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Illinois Football: Projected Illini offensive depth chart for 2022

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 30, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini tight end Luke Ford (82) and teammates wait to take the field for the start of Saturday’s NCAA football game with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini tight end Luke Ford (82) and teammates wait to take the field for the start of Saturday’s NCAA football game with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – SEPTEMBER 25: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet is seen during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 25, 2021 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver

Starter: Pat Bryant

I had Pat Bryant as a second-string wide receiver this season, but he is quickly rising on the depth chart, so I think he will end up being a starter for the Orange and Blue. Bryant is someone we got to see last season as a freshman. He impressed then with his six receptions for 68 yards, but I think we have only seen a glimpse of his true potential.

At 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, Bryant has a chance to be special for the Illini. He is a massive target with insane speed. It wouldn’t shock me to see him as one of the primary red zone options this season. I also think he could compete for the most receiving yards on the team. One thing is for certain, Bryant should be a starter for the Illini.

Backup: Brian Hightower

Illinois was able to land Brian Hightower via the transfer portal a couple of seasons ago, and I think he is going to be a solid second-string option this year. While he hasn’t lived up to his four-star billing out of high school, there is still time to show that he can be a good wide receiver at this level.

Hightower didn’t play much last season. He did see action in four games but ended up taking a redshirt to save a year of eligibility. This season, I expect solid numbers out of him. He has the talent, and now I want to see it on the field.

Backup: Jonah Morris

Jonah Morris is hustling and building his career one team at a time. He started with Northern Colorado where he had 20 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown. He then transferred to Akron where he had 26 receptions for 381 yards and one touchdown last season.

Morris is now with the Illini for his final two years of eligibility. He is a nice big target at 6-foot-4, 210-pounds, so don’t be surprised if he works his way up the depth chart. For now, though, I have him as a third-string wide receiver for Illinois.

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