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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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Oct 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Casey Washington (14) celebrates his game winning catch in the ninth overtime against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Casey Washington (14) celebrates his game winning catch in the ninth overtime against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receiver

Starter: Casey Washington

The third starting wide receiver for the Illinois football team was an easy one. Casey Washington is back for another year in Champaign, and I think he is poised for a big season.

Washington finished his 2021 campaign with 21 receptions for 294 yards, which were both No. 2 on the team behind Isaiah Williams. I think Washington is going to have another big year. Look for increased receptions and yards, and for him to be in consideration for an All-Big Ten team. That is how talented I think Washington can be for the Illini.

Backup: Eian Pugh

Illinois’ class of 2022 is bringing in some serious wide receiver talent. I already mentioned Shawn Miller as a second-string option for the Illini, and I believe Eian Pugh could fit in that category as well.

Pugh was the No. 767 player coming out of the class of 2022. Illinois was able to flip him, as he was committed to Cincinnati before signing with the Illini. Pugh is a 6-foot-3, 160-pound monster. I think he is going to ascend up the Illinois depth chart quickly. Look for Pugh to be a big part of this offense and then maybe even move into a starting role in 2023.

Backup: Miles Scott & Khmari Thompson

I am curious to see if Miles Scott or Khmari Thompson can receive some snaps at wide receiver during the 2022 campaign. If I had to guess, Scott would get the most action. He had a good spring game and impressed me at times. Thompson is more of a special teams player. Look for both of them to compete for snaps at wide receiver, though.

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