Jayshon Platt could be the transfer portal star Illinois' offense needs this season

For the third straight year, Illinois is looking for a WR1 in fall camp. There are obvious answers when you look at the vet guys returning, like Collin Dixon and Hudson Clement, but maybe the Illini should take a look at transfer Jayshon Platt, whose blazing speed just made the highlight reel on social media.

Sometimes it's hard to get a good look into how things are going in fall camp. Videos can be hard to come by, but Illinois just supplied its fans with a stellar clip of its newest wide receiver. Coming from FAU, Platt may not have the power conference experience, but does that really matter with the speed he showed against Xavier Scott during this fall camp clip?

Scott is one of the best returning defenders for Illinois, and sure, he is coming off an injury in the 2025 season, but Platt made him look like a freshman on his first day of camp. Platt's speed in his route is the first thing you notice in the clip, but his catch at the end - that is what makes him a stellar candidate for the WR1 position in this Illinois offense.

Even in a new system, Jayshon Platt has an easy play for the WR1 position

After spending four years in a system at FAU, Platt needs time to learn the new system at Illinois. The good news is that Platt was able to get work in with the Illini during spring ball, so fall camp should simply serve as a refresher course.

In his fourth season with the Owls, Platt was second in receiving yards with 720 behind Easton Messer with 1,052. Dixon, who was also the second-leading receiver for the Illini last season, finished with 548, and both players reeled in five touchdowns apiece.

Now, Dixon and Clement bring something that Platt simply can't bring to the offensive this season: experience with the Illini, but it's not like Luke Alymyer is returning this season. Instead, Illinois has ECU transfer Katin Houser as their starter this season, so any past quarterback connections won't play a factor here.

So, while Platt doesn't bring system experience, he does bring something that is a clear advantage over Dixon and Clement: speed. Platt is going to be Hank Beatty's replacement in the slot, and Beatty was the leading receiver for the Illini last season. Something Beatty and Platt have in common is explosive speed off the line, as shown in the video above.

As a former high school track star who ran a 10.9-second 100 meters, Platt's speed is undeniable on the field, and it could give him the leg up in being Houser's number one option. Dixon and Clement can be the safe options in the middle of the field for Houser, but Platt's speed will stretch the field vertically, opening up options on both ends.

Defenses will have to choose between taking away the deep ball with Platt or stopping the easier passes in the middle to Dixon and Clement. The speed and experience that Platt brings to this offense could be the key to being Illinois' No. 1 receiver.

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