Illinois Football Season Preview Pt. 4: The offensive line

Illinois Football Season Preview Pt. 4: The offensive line

If you have watched college football over the last 20 years and have seen Bret Bielema coached teams, then his secret sauce is obvious. He wants an athletic, physical offensive line so they can pound the football. The offensive line was a strength last season for Illini football. It was a Joe Moore Award semifinalist, given to the top offensive line in college football. This group paved the way for All-Big Ten running back Chase Brown. The line was so good in 2022 quarterback Tommy Devito joked about how refreshing it was to have time in the pocket to throw the football.

Changes to the line.

There will be some changes to the offensive line in 2023. Alex Palczewski and Alex Pihlstrom are gone. Both have signed undrafted free-agent contracts in the NFL. That doesn’t mean this group won’t be formidable in 2023. Josh Kruetz takes over at center for Pihlstrom. That last name should look familiar. His father, Olin, was a pretty good center for the Bears. There could be some competition at guard between Zy Chrisler and JUCO transfer Dezmond Schuster. Expect Josh Gesky to slide in for Palczewski at right tackle.

The left side is the strong side.

Returning starters Julian Pearl and Isaiah Adams have the potential to be All-Big Ten first-team selections by season’s end. Expect the left side of the offensive line to be its strength. Zy Chrisler and Isaiah Adams were All-Big Ten Honorable Mentions last year. However, Julian Pearl is the Illinois football offensive line anchor. He has first-round potential and could be one of the best linemen in the Big Ten.

This group should be the strength of the offense once again if some of the newer pieces come together. Fortunately for Illini football, those new pieces have been part of the program for a couple of years.