CHAMPAIGN — He finished 11th in the Big Ten in receptions per game. Impressive work for a first-year freshman.
But you won’t hear Dez Cain bragging about his 53-catch season last fall that also produced 492 yards and a touchdown. He wanted to do more.
“Last year, to me, wasn’t the best,” Cain said. “I’m just trying to get better. I expect a lot from myself.”
The former Illinois coaches liked Cain. A lot. They talked about him being a “gamer.”
“That’s a nice term to hear,” Cain said. “I want to be a gamer, a team player and even a practice player.