Miles Osei the X factor for Illini offense

[Dan]

Osei, a speedy 6-foot, 200-pound junior, saw time at quarterback, running back and wide receiver this spring and has continued to work at all three spots this summer.

"That's my goal, to help out this offense at any position they need me to play," Osei told ESPN.com. "Wherever they need me -- if it's quarterback, if it's receiver, if it's running back -- I'm willing to do that. This offense is definitely very flexible. Multiple guys can play multiple positions."

Rittenberg

[DaytonIllini]

Cool. I think he has a lot of potential with his hands on the ball. Getting him involved at RB or WR (if he can catch and run routes) would be awesome.

[CaliIllini]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

Cool. I think he has a lot of potential with his hands on the ball. Getting him involved at RB or WR (if he can catch and run routes) would be awesome.

Does Beckman use any sort of Wildcat formations?

Alternatively do you think we will see something similar to what the back up NW QB did last year (Coult i think)?

I am glad Osei seems open to the change, and I would like to see him used for short screen passes where he can try to create something.

[Jeffers_10]

You're thinking of Kain Colter, who played mostly because Dan Persa could never seem to get completely healthy. But, I really think Nate is already the Colter type QB. Osei is more of a Eddie McGee. Hybrid QB-WR. Hopefully, he doesn't throw picks like McGee did.

[mattcoldagelli]

?

[Botb9]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

Cool. I think he has a lot of potential with his hands on the ball. Getting him involved at RB or WR (if he can catch and run routes) would be awesome.

OR being the key word, here. They need to pick a position and make him stick with it. How will he ever be great at one position when he's splitting his time between two, three spots?

[256ILLINI]

Originally Posted by Botb9

OR being the key word, here. They need to pick a position and make him stick with it. How will he ever be great at one position when he's splitting his time between two, three spots?

Maybe he doesn't have a true position and he's better off being used as an all purpose skill player

[Juice]

It would be nice if he could step up and become a reliable WR for us with our questions at receiver.

[Juice]

I do think our offense will be a lot better than last year. AJ was pretty much our only consistant and reliable offensive weapon and with him gone I believe millines will have a breakout year and finally stay healthy (we really need him to). Spencer showed some flashes last year (northwestern comes to mind), and Langford can stretch the field with his speed. And hopefully knight or whitlow can produce somewhat also.

You add that with Ferg and Young 1-2 punch with church and ayoola providing a different deminsion for us in the spread.

[IllinoisTed]

This kid should be fun to watch. Hopefully he gets several touches per game.

[Kramer116]

I don't care how it works out, but get our best players on the field.

Especially the seniors, if you have to overplay them and put them on defense and offense, do it. We have to do whatever it takes to win this year.

[ThaKid101]

Originally Posted by Kramer116

I don't care how it works out, but get our best players on the field.

Especially the seniors, if you have to overplay them and put them on defense and offense, do it. We have to do whatever it takes to win this year.

Yep. I think that will be huge for Beckman. Put your playmakers on the field and its looks like that's what he will do. Osei is going to be a stud in this role.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by 256ILLINI

Maybe he doesn't have a true position and he's better off being used as an all purpose skill player

I agree. The best thing about Osei might just be his versatility. Plus, we need a third string QB, so it really doesn't make sense to permanently move him to another position.