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Illinois Football: 5 Illini freshmen who will make the biggest impact

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sits on top of a dryer on the sidelines during the Big Ten Conference college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 13, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sits on top of a dryer on the sidelines during the Big Ten Conference college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 13, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, IL – NOVEMBER 24: A general stock view of an Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on November 24, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. James Frenchie – Freshman – Wide Receiver

I think some people might be surprised by this one, but I think James Frenchie could be a big-time impactful player on this Illinois football team in year one. Yes, he is only a true freshman, but this kid can fly on the football field.

Frenchie was another highly-rated recruiting when Illinois was recruiting him. He was a three-star wide receiver who was ranked as the No. 406 player in the class of 2020. Frenchie, Shammond Cooper and Reggie Love all played together at Trinity Catholic too.

Illinois’ wide receiver depth took a hit in recent weeks. I thought we would have had Ricky Smalling out wide for the 2020 campaign, which would have been his senior year. But the talented pass catcher decided to leave the program. There is no word on why he left and where he is going.

If Smalling doesn’t want to be at Illinois, that only means there is an open spot for someone to take on the depth chart. While I have Casey Washington stepping up in the starting role, I still have Frenchie being a main backup at wide receiver.

There should be plenty of snaps available for Frenchie from day one. I think he has a chance to make an impact and, potentially, make the All-Big Ten Freshman team. That would be an impressive feat.

Frenchie has the speed and catching ability to probably see a start or two this year. I think he will become a full-time starter as a sophomore, though. For now, this kid should make a huge impact on the team and fill in for the missing snaps that Smalling left behind.

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