Illinois Football: Illini snubbed on latest top five position lists

Pro Football Focus College put out their top five Big Ten players at every position, and I believe the Illinois football team was snubbed in more than one category.

The first category I take a little issue with is at wide receiver. The top five wide receivers on the PFFC top five include Rashod Bateman, Rondale Moore, Chris Olave, David Bell and Whop Philyor.

This is a solid list, don’t get me wrong, but I could make a case for Josh Imatorbhebhe to be in the top five. This kid was Illinois’ offense in the passing game last year. He is someone who can go up and pull down just about any ball thrown his way.

Imatorbhebhe didn’t have the number of targets the other wide receivers had on this list, but he did put up some big-time numbers. He averaged 19.2 yards per catch in 2019, which ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten. He also pulled in nine touchdown receptions, which ranked No. 5 in the conference.

It isn’t Imatorbhebhe’s fault that the volume wasn’t there. He was still able to score more touchdowns than Moore, Bell and Philyor, all three are in PFFC’s top five.

I am pretty confused about the tight end spot as well. The top five for PFFC includes Pat Friermuth, Peyton Hendershot, Jake Ferguson and Sam LaPorta.

The top three on this list look good to me. Those three tight ends are tough to crack. But for some reason, there are only four tight ends listed and Sam LaPorta is on the list.

LaPorta finished last year with 15 receptions for 188 yards and 0 touchdowns. Illinois’ starting tight end, Daniel Barker, had 18 receptions for 273 yards and 4 touchdowns. Barker was tied for the third-most touchdowns by a tight end in the Big Ten in 2019. I am not sure why he isn’t on this list.

These two were the main omissions that stood out to me. But there were a few other positions that Illinois could have cracked as well.

I would like to have seen Nate Hobbs on the top cornerback list. I believe this kid is poised for a great senior campaign and has been a staple in the Illinois defense for the last four years.

Vederian Lowe was also left off the top five tackles in the Big Ten. The talented offensive lineman has been a rock for the Illini as he has started in every game the last two seasons and a total of 32 starts during his three-year career.

Illinois made multiple top-five lists according to PFFC, but there were a few snubs. This season is going to be special and people need to buckle up.