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Top 50 most important Illini: No. 40, Coran Taylor

Vitals: 6-3, 205, Fr., QB

Hometown: Peoria

High School: Peoria

Looking back at 2017: Taylor wasn't quite as productive during his senior season as he was during his breakout junior year when leading Peoria to a Class 5A state title and setting state records for total points (805) and points per game (57.5) in 2016. But Taylor still passed for 1,546 yards and 18 touchdowns last fall and rushed for 1,048 yards and 14 more touchdowns to account for the bulk of the Lions' offense.

Looking ahead to 2018: Ranked as a consensus three-star prospect and as a top-30 dual-threat quarterback by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN, Taylor has the skill set Illinois is looking for in its offense.