Akeem Spence News

Despite a 2-10 finish, Illinois put together the 8th ranked recruiting class in the B1G.

Illinois fielded one of the worst defenses in the Big Ten a year ago. What are the chances that the fortunes of that unit improve in 2013? Of all the things that broke or went haywire during Ron Zook's tenure at Illinois, the last possible hold out was the defense.

Fourth-round DT Akeem Spence officially got his first NFL deal done on Wednesday, becoming the fourth 2013 draft pick to sign in a three-day period and leaving only two teammates unsigned The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been busy this week with the on-field workouts allowed in Phase II of the NFL's offseason workout program.

Spence was the 100th overall selection in last month's draft. The 6-foot-1, 307-pound defensive tackle had 17 1/2 tackles for loss, including 3 1/2 sacks during his college career at Illinois.

Defensive ends J'Vonne Parker , Steven Means and defensive tackle Akeem Spence run drills during Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie mini-camp at One Buc Place in Tampa on Friday.

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI 2012 record: 2-10 2012 conference record: 0-8 Returning starters: Offense: 9; defense: 4; special teams: 2 Top returners QB Nathan Scheelhaase , RB Donovonn Young , RB Josh Ferguson , WR Ryan Lankford , TE Jon Davis , LB Jonathan Brown , LB Mason Monheim , DE Tim Kynard , P Justin DuVernois Key losses C Graham Pocic , G ... (more)

Usually, when people talk about a 4th round pick being a starter from day 1, it's not a positive.

Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State; 2 - Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State; 4 - Akeem Spence, DT, Illinois; 4 - William Gholston, DE, Michigan State; 5 - Steven Means, DE, Buffalo; 6 - Mike James, RB, Miami Top Picks Analysis: You think cornerback was a need in Tampa? General manager Mark Domenik pulled the trigger on the Darrelle Revis ... (more)

Let's take a quick look at what the NFC South teams did in the fourth round: At No.

Here are the terms of trades completed on Saturday, April 27, the third and final day of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Intent on overhauling the NFL's worst pass defense, general manager Mark Dominik and coach Greg Schiano used five of their first six picks in the draft to patch a leaky secondary, bolster a defensive line weakened by free agency and heighten expectations for the upcoming season.

The Buccaneers used their second fourth-round pick on another Big Ten defensive lineman, taking athletically gifted Michigan State pass-rusher William Gholston to join fellow draftee Akeem Spence of Illinois The fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft was all about the defensive front for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Big Ten was where they looked ... (more)

Fourth round Akeem Spence Position: Defensive tackle School: Illinois Height/weight: 6-1, 307 Hometown: Fort Walton Beach, FL College highlights: One of the stronger linemen in the draft, bench pressing 225 pounds 37 times at the NFL Combine...Started all 38 games he appeared at Illinois, recording 186 tackles, with 3.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for ... (more)

Illinois defensive tackle Akeem Spence grew up in Fort Walton Beach watching the Bucs glory days, led by star tackle Warren Sapp.

After acquiring the third pick of the fourth round from the Oakland Raiders , the Bucs take defensive tackle Akeem Spence of Illinois.

Home >> 2013 NFL Draft >> Tampa Bay Buccaneers Trade Up In Fourth Round of 2013 NFL Draft and Select Akeem Spence, DT, Illinois: Information and Grades The Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw their man and traded up to get him early on day three of the NFL Draft, selecting Akeem Spence from Illinois.

How about that Revis trade huh! Two picks, a 1st and likely a 3rd round pick! That's nothing compared to what some people were saying! After that trade, and doing the big TST Live Mock Draft I decided to take another shot at my very own mock draft.