Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: 5 storylines to begin Illini training camp

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 02: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the game between the Ball State Cardinals and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 2, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 02: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the game between the Ball State Cardinals and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 2, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 14: Ricky Smalling #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs the ball during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 14: Ricky Smalling #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs the ball during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. The wide receiver core will be adjusted

The Illinois football team had a few big weapons at the wide receiver position coming into the 2018 campaign. One of those wide receivers was Shaedon Meadors. He was a graduate transfer from Appalachian State who was projected to be one of the main pass catchers this season.

Robert from Illiniboard.com broke the bad news early today that Meadors is going to miss this upcoming season from an injury he suffered during the summer. This is bad news for the Illini because that is another weapon that will not be out there on the field helping Bush or whoever the quarterback is going to be.

The Illinois wide receiver core is now forced to adjust after the injury to Meadors. The No. 1 wide receiver is likely to be Ricky Smalling with senior Mike Dudek getting a lot of looks as well. These two should lead the team in receptions and yards this season.

Beyond those two pass catches, I would assume Illinois is going to look at Justice Williams based on what I have read from training camp. Carmoni Green, Sam Mays and Carlos Sandy all should be impactful wide receivers in 2018 as well.

It hurts the team that Meadors went down with an injury. The Illini needed him this season. They will now have to adjust without him. The wide receiver core still should be able to produce solid stats.

Home/Illinois Football