It has been quite some time since the college football offseason provided much time off. On Monday, Illinois coach Bret Bielema explained the team's recent decisions to move two more players to different positions. Bret Bielema details position shifts for Jershaun Newton, Will HolmesJul 28, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Football head coach Bret Bielema speaks during Media Days at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect“We did move [former quarterback] Jershaun Newton to wide receiver,” Bielema told the assembled media on Monday. He really wanted to try quarterback,” Bielema said of Newton, whose brother Jer’Zhan was the 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year with the Illini.