Freshman Orientation: Receivers

The Freshman Orientation series continues by looking at the 2013 Illinois recruiting class by their position because to do 25 separate posts on each player would have taken fucking forever.

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Name: Dionte Taylor
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Height: 6'0
Weight: 170
Stars: Rivals 3, 247Sports 3, ESPN 2

Taylor caught 40 passes for 577 yards and 7 touchdowns for Florida 3a state champion University High School. He lined up in the slot most of his high school career, and he's more of a YAC guy than a deep threat, though he has good speed.

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Name: Michael Hermosillo
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Ottawa, IL
Height: 5'10
Weight: 200
Stars: Rivals 2, 247Sports 3, ESPN 3

Of all the recruits in this 2013 class, Hermosillo may be my favorite. He's certainly not the highest rated player in the class, but watching him on tape I just like everything I see. He's listed as an athlete but the plan is to use him as a receiver in Champaign. He's athletic and quick, and he knows how to move once the ball gets in his hands. He's also big for his size -- that reads funny to me too, but it makes sense -- and he's the type of guy that can be used in a variety of ways. I look forward to watching him develop.

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Name: Marchie Murdock
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Height: 6'1
Weight: 180
Stars: Rivals 2, 247Sports 3, ESPN 3

Marchie may be the one receiver in this class that ends up being better outside the slot, which is good, because every other receiver in this class works best inside. I'm not sure he's polished enough to see a lot of time on the field this fall, but the potential is obvious on film. He has good speed and height, and could emerge as a deep threat. His movements are fluid and nothing looks forced. A nice pick up down in Texas by the coaching staff.

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Name: Martize Barr
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Washington D.C.
Height: 6'0
Weight: 190
Stars: Rivals 3, 247Sports 2, ESPN 3

Martize is a juco transfer from Iowa Western which was the best junior college program in the country last year. As a result just about every player on the team has made his way to an FBS program this year. Barr will play right away, and he will be used out of the slot. He's elusive and quick, and is capable of turning short routes into big gains. Originally signed with New Mexico -- the DC/Mike Locksley connection -- and has two years of eligibility remaining.

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Name: Tyler White
Position: Tight End
Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI
Height: 6'5
Weight: 245
Stars: Rivals 2, 247Sports 3, ESPN 3

I love this kid's size, but he's still learning the tight end position. He actually played defense and at running back for a bit in high school. Still, looking at his frame it's easy to see why the staff was interested in bringing him in as a tight end. I don't think he'll see much time on the field in 2013, but he's a good project to keep an eye on.

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