The Illinois football wide receiving core has been active to start the season, but one player still needs to make his mark on this team to fully unlock this offense's potential.
Transfer Hudson Clement from West Virginia was slated to be the next top target for Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer, but so far through three games, he has been anything but that.
With just five total receptions for 75 yards and no touchdowns, many thought Clement would have eclipsed those numbers within the first game.
Although Illinois has been able to defeat their weaker non-conference opponents with ease, the Illini will need Clement to get his game going with the start of conference play.
For starters, playing at Indiana to open up the conference schedule is no easy task, and the team will need all hands on deck if they want to pull off the victory. A strong start with a conference win could greatly impact the team's Big Ten title and College Football Playoff hopes.
Likewise, giving Altmyer more options will allow the offense to flourish. Being able to go through multiple reads instead of just relying on one will make this offense more open and dynamic.
After Justin Bowick, who has been highly involved in the offense thus far, missed most of the last game with an injury and is questionable to play against Indiana, those options for Altmyer are starting to dwindle.
A hole has opened in the receiving core, and Clement needs to do his best to fill it or else the offense could look ugly come Saturday night.
Clement needs to prove to the team, and possibly himself, that he belongs on the field. He is a very talented player and needs to find his form again if the Illini want to keep their playoff hopes alive.