Illinois Football 2025 Projected Depth Chart

Illinois Football 2025 Depth Chart Projection: Playoff Contenders Begin the Climb

By Run the Blog Staff

CHAMPAIGN – Expectations in Champaign haven’t been this high in decades. Illinois football opens training camp with legitimate College Football Playoff buzz and 18 returning starters from a Citrus Bowl-winning team. As practice gets underway, here’s our full projected depth chart for the Illini and the key battles to watch over the next four weeks before the Aug. 29 opener vs. Western Illinois.

Quarterback

Starter: Luke Altmyer
Backup: Ethan Hampton
No. 3: Carson Boyd

Altmyer returns as one of the Big Ten’s top quarterbacks. Behind him, veteran NIU transfer Ethan Hampton offers steady experience, but true freshman Carson Boyd is creating buzz with a higher ceiling and dynamic tools. If Boyd stays consistent through camp, don’t rule out a late push for QB2.

Running Back

RB1: Kaden Feagin
RB2: Aidan Laughery
RB3: Ca’Lil Valentine
RB4: John Forster or Aaron Ball

Feagin and Laughery are explosive when healthy, but that’s been a big “if.” Ca’Lil Valentine added 15 pounds of muscle and is poised to step into a key role. The No. 4 spot is crucial, and true freshman John Forster or redshirt frosh Aaron Ball could see action in 2025.

Wide Receiver

X: Malik Elzy / Justin Bowick
Z: Hudson Clement / Brayden Trimble
Slot: Hank Beatty / Collin Dixon
Rotation: Alexander Capka-Jones, Mario Sanders

Illinois has the most WR depth in years. The big question is who emerges as the “alpha.” Elzy’s physicality and Bowick’s length-speed combo offer promise, while Clement’s elite hands could make him Altmyer’s go-to. Beatty and Dixon are proven in the slot, but Trimble has future star potential.

Tight End

Starter: Tanner Arkin
Receiving TE / Flex: Cole Rusk
Depth: Davin Stoffel, Christian Abney

Arkin is an elite blocker, but Illinois added receiving weapons in Cole Rusk (if healthy), Stoffel, and Abney to improve a position group that had the worst receiving production in the Big Ten last year.

Offensive Line

LT: JC Davis
LG: Josh Getsky
C: Josh Kreutz
RG: Brandon Henderson
RT: Melvin Priestly

Top backups: TJ McMillen (C/G), Brandon Hansen (G), Ayden Knapik (T), Tyler McMillan (T), Eddie Tuerk (G), Zafir Stewart (T)

The starting five is locked in, but depth is a major question after portal losses. Illinois needs someone, likely Brandon Hansen, to emerge as a trustworthy sixth lineman. True camp storyline to watch.

Defensive Line

Starters: James Thompson Jr. (DE), Curt Neal (NT), Tomiwa Durojaiye (DE)
Top competitors: Jeremiah Warren, Angelo McCullom, Pat Farrell, Carter Hewitt

Thompson is a surefire starter and NFL talent. Neal and Durojaiye enter as favorites, but young returners like McCullom and Warren are pushing hard. This is the most important competition on the defense entering August.

Outside Linebacker

Starters: Gabe Jacas, Leon Lowery Jr.
Top reserves: Alec Bryant, Joe Barna, Daniel Brown

Jacas is a star and one of the country’s top pass rushers. The opposite side is wide open. Lowery’s potential makes him the favorite, but Bryant has experience and Barna showed flashes. Don’t sleep on the sub-package trio of Brown, Jojo Hayden and Kenenna Odeluga.

Inside Linebacker

MLB: Dylan Rosiek
WLB: Malachi Hood / Kenenna Odeluga
Depth: James Kreutz, Ismael Kante, Grant Beerman

Rosiek’s return solidifies the middle, but Hood’s late-season breakout and Odeluga’s pass-rush juice make for a compelling battle at WLB. JUCO addition Kante is a wild card to watch.

Secondary

Cornerbacks: Torrie Cox Jr., Kaleb Patterson
Nickel: Xavier Scott
Safety: Miles Scott (FS), Matthew Bailey (SS)
Rotation: Jaheim Clarke, Mac Resetich, Saboor Karriem
Depth: Tyson Rooks, Tyler Strain, Donovan Turner

Illinois has arguably the deepest secondary in the Big Ten. The top six are locked in, but Resetich deserves more playing time and could rotate in at either safety spot. At corner, Strain and freshman Tywan Cox are among those battling for the fourth role.

Special Teams

K: David Olano
P: Hugh Robertson
KR Candidates: Ca’Lil Valentine, Mario Sanders, Tywan Cox, Brayden Trimble
PR: Hank Beatty

The return game is wide open. Sanders and Cox bring speed, but Valentine and Trimble may also get looks. Will Illinois use starters like Beatty or Laughery? Or play it safe?

Final Word

With veteran leadership, strong lines on both sides, and a returning star at quarterback, Illinois has the bones of a playoff-caliber team. But injuries and depth questions loom and several position battles remain wide open heading into training camp.

Follow Run the Blog for full position breakdowns, camp updates, and more Illini football coverage leading up to kickoff.