Illinois is adding speed to its receiving corps and return game.
Florida Atlantic wide receiver Jayshon Platt committed to Illinois on Monday, 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer report. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Sarasota (Fla.) native has one season of eligibility remaining.
Platt didn’t make a big impact in his first three years with the Owls, but he broke out in 2025. He had 46 receptions for 720 yards and five touchdowns last season, along with three rushes for 36 yards and a touchdown and 26 kick returns for 613 yards. He earned a PFF grade of 64.1 this season.
During his first three seasons at FAU, Platt combined for nine receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.
How he fits: Platt gives Illinois another veteran target to go along with senior Hudson Clement and redshirt junior Collin Dixon to give new quarterback Katin Houser a proven FBS trio of pass catchers. Platt ran a 10.9-second 100-meter dash time in high school, so he can stretch the field with his speed, something the Illini often lacked this season, and he can be the beneficiary of playing with Houser, whose strength is his deep ball. Platt, who won’t add much as a blocker, often lined up wide for FAU, so this could allow Collin Dixon to move back inside to the slot, though Illinois has been recruiting slot receiver transfers as well. Regardless, the Illini’s passing attack looks to have the tools to be dangerous once again, and the Illini have made the offensive line additions up front and have the returning running backs to give that passing attack a chance to flourish.
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