Illinois football had eight wins in 2022, which marks the best season since the Ron Zook era.
Those eight wins were on the backs of some great Illini talent. Chase Brown rushed his way into the Illinois record books. Tommy DeVito was the most accurate single-season passer in Illinois history. Devon Witherspoon was a consensus All-American.
All of that talent is now gone, though. Players on the Illinois roster will have to step up and fill those massive voids left by talented players. But who will thrive in this opportunity?
Here are the top five Illinois football players poised to have a breakout season in 2023
5. Isaiah Williams
I believe there are different levels of breaking out. One of the levels is when you haven’t done anything and then you burst onto the scene. The other level is when you had a really good season, but then you follow it up with a great year that elevates you to the next level.
With Isaiah Williams, he had a good year in 2022. In fact, I would argue he had one of the better seasons from an Illini wide receiver in the past decade. Williams would end the 2022 bowl run with 82 receptions for 715 yards and five touchdowns. This included 120 yards from 10 receptions in the bowl game against Mississippi State.
The reason that I believe Williams will have a breakout season is due to the fact that I believe he will have monster numbers in 2023. I think there is a chance he goes over 100 receptions and 1200 yards receiving. His performance could easily put him in serious conversation to be a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Illinois is going to lean on Williams a lot in the passing game. We have a new quarterback coming in, and a good safety blanket is a slot receiver going over the middle.
I fully expect Williams to have a big year. I also expect this to be his final year at Illinois. I think the NFL will come calling because of the talent he brings to the table.