Saturday’s spring games marks the end of the spring season for the Illinois football team. Here is a position-by-position breakdown of where the team stands heading into the summer.

Running backs

All four running backs return, with sophomore Jason Ford in position to get the nod as the starter. Fellow sophomore Mikel LeShoure has impressed this spring after losing 12 pounds in the offseason. Senior Daniel Dufrene and sophomore Troy Pollard have both been slowed in the spring with injuries.

“We’re all a year older now, physically stronger, faster, better,” Ford said. “A year has made a big difference, and we’re looking to take another step forward.”

Last year’s starting fullback Rahkeem Smith has moved to defensive tackle, making walk-on sophomore Zach Becker the lone fullback on the roster. Many early offensive sets have had two running backs, usually featuring Ford and LeShoure.

Wide receivers

Arrelious Benn leads what appears to be the Big Ten’s most talented receiving corps. Benn is looking to build on an All-Big Ten season in which he posted 1,668 all-purpose yards as a sophomore. The addition of Jarred Fayson, who sat out the 2008 season after transferring from Florida, will take some pressure off of Benn. Jeff Cumberland is penciled in as the third starting receiver, with A.J. Jenkins, Fred Sykes, Chris Duvalt, Cordale Scott, Chris James and Jack Ramsey all in the mix as well.

“There’s a lot of talent in our group, a lot of different playmakers,” Benn said. “It’ll be good for me because defenses can’t just focus on me, we have a bunch of guys that can hurt you down the field.”

Michael Hoomanawanui returns at tight end after earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors last year. The development of sophomore Hubie Graham has led head coach Ron Zook to discuss the possibilities of more two tight end sets.

Quarterback

For the past three years, Juice Williams had been working under the tutelage of Mike Locksley, but after Locksley departed for the head coaching position at New Mexico, the reins have been handed over to new quarterbacks coach Kurt Beathard.

“(Williams) has had the opportunity to manage the game for three years now, and he’s getting better,” Beathard said. “The more confidence he gets, the better that management of the offense becomes.”

Williams set three different stadium records for all-purpose yards en route to leading the Big Ten in total offense last year, but inconsistency and turnovers marred some of the season. Williams threw 11 interceptions in the team’s seven losses, and Zook briefly showed a willingness to bench Williams for backup Eddie McGee. But Zook has said that there is no doubt that Williams is the starter, and much of the team’s success depends on Williams’ performance.

Offensive line

The graduation of center Ryan McDonald and left tackle Xavier Fulton leaves holes at two important positions on the offensive line, but new offensive line coach Joe Gilbert has the players to fill them. Fifth-year senior Eric Block moves from left guard to center, with junior Randall Hunt penciled in at left guard. Senior right guard Jon Asamoah returns to anchor the line after starting every game for the past two years. Sophomore tackles Jeff Allen and Corey Lewis also return, with both switching between left and right tackle during spring practices.

“They’re both quick enough to play both the positions,” Zook said. “It’s always a big thing to have that versatility.”

Allen took over at right tackle three games into the 2008 season after starter Ryan Palmer broke his foot, playing well enough to garner second-team freshman All-American honors. Palmer is expected to give depth to the right tackle position and has also been receiving playing time with the first team in recent practices.

Defensive line

The unit loses three starters (Will Davis, Derek Walker, David Lundquist), and lone returning starter Josh Brent is suspended indefinitely due to a pending DUI case. Leading the defensive line will be defensive end Doug Pilcher, who has started 24 games in his career, including five games last season. Senior Antonio James has taken most of the first-team snaps at the other end position, with junior Jerry Brown expected to challenge for playing time.

Corey Liuget returns at defensive tackle after logging significant snaps during his freshman season. Joining him is senior Sirod Williams, who returns after sitting out last season with a torn ACL. Also in the mix are redshirt freshman Reggie Ellis and senior Smith.

“We definitely did lose a lot of guys from last year, but it’s about getting the new, younger guys in,” Liuget said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that are looking to jump in and prove themselves.”

Secondary

The only player gone from last year’s secondary is Vontae Davis, who hopes to have his name called early in Saturday’s NFL Draft. Dere Hicks, who was voted the team’s Outstanding Defensive Back last year over Davis, returns at cornerback. Miami Thomas, who missed most of last season after tearing his ACL, continues to be limited to non-contact drills after offseason shoulder surgery. Sophomore cornerback Tavon Wilson has received most of the first-team snaps alongside Hicks.

The status of strong safety Donsay Hardeman is still unknown following offseason neck surgery. The senior has been cleared to take part in non-contact drills.

“It’ll be up to him if and when he’ll come back,” Zook said. “With an injury like this, he has to feel comfortable with contact before he can get back out there.”

Junior safeties Garrett Edwards and Bo Flowers have been on the first-team defense for most of the spring. Junior Travon Bellamy, who started 11 games at free safety last season, has moved to nickel back.

Linebackers

The largest overhaul comes at the linebacker position, with the team losing three of the four players who saw significant action last season (Brit Miller, Rodney Pittman, Sam Carson). Returning starter Martez Wilson has moved from outside linebacker to the middle, with Ian Thomas and Russell Ellington playing alongside Wilson on the first team.

“They call us the fast twitch guys,” Ellington said. “We may be a little smaller than other linebackers out there, but we can get to the ball quickly.”

Ellington and Thomas lack playing experience, as do backups Aaron Gress, Nate Palmer, Dustin Jefferson, Justin Staples and Evan Frierson. Nate Bussey has played well in the spring after playing safety last season. Wilson is the defense’s leading returning tackler, with 73 last season, and heads a linebacker corps that has much more athleticism than in years past.

Special teams

Zook insists that returning kicker Matt Eller must earn his job again, but Eller looks to have the spot locked up after a strong 2008 season and a mediocre spring from second-string kicker Derek Dimke. An area of concern is at punter, where junior Anthony Santella has yet to impress after a disappointing 2008 campaign. The coaching staff has implemented a new punt formation, with three players dropping behind the line to protect the punter. The special teams struggled with coverage at times last season, giving up an average of 23.5 yards on kick returns and 10.9 on punt returns.

“It’s about getting the right people in the right spots,” special teams coordinator Mike Woodford said. “I feel good about our guys and the athletes we have. We have a lot of guys that can run around out there.”

The addition of Fayson gives a boost to the return game, as he steps in as both the lead punt and kick returner. Benn will continue to return kickoffs, and Ramsey will back up Fayson at punt returner.