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Projected 2023 Illinois football depth chart – offense

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 22, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams (1) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Chattanooga Mocs at Memorial Stadium. The Illinois Fighting Illini won the game, 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams (1) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Chattanooga Mocs at Memorial Stadium. The Illinois Fighting Illini won the game, 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) makes a reception as Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Justin Walley (5) defends during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) makes a reception as Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Justin Walley (5) defends during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receiver

  • Starter: Pat Bryant

The third and final starting wide receiver for the Illinois football program is likely to be Pat Bryant. He wasn’t a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school. Bryant was just a three-star recruit who was the No. 1030 player in the class of 2021. He was thrown to the wolves from day one, though.

Bryant started a game as a freshman, and he then started 11 games last season. He would finish the 2022 campaign with 34 receptions for 453 yards and two touchdowns. I fully expect Bryant to be starting once again in 2023. Illinois is loaded at wide receiver. Bryant is kind of flying under the radar. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him finish as an All-Big Ten player this season.

  • 2nd String: Kenari Wilcher

I think there are a couple of freshmen who could make a huge impact on the Illinois wide receiver corps. I already mentioned Malik Elzy, but I think Kenari Wilcher could also be a big-time playmaker. He was a three-star recruit who was the No. 717 player in the class of 2023. Wilcher enrolled early, and the coaches have given him high praise. I could see Wilcher getting a lot of snaps in 2023.

  • 3rd String: Alex Capka-Jones

Illinois was able to snag junior college wide receiver Alex Capka-Jones from the class of 2023. He suited up for Moorpark College in 2022, and now he is taking his talents to Champaign. At 6-foot-4, Capka-Jones is kind of a wild card. He could end up being a nice red zone target for the Illini. For now, I have him as the third-string wide receiver.

  • 4th String: Ashton Hollins

Ashton Hollins came into the Illinois program from the class of 2022. After playing in a couple of games, he would take a redshirt last season. I don’t expect Hollins to get too many snaps in tight games. Look for him to continue to develop and be a nice depth piece moving forward.

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