If Illinois is going to improve from its 3-9 mark from a season ago, it’s going to need to find some playmakers.

The Illini may have found one in fall camp.

During Illinois’ practice on Monday, Jeff George, Jr. fired a pass into coverage, aimed for a freshman wide receiver. And what should’ve been an incomplete pass turned into a pretty impressive catch:

The receiver on the other end of that pass? That’s Kendall Smith.

Smith is a three-star wide receiver out of Bolingbrook, Ill. He was ranked as the 19th-best player out of his home state and held offers from 10 FBS offers.

With hands like that, the freshman might be making a difference a little quicker than expected.