• Running back Kaden Feagin ranks 11th in the Big Ten in yards/carry (4.9) and leads the conference among true freshmen.
• Feagin has started the last two games. If Feagin starts the rest of the regular season, he would tie Robert Holcombe’s Illinois record of six starts by a true freshman running back set in 1994.
• In his first significant playing time against Florida Atlantic, corner Zachary Tobe was the highest-graded true freshman defender in the nation during Week 4 (87.0), according to PFF. Tobe was also the highest-graded freshman in the Big Ten (all positions) during Week 4 (87.0).
• Tobe and fellow true freshman CB Saboor Karriem both had three pass breakups against FAU.
• Wide receiver Malik Elzy has five receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown on the season, all coming in Big Ten games. He missed the Maryland game with an injury.
• 10 Illinois true freshmen have passed the four-game redshirt limit: DL Alex Bray, DB Jaheim Clarke, WR Malik Elzy, RB Kaden Feagin, OL Brandon Henderson, DB Saboor Karriem, K David Olano, DB Mac Resetich, DB Zachary Tobe, and WR Kenari Wilcher.
* Illini have had five expected contributors go down with season-ending injuries: » RB #0 Josh McCray -- Co-starter at running back had 43 carries, 156 yards in five games » DB #1 Demetrius Hill -- Expected backup at safety played in one game » DB #2 Matthew Bailey -- Expected starter at safety played in one game » RB #25 Jordan Anderson -- Expected contributor was injured in training camp » LB #45 Malachi Hood -- Expected contributor was injured in training camp
* Lost six guys to NFL: • Illinois has 20 players in the NFL, including six players from last year’s team: » DB Devon Witherspoon, Seattle (1st round, 5th overall) -- 53-man roster » DB Jartavius Martin, Washington (2nd round, 47th overall) -- 53-man roster » DB Sydney Brown, Philadelphia (3rd round, 66th overall) -- 53-man roster » RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati (5th round, 163rd overall) -- 53-man roster » QB Tommy DeVito, New York Giants (free agent signing) -- 53-man roster » OL Alex Palczewski, Denver (free agent signing) -- 53-man roster (IR)
• Feagin has started the last two games. If Feagin starts the rest of the regular season, he would tie Robert Holcombe’s Illinois record of six starts by a true freshman running back set in 1994.
• In his first significant playing time against Florida Atlantic, corner Zachary Tobe was the highest-graded true freshman defender in the nation during Week 4 (87.0), according to PFF. Tobe was also the highest-graded freshman in the Big Ten (all positions) during Week 4 (87.0).
• Tobe and fellow true freshman CB Saboor Karriem both had three pass breakups against FAU.
• Wide receiver Malik Elzy has five receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown on the season, all coming in Big Ten games. He missed the Maryland game with an injury.
• 10 Illinois true freshmen have passed the four-game redshirt limit: DL Alex Bray, DB Jaheim Clarke, WR Malik Elzy, RB Kaden Feagin, OL Brandon Henderson, DB Saboor Karriem, K David Olano, DB Mac Resetich, DB Zachary Tobe, and WR Kenari Wilcher.
* Illini have had five expected contributors go down with season-ending injuries: » RB #0 Josh McCray -- Co-starter at running back had 43 carries, 156 yards in five games » DB #1 Demetrius Hill -- Expected backup at safety played in one game » DB #2 Matthew Bailey -- Expected starter at safety played in one game » RB #25 Jordan Anderson -- Expected contributor was injured in training camp » LB #45 Malachi Hood -- Expected contributor was injured in training camp
* Lost six guys to NFL: • Illinois has 20 players in the NFL, including six players from last year’s team: » DB Devon Witherspoon, Seattle (1st round, 5th overall) -- 53-man roster » DB Jartavius Martin, Washington (2nd round, 47th overall) -- 53-man roster » DB Sydney Brown, Philadelphia (3rd round, 66th overall) -- 53-man roster » RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati (5th round, 163rd overall) -- 53-man roster » QB Tommy DeVito, New York Giants (free agent signing) -- 53-man roster » OL Alex Palczewski, Denver (free agent signing) -- 53-man roster (IR)
