Beckman: Illini short on depth, consistency

New head coach Tim Beckman is getting ready to start spring football practices at Illinois, and he says his team’s shortcomings are depth and consistency.

Beckman noted Tuesday that he has only two running backs to work with in sophomore Donovonn Young and redshirt freshman Josh Ferguson. And Young has been hobbled by an old stress fracture from high school.

At receiver, Beckman says Ryan Langford looks good. But there aren’t many players with any kind of track record behind them on the roster.

Beckman says all three of his quarterbacks have been strong in winter workouts. Incoming starter Nathan Scheelhaase (SHEEL’-hows) will take the first snaps, but Beckman says every position is open.

Spring practices start Wednesday evening and run through the April 14 spring game.