Writing Illini
Fansided

Projected 2024 Illinois football offensive depth chart

The season is just weeks away, so it is time to take a look at what the 2024 Illinois football offense should look like to start the 2024 campaign.

By Rees Woodcock

Wisconsin v Illinois
Wisconsin v Illinois / Michael Hickey/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next

Wide Receiver

Starter: Pat Bryant

One of Illinois’ best wide receivers in 2023 was Pat Bryant. He was overshadowed by Isaiah Williams’ playmaking abilities, but Bryant could hold his own.

Bryant finished last season with 43 receptions for 560 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Bryant has developed into a great red zone option. He now has roughly a full season and full offseason with Luke Altmyer at quarterback. That chemistry has only grown over the past year.

I have Bryant as one of the main starting wide receivers for the Illini. When the 2024 season has concluded, don’t be shocked if Bryant is a member of the All-Big Ten.

Starter: Malik Elzy

As a freshman, Malik Elzy showed flashes of talent with the Illini. He ended the 2023 campaign with five receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown. I believe this is only the beginning of great things to come as well.

I have Elzy as one of the starting wide receivers heading into the 2024 season. Not only could you see Elzy’s potential, but he now has a year with Luke Altmyer at quarterback, and multiple Illinois players departed the program who were ahead of him.

Elzy was a high four-star coming into the program. I fully expect him to start and have a big season. Look for Elzy to go for over 500 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024.

Starter: Zakhari Franklin

The third starter at wide receiver is one of the biggest offseason additions to the Illinois football program. The transfer portal was actually pretty good to Bret Bielema, as it gave us Ole Miss and UTSA transfer, Zakhari Franklin.

Franklin was a big-time wide receiver with the Roadrunners from 2018 through 2022. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in both of his final two seasons with UTSA. Franklin’s great ability enabled him to enter the transfer portal and land with Ole Miss.

Sadly, injuries got in the way of Franklin’s 2023 campaign. He only had four receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown. He then re-entered the transfer portal and is now with Illinois.

A player with Franklin’s experience and talent doesn’t come off the bench. I see him as a day-one starter and that shouldn’t change unless injury strikes again. Franklin will help bring more playmaking ability to the Illinois offense. Weapons-wise, we are loaded in 2024.

Backups

I am impressed with Illinois’ depth at wide receiver entering the season. I originally thought we could struggle at the position after losing Isaiah Williams and Casey Washington, but the Illini should be fine.

The first wide receivers off the bench should be Ashton Hollins and Hank Beatty. Hollins had nine receptions for 119 yards in 2023, and Beatty wasn’t far behind with eight receptions for 65 yards. These two will get plenty of snaps this season.

Heading down the line to the next level, I expect Mario Sanders III, Collin Dixon, and Kenari Wilcher to all be fighting for snaps.

Home/Illinois Football