In this series, our Big Ten writers take a look at an area of need for each league team. ESPN recruiting reporter Tom VanHaaren then offers a glimpse at what recruits could impact that position in the future.
Illinois demonstrated substantial improvement defensively in 2015. But the question is whether the Fighting Illini can continue to build on that success given that they're losing five of the team's top seven tacklers.
The most significant area to address is the secondary because three of the four starters are gone. Clayton Fejedelem, V'Angelo Bentley and Eaton Spence combined for 236 tackles, five interceptions and 17 pass breakups this past season.