Illini in the NFL: Week 1 Recap

Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books. Here’s how your Illinois Fighting Illini Football alums faired in the kickoff to the 2020 season.

Jihad Ward, defensive end: Ward is the 2nd string left side defensive end behind starter Derek Wolfe. Wolfe had 7.0 sacks a season ago, and this week Ward had 4 tackles and 2 assisted tackles in Baltimore’s home blowout win versus the Cleveland Browns.

Del’Shawn Phillips, linebacker: Phillips was an excellent linebacker for the Illini. The un-drafted player is a backup weak side linebacker to tackling machine starter Matt Milano formerly of Boston College. Phillips played, but ended up injuring his quad and did not return…