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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 Harper, Illinois
News Source: Courier Journal
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08/21/22 - Michael Marchese, rSr/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 Marchese, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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08/21/22 - Alex Palczewski, rSr/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 Palczewski, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/15/22 - Julian Pearl, rSr/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 Pearl, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/13/22 - Isaac Darkangelo, rSr/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 Darkangelo, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/13/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/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 Brown, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/12/22 - Tarique Barnes, rSr/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 Barnes, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/11/22 - Alex Pihlstrom, rSr/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 Pihlstrom, Illinois
News Source: News-Gazette
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08/10/22 - Luke Ford, rSr/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 Ford, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/10/22 - Julian Pearl, rSr/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 Pearl, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/10/22 - Seth Coleman, rSr/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 Coleman, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/09/22 - Kendall Smith, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-1, 211 (DS#28 SS) + More +

Kendall Smith entered the transfer portal two days after last season ended with every intention to use his sixth and final season of eligibility somewhere else. Somewhere he might have a better shot at a starting spot on defense. Then the situation changed at Illinois. Kerby Joseph entered the NFL draft, and the Illini coaching staff convinced Smith to stay. After a solid spring, Smith is now in line to replace Joseph at free safety with versatility - he also played cornerback and wide receiver in his time in Champaign - to fill multiple roles in the secondary. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#28 SS) rSr/2023

SS Kendall Smith, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/04/22 - Clayton Bush, rSr/2024, Illinois, 6-0, 212 (DS#76 SS) + More +

2022 PRESEASON MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM (COACHES/MEDIA): DB Clayton Bush, Southern Illinois,...Started all 13 games at free safety in 2021...Recorded 63 tackles, including 23 in the last three games...Tied for the team lead in interceptions (3)...Returned an INT 22 yards at Kansas State and had a 16-yard INT return in playoff game at South Dakota...Had a season-high 9 tackles in games vs. North Dakota and at North Dakota State. - Southern Illinois Football

(DS#76 SS) rSr/2024

SS Clayton Bush, Illinois
News Source: Southern Illinois Football
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08/03/22 - Tommy DeVito, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-1, 210 (DS#18 QB) + More +

Bret Bielema will tell you there's going to be a quarterback competition when Illinois football training camp opens Saturday in Champaign. In fact, the Illini coach said exactly that Wednesday during Big Ten Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It's been the same refrain from offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. this summer. The starter for the Aug. 27 season opener against Wyoming in Champaign hasn't been decided. Tommy DeVito and Art Sitkowski - and to a much, much lesser degree the rest of the quarterbacks on the Illinois roster - will get their shot in camp. But let's be realistic. It's DeVito's job to lose. The 23-year-old Syracuse transfer who celebrates his 24th birthday on Aug. 7 didn't uproot his college football career on a whim. Sure, leaving the Orange was always in the cards after he ultimately lost the starting job there despite a breakout 2019 season, but he didn't zero in on Illinois to ride the bench again. "The spring game kind of gave you a glimpse of what he's capable of doing," Bielema said, with DeVito completing 16 of 20 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns more than three months ago at Memorial Stadium. "He's got a live arm, and I think a very accurate arm. He does have the ability to get the ball in some tight windows. Sometimes, he gets a little too gunslinger for me, but I think he's learned what we're asking." - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#18 QB) rSr/2023

QB Tommy DeVito, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/03/22 - Ezekiel Holmes, rSr/2025, Illinois, 6-4, 273 (DS#171 DE) + More +

Ezekiel Holmes played in all 12 games last fall after a position change. Recruited to Illinois as a defensive end by former coach Lovie Smith, Holmes was flipped to outside linebacker to fit new defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' scheme. The only real difference for any outside linebacker - the edge rushers - in Walters' defense was the chance to play standing up instead of with a hand on the ground every snap. Holmes had a backup role in 2021 and finished with five tackles for the season, including one tackle for loss.

This fall will mark Holmes' fifth season at Illinois. Four of those seasons included little to no opportunity to get on the field. That included a redshirt season in 2018, where he didn't play despite the new redshirt rules going into place. This fall will be different. It's basically a wide-open competition at outside linebacker given the overall lack of experience for players at that position. Holmes has the physical makeup of an ideal edge rusher. Will on-field production follow? - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#171 DE) rSr/2025

DE Ezekiel Holmes, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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