Illinois Football: 3 positions the Illini need to address for 2019

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 03: An Illini cheerleader celebrates a touchdown by carrying the Block I flag down the sidelines during a Big Ten Conference football game on November 3, 2018, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Wide Receiver

The wide receiver position was an issue last season. The Illini pass catchers dropped a lot of passes in 2018, and I want to see that change moving forward. Adding another wide receiver would help build some depth at the position.

It looks like Illinois has nine scholarship wide receivers on the roster right now. Ricky Smalling is the No. 1 for the Illini, and he will be a junior this upcoming season. I trust his ability, although he did drop some big passes last season.

The No. 2 heading into 2019 is, probably, going to be AD Miller. He is a graduate transfer who should see a lot of time immediately. But, the problem with Miller is the fact that he will be departing after this season. Illinois is going to need players to step up in his place.

It is tough to say who the No. 3 pass catcher is going to be. Edwin Carter looked good for the two passes he caught before a gruesome injury last season. Dominic Stampley, Trenard Davis, Justice Williams, Caleb Reams and Carlos Sandy are all back as well. I also like Casey Washington who is coming in from the class of 2019 already.

Two wide receiver recruits that should still be targets are La’Vontae Shenault and RaJae Johnson. I was able to confirm with both of these pass catchers about a month ago that Illinois was still pursuing them. Shenault is a top 400 player and Johnson is the best junior college wide receiver in the class of 2019.

If Illinois could land one of these two, that would be big for the program. I think we need to add another weapon for our quarterbacks to utilize.

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