Illinois football looks to have another Pat Bryant complete package type of player

Week one came and went, and Illinois football survived a pesky UAB squad.

Katin Houser had a good opening game for the Illini, throwing one of the most efficient outings in program history. The recipient of nearly half of Houser’s completions was Collin Dixon.

The Illini wide receiver had a big game to start 2026, going for six receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns. His two scores were a career high, and Dixon has only had two other games in his three-year career with more receiving yards.

In Monday’s press conference leading up to the Duke contest on Saturday, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. took to the mic and gave Dixon some high praise, comparing him to current NFL and former Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant.

“They (Pat Bryant & Collin Dixon) are different players physically, but their character, their makeup, their football IQ, their awareness, their detail; very similar. Very similar players.”

Dixon isn’t just relying on what he has learned thus far from the Bret Bielema era at Illinois. He continues to improve and get better.

“Collin has been on the steady track of improvement. He gives us everything he’s got.”

Those are some pretty big words from Lunney. It is going to be hard to live up to the Bryant billing, but Dixon is well on his way.

At this point in his career, Dixon is clearly Illinois’ No. 1 wide receiver. He has the reins of the wide receiver corps, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he lands in the 1,000-yard range by season’s end.

Let’s not forget, Illinois football had to fight for Collin Dixon’s commitment a few years ago

Dixon had a great start to the season last Thursday with his 70-yard outing. There will be more of those to come, and this is on the heels of Dixon finishing with 548 yards and five touchdowns in 2025.

Let’s not forget how Illinois landed Dixon. He wasn’t the highest-rated recruit in the country, checking in as the No. 824 player in the class of 2023. Illinois wasn’t his first choice, either.

Dixon took official visits to Illinois and then Wisconsin in June 2022. A commitment came just days later, and he picked the Badgers as his landing spot.

Illinois didn’t give up on his recruitment. Wisconsin played Illinois in October 2022, and the Illini were victorious. The Badgers fired head coach Paul Chryst, and Dixon reopened his recruitment.

Northwestern and Illinois both got official visits, and the Illini ended up winning out this time around.

This ended up being a great choice by Dixon. He was a major part of a big season in 2025, and now he is the lead dog on a good Illinois team in 2026. Dixon isn’t a part of the future anymore. He is the present, and he is here to stay.

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