New-look offensive line still a 'work in progress' for Illini
Apr. 10—CHAMPAIGN — The challenge facing Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller isn't just replacing four multi-year starters from back-to-back bowl teams. Miller also has to find a way to make up for their absence within his position group — on and off the football field — where three-year starting center Josh Kreutz had an outsize presence.
"It's probably my biggest challenge this spring," Miller said this week. "It's not a knock of anybody in the room, but it's inevitable when you lose four senior leaders. They were all leaders in their own right — especially your alpha at the center position.
That's a hard thing to fix right off the bat. "As talented as we are, we are trying to develop some of that continuity. We have nine new guys in the room.
That's a big deal as you're getting those guys in. The guys who are returning haven't played a lot of football. They're all competing for the same spots, too, so there's a fair amount of that you're juggling, as well.
Building that O-line camaraderie and unit is a big deal. Trying to develop some leadership. " Brandon Henderson is the only returning starter on the Illinois offensive line, and his 19 starts across the past three seasons dwarf anyone else on the roster.