicario HarperrSr/2024, Illinois, 5-11, 200 (DS#38 FS) + More +

  Nicario Harper wasn't happy with the feedback he'd received. After two seasons at Jacksonville State, Harper was ready to take the next step and to enter the 2022 NFL draft. The only problem? Scouts weren't sold on him. He was told they wanted to see him in coverage more and to work on his hips. Harper, who had a stint at Southern Miss before Jacksonville State, was open to what he'd been told even if he wasn't thrilled to hear it. "They just really see me as a physical player, as a downhill thumper," the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year said, "and I want to be able to show my versatility more." Instead of staying at Jacksonville State, he moved back up to the FBS level and transferred to Louisville, where he's been given the chance to show off his versatility. During fall camp, the Cardinals repped Harper at multiple spots, including the CARD linebacker, free safety and nickelback positions.

Harper is one of six transfers, out of 13 total that joined the roster during the offseason, that coach Scott Satterfield's staff brought in to reinforce a secondary that gave up the fourth-most passing yards in the ACC (3,193 yards) and 20 touchdowns (10th). The bulk of Harper's experience as a Gamecock was at safety where he tallied 54 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery in addition to being a Buck Buchanon Award finalist, given to the top safety in FCS, in his final season. That's not all he has to offer, though, and the Georgia native welcomes the opportunity to display more of his capabilities this season. "A lot of people just think I'm just a physical guy, but I want to show also I can cover," he said. "I can move around. I can blitz. I can play up top. I can play in a box. I can do everything. That's the kind of player I feel like I am, so I want to I'm glad I got the opportunity to show that this season." - Courier Journal


(DS#38 FS) rSr/2024 FS Nicario HarperIllinois
News Source: Courier Journal
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  08/21/22 - Michael MarcheserSr/2023, Illinois, 6-4, 235 (DS#70 TE) + More +

  2022 PRESEASON ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE: Michael Marchese, University of Illinois,...Academic All-Big Ten...Played in 11 games with one start...Two receptions for 30 yards on the season...First career reception at Minnesota...Switched to tight end during 2021 spring practices. - Illinois Football

(DS#70 TE) rSr/2023 TE Michael MarcheseIllinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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  08/21/22 - Alex PalczewskirSr/2023, Illinois, 6-7, 303 (DS#20 OT) + More +

  Alex Palczewski was going through Hula Bowl practices - one of the many all-star events for seniors ahead of the NFL draft - when Illinois coach Bret Bielema called and told him there was a plan to get him a sixth season of eligibility. That's the opportunity Palczewski will use this fall, and the fact he enters the season fully healthy and set to play the whole year at his more natural right-tackle position could elevate his stock when it comes to the 2023 NFL draft. For now, he'll be a veteran anchor at one end of a rebuilt Illinois offensive line. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#20 OT) rSr/2023 OT Alex PalczewskiIllinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  08/15/22 - Julian PearlrSr/2024, Illinois, 6-6, 312 (DS#26 OT) + More +

  The measurables are all there for Julian Pearl. Solid athlete. Great length. Physical. That doesn't mean there isn't room to grow for the former Danville standout turned Illinois offensive lineman. As he continues to gain experience as the Illini's starting left tackle, the coaching staff has challenged him to be more of a leader. To channel his inner Vederian Lowe - the longtime starter at left tackle he's replacing this fall. "He was a young player that was very talented that was playing on a line with Doug Kramer, (Alex Palczewski) and Verderian (Lowe)," Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller said. "He never had to be thrust into that. Now, he is a veteran player and he is an older guy that needs to take on that. We've challenged him to do that over the course of the summer. "Honestly, the first two days I was not pleased with him in camp, but then he just turned it on and has really played well, practiced well. He worked on some of his technique flaws from last season. It's fun to see him grow and mature in that light." - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#26 OT) rSr/2024 OT Julian PearlIllinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  08/13/22 - Isaac DarkangelorSr/2023, Illinois, 6-0, 227 (DS#23 ILB) + More +

  Isaac Darkangelo leaned into a family maxim when he decided to transfer from Northern Michigan. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker had already carved out a starring role at Division II Northern Michigan. He totaled 60 tackles in 10 games as a true freshman, and his 105 tackles in 10 games as a sophomore ranked him second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. But Darkangelo always dreamed of playing football in the Big Ten. He grew up in Big Ten country in Brighton, Mich., which is situated north of Ann Arbor and in between East Lansing and Detroit. Darkangelo also had the confidence he could compete at that level.

So he entered the transfer portal. Former Illinois coach Lovie Smith took a chance on the All-GLIAC Second Team linebacker as a walk-on. Darkangelo had his Big Ten opportunity. "One big thing in my family is to have no regrets in whatever you do," Darkangelo said Wednesday afternoon after the Illini wrapped up another training camp practice ahead of their Aug. 27 opener against Wyoming. "Honestly, I knew if I didn't take the chance on myself, I would regret it for sure...My biggest motivation was I didn't want to let my family down. I always wanted to play in the Big Ten - I knew I could - and I wanted to come here and prove myself." Darkangelo had to wait for the opportunity to prove himself. He sat out the 2020 season after transferring. Then came the coaching change from Smith to Bret Bielema. Darkangelo's fortunes ultimately weren't hurt. He earned a scholarship last fall, played in all 12 games and wound up one of the top-rated special teams players in the Big Ten. - News Gazette Tribune


