We are now out of the month of July, and that means one thing. Illinois football is on the horizon.
With the season kicking off this month, the Illini are poised to have a good year. We loaded up with some talent in the offseason and used the transfer portal well.
It is time to look at what the Illini will put on the field when it comes to offensive personnel.
Here is the projected 2024 Illinois football offensive depth chart
Quarterback
Starter: Luke Altmyer
Without a doubt, Luke Altmyer is going to be the starter heading into the 2024 campaign. He is the incumbent starter from 2023, and as long as he is healthy, I imagine he starts every game for Illinois this season.
In his first year in Champaign, Altmyer threw for 1,883 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He would have had better numbers, but he dealt with some injuries and the spark of backup quarterback, John Paddock.
I don’t think Altmyer has to worry about what is behind him on the depth chart in 2024, though. When push comes to shove, he only had one truly bad game last season, and that was the four-interception contest against Penn State.
I expect Altmyer to have a good 2024 season and be one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten. He has the weapons, now it is his time to shine.
Backups
I have two main options backing up Altmyer in 2024. I think when it is all said and done, Donovan Leary is the primary backup to Altmyer. I believe Bret Bielema will go to him over Cal Swanson if need be.
The thing that worries me the most about Illinois’ backups is the fact they haven’t taken a snap at the college level. Leary is entering his redshirt sophomore season and wasn’t used in 2023, and Swanson took a redshirt as a freshman last season.
At the end of the day, I see Leary and Swanson as the two main backups in the quarterback room. If called upon, I imagine Leary is the player next in line.
Running Back
Starter: Kaden Feagin
As far as physically imposing running backs are concerned, I think Kaden Feagin might take the cake. He is a monster at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds.
I believe Feagin is going to be the undisputed starter at running back for the Illinois football team in 2024. Will other running backs get carries? Sure, but Feagin is the workhorse in the Illini backfield.
As a true freshman, Feagin saw 95 carries for 438 yards and two touchdowns. He also averaged a solid 4.6 yards per carry. If Feagin hadn’t dealt with some injuries later in 2023, he would have had an even bigger season.
Honestly, that is the only question about Feagin at this point. He has proven that he can be a great runner of the football and someone who is difficult to bring down. Shoot, I could see him turning into something similar to that of Derrick Henry down the road. But health is the key factor in making that happen.
Feagin will be the starter in 2024, though. He shared carries with Reggie Love III last season, but I believe Feagin’s starting spot was one of the main reasons Love hit the transfer portal. Look for Feagin to have a massive 2024 campaign.
Backups
I actually like the stable of running backs Illinois has entering the 2024 season. While there are a few great options at backup, I see Aidan Laughery drawing the most carries, and it won’t be close.
Laughery had 16 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown last season. While he was out-carried 43-16 by Josh McCray, he was much more effective, as Laughery averaged 5.1 yards per carry compared to McCray’s 3.6 yards per carry.
When you get to the third and fourth string, I think McCray and incoming freshman Ca’Lil Valentine will duke it out. McCray can’t stay healthy at no fault of his own. Illinois landed Valentine, a four-star, from the class of 2024. I could see him making an impact immediately. This will be a battle to keep an eye on.
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.
Tight End
Starter: Cole Rusk
Losing Tip Reiman is going to hurt the Illinois football team in 2024. He was a good tight end, and now he is getting a chance in the NFL. But, as I mentioned earlier, the offseason was good to the Illini.
Illinois was able to pull in a top tight end with the addition of Cole Rusk. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound monster had 39 receptions for 512 yards and six touchdowns with Murray State last season. I don’t expect those numbers due to depth and better opposing defenses, but he should be able to give Illinois at least the Reiman numbers from last year of 19 receptions for 203 yards and three touchdowns.
I think the Illini coaching staff wants the offense to be explosive, and having Rusk starting at tight end would give us that spark. In my eyes, he is the starter heading into the first game.
Backups
I use the term backups in this spot loosely. Illinois won’t just play Rusk in 2024. I think the Illini could easily play at least three tight ends quite a bit.
The first backup off the bench behind Rusk should be Tanner Arkin. He is more of a blocking tight end, so I could see him and Rusk on the field at the same time. These two should give headaches to opposing defenses.
Following Arkin will likely be Henry Boyer. Playing 97 snaps in 2023, Boyer does have some experience that will be valuable to the Illinois offense. I look for Boyer to expand on his three receptions for 20 yards from last season.
Offensive Line
Starter: OT Melvin Priestly
Illinois had an okay offensive line in 2023, and I think with the offseason we just had, the blocking could improve this season.
Melvin Priestly was a big get in the transfer portal. He played at Grambling State last season and was one of the most wanted offensive tackles available this offseason. Illinois swooped in to land him.
Illinois had both Isaiah Adams and Julian Pearl land with professional teams, and Priestly’s overall grade from 2023 was similar to those two Illini offensive linemen. I am not expecting perfection out of Priestly, but he is going to be a solid starting offensive tackle for the Illinois football program.
