Top 50 most important Illini: No. 8, Ricky Smalling

Vitals: 6-1, 205, WR

Hometown: Chicago

High School: Brother Rice

Looking back at 2017: Just four true freshmen have led Illinois in receiving yards. Kyle Hudson (2005), Arrelious Benn (2007) and Mikey Dudek (2014) were the first three. Smalling added his name to that list last season, finishing the year with 31 receptions for 501 yards and two touchdowns. He tied Malik Turner for the team lead in receptions, and his 16.45 years per reception in the Big Ten regular season ranked fourth in the conference.

Looking ahead to 2018: As much as Smalling did as a true freshman, Illinois needs him to do more as a sophomore. Anything, really, to jumpstart an offense that ranked among the nation's worst in…