Illini DB Lovett growing through spring reps

Illini DB Lovett growing through spring reps

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Andre Lovett Jr. was too good to keep off the field as a true freshman.

The Blue Island, Illinois native played in each of the final eight games of the regular season for the Illini. A 6-foot-1 defensive back, he saw time primarily on special teams during the 2025 campaign.

“It really helped me,” Lovett said of his special teams reps as a freshman.

In addition to his experience on the field from his first year of college football, Lovett is getting some valuable reps in spring practices. He moved to the Nickel position and is getting some extra time with the top groups as senior defensive back Xavier Scott continues to work back from injury.

“It’s been great, I’ve been comfortable,” Lovett said. “It’s been good.”

He says he is learning a lot from Scott, a veteran and All-American in 2024.

Illinois’ new defensive secondary coach, Ronnie Bradford, coached special teams in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins in 2024 and 2025. He’s quickly becoming a fan of Lovett.

“His size, his speed, his athleticism,” Bradford said of what stands out from Lovett. “He does a great job. He does a great job. The kid is a competitor. He wants to get up in somebody’s face and he does a good job of it. It’s very hard to try and block him one on one outside, unless you have a very big receiver who does a good job of blocking… He does a good job of initiating contact…”

Lovett says physicality is a key piece of his game. He has bulked up from 170 when arriving to campus to now weigh in at 192 pounds.

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