Hang on, Collin Dixon just had another big catch, and it was probably for a touchdown. Just kidding, but also not really, because when the Illinois offense is on the field, it seems like the ball is in Dixon's hands more often than not.
The Illinois wide receiver room was stacked going into the season with the return of Dixon and Hudson Clement and the addition of FAU transfer Jayshon Platt. Well, Platt has missed the first three games due to injury, and Clement had more than 50 yards for the first time this season vs. Southern Illinois, because Dixon has been Katin Houser's favorite target so far.
The numbers don't even compare when it comes to Dixon and all the other pass-catchers. Through three games, the Illinois pass-catchers, including Dixon, have 758 receiving yards. Dixon has nearly half of them with 369 yards and seven touchdowns. Only one other player has a receiving touchdown this season, and that was Ty Robinson on Illinois' Hail Mary at the end of the first half vs. UAB.
With his seven touchdowns this season, Dixon now holds the record for most receiving touchdowns in a single season at Gies Memorial Stadium...and it's only Week 3.
Another touchdown and a new record.
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 19, 2026
Collin Dixon breaks the Gies Memorial Stadium single-season receiving touchdown record with a 27-yard reception.
9:44 2Q | Illinois 28, SIU 7 pic.twitter.com/q9KWiFaYsg
Now, it is helpful that the Illini have yet to go on the road this season, but it is impressive nonetheless because no one has found an answer for Dixon yet this season. With the pace he is on, Dixon could break way more than this record at Illinois.
Collin Dixon is just 3 touchdowns away from another record at Illinois
Illinois has seen some great receivers in recent seasons, from Pat Bryant II to Hank Beatty, but Dixon is making a claim to be even better. Not only does Dixon now hold the record for most receiving touchdowns at Gies Memorial Stadium in a single season, but he is only three away from the most receiving touchdowns in a single season overall at Illinois.
That is right, the record currently stands at 10, which is a tie between Bryant, David Williams, and Brandon Lloyd. That means Dixon is just three touchdowns away from tying it and four from breaking it with nine games left in the season. Barring an injury that takes him out for the year, it feels like a safe bet that Dixon will claim the record quickly.
Not only is Dixon on pace to break that record, but he is halfway to breaking the overall receiving touchdown record at Illinois, held by David Williams (1983-1985), who scored 24 in his time with the Illini. Dixon has five touchdowns in 2025 and has already surpassed that total with seven in three games this season, giving him a total of 12 so far in his career, halfway to Williams' record.
With the pace Dixon is on right now, he could shatter that record, but it's hard to believe he can continue this pace all season long.
How many touchdowns does Collin Dixon score this season?
— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) September 19, 2026
On pace for about 32 in the regular season right now 😂
Dixon is proving to be the next great wide receiver for Illinois, and he could go down as one of the greatest wide receivers in Illinois history, but it's still early in the season. Let's see how he does once Big Ten play begins.
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