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Illinois Football: Raiqwon O’Neal breaks down recruitment plans

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A view of the Big Ten logo on an end zone pylon prior to the game of the Penn State Nittany Lions against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A view of the Big Ten logo on an end zone pylon prior to the game of the Penn State Nittany Lions against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The offensive line is a focus for the Illinois football coaching staff.

Last season, this squad didn’t perform on a consistent basis and they lost a few of their main contributors. Hopefully, this season should be different as linemen like Gabe Megginson and Nick Allegretti continue to mature as players.

This offensive line will need help moving forward, though. They are only eight deep right now on the current roster, and they have Alex Palczewski, Larry Boyd and Vederian Lowe coming in from the class of 2017 this fall. That means Illinois has 11 total offensive linemen with three true freshmen. There is a big need for more depth in that area.

One player Illinois is interested in, and the feeling is reciprocated, is offensive tackle, Raiqwon O’Neal. He is a 6-foot-5, 265-pound recruit from Conway High School in Conway, South Carolina. He is rated as a three-star player who is the No. 67 offensive tackles in the class of 2018.

Getting a player like O’Neal would help boost the offensive line in 2018 and beyond. He is a talented player and the scholarship offers he has received reflect that fact. Teams like Louisville, Michigan and Mississippi State are all vying for his services.

Illinois has a shot at landing O’Neal. He seems to like the program and they offer what he is looking for as well. When asked what makes Champaign an attractive destination, O’Neal explained a little more.

“Their coaching staff and they have my major, which is graphic design or special effects,” said O’Neal.

There are times you run into players who only see out of one scope. They only focus on football or the atmosphere of the school or where it is located, but O’Neal seems to be cut from a different cloth. He isn’t just here to play football. This kid clearly has his head on straight and wants to pick a program where he can exceed on the field and off of it as well.

O’Neal still has things to work on as a football player and a coaching staff with NFL experience can get him to the place he needs to be. He already realizes what he needs to work on heading into the college game as well.

“Shooting my hands inside and staying low,” O’Neal said.

Lovie Smith and Luke Butkus will be able to help O’Neal in both of those areas. They have been coaching and playing for years and know the game better that anyone coaching.

Next: Luke Ford is important for the class of 2018

The recruitment of O’Neal is still a long process. He did mention he will be heading up to Champaign at the end of July for a visit. This will be after he cuts his list down here in a few weeks, though. One would have to assume the Illini will make that top list. Hopefully, Illinois is the final name left on the board when O’Neal makes his decision either mid-season or after the year is complete.

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