Quarterbacks

Juice Williams put together strong performances to close out his sophomore campaign. Williams shined in the Illini’s last four victories of the season, and his clock-killing drive against Ohio State will live on in Illinois football history. Next season the Illini offense will look to Williams’ arm to deliver more completions with the absence of Mendenhall. Backup Eddie McGee showed coaches and fans a dangerous combination of speed and arm strength, but turnovers seemed to hinder his progress. He puts an ideal amount of pressure on Williams as a reserve.

Running backs

Junior tailback Rashard Mendenhall has decided to forego his senior year season and enter the NFL Draft. Who can blame him? Mendenhall set Illinois records for all-purpose yards in a season (1,999 yards) and scoring in a season (114 points). A big key to the Illini’s success will be finding the right combination to take some of the pressure off of Williams. Junior college transfer Daniel Dufrene played well despite being hampered by an ankle sprain early in the season. His long run at Ohio State stopped the early Buckeye momentum. Troy Pollard showed flashes of tremendous speed before going down with a season-ending knee injury in the Big Ten opener against Indiana. If healthy, he could provide the Illini with a major spark.

Wide receivers

Big Ten Freshman of the Year Arrelious Benn put together a solid year despite a shoulder injury suffered before the season in the Rantoul camps. The offseason should give enough time for Benn to get healthy for next season’s opener. Chris James missed the entire season with a torn knee but rebounded and was dressed for the Rose Bowl. With a medical redshirt season behind him, James will give Williams another strong option.

Offensive line

Seniors Akim Millington and All-American Martin O’Donnell created big holes for Mendenhall all season. But the holes they will now leave behind may be even bigger as the Illini will need to replace these two stalwarts. Center Ryan McDonald and Xavier Fulton will anchor a line that has led the Big Ten in rushing for two consecutive seasons.

Linebackers

The Illini lose both Antonio Steele and tackle leader J Leman, but outside linebacker Brit Miller and soon-to-be-star Martez Wilson should step up in their place. As a freshman, Wilson saw limited time at linebacker but earned his chops on special teams.

Secondary

Defensive coordinators Dan Disch and Curt Mallory need to replace safeties Kevin Mitchell, Justin Sanders and Justin Harrison. Brian Gamble is an option to move back to the defensive side after playing receiver as a freshman, and 24-year-old Bo Flowers will see more time next season. Cornerback Vontae Davis showed off his speed against Joe McKnight and USC in the Rose Bowl, confirming why he is an NFL prospect. Freshman cornerback Marcus Thomas excelled in high pressure situations against Ohio State and will probably compete with Travon Bellamy, who missed the season with a shoulder injury.

Defensive line

The Illini defensive front remains strong despite the loss of Chris Norwell. David Lindquist, Doug Pilcher, Will Davis, Jerry Brown and Derek Walker all return to a line that tied the Illini record for sacks in a season with 40.

Special teams

The Illini will have to replace the reliable Jason Reda, who missed only two kicks all season, as well as long snapper Kyle Knezetic and holder Frank Lenti. Punter Anthony Santella had his finest performance of the year against the Trojans and should hold off Kyle Yelton on the depth chart again next season.