Illinois returns five starting offensive linemen from last season’s 10-win team.
CHAMPAIGN – Bart Miller isn’t used to returning all five starting offensive linemen — especially not at Illinois. But that rare continuity has proven valuable, allowing the coaching staff to dive deeper into technique and strategy during spring practices.
Illinois brings back its entire starting offensive line from last season: left tackle J.C. Davis, left guard Josh Gesky, center Josh Kreutz, right guard Brandon Henderson, and right tackle Melvin Priestly. That kind of returning experience is uncommon in today’s college football landscape.
Interestingly, the current eligibility rules helped make that possible. Davis was granted an additional year to play thanks to the Pavia ruling, which applies to athletes coming from junior colleges.
For Miller, it’s a major advantage.
“I can’t think of many times when we’ve had all five guys with meaningful playing experience return,” Miller said. “Back when I was at Wyoming in 2019, we had a group like that and ended up being in the running for the Joe Moore Award. Since then, it’s been rare. Having this group back — along with some young talent developing — allows us to keep building. We’re not just picking up where we left off, we’re raising the bar.”
A few players are sidelined this spring due to injury or recovery from surgery, but the expectation is that they’ll return in the fall. In the meantime, the veteran five, along with players like Brandon Hansen, are taking full advantage of spring reps.
Illinois is also using the spring window to assess its younger linemen and shape the depth chart.
On the chemistry of the starting five:
Miller noted that the group’s experience makes communication easier — sometimes too easy.
“The level of comfort and chemistry they have can be tough on the younger guys,” Miller explained. “J.C. and Gesky just instinctively react to what Kreutz says. But the freshmen need to be more deliberate with their calls. Still, it’s a great problem to have.”
During a recent scrimmage, that chemistry showed when Gesky yelled mid-play at a teammate — simply because something didn’t feel right compared to what he’s used to from his fellow starters. “Those are teachable moments,” Miller said. “The group has built something strong. It’s not perfect — there are arguments and frustrations — but it allows us to coach at a high level.”
On Brandon Hansen’s development:
Miller praised Hansen’s growth, saying the difference since he arrived is dramatic.
“When he got here, he was like any freshman — raw and not quite ready,” Miller said. “But he’s matured, learned from the veterans, and taken a big step this spring. He’s not there yet, but the progress is clear.”
Hansen has benefitted from seeing how older players handled adversity. He’s also helped push others, including Henderson and Gesky, to stay sharp.
On the importance of a reliable sixth lineman:
Miller compared Hansen’s role to that of Henderson in past years — a versatile player who can step in and elevate the whole group.
“It’s critical to have that sixth guy,” Miller said. “It creates competition and raises the standard. I experienced it as a player — knowing someone just as good is right behind you makes you better.”
Miller noted that Henderson has also had a strong spring, cleaning up some technical issues from last year. He’s continued his upward trajectory after a solid bowl performance.
In addition to the top six, others are earning valuable reps. Aidan Knapik recently joined the team and is progressing well, while Kellen Francis and freshman Michael McDonough have gotten plenty of work. With TJ McMillen out this spring, McDonough is gaining valuable experience at center.
Zafir Stewart is another player Miller highlighted for his improvement. “He’s someone who could give us meaningful depth,” Miller said.
All in all, it’s been a productive spring with more development to come.
What’s the benefit of young linemen like Michael McDonough and Griffin Rousseau getting thrown into the fire against your defensive front, and how has Zafir Stewart adjusted in year two?
Miller: First off, the new guys on our defensive line are high-level talents, and they bring serious competition every day. Even routine plays turn into battles. That’s a big positive — it forces everyone to raise their game. In the past, you might’ve had one elite guy on either line matched up with someone still developing. Now, it’s more even — five on five, all at a high level. That back-and-forth makes both sides better.
For the younger guys, it’s definitely a challenge. Zafir came in a bit raw physically, but he’s worked hard to reshape his body and still has work to do in the weight room. His foot speed is impressive, and he’s picked up the offense well. We’ve had him play on both sides, and he’s handled it nicely. He’s had a solid camp. He’s learning to truly compete and finish plays to our standard — which is a big step. I’m proud of the progress he’s made.
This spring has been a true trial by fire for the second group. Some experienced defensive linemen — guys who played in bowl games just a few months ago — are now taking reps with the second and third teams, going against true freshmen. That’s the best way to learn. You put them in the deep end and coach them through it. It’s been a really productive spring.
On whether he prefers one player per position or cross-training guys for multiple spots:
Miller: In a perfect world, I’d love to have 10 guys locked in at their own positions — that’s ideal. But in reality, at this level and above, that’s rare. So we’re going to roll with the best five, regardless of versatility. Some guys are able to swing between tackle and guard, or snap the ball, and that adds a lot of value. We train for that flexibility.
But sometimes, it also depends on the matchup — maybe an odd front needs a different kind of player at guard, or against an even front, your center might be uncovered. So part of spring was not only about improving technique and fundamentals, but also about building depth. We need to see who can contribute and who’s likely to stick around. The game is changing fast, and we have to make personnel decisions accordingly.
On managing the balance between versatility and letting guys lock into one spot:
Miller: Honestly, you have to be careful not to spread guys too thin. Take Brandon Henderson, for example — he’s had a strong spring, and we’ve purposely kept him at one position instead of moving him all over the line like last year. That allows him to lock in and focus. If we do need to shift him later, we’ll transition him during specific periods or drills so it’s not overwhelming.
That same approach applies to guys like Zafir and Aidan at tackle. Brandon Hansen is another one with position flexibility, but we’ve narrowed his focus for now. The goal is to let them settle in, win the job at one spot, and then adjust if injuries or scheme changes require it. Jumping from one position to another constantly isn’t ideal, but sometimes it’s necessary depending on reps and practice flow.
On Josh Kreutz and what’s next for him:
Miller: Josh definitely met the goal last year — he won the knockdown cup and reached over 100 knockdowns, matching numbers put up by guys like Isaiah Adams. He really brought a physical edge in 2023 that was more consistent than before. There’s a clip from the Nebraska game where he drives a guy five yards deep before taking a shot to the chest — that’s the kind of dominance he brought to the table.
This spring, the focus for Josh is on refining the smaller details: his footwork, aiming points, consistency, balance, and how he reacts to different looks. We’re diving into the fine-tuning now — things like how he climbs to the second level or adjusts to a defender’s leverage. It’s not just about playing tough anymore; it’s about maximizing his full potential.
That same mindset applies to guys like J.C., Gesky, Kreutz, Melvin — the whole returning group. They’ve all played a lot of snaps and could coast through camp, but to their credit, they’re grinding. They’re practicing hard every day without complaint. They came back for a reason, and they’re doing the work to make sure it pays off. I’m proud of how they’ve handled it.
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