Departing Illini make an impression on NFL scouts

Mar. 14—CHAMPAIGN — If you think this year's Illinois Pro Day was big (eight participants), just wait until next year.

All the players who said "no" to NFL for now — Gabe Jacas, Luke Altmyer, J.C. Davis, Xavier Scott and more — will be part of the 2026 draft class.

"I tend to worry about tomorrow," Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. "We've got our practice No. 2."

But it is a valid point.

"There was a Tweet that showed a number of schools that had 10 or more players at the combine and one of them was the team that we played in the bowl game," Bielema said. "South Carolina had 11 players at the combine. We had one, and he didn't even play in our (bowl) game. To see that and know how many good players we have returning and what the NFL thinks of them is something that will come."

Bielema, his coaches and most of the current players attended Thursday's Pro Day at the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility/Smith Center. Thirty of 32 NFL teams were represented as the prospects were timed in the 40-yard dash, tested their vertical/horizontal leaps and showed their strength on the bench press. They also participated in drills designed to showcase their readiness for the next level.

Bielema, about to start his fifth season at Illinois, liked what he saw.

"Always a special day," he said. "This is the culmination of their careers, the last official event in our facilities. I think a lot of guys helped themselves (Thursday)."

With so many NFL-eligible players returning for the 2025 season, Illinois had only wide receiver Pat Bryant at the NFL combine. Because of its recent history of sending productive players to the NFL, Illinois seems to be getting extra credit from the NFL scouts.

"I was talking to someone after the NFL combine and we were talking about a DB in next year's class," Bielema said. "They said, 'He's an Illinois DB. That will add a round or two to his draft value.' That's what's grown, been built."

Just what the coaches wants to hear. And a story he will certainly share with future recruits. In the past, current players couldn't be a part of the Pro Day until their eligibility was up. But the rules were changed to allow them to help. So, returning quarterback Altmyer threw to the pro hopeful receivers and tight ends.

Returning receivers Hank Beatty and Malik Elzy and running back Josh McCray also pitched in.

"It's a pretty awesome experience for some of those younger guys," Bielema said.

Coming back?

Illinois defensive lineman TeRah Edwards had a solid day, including 29 reps on the bench press.

But Illinois is hoping the Northwestern transfer is able to put the NFL on hold for a year and return to the team in 2025. Illinois and Edwards asked that the NCAA grant him an extra year.

"TeRah played in five games in one year that he should have been allowed to redshirt in," Bielema said. "It was turmoil for him what he was going through, but more importantly, he played in five games. I believe four of the five games he played less than 10 snaps."

When Edwards arrived at Illinois, the school thought he had played in only three games during the season in question. A bookkeeping error was to blame.

"The kid shouldn't be penalized for that," Bielema said.

The waiver is on Edwards' mind.

"I ain't going to lie, it's been stressful," he said. "I just took it day by day. Cross that bridge when it comes."

He has strong interest in returning — if allowed.

"That's why I trained here. I stayed here," Edwards said. "There's pros and cons to staying and there's pros and cons to leaving. That's something I have to sit down with my family and make sure it's the right decision."

An extra year would mean more time learning from Bielema and the Illini staff.

"Another year in Coach Tank (Wright's) program will help me so much," Edwards said, referencing the Illini program's strength and conditioning coach.

He also likes the idea of following a 10-win season with another successful year.

"Being a part of that, I would love that," Edwards said.

Brief stop

Defensive lineman Dennis Briggs was only at Illinois for one season after transferring from Florida State. And is happy he made the move.

"It far exceeded my expectations," Briggs said. "I didn't know anything about Champaign. All I knew in Illinois was Chicago. It was definitely a culture shock. My time at the University of Illinois has been amazing. Being able to share the season we had with my brothers was great."

Briggs is one of the many Illinois defensive lineman who praise position coach Terrance Jamison. How did Jamison help him?

"Attention to detail," Briggs said. "The little things are going to help you get better."

Briggs was happy running mate Edwards performed well on the bench press, but ...

"He was supposed to really hit 40, so he owes me 11," Briggs said. "We knew he was strong. That's no surprise to us. I love TeRah."

Still climbing

Linebacker Ryan Meed came to Illinois as a walk-on and finished as a star in the Citrus Bowl with eight tackles.

He performed well in Thursday's drills, setting himself up for a shot at the next level.

"I talked to the scouts earlier (Thursday). In the NFL, they have what's called one-liners where you just say what you think of this player," Bielema said. "The one thing I said about Ryan is, 'He's going to test extremely well. But the thing he brings to the table has nothing to do with what you measure. His accountability, his football IQ, his awareness.'"

Bielema compared him favorably to former Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen, who just signed a lucrative deal with the Houston Texans.

Like Bielema, Briggs was not surprised Meed wowed the scouts.

"That's a man who is always going to be ready for his moment, his opportunity," Briggs said. "It shows on the field."

Meed spent six years at Illinois, far from his Brooklyn, N.Y., home.

"I love this university," he said. "It was beautiful to be back out here in orange and blue one last time. I used to dream about this. I used to pray for this."

Special teams will be a strength for Meed in training camp.

"I love special teams. There is something just so gritty about going out there and being an unsung hero," he said. "We're the forgotten side of the ball. Special teams is so, so important. It is kind of who I am. I don't need the glitz and glam. Let's just go roll the ball out. Let's go play. That's what I take pride in doing."

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