URBANA — Illinois football didn't receive many positive reviews from anonymous Big Ten coaches in a recent piece from Athlon Sports. Though, one Illini player did receive a compliment.

"Mike Epstein is a tough runner, a guy who definitely doesn’t look the part but sure as heck plays it," one anonymous coach told Athlon. "He’s fun to watch. Lovie needs about 20 more Mike Epsteins."

Epstein’s recovery from a foot injury has been relatively quiet. Coaching changes and quarterback battles have removed the spotlight from the return of one of Illinois’ best offensive players in 2017.

But Big Ten coaches obviously aren’t overlooking Epstein’s return, and the sophomore has started to show off glimpses of his skillset during the first couple days of training camp.

“I’m 100 percent healthy,” Epstein told Illini Inquirer on Monday. “Legs get sore, but that’s normal. I’m so glad to be sore.”

Epstein, who sat out most of practice on Tuesday to rest, tallied 57 carries for 346 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in only five games last year. He was a reliable receiving option too, hauling in four receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Overall, Epstein averaged over 6.1 yards per carry. All the other Illinois running backs combined to average 3.6 yards per carry.

Rod Smith didn’t get to work with Epstein throughout all of spring ball. Epstein was healthy enough to participate in some workouts, but the training staff wanted to be cautious with one of its best weapons. Epstein watched and tried to mentally master Smith’s scheme.

“Mike’s a big, strong, strapping running back, and he can run,” Smith said. “It’s fun because I didn’t get a chance to see him in the spring. He has fresh legs, they’re probably dead about now. Mike had a good start until he got injured. He has good vision. He understands the position. He rushes hard, sets up cuts. I’m excited for Mike.”

But mental reps are nowhere as beneficial as real reps, and Epstein is starting to get his feel back for the game.

“I love this offense,” Epstein said. “It’s fast, and it creates space for me and all the backs and the receivers. They have to account for almost four receivers on the field, so a lot of lanes open up. I think it’ll be a great fit for one all of us playmakers.”

Monday was the first day Epstein really showed his burst. Smith lined him up in the backfield alongside Reggie Corbin and AJ Bush. As the ball was snapped, Mike Dudek sprinted over from the slot as if to take an option pitch. Big defensive end Bobby Roundtree froze as he tried to decide which guy to chase.

Roundtree picked wrong. Bush faked the pitch to Dudek and tucked the rock in Epstein’s belly. Epstein exploded through the open gap and went untouched down the sideline.

“It’s just another wrinkle for the defense to account for,” Epstein said. “It’s tough when the receivers could run the ball, or the quarterback is going to run the ball. When you have to account for almost three people running the ball, it creates a lot of issues for the defense.”

On paper, Illinois looks like it has some quality depth at running back — if Epstein is healthy.

Behind Epstein, Corbin, Ra'Von Bonner and Dre Brown all have experience. Freshmen tailbacks Kenyon Sims and Jakari Norwood might need time to develop, but both have flashed power-five traits.

The Illini needed depth last season due to several injuries — Epstein missed seven games with a foot fracture, Bonner missed five games with a concussion and Dre Brown missed part of the season with a knee injury — and Smith isn't afraid to use multiple running backs on the field. Smith has showcased two backs in the backfield, a backfield in the slot and even a three-running back formation.

“We do have a lot of depth, but I think it’s only a blessing,” Epstein said. “Last year, a lot of people went down, so I don’t really think you can have too much depth. We’re all competing with each other to make each other better. You want competition. It makes you better.”

Epstein is one of the key cogs from Lovie Smith’s first recruiting class. Epstein noted that the team culture has improved significantly since the spring. Sophomores like Bennett Williams, Nate Hobbs, Ricky Smalling, Roundtree and Epstein are setting the tone.

“Absolutely, without a doubt,” Epstein said. “I think we’ve all been saying that. We’re not just saying it to say it. We really feel that. We just want to keep making it better, that’s how we build this program.”

An anonymous Big Ten coach also told Athlon that Illinois was, “One of the worst teams we’ve played in the last six or seven years.”

That Big Ten coach was harsh but probably accurate. The biggest change in the Illinois culture centers around how they view winning and losing.

“We’re sick of losing,” Epstein said. “This whole program has been in a slump for a little bit, so we’re putting all personal goals aside to do whatever we can to help this team win.”