We are into the month of August, and that means Illinois football kicks off within weeks.
It is finally almost here. The Illini haven’t played a game since beating South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl months ago. Now, Illinois is poised to make another run at the College Football Playoff.
To get to the coveted bracket, the Illini are going to need to be on point this season. We can’t falter or the selection committee will pounce. Each player is going to have to play their role perfectly, and Illinois will rely on players like Hank Beatty to be big-time contributors to this program.
Beatty is entering his senior season with the Orange and Blue, and in 2024, his development skyrocketed. He didn’t just become a solid wide receiver, but Illinois actually started to use him in more roles on the team. This development has now earned him some high national praise.
On Thursday, the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award was released. Among the players who made the list was Beatty. This is the award given to the most versatile player in college football. The last two seasons, it was won by Colorado’s Travis Hunter.
Call him 𝘔𝘳. 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦. Hank Beatty named to the 2025 @hornungaward Watch List pic.twitter.com/kLrhOGNWdJ
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) July 31, 2025
Hank Beatty has the versatility to lift Illinois football in games in 2025
Why is Beatty looked at as a versatile player? Well, for starters, he is a talented wide receiver. In 2024, he over doubled his career numbers, putting up 20 receptions for 294 yards and one touchdown. This was in a wide receiver room that had Pat Bryant, an NFL Draft pick, and Zakhari Franklin, who was a sixth-year veteran.
The potential for Beatty in 2025 as a wide receiver is through the roof. He is going to have so many opportunities now that both Bryant and Franklin have departed.
Beatty’s versatility is with his special teams play. He took the reins for Illinois’ punt return team last season, and he was sensational.
For the 2024 campaign, Beatty averaged 14.1 yards per punt return, which was No. 1 in the Big Ten and top-five in the country. Without having played much on the special teams, Beatty was one of the best punt returners in the country, and that is an impressive feat.
There is no question that Beatty should be on the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award. He is extremely versatile and will be a key part of the 2025 campaign.