Illinois Football: Improved QB situation should let Illini WR’s shine

The Illinois football team clearly has some work left to do on the roster, but one area that is a strength would be at wide receiver.

This is one of the most talented wide receiver cores I have seen in Champaign in quite some time. They are not only talented but there is some solid depth within the program. Depth is huge if you want to compete in the Big Ten.

The two veterans among the wide receivers are Mike Dudek and Sam Mays. Dudek had that sensational freshman campaign only to miss the following two seasons with injury. He was back last year but only had a chance to play in seven games and still had 34 catches for 262 yards and a touchdown. He was a three-star recruit who was the No. 967 player in the class of 2014.

Mays was also a talented player coming out of high school. He was a three-star recruit who was the No. 675 player in the class of 2015. Mays hasn’t had the career I thought he would for the Illini, and he also said he was going to transfer after this past campaign as well. But, it looks like he decided to come back for one last go with the Illini. His 6-foot-3 size should help this program.

Illinois also brought in three talented pass catchers from the class of 2017 as well. Ricky Smalling was a three-star recruit who was the No. 358 player, Carmoni Green was a three-star recruit who was the No. 516 player and Kendall Smith was a three-star recruit who was the No. 1000 player.

All three of the talented wide receivers Illinois brought in were all top 1000 players. The Illini will be starting or playing all of these players this upcoming season. They have a quality wide receiver core that can make plays as long as the quarterback can get them the ball.

I look forward to seeing what these wide receivers can do with a quarterback behind center. That will finally happen this season. Smalling finished 2017 with 510 yards on 31 catches. He also added two touchdowns as well. He had that type of production with what we had at quarterback. Just imagine what he can do with MJ Rivers or Coran Taylor throwing him the ball.

Next: Top class of 2018 recruiting targets for the Illini

Call me a homer, but this upcoming season should be better than 2017. Illinois finally has a quarterback, and this will enhance the skills of their deep wide receiver core. Don’t be surprised if some of these pass catchers get notoriety by making all-conference teams. That is how good I believe this group of players really is for the Illini.