Every college program has to replace key veterans and stars on an annual basis in the spring. This week we’re taking a look at which outgoing players are leaving behind the biggest shoes to fill at each Big Ten program.
Next up is Illinois. New coach Lovie Smith has a lot of work to do in Champaign in a short amount of time. Along with getting to know the roster he inherits he’ll also have to work on plugging the holes left by some leaders that helped the Illini salvage a 5-7 record last fall in a season that looked like it could’ve been headed for something uglier.