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Top 50 Illini Football Players of 2016: No. 5, Desmond Cain

No. 5: Desmond Cain, WR

Why he’s important: A possession receiver a year ago, Cain was a reliable and consistent pass catcher as a true freshman. His 53 receptions ranked second on the team behind Geronimo Allison, and his 492 receiving yards rated third behind Allison and Malik Turner. He emerged late in the season to become one of Wes Lunt’s favorite targets, hauling in a career-high 10 passes for 102 yards against nationally ranked Ohio State. He only found the end zone once, on a 20-yard touchdown catch at Purdue, so that trait will likely need to increase this season.