However, the tough part about producing NFL Draft picks is … well, you have to replace those NFL Draft picks. And Illinois has seen a lot of talent leave the Smith Center during the last three seasons.
Illinois is one of five schools with three or more players drafted in the first three rounds in each of the last two NFL Drafts, along with Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Penn State. During the last three years, Illinois has produced seven top-100 draft picks: Kerby Joseph (No. 97 in 2022), Devon Witherspoon (No. 5 in 2023), Quan Martin (No. 47 in 2023), Sydney Brown (No. 66 in 2023), Jer’Zhan Newton (No. 36 in 2024), Isaiah Adams (No. 71 in 2024) and Tip Reiman (No. 82 in 2024).
So how will Illinois look to replace all that talent? Illini Inquirer breaks it down.
Why he’s tough to replace: Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton is one of the best defensive linemen in Illinois history. The two-time All-American, who was drafted No. 36 overall (second round) by the Washington Commanders, was one of the most dominant – if not, the most dominant – interior defensive linemen in college football the last few seasons, totaling 103 pressures during the last two seasons, the most among FBS interior defensive linemen.
