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Illinois Football: Class of 2017 Recruits Visiting This Weekend

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 12, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois Football
Nov 12, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

I have heard many fans of the Illinois football team say this is a big weekend for the future of the program.

When you look at what recruits are visiting, I would tend to agree with these statements.

Here is a list of some of the big recruits who are visiting this weekend.

DT Kendrick Green

The Illinois football team is losing some serious depth on the defensive line.

Starting defensive tackles Rob Bain and Chunky Clements are both departing after great careers with the Illini.  Behind these two players are a bunch of question marks, though.

Jamal Milan saw some nice playing time this season due to injuries and to see what he was made of.  He will likely be one of the two starting defensive tackles in 2017.

I also liked how Kenyon Jackson performed as well.  He saw some playing time as a true freshman that will only benefit him in the future.

But, with the question marks at the defensive tackle in 2017, this leaves the door open for a newcomer to arrive and earn playing time.

That is why I think Kendrick Green is going to be so important for Lovie Smith and Hardy Nickerson.

Green is visiting Illinois this weekend with his fourth official trip.  He still has one more left, but rumors are his likely top three right now in no order is Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois.

After Green won the state championship this season at Memorial Stadium, Aaron Ferguson of the Peoria Journal Star asked him if it would be his last game in Champaign.

“It definitely won’t be my last game here. Wherever I go, if I don’t come to the University of Illinois, I’ll be playing here for an away game,” Green said, though he’s uncommitted. “I definitely could be playing here for home games, but I’m not sure yet.”

This is great news for Illinois that Green has such high regard for the program.  He would be a big pickup for Lovie and one that I think could make an impact early.

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