After a productive 2023 NFL Draft class that featured a top-five pick, can the Illinois Fighting Illini match, or even exceed, their volume in the 2024 NFL Draft? Illinois might not have a talent comparable to Devon Witherspoon in 2023, but the team is still flush with potential prospects.
Illinois Fighting Illini NFL Draft Prospects
The Illinois football program is building upward, but the Fighting Illini will have to withstand heavy losses in 2023. Much of their core from 2022 is gone, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Witherspoon was selected fifth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Elsewhere in the secondary, nickel defender Jartavius Martin was selected by the Washington Commanders in Round 2. Sydney Brown, meanwhile, went to Philadelphia in Round 3.
On defense, the Fighting Illini also lost nose tackle Calvin Avery, linebacker Isaac Darkangelo, and free safety Kendall Smith. And on offense, the team lost quarterback Tommy DeVito, running back Chase Brown, offensive tackle Alex Palczewski, and center Alex Pihlstrom.
It’ll be a tall task to replace what the Fighting Illini lost, but as you’ll see below, they have more than enough talent to measure up in times of turmoil. One of their best prospects — Gabe Jacas — isn’t even eligible until the 2025 NFL Draft cycle.
Luke Altmyer, QB
The Fighting Illini got respectable play out of DeVito in 2022, but if Illinois is going to take the next step as a program, they need their QB to be a driving force in their success. Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer could give them what they seek. The 6’2″, 200-pound passer is still young, but he was a four-star recruit in high school who was renowned for his accuracy and off-platform ability. He has a big opportunity on hand and a strong supporting cast.
Reggie Love III, RB
The loss of Chase Brown is a heavy one for the Illinois offense, but the “next man up” mantra always applies. In 2023, it’ll be 5’11”, 205-pound Reggie Love III taking the reins from Brown. Love put up 316 yards and two scores as Illinois’ secondary RB in 2022. Though he doesn’t have the explosive gear upfield that Brown had, he does have solid foot speed and change of direction, as well as inspiring full-field vision and adaptability on zone runs.
Isaiah Williams, WR
Don’t be surprised if Isaiah Williams goes on to be a stellar pro receiver. He was initially recruited as a dual-threat QB but has morphed into an all-encompassing offensive weapon for Illinois. In 2022, he notched a career-high 82 catches for 715 yards and five scores. He’s a human joystick at 5’10”, 180 pounds with absurd short-area flexibility, lateral burst, and vision, and his RAC ability is rivaled only by his route running upside. In a space-dominated modern NFL, Williams is a perfect fit.
Pat Bryant, WR
Being a true junior, Pat Bryant might not declare for the 2024 NFL Draft — that ultimately depends on his 2023 performance. But he has upside worth keeping tabs on. At 6’3″, 195 pounds, he has a tall and streamlined frame. But more than that, he’s a natural hands-catcher who’s also flashed good hip flexibility on his routes. He caught 34 passes for 453 yards and two scores in 2022 and could be eyeing an upgrade in 2023.
Casey Washington, WR
Casey Washington might not have the dynamic traits that his counterparts have. But if Illinois’ passing offense does experience a facelift, he’s another WR to keep in the vault. Washington has yet to catch a touchdown pass in his four-year career, but he’s been a competent ancillary presence for the Illinois offense. At 6’2″, 200 pounds, he has good size, and he’s proven he can corral high-difficulty throws in tight situations.
Tip Reiman, TE
If Bielema’s past Illinois teams have taught us anything, it’s that they’ll make a point to enforce at the line and set the tone with physicality. Tight end Tip Reiman has proven his utility in that phase. At 6’5″, 265 pounds, he’s a big-bodied extra blocker who carries imposing force on his extensions and can wrench down opposing hands. He’s also flashed measured receiving upside, corroborated by his 19 catches, 174 yards, and one touchdown in 2022.
Julian Pearl, OT
Sixth-year senior Julian Pearl returns as the anchor on Illinois’ offensive line. The 6’6″, 315-pound blocker might not have early-round upside, but he could be a coveted option on Day 3 or in the PFA pool as a swing tackle. He lacks elite athleticism and flexibility but still has good range as a blocker in space. He’s extremely physical and powerful as a finisher, eagerly exerting his will against defenders, and he has left-right versatility as well.
Isaiah Adams, G
Alongside Pearl, Isaiah Adams will give Illinois one of the most physical and dominating left sides among collegiate offensive lines. Adams initially made the leap to the Fighting Illini roster from the JUCO ranks and shined at guard in 2022.
