Illinois Fighting Illini receiver Brayden Trimble has a chance to rise up the team's depth chart.
The Illinois Fighting Illini have the personnel to make a run at a Big Ten Championship this season and the passing game is a big piece of the puzzle.
Led by former East Carolina star and transfer Katin Houser, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney, Jr.'s offense is currently in the process of sorting through a deep and talented group of wide receivers.
One who has stood out at early practices is sophomore Brayden Trimble, who made waves in practice this past week and is working at multiple positions.
Illini coach Bret Bielema recapped an exciting week for the Mt. Zion, Illinois native and former three-star prospect while making a prediction for his future with the program.
Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches warm ups before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images MVP in Two Places
Trimble won the Fighting Illini training camp MVP as a wide receiver for Tuesday's practice and was also named special teams MVP, a testament to his skill and versaility.
Now in his second season with the program, Trimble will compete with newcomer Jayshon Platt, who transferred from Florida Atlantic, along with holdovers Collin Dixon and Hudson Clement for playing time and catches.
The Communications major came to Illinois as the state of Illinois' ninth best prospect last year according to On3.com with a bright future both in the classroom and on the football field.
Bielema indicated that Trimble is likely to excel both as a player and person as his time in Champaign, Ill. continues to unfold.
Bielema Impressed With Trimble
Bielema has been impressed with Trimble lately and shared the reasons why to gathered media in a report shared by Carson Gourdie of WICS ABC20.
"He was our camp MVP, I believe on Tuesday if I'm not mistaken, so, we give out MVPs every day and he was a guy that jumped out that day, not just to me but he was also the special teams MVP," Bielema said.
"I think anytime you have crossover like that, you've got a player," the Illini coach continued.
Bielema said he was at an event recently and many people were asking about Trimble's progress, to which he shared the good news about his practice performances.
"I'm like, listen, you're gonna be very proud of what he is, but who he is is even better, but yeah he's really taken a big step at wide receiver."
Searching for Catch #1
The 6-foot-1, 195 pound Trimble has done a solid job in the weight room preparing for what he hopes will be the first of many college football catches soon, adding 25 pounds since arriving to campus.
Trimble played in three games last season before redshirting and has yet to record a catch.
His teammates Platt, Dixon and Clement, in contrast, had a combined 110-plus catches and over 1,700 yards last season at Florida Atlantic and Illinois.
Trimble's quarterback, Houser, is known for spreading the ball around to multiple receivers, and his ability to see the field has greatly increased as his career has unfolded.
Trimble's first catch seems like a mere formality this season, along with a bigger role for a player with the talent, size and intangibles to make an impact at unexpected times.
