The receiving corps gave fans a mix of promise for the future and plenty of frustration during the 2018 season. Injuries to key players impacted the receivers early on last season, as the Illini lost Appalachian State graduate transfer Shaedon Meadors before the season started and promising freshman Edwin Carter after a devastating injury in the Western Illinois game.
On-field performance issues were also apparent last year, as Ricky Smalling regressed from 510 yards on 31 receptions in 2017 to 406 yards on 33 receptions in 2018. Dropped passes were also a major factor that limited the group’s potential last season.