The Most Impactful offseason addition for Illinois Football?

Illinois Football undoubtedly has major shoes to fill in Justin Stepp’s wide receiver unit, as Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin are now just weeks away from fulfilling their dreams of joining NFL rosters. Certainly, this is a big step in the careers of the dynamic pass catchers who left a remarkable impression on the program, in addition to presenting a measurement of progress for the Illini—highlighting just how far Illinois talent has grown under Bret Bielema‘s leadership.

On the flip side, Illinois Football must now turn their focus to reloading for the future and progressing their passing attack. Quarterback Luke Altmyer certainly needs reliable targets, as the program heads into a highly anticipated 2025 season. Luckily, Bielema’s staff got to work in the portal and bulked up the Illini’s few positions of need—including DL and WR.

With 18 starters returning overall, the program is embracing high hopes and expectations for continued success in Champaign in 2025, following a 10-3 season. But, there has to be an impactful production return from the portal evaluations made by Bielema’s staff. Most notably of which, was in the receivers unit.

Fortunately, some of the Illini’s newest additions, are receiving some very high off-season praise heading into spring practices.

Pro Football Focus Sold on Illinois Football Wide Receiver Hudson Clement

The Illini will look to West Virginia transfer Hudson Clement to provide the spark as a home run hitter for OC Barry Lunney Jr’s offense.

The much-needed wideout addition was a major pickup in the portal for Bielema and co., which added experience and obvious talent to the room. As a walk-on, Hudson totaled 741 yards and 5 touchdowns on 51 receptions for the Mountaineers last season. His path to Champaign certainly has not been an easy one, under unfavorable circumstances. However, Hudson has found a way to capitalize on his window on his opportunity and has earned his way to a potential role as a #1 option for Luke Altmyer in the Big Ten.

Clement’s remarkable story and success have gained positive national media attention for the Illini’s massive portal addition. According to Pro Football Focus, the future Illinois Football wideout is their 2nd highest-graded wide receiver in the offseason portal class.

1. Chrishon McCray – 84.8  (Michigan State) 
2. Hudson Clement –  80.0 (Illinois) 
3. Jacob De Jesus – 79.8 (Baylor)
4. CJ Daniels – 79.7 (Miami)
5. Dane Key – 78.4 (Nebraska)
6. Eric Rivers – 78 (Georgia Tech)

Highest Graded Transfer Wide Receivers This Off Season pic.twitter.com/fvrcHRatZX

— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 17, 2025

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