Illinois

Texans Draft: Will Lovie Smith Select Illinois Prospects?

Published

3 years ago

April 15, 2022

Texans Draft: Will Lovie Smith Select Illinois Prospects?

HOUSTON — Coach Lovie Smith has modified the attitude of the Houston Texans three months into his job. The unfavorable aura that surrounded the franchise all through 2021 seems to have weakened.

Smith’s presence led to basic supervisor Nick Caserio being able to re-sign 16 of the group’s free brokers together with stars Brandin Cooks and Laremy Tunsil.

Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill talked about a relaxed presence inside NRG Stadium since Smith took the helm as head coach in early February. His arrival led to the Texans’ huge turnout throughout the first two days of voluntary exercises.

The tradition shift in Houston is parallel to Smith’s days because the coach at The College of Illinois. NFL Draft prospects Tony Adams and Khalan Tolson skilled Smith’s serenity for a number of seasons in Champagne.

“He’s at all times like that,” Adams mentioned throughout the newest episode of Locked On Texans. “You’re by no means going to see coach Smith up too excessive or low. He at all times stays calm and down to earth. And also you see it in our recreation. When your coach is calm, you feed off it. It makes you not rattle when competing on the sphere.”

Adams and Tolson realized how you can maintain their composures. However gaining the expertise of taking part in in an NFL defensive scheme is probably the most important lesson they realized beneath Smith’s stewardship.

Illinois alumni embody Smith’s lofty calls for from his cornerbacks and linebackers for his Tampa 2 protection to run accurately.

Adams completed his collegiate profession as a defensive again whose attributes have been the proper mixture for Smith. He recorded 206 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 11 cross deflections and 6 interceptions.

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Tolson’s expertise performed into Smith’s favor as a hard-hitting linebacker who recorded 128 tackles with 10.0 tackles for loss, 5 cross deflections and a couple of.5 sacks.

“He calls for lots,” Tolson mentioned. “The linebacker is the quarterback of the protection. It is your job to get the d-line straight — together with lining everybody up. Taking part in linebacker is already a vial place. He taught us the place we must always look and react all through coverages.”

Adams added: “I performed all the things in that Tampa 2 defensive scheme. Coach Smith desires gamers who’re mentally and bodily robust. However he in the end desires playmakers. He at all times taught us that the ball is a very powerful factor within the recreation. Having the ability to get the ball out and turnovers is a very powerful factor.”

Adams is coming into the 2022 NFL Draft as one of the vital versatile defensive backs. He performed all over the place within the secondary — from exterior nook to free security — and credit Smith for his growth.

Tolson constructed his versatility as a linebacker who excelled in cross protection beneath Smith. He believes his finest attribute comes when guarding the opposing group’s tight finish.

Adams and Tolson is probably not on the cusp of an NFL profession had Smith not taken an opportunity on the duo. Each gamers sustained knee accidents prematurely of their careers. The idea Smith showcased throughout their most troublesome profession moments has a number of NFL groups fascinated by Adams and Tolson.

The College of Illinois

The Texans at the moment have 10 choices coming into the draft, with 5 beginning within the fourth spherical at decide No. 108. The Texans worth gamers who’ve a way of familiarity with their group personnel, which may create a reunion between Smith and his two collegiate prospects from Illinois.

The College of Illinois has produced 290 NFL gamers in its historical past. The Texans drafted just lately retired linebacker Whitney Mercilus from Illinois with their prime total choice (No. 26 total) in 2012.

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Illinois

‘It’s a blessing’: Springfield Christmas dinner serves nearly 600

Published

5 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

‘It’s a blessing’: Springfield Christmas dinner serves nearly 600

SPRINGFIELD — Edwin DeJesus was showing his holiday spirit on his sleeve, and his pants, as he and his mom tucked into a roast beef dinner at the High School of Commerce Christmas Day.

“It is a blessing,” DeJesus said, wearing a green shirt showing Snoopy’s doghouse decorated with Christmas lights, green Dr. Seuss’ Grinch pants and a bright red hat.

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Illinois

Illinois state trooper mourned after being struck, killed by car on I-55

Published

14 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Illinois state trooper mourned after being struck, killed by car on I-55 – CBS Chicago

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Trooper Clay Carns served 11 years with ISP and was a husband and a father to two young kids. Jermont Terry reports.

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Illinois

Illinois will be fourth school for Tomiwa Durojaiye

Published

22 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Illinois will be fourth school for Tomiwa Durojaiye

Tomiwa Durojaiye was a three-star recruiting win for Kentucky in the 2022 high school cycle. The Delaware native picked the Wildcats over South Carolina after recording 58 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles as a senior. The senior defensive lineman would spend just one season in Lexington.

Duojiaye entered the transfer portal in the spring window ahead of the 2023 season. Durojaiye landed at West Virginia and had a strong year as a redshirt freshman. The defensive lineman recorded 23 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 14 pressures, and played 270 snaps. Despite the strong close to see playing for a 9-4 team, Durojaiye decided to enter the portal again.

Tomiwa Durojaiye landed at Florida State and only played 32 snaps this season. Durojaiye then became a three-time transfer when he entered the transfer portal on Dec. 9. The defensive lineman found another power conference home on Tuesday.

The defensive lineman has committed to Illinois and will play in a fourth power conference in 2025 after spending time in the SEC, Big 12, and ACC.

Alex Afari Jr. and Josh Kattus are the only signees from Kentucky’s 2022 high school class remaining on the roster.

The transfer portal is open for business and so far we know of 20 players who will be seeking out greener pastures this offseason.

DL Keeshawn Silver (Committed to USC on Dec. 19)
DB Avery Stuart
LB Jayvant Brown
TE Tanner Lemaster (Committed to Eastern Michigan on Dec. 22)
TE Khamari Anderson (Committed to Arizona State on Dec. 22)
TE Jordan Dingle (Committed to South Carolina on Dec. 18)
OL Courtland Ford (Committed to UCLA on Dec. 17)
OL Ben Christman
OL Dylan Ray (Committed to Minnesota on Dec. 21)
OL Koby Keenum (Committed to Mississippi State on Dec. 22)
DL Tommy Ziesmer (Committed to EKU on Dec. 15)
WR Dane Key
WR Barion Brown (Committed to LSU on Dec. 14)
WR Anthony Brown-Stephens
WR Brandon White
EDGE Tyreese Fearbry (Committed to Wisconsin on Dec. 22)
EDGE Noah Matthews
EDGE Caleb Redd (Committed to Kansas on Dec. 20)
RB Chip Trayanum
QB Gavin Wimsatt

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. Keep closer tabs on the Cats with our staff-only sticky thread on KSBoard, which will have updates on departures and targets throughout the offseason. Not a KSR+ member? Try it out today.

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