CHAMPAIGN - Decatur's Marques Wilkins is hoping the natural arc of his learning curve steers him into a regular role with the Illini football offense.

Wilkins is like many players who are officially taking on the label of upperclassman as they transition from their sophomore year to their junior season. In other words, the experience factor that may have worked against him in the past should now be working in his favor.

With the start of training camp less than three weeks away, Wilkins has settled into a summer routine that includes lifting weights in the morning, attending classes in speech communications and business organization, and 7-on-7 passing drills in the afternoon.

As an inside receiver, Wilkins began to make a mark last season, seeing more playing time and catching three passes for 78 yards. One of those, however, turned out to be a biggie, a 31-yard touchdown reception from Juice Williams that ended up being the winning margin in Illinois' 28-21 upset of the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

Three catches may not sound like much, but it was an indication that the coaching staff was beginning to gain confidence in Wilkins, who owns a place on the Wall of Fame at MacArthur High School for both academic and athletic excellence.

Wilkins took an increased level of confidence into spring ball and was hoping to do something memorable in the spring game before an injury forced him to the sideline.

"I played a couple of series, then hyperextended my elbow on a kickoff," he said. "I reached out to grab Chris Duvalt and someone hit me from behind. At first, I thought my arm was broken."

The injury caused Wilkins to miss five weeks of workout time and the elbow still can become stiff. But he has learned the game won't wait for injured players, so he's back lifting and practicing and coming to believe the odds at his position might favor him with more playing time.

When Illinois lines up in a four-receiver offensive formation, there's room for two inside receivers and two outside receivers. Rejus Benn easily projects as one of those inside threats. But Wilkins hopes he has the lead on the other spot, ahead of challengers such as Alex Reavy, Greg McClendon and incoming freshman Jack Ramsey from Chicago Simeon.

Ramsey, as well as heralded freshman receiver Cordale Scott from Ohio, are in the summer bridge program, which helps acclimate newcomers to college academic life. And while Wilkins can see both are talented athletes, he's hoping his experience and understanding of the offense gives him an edge.

"Hopefully I can get that playing time," he said. "The position I play is not an every-down position anyway. But I want to lock that position up and be on the field when we go four-wide … me on one side, Rejus on the other."

Wilkins sees junior quarterbacks Juice Williams and Eddie McGee also benefitting from increased experience and knowledge of the offense.

"They have both looked pretty good this summer," he said. "They've both been around for a while. They came in at the same time and they know the offense. They're better at everything they do including knowing which routes to look for.

"If they make the right read and stuff like that, we know who is going to get the ball."

What remains frustrating for Wilkins is that he has yet to demonstrate one of the things that earned him his scholarship, and that's the ability to do something exciting after the catch.

"I know, man, that's something I'm looking forward to doing," he said. "It has always been one of the things I do best. It'll come. I just have to be patient."

Mark Tupper can be reached at mtupper@herald-review.com or 421-7983.