Illinois Football: 3 adjustments for the Illini after Wisconsin loss

2. Utilize the tight end position

Did you know that Illinois currently has a four-star tight end who was ranked as the No. 51 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 3 tight end in the nation that year?

You wouldn’t know that by watching the Illinois game on Friday night. The player I am referencing is Luke Ford, a star tight end who transferred into the program after spending a year at Georgia and a year sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules.

What is one huge adjustment Illinois needs to make between games? We need to focus on utilizing the tight end position more often.

I believe Ford only had one target the entire night, and he couldn’t bring in the pass because it was thrown off the mark and two defensive players were on him. But it doesn’t make sense that Ford only had one target.

On the other hand, Daniel Barker, incumbent starting tight end, only had two catches for 15 yards on the night. So, our two monster tight ends leading the way for what is arguably our best position, ends the game against Wisconsin with a combined two catches for 15 yards.

A great way to move the chains is to utilize the tight end position. I would say both Barker and Ford need to combine for more catches each game than any wide receiver we have on the team. I don’t want to see these two going downfield on longer routes. I want shorter out-routes and slants with the occasional double move up the seam. These options would help Brandon Peters in case he is being pressured or he needs to dump the ball off.

I am kind of echoing the first slide, but the tight end position would help Peters with his confidence. Every pass doesn’t need to be 30 yards down the field. Utilize one of our strengths, which is the tight end position. This will help the Illini win games.