By Shannon RyanCHAMPAIGN -- Illinois needs to fill a huge void at wide receiver after junior Arrelious Benn announced today that he would forgo his senior year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft.
"This is the best time for me," Benn said at an afternoon news conference at Memorial Stadium. "I feel like I'm ready. I've proven a lot on the collegiate level. It's a dream. It's the right time for me to go take it."
Benn expressed disappointment at Illinois' 3-9 season and said his draft position as a possible first-rounder impacted his decision.
Benn had 38 catches for 490 yards (12.9 average) and two touchdowns this season. It was a steep drop from his production as a sophomore (67 catches, 1,055 yards) and as a freshman (54 catches, 676 yards).
Photo: Arrelious Benn could be eyeing the NFL after making only 38 receptions as a junior. (Seth Perlman/AP)
Benn's 3,613 career all-purpose yards rank fourth in school history and he's sixth with 2,221 career receiving yards.
He has filed his NFL paperwork to declare for the draft, but has yet to hire representation.
The Illini will have a relatively young and inexperienced group of receivers next season with a new starting quarterback after four-year starter Juice Williams graduated.
"I'm very happy for (Benn)," coach Ron Zook said in a statement. "I feel very fortunate that I have been able to develop such a strong relationship with (him) and his family over the past three years."
Illinois also announced it hired Jeff Brohm as the quarterbacks coach out of Florida Atlantic and Greg Nord as tight ends coach out of Louisville to complete the offensive side of the staff. Both coaches worked with new offensive coordinator Paul Petrino at Louisville.
According to an ESPN.com report, the Illini are expected to announce its hiring of Kansas State co-defensive coordinator Vic Koenning to the same position.
He has filed his NFL paperwork to declare for the draft, but has yet to hire representation.
The Illini will have a relatively young and inexperienced group of receivers next season with a new starting quarterback after four-year starter Juice Williams graduated.
"I'm very happy for (Benn)," coach Ron Zook said in a statement. "I feel very fortunate that I have been able to develop such a strong relationship with (him) and his family over the past three years."
Illinois also announced it hired Jeff Brohm as the quarterbacks coach out of Florida Atlantic and Greg Nord as tight ends coach out of Louisville to complete the offensive side of the staff. Both coaches worked with new offensive coordinator Paul Petrino at Louisville.
According to an ESPN.com report, the Illini are expected to announce its hiring of Kansas State co-defensive coordinator Vic Koenning to the same position.
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The NFL Draft is working with Boston University's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy to study brain trauma in football. The league will ask former and current NFL players to donate their brains to science. Presumably, with fancy boxes to ship the brains, like they do for Super Bowl rings.
Page 2 loves this idea.
Scientists could study Mark Sanchez's brain to find out what he doesn't understand about the words "double-covered." They could study Tony Sparano's brain to find out what he sees in Pat White that no one else does. And they could look at Brett Favre's brain on the subject of waffling.
HIS BEST SEASON WAS THE ROSE BOWL SEASON, JUICE WILLIAMS WILL GET DRAFTED AS WELL, VERY CHEAP SHOT TO SAY NOBODY WAS THROWING HIM THE BALL, BOTH OF THESE GUYS WILL SHOW OUT AT THE COMBINE, THEY ARE BOTH GREAT ATHLETES, AND TO GET DRAFTED YOU MUST BE AN EXCEPTIONAL ATHLETE!
THE SCOUTS HAVE PROJECTED HIM TO BE THE THIRD BEST RECEIVER IN THE DRAFT, THAT IS WHY HE IS COMING OUT!
HE HAS DONE HIS HOMEWORK!
GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR COMING TO U OF I!
You're insane if you base anything on his college stats. He had nobody throwing him the ball. This kid is going to be a probowler by about his 3rd year in the league.
Is this the truth? you have to search more NFL news about him, I suggest ....
Wow Jim? Really? Did you just really say that? My goodness you're an idiot. As everyone else has stated, he is a first round lock and is a top 3 receiver in the draft. Too many damn posers in this game now a days. Sad.
Jim your nuts..... He's gone in the 1st round. He's the 3rd rated WR in the draft.
doubtful for getting drafted? Jim, are you a moron? Benn will be a first round pick.
Good luckm dude. I hope you have something more than your most recent stats to strongly support your bid of the NFL. You are doubtful for getting drafted; don't hire an agent--then you can return to school, finish your degree (maybe), and join the rest 99.9% of other former college athletes who never make it to the professional ranks.