Backups
Behind Priestly, I have a couple of solid options. I think Dezmond Schuster is one of the first offensive tackles off the bench to get snaps. He is coming off a season where he didn’t see snaps and is ready to come into his own.
Another option at offensive tackle is Brandon Hansen. He was a good get for Illinois in the class of 2024. My expectation is that he eventually takes a redshirt, but if we need him for health purposes, he will be ready.
Starter: OG Kevin Wigenton II
This one was a bit tougher than most of the other offensive line positions. Illinois has a couple of good offensive guards who will likely see starts this season, but I think Kevin Wigenton II will take the starting job to begin the 2024 season.
Illinois was able to load up in the transfer portal this offseason. I already mentioned adding offensive tackle Melvin Priestly, and the Illini snagged Wigenton from the transfer portal as well from Michigan State.
Among all of the guards for the Illini, Wigenton had the highest grade from Pro Football Focus. He not only gives Illinois a solid starter on the front lines, but his presence builds great depth at a position that doesn’t usually have depth.
Backups
The main backup to Wigenton this season should be Josh Gesky. He was a big piece of the Illinois offensive line in 2023, as he played 521 snaps and was a solid contributor to the offense. I think Gesky will likely see multiple starts this season, but it is nice to have a good one-two punch at this guard role.
I also have TJ McMillen as a backup to Wigenton and Gesky. He took a redshirt last season, so I don’t expect to see much of McMillen in 2024. He is a nice depth piece, though.
Starter: C Josh Kreutz
From day one, Josh Kreutz has been a big part of the Illinois offense. He wasn’t the highest-rated recruit at his position, but he has stepped into a leadership role on the offensive line.
Kreutz has been a workhorse for the Illinois football program. He played 853 snaps and started every game for the Illini in 2023. Kreutz made the All-Big Ten honorable mention list, and he enters the 2024 campaign as a preseason All-Big Ten fourth team.
I am excited to see Kreutz continue to develop as the anchor for the Illinois offensive line. As a junior, I expect big things out of him this season. That is why I believe he will continue to start as long as he is on the roster.
Backups
Clearly, Illinois didn’t have much use for a backup, as Kreutz played 853 snaps in 2023. But in the spring game, I believe Kevin Wigenton II moved over to snap the ball to our backup quarterbacks.
Landing Wigenton out of the transfer portal is going to be valuable for more than one reason. Yes, he is a great player at guard and will provide depth at that position, but he is also flexible enough to play multiple roles. That is huge for the Illini.
Starter: OG Zy Crisler
After playing at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2021, Zy Crisler ended up transferring and landing with the Illini. Since he joined the program, he has started in 24 games in two seasons and has been an honorable mention All-Big Ten both times around.
Entering the 2024 campaign, I don’t see Bret Bielema changing course. I see him starting Crisler once again, and this is probably the best move. With so many starts under his belt, Crisler provides great experience for the Illinois offensive line.
The only issue that may arise is the fact Crisler didn’t play all that well last season. He is great at pulling, but his pass blocking is below average. At one time, he was one of the lowest-rated offensive guards in the country. Keep an eye on Crisler early on in the season. If he struggles, it wouldn’t shock me to see him pulled. I think he is our starter for game one, though.
Backups
This is where Illinois gets a little weak. Behind Crisler, Wigenton, and Gesky, the talent kind of drops off. Behind Crisler, I have Hunter Whitenack as the backup. He played 263 snaps in 2023, so he has experience.
Honestly, if push comes to shove, I think there is a solid chance Gesky plays both guard roles when someone needs a rest.
Behind Cisler and Whitenack, I then have Zach Aamland providing depth in the third string. He was a freshman in 2023 and took a redshirt. His development will be something to watch this season.
Starter: OT JC Davis
I have mentioned this numerous times already, but the Illinois offseason was tremendous. The coaching staff was able to go out and get some big pieces to fill huge voids, especially in the offensive line.
Arguably the biggest get for the Illini was offensive tackle, JC Davis. Davis was the No. 8 rated offensive tackle among both the FBS and the FCS last season. He started in 24 games the last two seasons with New Mexico, and in 2023, he was a member of the All-Mountain West first team.
Entering the 2024 campaign, pundits aren’t giving Davis his flowers. He is coming into the season as a preseason Big Ten third and fourth-team player by some of the outlets, but I think Davis is about to have a big year. He is going to be a part of an Illinois team that has a powerful offense. I am excited to see what Luke Altmyer can do with some time in the pocket. Davis is going to be starting every game for the Orange and Blue.
Backups
I think the primary backup to Davis is going to be Brandon Henderson. As a freshman in 2023, he played in eight games for the program. I love the potential this kid has and fully expect him to blossom into a great player for this program.
Competing for snaps should also be Magnus Moller. He didn’t play as a redshirt freshman in 2023, but at 6-foot-9, I think we can find some snaps for the big man. Illinois has some nice depth enter the upcoming season.