WATCH: Illinois freshman WR showing off incredible hands at practice
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:
Jeff George Jr ➡️ @Kendallsmith_23 = 💵💵💵#Illini freshman with impressive one-handed grab at practice @IlliniFootball @IlliniAthletics pic.twitter.com/Yp2a8SoG85
— Craig Choate WCIA (@craigwchoate) August 14, 2017
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.