CHAMPAIGN -- Just watch. At some point during the 2025 season, Illinois kicker David Olano will face a crucial kick in nasty weather. He plays in the Midwest. It happens.

If the kick is good -- as Olano expects it will be-- he can look back at March 28 for a major assist.

Bret Bielema's team worked out Friday night at Memorial Stadium, with high wind gusts testing the players. Olano, coming off a solid 2024 season, hit all four field goal attempts.

The wind also played tricks on the quarterbacks, receivers and returners. At times, they looked like a center fielder chasing a deep fly ball.

Bielema is an advocate of testing his team in season-like conditions. So, there was no chance the team would work out Friday at the Irwin Indoor Facility.

Transfer receiver Justin Bowick, who joined the team this spring after playing at Ball State, seems to be in the middle of a multi-player competition to be a part of the rotation. The spring gives the newcomers a chance to form a connection with returning starting quarterback Luke Altmyer.

Illinois linebacker coach Archie McDaniel is thrilled to see Dylan Rosiek back on the field. Rosiek missed the back half of the 2024 season wit a broken leg.

"It's great," McDaniel said. "Just to see him smiling again. When he went down last year that took the air out of a lot of our guys, especially in our room just because everybody knows how hard he works.

"To see him out there flying around, he looks faster. It's good to see. He's going to have a good year."

His leadership is invaluable.

"Nobody prepares or approaches the game better than he does," McDaniel said.

With Rosiek out last year, it created opportunities for other players. James Kreutz and Malachi Hood stepped up.

"Those snaps they were able to get once he went down were like gold," McDaniel said. "You saw both of them gradually get better and better and better."

Friday's Illinois workout ran for more than two hours and included 20 periods. The team was watched by high school coaches, who were in down for a clinic.

Bob Asmussen is a college football reporter and columnist for The News-Gazette. He can be reached at 217-393-8248 or .