Last confirmed: Illinois, 2016. No 2026 box-score games on record.
5′11″ · Delray Beach, FL
Desmond Cain: WR · Illinois · #86.
Closest statistical matches, adjusted for opponent strength.
Desmond Cain
Wins underneath on volume and route precision. Two seasons at Illinois, two different head coaches: Bill Cubit and Lovie Smith. On tape: 37 receiving yards and 2 receptions against Murray State, Week 1, 2016.
Play style
Runs precise routes in tight quarters. Volume player who keeps chains moving.
No outlet on our list has written about him by name this season.
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Game log · Week-by-week
2016 season · 3 games
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| Wk | Opp | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 52-3vs Murray State | 2 | 37 | 18.5 | 1 | 30 | Season-high 37 yds |
| Wk 2 | L 23-48vs North Carolina | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 7 | |
| Wk 10 | W 31-27vs Michigan State | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 0 | 9 | |
| Total | 5 | 61 | 12.2 | 1 | 30 |
Week 1 · 2016
W 52-3
vs Murray State
Splits · Per-game
2016 season · 3 games
Home vs Road
| REC/g | YDS/g | YPR | TD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home3g | 1.7 | 20.3 | 11.3 | 0.3 |
First half vs Second half
| REC/g | YDS/g | YPR | TD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-72g | 1.5 | 22.0 | 12.8 | 0.5 |
| Weeks 8+1g | 2.0 | 17.0 | 8.5 | 0.0 |
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Lovie Smith
Pass share
50.8%
358 pass / 347 run
Plays / game
58.8
12 games
Team sack rate
4.9%
387 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Balanced, slow tempo.
Player standing · 2016
Fewer catches a game than most FBS receivers who play every week.
How it ended
Two seasons at Illinois, 553 receiving yards — his college career is complete.
His career
Coaching lineage · 2015–2016
2 coachesCoaching transition mid-career: Bill Cubit → Lovie Smith. Worth noting in scheme + development context.
