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After two years of shaky and "um"-filled Big Ten Media Day performances, Tim Beckman delivered a confident, no-nonsense look at the upcoming year of Illinois football.
Beckman led off his opening statement with some kind words about the recent death of former Illini Shawn Afryl, who transferred out of the football program after graduating. Afryl died suddenly during a workout this past week.
Tim Beckman opens with nice words about Shawn Afryl and his grieving family. #Illini
— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) July 28, 2014
Beckman went on to point out a couple other things in his opening statement, most prominently Illinois' returning starters and the advances they've made off the field. Per Beckman, Illinois will return 40 of the 50 players from their two-deep depth chart (including 11 of 11 players on special teams). The team's GPA isn't something most fans consider of utmost importance, but Beckman certainly deserves credit for keeping the players in the classroom.
Tim Beckman: We have 40 of 50 guys back from last season's two-deep. pic.twitter.com/O9rnYDTLrz
— IllinoisLoyalty (@IllinoisLoyalty) July 28, 2014
Tim Beckman said #illini team GPA was 2.67 when he arrived, 2.96 as of now. Means nothing though, right everybody?
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) July 28, 2014
Questions for Beckman covered a wide variety of topics, including the quarterbacks, recruiting, and the defense. To keep it brief (more detailed posts will come later), Beckman likes Aaron Bailey, would prefer that they select one quarterback to snap it every down, hasn't decided who that QB is yet, is excited about continuing to recruit the "state of Chicago", and thinks that the defense will improve now that the young players have more experience.
As I mentioned, The Champaign Room will be constantly active throughout the day and week to keep you updated on the Big Ten Media Days. Expect more informative updates like this as well as deeper analysis soon. For now, here is a full analysis of the morning, as told by the Illinois and Big Ten Twittersphere:
Some news here? Starting o-line lsited as Simon Cvijanovic, Michael Heitz, Joe Spencer, Ted Karras and Austin Schmidt. Alex Hill a backup.
— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) July 28, 2014
Asked #illini Tim Beckman about Alex Hill as a backup. He said he had no idea what that was about. Hill is the starter right now at guard.
— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) July 28, 2014
Beckman said right now, the #illini starting o-line would be: OTs - Cvijanovic and Heitz OGs- Karras and Hill C- Joe Spencer
— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) July 28, 2014
Second-year OTs Christian DiLauro and Austin Schmidt also will compete for starting spot. Beckman said frosh Nick Allegretti is impressive.
— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) July 28, 2014
True freshman Mikey Dudek listed as a starting #illini WR, along with JUCO Geronimo Allison and senior Martize Barr.
— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) July 28, 2014
#illini Beckman: "Malik Turner since he's come in...wow! You can tell that he's played for a very, very good program."
— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) July 28, 2014
DL: Nelson, Teitsma, Powell, Woods LB: Monhein, Neal and Thomas III DB: Bentley, Spence, Petty and Barton
— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) July 28, 2014
Illinois depth chart coming out of spring ball. Note: no JUCO transfers listed pic.twitter.com/HrSWdd0Mrk
— Matt Daniels (@mdaniels_NG) July 28, 2014
Jihad Ward will be a big part of that DL rotation, likely at SDE. I expect a CB to move to S at some point as well.
— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) July 28, 2014
Asked about Jihad Ward so far, Beckman said: "Wow." Huge and moves well, so does Carroll Phillips. See what they do when they put pads on.
— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) July 28, 2014
17 starters return for #Illini. Beckman up at B1G media day.
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) July 28, 2014
Beckman remembers Shawn Afryl in opening comments. Afryl died last week at a practice in Winona State, where he transferred after grad
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) July 28, 2014
11 starters on special teams returns for Illinois, which had been a problem area. Experience should pay off, Beckman said.
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) July 28, 2014
Beckman points out the 3 QBs are all state champions. Bailey, O'Toole trying to outcompete Lunt for the job.
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) July 28, 2014
B1G Media Day Tim Beckman #Illini Sounds like Aaron Bailey could move to another position if he wanted to but coaches won't move him.
— Gerry DiNardo (@gerrydinardo) July 28, 2014
Tim Beckman on losing Nathan Scheelhaase: "How do you replace a four-year starter?" Illinois was 6-18 last two, so shouldn't be too hard.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) July 28, 2014
Illinois coach Tim Beckman asked about having a two-man QB rotation - "I'd love for it to just be one guy, if it can be."
— Sean Merriman (@BTNSean) July 28, 2014
Beckman: "The wins aren't where we want them at by any means but we are doing things right." #Illini
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) July 28, 2014
Is it just me or does Tim Beckman sound much more like a guy I want coaching my team this year? Probably just me.
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) July 28, 2014
The obligatory Chicago recruiting question with the "state of Chicago" answer: That's always been our model. that's been our philosophy.
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) July 28, 2014
There it is, "the state of Chicago." My personal fave Beckmanism.
— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) July 28, 2014
Beckman on #Illini AD's standard: "Mike Thomas has asked our program to get better and it did." Still a way to go, he acknowledged.
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) July 28, 2014
Beckman: "I want (players) to be able to experience the opportunities of playing in a bowl game."
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) July 28, 2014
Absolutely. RT @WernerESPNCU: That is the most comfortable I've seen #illini coach Tim Beckman on the podium. Came off relaxed and confident
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) July 28, 2014
Asked Tim Beckman about looking relaxed and confident today. He said, "I feel confident in this team."
— Jeremy Werner (@WernerESPNCU) July 28, 2014
Can someone tell me if coach beck wished his mom happy b day? #tradition #kinda
— Nathan Scheelhaase (@NScheelhaase) July 28, 2014
YES!!! RT @WernerESPNCU: #illini Beckman: "I do have to say happy birthday to my mother."
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) July 28, 2014
Tim Beckman - "We didn't reach our expectations on offense last year. The expecation is to be even better than we were last year."
— Sean Merriman (@BTNSean) July 28, 2014
#Illini Simon Cvijanovic is a convincing salesman for the program. "We're hungry. We're angry to win. we're pissed off."
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) July 28, 2014
#Illini Simon Cvijanovic: "I'm not worried about the offense. At all."
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) July 28, 2014
For second straight year, Austin Teitsma has shared with me his goal for the #Illini: the national championship. Love that kid.
— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) July 28, 2014
"Coach Flood, last year you lost 52-17 to a Cincinnati team that lost 45-17 to a 4-win Illinois team. Not a question. Wanted to bring it up"
— Vico (@ourhonordefend) July 28, 2014
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Tim Beckman’s BTMD appearance: Our fellow SBNers didn’t have much to poke fun at. (Save @Adam_Jacobi.)
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) July 28, 2014
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