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Illinois Football: 3 Illini players who could have a breakout 2020 season

By Jalen Wilson

WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - OCTOBER 26: Tony Adams #6 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs with the football after his interception in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 26, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - OCTOBER 26: Tony Adams #6 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs with the football after his interception in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 26, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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EAST HARTFORD, CT – SEPTEMBER 07: Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe (9) reacts to a call during the game between the UConn Huskies and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 7, 2019 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Josh Imatorbhebhe

Josh Imatorebhebhe is a player who was such a huge get for the Illini in the 2019 offseason. He was a four-star recruit back in 2016 but picked USC as his landing spot out of high school. In 2019, he transferred to the Orange and Blue and didn’t disappoint.

In the 2019 season, Imatorbhebhe caught 33 passes for 634 yards and nine touchdowns. He also averaged 19.2 yards per catch. Imatorbhebhe was the biggest threat for the Illinois football receiving corps last year. He stepped up after Trevon Sidney and Ricky Smalling both went out with injuries.

Even with teams keying in on him, Imatorbhebhe still put up impressive numbers. Against Michigan State, he put up 178 yards and 2 touchdowns while averaging 44.5 yards per catch. He then put up 102 yards and 1 touchdown while averaging 20.4 yards per catch against Michigan.

It will be hard for Imatorbhebhe to replicate his 2019 performance. I say this because players such as Ricky Smalling, Trevon Sidney and Luke ford will be playing next season. But I do think he will put up better numbers than last year.

Why I think that is because Imatorbhebhe and Brandon Peters developed good chemistry on the field in 2019. That is why, next season, I expect him to have around 30 receptions, 800 yards and 7 touchdowns.

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