Collin Dixon is by far the best wide receiver Illinois has, and is putting together a record-breaking season in Champaign. Dixon already broke the record for most touchdowns in a single season at Gies Memorial Stadium just three games into the season and is on pace to break the single-season touchdown record as well, so of course he is on the Biletnikoff Watch List.
Typically, the Biletnikoff Watch List is released in the preseason, but for the first time ever, they not only released a preseason watch list, but are also making an in-season addition to the list, with 14 players added. Dixon was one of the 14, and really it shouldn't come as a surprise at all; it feels more like a formality with the way his season is going.
Dixon had his time waiting on the sideline while other guys were the WR1 for Illinois. In his freshman season, it was Pat Bryant II, and last season it was Hank Beatty. The Illini ended up losing both guys after they led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, and now Dixon is not only blowing their numbers out of the water but is also following the trend of leading the team at WR1.
The connection between quarterback Katin Houser and Dixon has been unbelievable so far this season. Through five games this season, Dixon has 546 of the 1,246 Illinois receiving yards, 40 of 102 receptions, and eight of the 11 receiving touchdowns. Houser is certainly comfortable throwing the ball anywhere near Dixon and trusting he will come down with it.
Dixon's numbers are not only the best of the Illinois receiving corps, but also stand as one of the best in the Big Ten and the country. Dixon currently sits at No. 8 in receiving yards in the nation and No. 3 in the conference behind Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Rutgers KJ Duff. Dixon is second in the nation in touchdowns with eight, and second in the Big Ten, again behind Smith.
Even though Dixon wasn't on the Biletnikoff Watch List before the season began, he now rightfully is. So far, the only team to truly slow Dixon down was Ohio State, which effectively took the Illini's top WR out of the mix, but he still finished with five receptions for 63 yards. Of the five games this season, Dixon has recorded over 100 yards in three of them and six or more receptions in four of them.
Dixon is set to finish the season as Illinois' top pass-catcher, which is exactly what he needs before heading to the NFL. While Dixon could choose to stick around for another year with the Illini, his performance this season is exactly what he needs to be one of the top receivers in the 2027 NFL Draft.
This article was originally published on www.writingillini.com as Collin Dixon's time has finally arrived and Illinois is reaping the rewards .
