Illinois on SI Preseason Staff Picks: Who Will Be the Top Illini Newcomer?

Steve Greenberg's pick: Keelan Crimmins

Let’s not pretend there’s any question about this one: It’s Keelan Crimmins. The Illini go from Hugh Robertson, who was the Big Ten’s worst punter in 2024, to Purdue transfer Crimmins, who was the conference’s leading leg. More distance, more hang time, more say-so in weekly field-position battles – what else is there? That’s what a successful reboot looks like.

Jackson Langendorf's pick: James Thompson Jr.

In this case, the most obvious choice is the right one: Wisconsin transfer and defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. Thompson already has five college seasons under his belt, and he was a force to be reckoned with in his most recent healthy season – 29 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks and two pass breakups in 2023. Expect Thompson to emerge as the fulcrum of Illinois' defensive front three and turn in a 2025 season that validates him among the Big Ten's top defenders at his position.

Pranav Hegde's pick: Justin Bowick

Thompson may be the popular choice, but Justin Bowick has a strong case to be Illinois’ top newcomer this season. A Ball State transfer, he combines size, speed and football IQ, and he enters a wide-open wide receiver situation with the chance to carve out a major role right away. With Altmyer delivering the ball and coach Bret Bielema’s staff known for maximizing the talent on its roster, Bowick could break out quickly. If so, he has the tools to emerge not just as Illinois’ go-to target but also as one of the Big Ten’s most dangerous pass catchers.

Jared Shlensky's pick: Keelan Crimmins

Illinois has plenty of talented newcomers on its roster in 2025, but none will have a bigger impact than Crimmins. It's not too often that the punter headlines as a key player, but this case is a big exception. An All-Big Ten selection at Purdue as a junior last season, Crimmins averaged nearly 45 yards a punt and placed 17 attempts inside the 20. Could those numbers actually improve in Champaign? It's possible: Bret Bielema and his staff are known for getting the most out of their specialists, so Crimmins could have a career year ahead of him.