CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: An Illinois Fighting Illini flag is seen in the tailgate lot before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The top lists that the Illinois football program has landed on continues to grow, what seems, by the day.
Lovie Smith has focused on building the defensive line. He clearly wants to have a dominating defense to help the rising offense. Snagging someone like Cole Nelson would help build depth on the front lines of the Illini defense.