In the second season under Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters, the ILLINI defense needed to continue their defensive success. While the defense in 2021 did show vast improvement, several key contributors from last year’s success are gone in 2022. There are also several key defensive veterans also returning for 2022. Here are five returning defensive veterans that look to build off of last season’s improved defense.
Junior ILB Tarique Barnes
Tarique Barnes brings a strong veteran presence as inside linebacker. He appeared in 12 games with 10 starts in 2021. Tarique has a great football IQ, along with the ability to locate ball carriers and make tackles. Last season while filling the inside linebacker position for injured CJ Hart he finished the season second with 80 tackles.
Sophomore OLB Seth Colman
Seth Coleman feels like he is on the verge of a major breakout season. Coleman started three games for the Illini a year ago when Isaiah Gay was struggling, but then suffered an injury and saw his production slip a little bit. But Coleman is healthy again and should be one of the ILLINI’s better pass rushers this season.
Sophomore DL Keith Randolph Jr.
Keith Randolph Jr. stands out in what should be a deep defensive front. Randolph played in 10 games last season, missing two with an injury, and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten by the media after recording 42 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble. Randolph missed most of the spring after suffering a finger injury but should be in line to have an impressive 2022 season.
Junior CB Devon Witherspoon
Devon Witherspoon moved into the number one cornerback position last season and had a productive season. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention by the media. Witherspoon has been projected as a potential All-Big Ten Cornerback and also an NFL-caliber talent on the outside. In 2021 Witherspoon produced 52 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, and nine pass breakups (ninth in the Big Ten).
Senior Safety Sydney Brown
Sydney Brown, the twin brother of standout ILLINI RB Chase Brown will be the senior leader on defense. Earning All-Big Ten honorable mention by coaches and media. Sydney led the ILLINI defense in tackles in 2021 with 81, including a team-best 50 solo tackles. After a strong 2021 season, it seems that DB coach Ryan Walters has placed Brown into a role as an in-the-box safety and it proved beneficial in spring practice. Coach Walters has had nothing but praise this offseason regarding Sydney. Walters stated last month “I think just seeing how comfortable he is with the culture, with the playbook and just seeing him really flourish in the role and start to figure out when he can take chances and when he can’t, He’s a guy who goes 100 miles an hour, no matter what the situation is. It’s just a matter of him being comfortable and confident and pulling the trigger. You guys hear me say that all the time and there’s nobody who does it like Syd, which is good for the rest of the group to feed off of his play and feed off of his energy. I think the steps that he’s making from a maturity standpoint and being a leader out there as well will be vital in our success defensively.”
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