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Projected Illinois football wide receiver depth chart with Bennett Konkey

Illinois football had a big-time four-star recruit commit on Tuesday, and it will affect the depth chart for the next few years.
ByRees Woodcock|
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Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Collin Dixon (17) reacts after a catch and run during the second half against the Southern California Trojans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Collin Dixon (17) reacts after a catch and run during the second half against the Southern California Trojans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Tuesday provided the Illinois football program with the biggest commitment for the 2027 recruiting cycle.

The Illini needed something to start going in our favor, and that ended up being Bennett Konkey. The four-star wide receiver picked Illinois over Northwestern, Iowa, and Iowa State.

Konkey’s commitment is helping the Illinois class of 2027 get on their feet and try to become one of the top recruiting classes in the country. With the commitment also comes some adjustments to the potential depth chart in 2027.

Here is the projected Illinois football wide receiver depth chart with Bennett Konkey

  • 1st String: Collin Dixon (SR)

Honestly, we would all be fortunate if Collin Dixon makes it to his senior season at Illinois. I am not talking about the transfer portal, though. I am talking about him departing for the NFL.

Dixon took the huge leap from freshman to sophomore last season and wowed the Illini. He finished with 35 receptions for 548 yards and five touchdowns. His reliability in the Illinois offense is invaluable. We need him for 2027, but I would understand if he goes to the NFL after this season. For now, I have him as the top dog on the Illinois depth chart.

  • 2nd String: Kenyon Alston (SO)

Illinois has so much young talent, and I think some of that talent can help the team this season.

Kenyon Alston is coming into the program, and he should be able to make an impact. He is a high-three-star recruit, and his 6-foot-2 size should help make him a big target for all of the Illinois quarterbacks moving forward. He should get a ton of snaps in 2027 and be a reliable guy coming off the bench.

  • 3rd String: Jacob Harvey (R-FR)

I don’t see Jacob Harvey doing too much for Illinois. He should redshirt this season, and in 2027, he will likely be a deep piece on the depth chart.

  • 1st String: Brayden Trimble (R-SO)

The second member on the first string wide receiver corps for 2027 is Brayden Trimble. He had a ton of promise coming out of high school, and this season should be his breakout year.

Trimble didn’t record any stats in his freshman season, and he eventually took a redshirt. This saved a year of eligibility, and I think he could have a pretty good career with the program. When 2027 rolls around, I expect Trimble to be starting. He has all of the talent in the world, and I want to see that in the Illinois offense.

  • 2nd String: Bennett Konkey (FR)

This is where Bennett Konkey comes into play. While he is a great wide receiver, I don’t think he starts from day one.

Konkey can do a lot on the field. He is quick and can run routes well. I fully expect him to come into the program and at least see a lot of snaps as a freshman in 2027. He should be a solid second string wide receiver for the Illini.

  • 3rd String: Leslie Mosley Jr. (R-FR)

When you go really deep on the Illinois wide receiver depth chart, you aren’t going to find much production. I think Leslie Mosley Jr. will likely take a redshirt this season and then not play much in 2027.

  • 1st String: Nas Rankin (SO)

There are a lot of exciting players coming out of the class of 2026, and Nas Rankin might be at the top of the list.

Rankin was one of the four-star recruits Bielema was able to land. His athletic ability will make him such a dangerous weapon in the Illinois offense. I could see Rankin being moved all over the field. As a sophomore in 2027, he should be starting for the Illini.

  • 2nd String: Davon Grant (R-FR)

Illinois has a lot of big-time players being added, but one talent who is flying under the radar is Davon Grant.

Grant has something that is rare for an Illini wide receiver, and that something is tremendous size. Grant stands at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds. That is a massive target, and Bielema should be able to use that to Illinois’ advantage. I love Grant as one of the primary second string players.

  • 3rd String: Karson Kaiser (JR)

The Illini depth isn’t great when you get into the third string. Karson Kaiser joined the Illinois program, but I don’t expect anything out of him in the next couple of years. He is a nice stash player for a rainy day.

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