Ryan Lankford

Lankford assumed top receiving duties for the Illini as a junior, hauling in 37 passes for a team-high 469 yards and five touchdowns. If not for dreadful offensive line play that often resulted in abbreviated drives and frequent turnovers, Lankford probably would have turned in more eye-popping numbers. The problems with the offensive line won't necessarily be remedied by the arrival of offensive coordinator Bill Cubit from Western Michigan, but the Illini figure to adopt a more passing-friendly attack, of which Lankford would likely be a central figure. Expect Lankford to improve his production in his senior season, but probably not enough to ascend into the elite receiving ranks of the Big Ten.