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Illinois Football: Key Player Is Back!

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1 year ago

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Sep 16, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) cannot make a catch near the end zone against Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Seth Coleman (49) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Key Illinois Football player Seth Coleman is returning in the orange and blue for another year.

Coleman’s return is huge for a defense losing many key pieces this offseason. Illinois is coming off of a disappointing 5-7 year, with the defense proving to be a liability. The more good pieces Illinois Football can retain on that side of the ball, the better chance Aaron Henry has at rebuilding it.

Last year, Coleman posted a career-high in tackles and sacks. Getting Coleman back was among the top priorities for Bret Bielema and his staff. Now that he is indeed returning, Bielema and Henry can continue to mold and shape this defense.

The defensive line will look drastically different from what Illinois Football fans have grown to love over the last few seasons. No more Johnny Newton or Keith Randolph means there are big shoes to be filled. There will be plenty of new names and new faces, so Coleman’s veteran presence will provide a huge boost to next year’s team.

Will Coleman take another step forward in 2024? It’s been trending that way as his tackles have gone up every year, and Illinois Football will have to hope that trend continues.

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Zach Leslie is one of original members of Armchair Illini, your go-to sources of University of Illinois news. He has sports content published on Bleacher Report, Verbal Commits and more. He is also one of the most talented videographers in Illini Nation and has published work on some of the most famous Cinema Review sites such as LetterBoxd.

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