Bret Bielema discusses first week of spring practices for Illinois

Illinois is off and running in its first spring under head coach Bret Bielema!

The Illini are just about a week into spring practices, and Bielema met with the media Saturday to update what is happening in Champaign. Among other things, Bielema said Illinois just had its first practice in full pads and believes things are looking better each practice thus far.

Bielema also discussed the overall health of the team, and he indicated no one has sustained any serious injury in the first week. Some players may miss a little bit of time but no one should be in danger of being sidelined the entire spring.

Reporters Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner shared comments from Bielema’s update:

#illini Bret Bielema: First day in full pads, great to hear the pads popped. Pretty pleased.

"Three practices into it, we've stepped forward every day." pic.twitter.com/tHlou7TjGm

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) March 27, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: Got through the week pretty healthy. Guys have some bumps and bruises. Couple guys may miss a week or two but not the entire spring.

— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) March 27, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: "Overwhelming" to bring family to Champaign to move here permanently. They flew in yesterday and move into their rental house on Monday. Family is constructing a house in town.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) March 27, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: For Illinois to be successful, downstate Illinois needs to be here.

— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) March 27, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: Illinois has to be made up especially with these downstate kids.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) March 27, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema mentions Tony Adams, Owen Carney and Isaiah Gay as super seniors who have stood out.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) March 27, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: Even though Alex Palczewski isn't out there, his presence is felt.

— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) March 27, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: Defensively, I love guys who are wrestlers because it's just him and another guy and no one else to hide behind.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) March 27, 2021

Illinois will look to make the most of these spring practices as the team adjusts to Bielema and a new staff leading the team. With a number of experienced players returning, including quarterback Brandon Peters, the Illini will try to return to the form they showed while becoming bowl eligible in 2019.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.