Illinois Athletics and the Dynamic Duo of Bryant and Franklin

Two future stars of the NFL? Maybe. Stat leaders in the Big Ten? Definitely.

In 2021, the Illinois Fighting Illini got a huge spark in their passing attack thanks to highly touted quarterback recruit Luke Altmyer. Altmyer quickly developed a strong connection with former four-star recruit Isaiah Williams. In 2023, the Fighting Illini will have a new starting quarterback under center but a strong receiving core led by veterans Brian Hightower and Pat Bryant as well as rising star Chase Brown.

Two names that do not show up on that list but should are Josh McCray and Kyron Cumby. McCray, a junior, and Cumby, a sophomore, have shown flashes of being able to help the Illinois receiving core climb to new heights in 2023.

With the 2023 NFL Draft approaching, the expectations are high for the electric receiving duo of Bryce Young and Marvin Jones. The two are widely considered the best wide receiver duo in the country and are both expected to go in the top ten of the draft.

Coming into their junior seasons at Illinois, Josh McCray has only started 10 games while Kyron Cumby has started zero. However, in those 23 games that McCray has played in, he has accumulated 56 catches for 624 yards and six touchdowns. Cumby has made the most of his limited playing time, catching 15 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. That averages out to over 14 yards per catch and a touchdown catch for every five receptions.

With so much talent and potential, it is no wonder that McCray and Cumby are on the radar of NFL scouts. If they can continue to produce at a high level in 2023, they could both be in the running for All-American honors and potentially even the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best wide receiver in college football.

McCray and Cumby: The perfect complements to each other

McCray and Cumby are both talented receivers with different skill sets. McCray is a big, physical receiver who is a great target in the red zone. He is also a very good blocker, which makes him a valuable asset in the running game.

Cumby, on the other hand, is a speedy receiver who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He is also a very good route runner, which makes him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.

Together, McCray and Cumby form one of the most dynamic receiving duos in the country. They are both capable of making big plays and they complement each other's skills perfectly.

The future is bright for McCray and Cumby

McCray and Cumby are both still relatively young, but they have already shown that they have the potential to be special players. If they can continue to develop and produce at a high level, they could both have very successful NFL careers.

The future is bright for McCray and Cumby, and they are both poised to have big seasons in 2023. If they can live up to their potential, they could help the Illinois Fighting Illini make a run at a Big Ten Championship.