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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 07: Trevon Sidney #81 of the USC Trojans gets past Jonathan Willis #32 of the Oregon State Beavers for a first down in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 07: Trevon Sidney #81 of the USC Trojans gets past Jonathan Willis #32 of the Oregon State Beavers for a first down in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver #3

Starter: Trevon Sidney

The No. 3 starting wide receiver for the Illinois football team should go to Trevon Sidney. A transfer from USC in 2019, Sidney didn’t get to play much due to an injury. He was starting, though, and should be in that position again in 2020.

Sidney, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound California native, ended up catching 16 passes for 123 yards and 1 touchdown in his inaugural season with Illinois. The injuries may have hampered his junior year, but Sidney is ready to show the world what he has in his final go of things. Look for this kid to really surprise people in 2020.

Primary Backup: Donny Navarro

Illinois’ impressive depth really shines bright with Donny Navarro being a primary backup to Sidney at the No. 3 wide receiver spot. Entering his junior year, Navarro has started to make a name for himself.

As a sophomore, Navarro finished the season catching 27 passes for 345 yards and 2 touchdowns. He did this filling in for injuries players, but that experience has helped Navarro move up the depth chart. He should be able to see more snaps in 2020.

Backup: James Frenchie

A huge commitment for the class of 2020, James Frenchie enters the Illinois program as one of the best wide receivers in the country. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound St. Louis product was the No. 407 player in the class of 2020. I see Frenchie playing this season in some capacity but entering 2021 still as a freshman. This season should be great for his development. I have him pretty deep on the depth chart.

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