Position Preview: Introducing Your 2008 Illini Defensive Backs

Vontae Davis is the clear superstar of the Illini defensive backfield. He is a preseason All-American, made the Playboy All-American team and is rumored to a be future first round NFL draft pick when he finishes up at the University of Illinois. He has the lightning speed to run down Joe McKnight from behind and, according to Rashard Mendenhall, is the hardest hitter he's ever experienced. And that was in practice. Vontae's one weakness is that he sometimes takes plays off or at least waits back to try to bait QBs into throwing in his direction to try to make a big play. If he can iron out that slight immaturity he has a chance to be the top cornerback in all of college football.

Also starting in the Illini defensive backfield this Fall will be Dere Hicks, Travon Bellamy and Nathan Bussey. Bussey and Bellamy, both sophomores out of the D.C.-Maryland area, are potential monsters and Hicks, a junior out of Pennsylvania, will lead the unit along with Vontae.

Backing these guys up is a quartet of young guys that typify the depth in speed and athleticism that the Zooker now brings in annually. Garrett Edwards and Bo Flowers look to backup at the safety positions while Marcus "Miami" Thomas and Ashante Williams backup at corner. Flowers is a bit of an elder statesman as he spent four years playing minor league ball for the Tigers. Detroit is now paying for his schooling and Flowers is a walk on. Miami Thomas you know from the Ohio St. game where he filled in for an injured Vontae Davis and made one pick and forced another. What a superstar. He's a nice guy to have as a sophomore "backup."

Adding to the depth is another mix of underclassmen and a JC recruit that will press for playing time immediately. Donsay Hardeman was a highly recruited JC guy out of Florida and could be a monster. Antonio Gully out of St. Louis was highly recruited in the Midwest but the Zooker managed to snake him. And then you have three freshmen - Patrick Nixon, Supo Sanni and Tavon Wilson - who a few years ago would have been the three best DBs on the Illini squad, but now have to wait for their chance behind the likes of Vontae, Bussey and Bellamy. Man, I like this depth and athleticism.

Rounding out the mix are a few more young guys who may make names for themselves: Andrew Harweger, Mike Locksley, Jr., Cody Stankard and Kevin Johnson. These guys may not see the field often on gameday, but they're Illini so you know they're tough.

All in all this is a young group with a lot of skill. They'll be tested less than a week from tonight in St. Louis and that will give an immediate indication of just how good these guys are.