Transitioning to a new coaching staff isn’t always the easiest process for a college football team. It wasn’t exactly simple when Illinois made the move from Lovie Smith to Bret Bielema, either.

But quarterback Brandon Peters has already seen a tremendous amount of progress. That’s a good sign for the Fighting Illini, as they prepare to enter the 2021 season under a new staff.

A few months into the job, Bielema talked about making players uncomfortable to help them improve. It took a little bit of time for those guys to adjust, but Peters says the work in really paying off.

“It obviously took some work. You’ve got  to take baby steps, gradually work your way up and make yourself feel uncomfortable,” Peters said, per 247Sports. “That’s what Coach (Tony) Petersen did is push me every single day. Same with Coach B(ielema). They made me step out of my shell a little bit. The amount of growth I’ve seen over the last eight months from the past, it’s wild. It’s crazy. Coach B knows what he’s doing and guys really buy into what he preaches.”

Illinois started fall camp on Monday, the program’s first under Bielema. The Fighting Illini are preparing for a big-time opener against Nebraska in Week 0, a division showdown that will kickoff the college football season.

Last year, Illinois clobbered Nebraska 41-23 in Lincoln. But with the Huskers expected to be much improved, the Illini know they’re in for a tough fight to start the season.

So far, it sounds like everyone in Champaign is on the same page.