Behind the Mic

Illini Lose Tez For The Year

Posted by: Brian Barnhart

Friday, September 18, 2009 1:54 PM

There have been some bumps and bruises early in this 2009 season (mostly ankle injuries) but for the most part the Illini had managed to avoid major injuries all the way through Camp Rantoul and into the middle of September. 

The only serious loss up until recently  was that of cornerback Miami Thomas.... who now has had surgeries on both shoulders and both knees in his short career in Champaign. That was the case until this past Thursday ...when it was announced that  junior linebacker Martez Wilson will have surgery on a herniated disc in his neck.

Martez has overcome a lot in the last few months...including getting stabbed during an incident on campus.  He had moved into the high-profile position of middle linebacker...stepping into the role played so well by recent Big Ten tackle leaders Brit Miller and J. Leman. Wilson came in highly touted out of Chicago and did record 73 tackles last year.  He seemed poised to become the anchor of the Illini defense for 2009.

Now he is gone for this year.  Hopefully he can come back next year and be 100%.  We certainly wish him the best.

But now the Illini have a big hole to fill.  Red-shirt freshman Evan Frierson will be asked to step into that demanding middle linebacker position. 

Outside linebackers Ian Thomas and Russell Ellington are both off to solid starts this season.  They will also have to continue their high level of play and help bring Frierson along.

With the loss of Martez Wilson...and with Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan State looming on the horizon...the Illini are facing some early-season adversity. 

Lets see how they respond.

 

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