Brian Hightower saw some very limited action in 2021.  This is because he decided to take a medical redshirt, but the Illinois WR is ready to get back to work per Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.

Hightower suffered a soft tissue injury after playing in just 4 games for the Fighting Illini last season. Following his injury, he felt like the best thing for him to do in order to help the team was to take a redshirt year.

“I just felt like I could help the team even more over the next year or two, and it would be better off for me to redshirt, be patient and get ready for next season,” said Hightower.

In 2020, he had a career-high 209 yards receiving with 3 touchdowns. Hightower was tied in the lead in touchdowns that year. If he can remain healthy, he should be a reliable option for Bret Bielema. All that matters to Hightower is helping the team win.

“Just trying to get back into my groove was really hard,” Hightower said. “At the time, I wasn’t really what was best for the team. I wasn’t really able to do what I wanted to do. So what was best for the team was other guys out there. As long as we win, that’s all that matters at the end of the day.”