Illinois’ offense has some real 2023 NFL Draft prospects

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty ImagesHere at the midpoint of the season, the Illinois Fighting Illini are already putting even the most optimistic of preseason predictions to shame. As unreal as it would’ve seemed less than two short months ago, the Illini are ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll and are widely acknowledged as being the favorites to win the Big Ten West Division after defeating Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota in consecutive weeks.

Who knows what this year holds in store for the team. A Rose Bowl berth? A Big Ten Championship? A 10-win season for just the second time this century?

Often lost on fans among the well-deserved team accolades are the countless individual performances that…