Ranking the Big Ten offensive lines heading in 2022
By Kyler Kregel
(9.) Illinois Fighting Illini
Offensive Line coach: Bart Miller (2nd season)
Projected line-up: LT Isaiah Adams, LG Jordyn Slaughter, C Alex Pihlstrom*, RG Alex Palczewski*, RT Julian Pearl*
Summary: The Illini’s offense wasn’t spectacular thanks to some inconsistency from QBs Brandon Peters and Artur Sitkowski and few true playmakers at WR to help them out. Nonetheless, despite an unbalanced run-first approach out of necessity, the Illini offense still turned out some respectable results.
Palczewski is uber-experienced and could either start at tackle or kick inside to make room at right tackle for Julian Pearl, who saw 10 starts last year, and JUCO transfer Isaiah Adams to slide in at left.
Slaughter played some rotational snaps in 2020 before an ankle injury ended his 2021 season. Between Slaughter and JUCO transfer Zy Crisler, that’s likely your starting left guard, unless they do end up keeping Palczewski at tackle.
At center, Alex Pihlstrom has decent experience, starting seven games over the last two years. He competes with prized 2021 recruit Josh Kreutz for the position.