Even with Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon withdrawing from the Senior Bowl, next week will be big for the Illini in Mobile, Ala.
Three Illinois players are on the National roster, the most in program history (the Illini sent two players 16 times). Coming off an 8-5 season in Bret Bielema’s second year running the program, safeties Jartavius “Quan” Martin and Sydney Brown will be joined by running back Chase Brown.
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Witherspoon has emerged as potentially the top cornerback in the draft class — an almost certain first-round pick — and it is not unusual for elite prospects to back out of the game. The Illini secondary will be well represented, though, with Martin and Sydney Brown.
Martin’s value as a potential Day 2 pick is enhanced because he showed versatility playing safety, cornerback and nickel cornerback, something he did against Michigan State and Purdue.
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“My phone is blowing up because a lot of teams are finally watching tape,” said Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, who was promoted from secondary coach after last season. “Illinois isn’t sexy in a historical context in comparison to Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama and Georgia. But we’ve got some very special players.
“Quan is the ultimate Swiss Army knife. He can play anything and I truly believe a lot of people are watching him now. Whatever they had him at, his stock is going to skyrocket because he is so valuable because he literally can play anything. He’s going go light the Senior Bowl up. Everybody thought that Kerby Joseph (a safety the Detroit Lioins drafted in the third round last year) practiced hard at the Senior Bowl. They haven’t seen nothing yet. I got eight calls (from NFL teams Wednesday).”
Sydney Brown, the twin of Chase — who was fourth in FBS with 1,643 rushing yards — led the Illini with six interceptions after scouts asked coaches about his ability in coverage early in the season.
“There was this, ‘Is he just an in-the-box safety?’ ” Henry said. “We put him in (coverage more) because we were hearing that. We just had him in the box because he’s such a good blitzer. Sydney causes so much chaos for people. You don’t know what he’s doing, and we gave Sydney a lot of freedom. Really savvy. One of the smarter players I have been around.”
After using their top two draft picks on defensive backs last year, the Chicago Bears figure to shift their focus to the front seven in order to restock Matt Eberflus’ defense. A solid group of edge rushers will be in Mobile, although Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, who was invited, will not participate. Wilson projects as a potential top-10 pick and could be on general manager Ryan Poles’ radar in a trade-down scenario because of his combination of size and length at 6-foot-6, 275 pounds along with great strength and a high motor.
Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV could be the highest-drafted pass rusher from the game. He had a team-high five sacks for the Cyclones and tied the Big 12 record with 34 for his career. The 6-3, 236-pounder is expected to test well at the scouting combine, but one scout said he’s concerned McDonald is a better athlete than a football player. He could generate real buzz in Mobile if he excels in one-on-one drills.
Auburn’s Derick Hall and Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey are potential Day 2 picks at the edge position. Hall is linear at 6-3, 256 and has the athletic ability to play well in space. Foskey set a program record with 26½ career sacks, and it will be interesting to see how well his athleticism stands out.
Army’s Andre Carter is massive at 6-7, 260 pounds and plays with great power but has stiff hips and isn’t fluid when he has to redirect.
