The 90 Illini #72: Malachi Hood

Over the years, I've been more and more penal with injuries. At least when it comes to handing out rankings in The 90 Illini. I used to play the "the injury was in October so that's well past the 9-month threshold - he should be 100% by the time camp starts" angle. But I've adjusted "100%" to "he'll probably be 85% next season as he works his way through trusting the leg again - by the time the following season rolls around, 100%."

So that's why you'll see guys like Malachi Hood (achilles) and Demetrius Hill (ACL) ranked lower than they should be on this list. I've overcorrected with leg injuries (shoulder surgeries I still trust, for whatever reason) and these rankings will reflect that. In a few years, once someone returns from a leg/knee injury and is good-as-new the following season, I'll adjust back.

But for now, after last year's achilles tear, I have Malachi Hood at...