The Illini head into the 2020 season with a running back group that lost its top three players from 2019— Reggie Corbin and Dre Brown due to graduation, as well as Ra’Von Bonner who opted out of the season.
With these losses, the Illini lost 67% of their rushing yards from 2019 as well as 78% of their rushing touchdowns. Do not fret, however, because the Illini do return a veteran in Mike Epstein and get a full season out of Western Michigan transfer Chase Brown, who was ineligible for half of the 2019 campaign. They also have an exciting true freshman in the fold in Reggie Love.