Wes Lunt

Lunt looked primed for a big 2015 after a solid first year under center for the Illini, but injuries to key skill position players and some coaching staff upheaval largely derailed his season. His top option from 2014, Mikey Dudek, didn’t play a snap last season due to a torn ACL and one of the nation’s top pass catching backs, Josh Ferguson, missed time with a shoulder injury. Lunt’s performance suffered as a result, with his yards per attempt dropping over two full yards from 7.3 in 2014 to a meager 5.2 in 2015. Unfortunately, the outlook for 2016 does not look much more optimistic for Lunt as Ferguson is gone to the NFL, Dudek is out for the season with another torn ACL, and his top receiver from 2015, Geronimo Allison, is trying to latch on to a team at the next level. With that, Lunt will have to rely on mostly young or unproven wideouts in Malik Turner (39 rec., 510 yards, 3 TD in 2015), Desmond Cain (53 rec, 492 yards, 1 TD), and Justin Hardee on the outside while adjusting to new offensive coordinator Garrick McGee’s system. As a third-year starter, Lunt should have the wherewithal to be competent this season, but a severe lack of proven talent on the outside puts a cap on his upside.