He’s easily mobile enough at 6’5″, 315 pounds, and has a powerful frame that can generate impressive point-of-contact force. And with his combined feel for leverage and lateral athleticism, he naturally stays square as a pass protector.
Zy Crisler, G
Opposite Adams, Zy Crisler, is another interior offensive line prospect to watch at right guard. Crisler, interestingly enough, is also a JUCO product, who joined the Illini ranks in 2022 and immediately commanded honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition. At 6’6″, 330 pounds, Crisler is a powerhouse with impressive length and force capacity, as well as solid vertical explosiveness in space. His hips can be stiff, and he needs to work on his pad level, but he has potential.
Jer’Zhan Newton, DT
The Fighting Illini’s best chance at Round 1 representation in the 2024 NFL Draft rests in defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton — and he gives them a pretty good chance.
The 6’2″, 295-pound Newton — who amassed 61 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and three deflections in 2022 — brings high-level burst, quickness, and natural leverage. But his best trait is ultimately his hyper-elite flexibility and slippery frame, which he uses in tandem with surgical hands to disrupt.
Keith Randolph Jr., DT
Were it not for Newton’s presence, we’d probably be talking more about Keith Randolph Jr. as a DT prospect who also has early-round potential. As a producer, Randolph was right on Newton’s heels in 2022, with 53 tackles, 13 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and a pick. He has a muscular and well-proportioned frame at 6’5″, 305 pounds. And at that size, he’s a high-motor defender with the burst, foot speed, and freedom of motion to support vast alignment versatility.
TeRah Edwards, DT
Newton and Randolph constitute one of the most fearsome defensive end tandems in college football, but the scheme calls for a nose tackle to file in between them. Last year, that nose tackle was Calvin Avery. This year, TeRah Edwards may be his successor. Edwards has the ideal natural leverage, density, and strength at 6’2″, 320 pounds, and a sack against Wisconsin in 2022 showcased his pass-rushing upside, highlighted by his closing burst.
Seth Coleman, EDGE
2022 was quietly a solid year for Seth Coleman, who put up five TFLs, four sacks, and six pass deflections. At 6’5″, 240 pounds, he’s a lean stand-up rush linebacker with elite proportional length, and he’s a menace in pursuit with his closing burst and wingspan. He also flashes exciting pass-rush upside on a regular basis. With his explosiveness, bend, reach, and active hands, he has the tools to be a drastic riser in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Tarique Barnes, LB
Behind Illinois’ stacked defensive line, Tarique Barnes could be primed for a big year. The 6’1″, 230-pound linebacker had 8.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks in 2022. And over the past two seasons, he has 126 total tackles to go along with a pick and seven deflections. Barnes’ average positional size may dilute his projection for some teams, but his explosiveness on the attack, both when traversing gaps and when rushing the passer, can’t be undersold.
Tahveon Nicholson, CB
He’ll be a 24-year-old rookie, which may stall any Round 1 hype, but Tahveon Nicholson is an exciting successor to first-round prospect Devon Witherspoon on the boundary. Like Witherspoon, Nicholson is a bit underweight at 5’11”, 180 pounds, but is a chippy, tenacious competitor in both phases. His coverage mobility is extremely appealing. He’s a rapid accelerator, an incredibly fluid mover, and a hyperactive athlete with untethered energy.
Nicario Harper, DB
Nicario Harper is a 6’0″, 205-pound safety who played sparingly at Louisville in 2022. But in the spring of 2020 and 2021, he was at Jacksonville State, where his production was a different story. At JSU, Harper amassed 146 tackles, five TFLs, five picks, and nine pass deflections in two seasons. Now, he’s potentially first in line to replace Sydney Brown at the strong safety position. In Bret Bielema’s and Jim Leonhard’s system, he could ascend.
Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule
- Week 1
BYE - Week 2
Sept. 2: vs. Toledo Rockets - Week 3
Sept. 8: at Kansas Jayhawks - Week 4
Sept. 16: vs. Penn State Nittany Lions - Week 5
Sept. 23: vs. Florida Atlantic Owls - Week 6
Sept. 30: at Purdue Boilermakers - Week 7
Oct. 6: vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers - Week 8
Oct. 14: at Maryland Terrapins - Week 9
Oct. 21: vs. Wisconsin Badgers - Week 10
BYE - Week 11
Nov. 4: at Minnesota Golden Gophers - Week 12
Nov. 11: vs. Indiana Hoosiers - Week 13
Nov. 18: at Iowa Hawkeyes - Week 14
Nov. 25: vs. Northwestern Wildcats - Week 15
BYE
