Illinois Football: Kaleb Eleby a high priority for Illini recruiting
The Illinois football team is focusing on a multitude of players for the class of 2018.
These players range from defensive back to offensive lineman. There are a lot of positions to address for Lovie Smith and his coaching staff.
One position that is a constant work in progress is quarterback. This position has some unproven talent already on the depth chart and some coming in from recruiting classes as well.
Chayce Crouch and Jeff George Jr. are two quarterbacks in a group that will be competing for the starting job this fall. This group will also include incoming quarterbacks Cam Thomas and, likely, Dwayne Lawson.
There are some pretty decent players that have a chance to start this upcoming season, but like previously mentioned, none of them are proven. Illinois needs to continue to recruit quarterbacks so they can find a player who can lead this team into the future.
Kaleb Eleby is a quarterback from the class of 2018 that could be an option for the future. He is a recruit from Pattonville High School in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
Getting a caliber of quarterback like Eleby would be big for the Illinois football program. He is ranked as a three-star recruit who is the No. 491 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 7 player in the state of Missouri.
The abilities that Eleby brings to the table really has me hopeful for the future of the Illini. He has a great arm that can make just about any pass on the football field. He has developed this great play due to the unyielding confidence he brings his team.
“My biggest strength on the field is comfort and confidence,” said Eleby, “confidence is key at the quarterback position.”
Eleby hit the target with what he needs to have on the field wherever he ends up playing. That confidence will transfer into leadership and he has that on his mind as well.
“Knowing that you are the leader on the field, you have to be comfortable with the position and you have to be confident in what you’re doing and trusting the system,” Eleby said.
The leadership role seems to come naturally to Eleby. He had a pretty good junior year at Pattonville throwing for 2,616 yards, 22 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. The kid has talent at the quarterback position, but a great thing about him is that he knows what he needs to improve on.
“The biggest weakness I am working on would be speed and just improving my game in all aspects,” Eleby said, “improving everything and continuing to get better physically and mentally.”
Eleby really seems to have a level head and an above average arm. Recruiting sites recognize how good this kid is going to be and so do programs around the nation.
Many schools continue to be in contact with Eleby including Illinois State, Toledo, South Dakota, Iowa State, Iowa, Wyoming and Western Kentucky. The one school that he mentions has been in contact with him most, though, is Illinois.
Eleby has visited the campus in Champaign many times and he has even been up there for three games as well. He attended the Junior Day where he got to really take in the feel of what it is like on campus.
“I love the campus and the town,” Eleby said, “it seems like a great fit!”
The visits aren’t done for Eleby either. He plans on making another visit to Champaign this summer as well.
But for now, all schools are still on the table for Eleby. He is taking the process one step at a time and really enjoying everything. He doesn’t look to make a decision until the end of the summer.
Next: Top 5 state of Missouri recruiting targets for Illini
Hopefully, Illinois is the eventual landing spot for this talented quarterback. The future is bright for Eleby and I just hope that future is in orange and blue.