1. Illinois will have four season-long captains this year that were voted on already.
In the recent past, captains were voted on a weekly basis by the players.
Smith said he planned on telling the team who the quartet is in a meeting on Tuesday and added the Illini will likely have an additional special teams captain weekly.
“We know who will be standing out front leading our men,” Smith said. “What an honor to earn that respect from your teammates by done what you’ve done on a daily basis.”
2. One notable surprise on the depth chart released Monday had Julian Hylton penciled in ahead of Caleb Day at the starting strong safety.