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Illinois Football: Early Illini projected depth chart for 2018

By Rees Woodcock

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 04: Ricky Smalling
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 04: Ricky Smalling /

Wide Receiver

Starter: Ricky Smalling

The best wide receiver to don the Orange and Blue in quite some time is Ricky Smalling. He was the prized recruit Lovie and the Illini landed from the class of 2017, and he should be an All-Big Ten type talent in 2018.

Smalling finished the 2017 campaign as a Big Ten Network All-Freshman Team honorable mention player. I think he was the best freshman wide receiver in the Big Ten, though. He just had some bad quarterback play.

Look for Smalling to increase his numbers from 2017. He only had 31 receptions for 501 yards and two touchdowns, but those numbers will continue to rise as he gets more experience and the quarterback situation continues to improve. The No. 1 wide receiver role will be Smalling for the next three years.

Backup: Kendall Smith

Illinois fans didn’t see a ton of Kendall Smith in 2017. He wasn’t a big-time player for this team on offense but he will be looked upon to provide crucial snaps in 2018.

Smith was a solid recruit coming from the class of 2017. He is going to be important this season as a backup to Smalling. I wouldn’t doubt if Smith emerges as one of the best wide receivers on the team and maybe moves up to get a few starts as well. I like his game and he has a lot of potential.

Starter: Mike Dudek

Everyone is rooting for Mike Dudek to have a great season in 2018. I was massively disappointed we couldn’t get the ball to him more last year but there is new hoping entering a new campaign.

Dudek came off back-to-back injuries that sidelined him for two-straight years. He finally had a chance to play in 2017 and caught 24 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown. He did only play in seven games and missed the other five with injuries.

I want to see Dudek have a great year and eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 2018. He has that potential and with a good quarterback like Rivers, the sky is the limit.

Backup: Carlos Sandy

The class of 2018 is bringing in a few good wide receivers to help the Illini in the passing game. One of those pass catchers is Carlos Sandy.

Sandy is a solid slot receiver who will have a chance to play right away. He is only 5-foot-8, 153-pounds, but he is extremely quick and someone defenses will fear.

I loved landing Sandy from the class of 2018. He was only a three-star recruit who is the No. 1160 player in the nation, but I think he has so much more potential inside. He will be sensational for this Illini program during his time in Champaign.

Starter: Carmoni Green

I am excited to see how some of the playmakers the Illini landed from the class of 2017 will pan out. Carmoni Green was a sensation high school player and now that he has a quarterback, I think he will have a good season with the Illini.

Last season, Green only managed eight catches for 75 yards in the six games he had a chance to play. Those numbers will increase and so will his snaps. I think Green is going to start and be great for this program.

Backup: Caleb Reams

Caleb Reams was a former tight end for the Illini who is now listed at wide receiver. He has some starts under his belt and is a nice big target. Reams will get some playing time but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t play a ton in 2018. I do think he will start the season as a backup, though.

Backup: Edwin Carter

I think Edwin Carter is one of the most underrated players coming out of the class of 2018. He was a three-star recruit who is the No. 1596 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 242 wide receiver in the nation.

The thing that attracts me most to this kid is his size. Carter stands at 6-foot-3, 180-pounds and he is a super athletic player. Don’t be surprised if he shoots up the depth chart early in the year.

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