CHAMPAIGN — Looking on at Illinois football from afar now, Jihad Ward still doesn’t hold back on his expectations.
The former Illini defensive lineman, who will report for his first NFL training camp with the Oakland Raiders on July 24 after the Raiders selected him during the second round of the 2016 NFL draft, was never shy about expressing his opinion during his two seasons at Illinois. The 22-year-old NFL rookie expects superb seasons from Dawuane Smoot, Chunky Clements, Rob Bain, Carroll Phillips, Gimel President and others on the Illini defensive line this fall.
“They’ll be getting off the ball and dominating,” Ward said.