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Top 50 Illini Football Players of 2016: No. 11, Malik Turner

Related Topics: Wide receiver

No. 11: Malik Turner, WR

Why he’s important: Turned into more of a downfield target during his sophomore season. The veteran wideout, who was overlooked coming out of Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin because of ankle injuries, has produced somewhat consistently each of his first two seasons. One of only a handful of 2014 recruits to play as a true freshman, Turner nearly doubled his receiving yards in 2015, up to 510 from 256 as a freshman, while hauling in 39 passes compared to 26. Illinois struggled to account for passing touchdowns near the red zone last season, but Turner hauled in three touchdown passes, tied for the team lead.