Illinois Football: Expectations for Josh Imatorbhebe in 2020

The Illinois football team once again hit it big in the transfer market after snagging Josh Imatorbhebe from USC in 2019.

247Sports rated Imatorbhebe as a four-star recruit, the No. 123 ranked player in the nation and the No. 18 wide receiver coming out of North Gwinnett High School in Georgia. Imatorbhebe committed to the Illini with two years of eligibility remaining.

In Imatorbehebe’s first season with the Illini, he did not hesitate to make his presence felt. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver caught 33 balls for 634 yards and 9 touchdowns in just 11 games prior to suffering an injury that forced him to miss the final three games in 2019.

Imatorbhebe was far and away the Illini’s most dangerous offensive weapon, putting up a whopping 19.2 yards per catch. He will bring back 40.7-percent of the Illini’s receiving yards and 45-percent of the touchdowns from skill players who are returning.

To keep it simple, Imatorbhebe has essentially surpassed any expectation prior to his arrival and should continue to be the head of the snake in the receiver room.

Moving forward, what can we expect from Imatorbhebe in his final stint with the Illini?

My key piece to harp on here and the overarching expectation is…a lot more consistency. Imatorbhebhe spoiled Lovie Smith and Illini Nation at times with so many big plays, and while those should not be going anywhere, he needs to be a bit less boom or bust to help the Illini stabilize their offense.

The top offensive threat out wide should not be catching just three balls per game. Expect Coach Smith and Brandon Peters to put a focus on hitting Imatorbhehe with more short and intermediate routes in order to keep drives moving and open up the potential for more explosive plays off of double moves and play actions.

Imatorbhebe broke school records in year one and should make some more room on the trophy shelf as more are definitely on the way in 2020. With the questions remain concerning the Illini defense and the front seven, even more pressure will be on the offense to take care of the ball and swallow up more time of possession.

The Illini went 4-2 in 2019 when Imatorbhebe had at least 40 yards receiving and that trend should continue.

Imatorbhebhe is a physical presence on the perimeter with massive strides, a powerful leaping ability and an impressive tendency to high-point the ball over corners and safeties. If he can sharpen his route-running ability and show his versatility, it will go a long way for Peters, Coach Rod Smith, the other weapons in the receiving room and for Imatorbhebe as he moves forward with goals to play in the NFL.

With what should be a more consistent balance of attack through the air and on the ground, more space should be open for Imatorbhebe to attack the sidelines and center of the field off of play actions. More explosive catches are to come, but with the success of 2019, comes a lot more attention on the scouting report from the opposing teams.

With a shortened schedule and just eight games against Big Ten foes, Imatorbhebe is extremely likely to be the first name listed for each team as they prepare for the Illini. He will face double teams, safeties over the top and bracket coverage game in and game out, meaning his development as an intermediate and run after the catch threat will be the biggest catalysts for his consistency this season.

Expect the Illini to target Imatorbhebe with more consistency. The big plays will break some games open, and in others, they’ll be the strongest decoy that the Illini could ask for. Expect Imatorbhebe to be peppered once the Illini enter the red zone.

As much as Imatorbhebe surprised many in 2019, he still has a lot to prove to NFL scouts. Making an All-Big Ten team would be a strong step in that direction, and I would not count that out.

Statistical Projection

8 games, 36 receptions, 512 yards, 6 touchdowns