(DS#23 ILB) rSr/2023 ILB Isaac DarkangeloIllinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  08/13/22 - Chase BrownSr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + More +

  Chase Brown would prefer to get every carry possible. The Illinois running back isn't going to the coaching staff asking to touch the ball less - in practice or on game day. But Brown also understands just how much is expected of him this season. If that means a lighter workload during an August training camp practice, so be it. "I'm a person who likes to go, but I also have to respect coach's decisions," Brown said. "With load management, if they want to hold me back one day, I understand that. On a load management day, I'm taking as many mental reps as possible. Even when I'm not in, I'm in. I know what's coming. I'm confident and just looking forward to competing this year. I can't wait until Wyoming and Indiana and anybody else down that schedule." - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023 RB Chase BrownIllinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  08/12/22 - Tarique BarnesrSr/2024, Illinois, 6-1, 231 (DS#46 ILB) + More +

  Illinois had to lean on Tarique Barnes at inside linebacker last fall because he was basically the only one that stayed healthy. Calvin Hart Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth quarter of the season opener against Nebraska, and Jake Hansen was lost for the year after another torn ACL in late October. Barnes was the constant, making 10 starts in 12 games and finishing with 80 tackles (one shy of Sydney Brown's team high), six tackles for loss, five pass breakups, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception.

Barnes will be back in the middle of the Illinois defense this season as a likely starter. Hart's return this spring allowed the two to develop some important on-field chemistry given Hart's injury last fall after transferring from North Carolina State meant they didn't play much together. The Illini will again need Barnes to be the type of playmaker that generated three turnovers last fall, but after one season, defensive coordinator Ryan Walters knows he has a solid performer in a key position. - News Gazette Tribune


(DS#46 ILB) rSr/2024 ILB Tarique BarnesIllinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  08/11/22 - Alex PihlstromrSr/2023, Illinois, 6-5, 302 (DS#11 C) + More +

  Alex Pihlstrom made the move to center this offseason and showed the Illinois coaching staff enough that they didn't pursue a veteran at that position in the transfer portal. Pihlstrom repped as the No. 1 center throughout spring practices and was back in that role when training camp opened. He doesn't have the same level of on-field experience as freshman roommate and fellow sixth-year offensive lineman Alex Palczewski, but the 23-year-old Pihlstrom will still fill a leadership role in the middle of the Illini line. - News-Gazette

(DS#11 C) rSr/2023 C Alex PihlstromIllinois
News Source: News-Gazette
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  08/10/22 - Luke FordrSr/2023, Illinois, 6-6, 268 (DS#43 TE) + More +

  Last season was Ford's best season, but it can't really be called a breakout season. Ford did start all 12 games at tight end for Illinois - a first in his career - and set new career highs in the first game of the season. That it was three catches for 30 yards and his first Illini touchdown, however, showed how involved the tight ends were in the passing game. Ford would go on to catch just 12 more passes for 84 yards and another touchdown in the final 11 games of the season.

Maybe this is the year Illinois will actually throw it to the tight ends. Daniel Barker transferred to Michigan State because he wasn't sure it would happen. Ford stuck around because maybe it would under new offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. given his history with Illinois coach Bret Bielema. Ford needs it to happen. He looks exactly like an NFL tight end should and needs to follow through on that potential. - News Gazette Tribune


(DS#43 TE) rSr/2023 TE Luke FordIllinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  08/10/22 - Julian PearlrSr/2024, Illinois, 6-6, 312 (DS#26 OT) + More +

  Julian Pearl was sidelined during spring practices with a broken thumb he suffered during a pick-up basketball game (the last he'll play during the rest of his Illinois football career). That didn't change the fact he'll return as a starter this fall. With Palczewski settling back in at his normal position at right tackle, Pearl has the positional versatility to flip to left tackle to replace Vederian Lowe or stay next to Palczewski again at right guard. The same is true for junior college transfer Isaiah Adams, which gives offensive line coach Bart Miller some options. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#26 OT) rSr/2024 OT Julian PearlIllinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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  08/10/22 - Seth ColemanrSr/2025, Illinois, 6-4, 246 (DS#24 OLB) + More +

  Seth Coleman has waited his turn. When he arrived at Illinois as a true freshman in 2019, he had multiple defensive ends ahead of him on the depth chart from Lovie Smith mainstays Owen Carney Jr. and Isaiah Gay to USC transfer Oluwole Betiku Jr. and surprise breakout performer Ayo Shogbonyo. The depth chart calculus didn't really change in 2020, either. Carney and Gay had the starting defensive spots on lock, and that was essentially the same in 2021 when that duo used their bonus year of eligibility as outside linebackers in new defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' system. Now Coleman is "the guy." The 6-foot-5, 240-pound outside linebacker is in line for a major starting role after an injury last fall disrupted what was a breakout in the making after taking Gay's starting spot.

Two missed games from Coleman was enough to let Gay reclaim his primary role. Now Gay is gone, so is Carney, and Illinois is turning to Coleman to be a playmaker on the edge. "He's got no choice but to be the guy," Walters said. "He's taken ownership over that role, and that's what we need from him...He's acting that way. He's transformed his body from a year ago. Again, I can't speak highly enough of (strength and conditioning coach Tank Wright) and his crew and what they were able to do during that eight weeks over the summer. I think that's given him confidence. He's prepared, and preparation breeds confidence." - News Gazette Tribune


(DS#24 OLB) rSr/2025 OLB Seth ColemanIllinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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