Early Illini spark with reliable hands and big-play juice
Ricky Smalling broke out for Illinois in the 2017 season, leading the team with 31 catches for 510 yards and two touchdowns, then followed with a 2018 season that again paced the Illini in receptions (33), receiving yards (406) and receiving touchdowns (5)[2][5][9]. He earned BTN.com All-Freshman Team honorable mention after the 2017 season, a nice little receipt for a receiver who showed dependable production and explosive upside[7]. The catch? His 2019 season was interrupted by injury after starting the first seven games, so the profile comes with some durability caution despite his proven playmaking ability[3].
