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Illinois Football: Projected Illini depth chart on offense for 2020

By Rees Woodcock

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Brandon Peters #18 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up prior to the start of the RedBox Bowl game against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Brandon Peters #18 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up prior to the start of the RedBox Bowl game against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 09: Josh Imatorbhebhe #9 of the Illinois Fighting Illini catches a fourth quarter fourth down pass to keep the drive alive between Xavier Henderson #3 and Shakur Brown #29 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 09, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Illinois Fighting Illini won the game 37-34. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver #1

Starter: Josh Imatorbhebhe

Playing in 2020 was important because I believe Josh Imatorbhebhe would have departed for the NFL. But we are playing, and I have Imatorbhebhe as the starting No. 1 wide receiver on the Illinois football depth chart.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound pass-catcher came into the Illinois program in 2019 and was amazing. He was the main target of Brandon Peters, catching 33 passes for 634 yards and 9 touchdowns. Some extremely memorable moments came from Imatorbhebhe last season and look for that again in 2020. He should be one of the premier wide receivers in college football.

Primary Backup: Desmond Dan

Illinois received a plethora of transfer talent over the last couple of years, one of those transfers being Desmond Dan. A 6-foot-3, 195-pound wide receiver, Dan transferred in from New Mexico State and should make an impact early on.

2018 was Dan’s best year as he caught 37 passes for 491 yards and 3 touchdowns. I see him more as one of our bigger targets who will spell snaps for Imatorbhebhe. I don’t expect a ton out of Dan in 2020, but he is nice depth on the Illinois roster.

Backup: Kyron Cumby

Kyron Cumby will most likely be another solid backup for the Illini in 2020. Coming into the Illinois program as a highly-rated recruit, Cumby took a redshirt after playing in a couple of games for the Orange and Blue.

Before he officially redshirted, Cumby had 2 receptions for 31 yards. These brief moments on the field enabled Illinois fans to see what is to come with the talented pass catcher. With his 5-foot-8, 180-pound frame, Cumby should be a tough player to handle. Look for the Illini to insert him into the fold at times in 2020.

Backup: Dalevon Campbell

Dalevon Campbell didn’t take a redshirt in 2019, so he is entering his sophomore season. He didn’t take a snap at wide receiver but played on special teams. I don’t expect to see Campbell out on the field often on offense unless we have a huge lead.

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