Illinois football needed another step forward from senior wide receiver Collin Dixon if they wanted to make some noise in the Big Ten this season.

After a solid first year in 2024 where he appeared in all 13 games, Dixon doubled his production in 2025 to the tune of 35 receptions for 548 receiving yards and a team-high five receiving touchdowns. Elevating his game in the absence of star receivers Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin who departed for the NFL, it was proof that Dixon felt comfortable rising to the occasion when called upon.

Still, it would have been difficult to predict the leap that he made from 2025 to 2026. The Ohio native yet again doubled his production, but this time through just nine games. He has been a consistent, steadying force for the Illini offense with 68 catches for 910 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Last week against Nebraska, he scored his 11th and 12th touchdowns, breaking program's single-season record as a part of a sublime eight catch, 129-yard night. More history is in sight, as he is just 90 yards from becoming the 10th Illinois player to record a 1,000-yard receiving season. The program record is set at 1,278 (David Williams, 1984) with three regular season games left to be played.

There is no doubt that Dixon is putting together one of the finest seasons ever by a receiver in an Illini uniform. He has also been one of the best receivers in the conference and across college football. This is true statistically, as he ranks 2nd in the Big Ten in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, behind only Ohio State's Heisman Trophy hopeful Jeremiah Smith. 

But it's not just the numbers. Dixon has earned the respect of opposing coaches in the conference. Bob Chesney, head coach of unbeaten No. 4 ranked UCLA and Illinois' next opponent, had no problem comparing Dixon to Smith directly as two of the best wideouts in the conference.

Chesney said on Monday that Dixon is "right there with" Smith as the top receiver in the Big Ten. The Bruins' first-year coach has certainly digested several hours of Illinois film in the past couple of days as he prepares for Friday night's matchup, further informing the praise for Dixon.

UCLA has not and will not face Ohio State this season, so he has no first-hand experience on the dominance of Jeremiah Smith this season. But Smith is well documented as a generational talent and could be selected first overall in the next NFL Draft. While his lead on the Heisman odds have waned in recent weeks with the absence of QB Julian Sayin, he has totaled 69 receptions (1st in Big Ten, 4th in NCAA) for 1200 yards (1st in Big Ten, 2nd in NCAA) and 14 touchdowns (1st in Big Ten, T-1st in NCAA) in nine games.

Chesney's respect for an upcoming opponent is not uncommon. The 9-0 head coach is not in the business of looking past anyone. But the adulation for Dixon is not hollow, and both Chesney and Bret Bielema know that will be a decisive figure in Friday's game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.