Illini football quick hits | Training Camp Day 14

Illinois training camp continued Tuesday, with defensive coordinator Aaron Henry and multiple Illini linebackers available to the media after practice. Here's some of what was said, courtesy beat writer Scott Richey:

Solid at safety

The top of the depth chart at safety is fairly clear. A healthy Matthew Bailey has retaken the spot he would have filled a year ago in the box. The Moline native could play free safety if need be, but he still gives off strong Sydney Brown vibes at strong safety. Miles Scott has embraced the change from wide receiver and projects to start for a second straight season at free safety. But Aaron Henry feels like he has four more safeties — Demetrius Hill, Mac Resetich, Saboor Karriem and Ben Clawson — he can turn to this season.

"I think that's a pretty, pretty fierce group," the Illini defensive coordinator said. "They communicate at a high level. ... Guys who can get us lined up. Guys who can fly around. Guys who've been making a lot of plays on the ball. We know in this system — in the framework of this defense — if you can just do that you can give yourself a chance to be successful."

Fitting preseason recognition

Dylan Rosiek was one of 50 linebackers, including 16 from the Big Ten, named to the Butkus Award watch list Tuesday. That an Illinois linebacker is on the list is fitting given a statue of Dick Butkus now stands outside the Smith Center in Champaign. Rosiek, who led the Illini in tackles (82) and forced fumbles (four) last season, got a chance to meet the award's namesake two years ago.

"Definitely intense," Rosiek said, describing Butkus, who died last fall at the age of 80. "I think the first question he asked was if we had knocked anybody out that year. Definitely a different era, but he was intense. It seemed like he just loved the game. He was so happy to just be around it."

Open lines of communication

Coach-to-player communication has evolved heading into the 2024 season with in-helmet devices now allowed in college football. Player-to-player communication remains just as important, however. Just one player will have the direct link to the coaching staff, and the Illinois coaches have continued to stress how important it is to communicate at a high level. The better the communication, the higher the level of play.

"We're able to make sure we're in the right calls, in the right checks," Illinois linebacker Kenenna Odeluga said. "And, in the end, we're able to play great defense just by being uniform. Whether we're all right or whether we're all wrong, at least we're together in one frame of mind. It allows us to play a good brand of defense, and it allows us to know what's going on."