Illinois Football: Five Recruits for the Illini in 2018

5 of 6
Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

DT Michael Thompson

Next: Hugh Davis

The history of Illinois producing NFL caliber defensive lineman is a very long list.  They consistently send players to the next level almost every season and that is one reason why Michael Thompson should be the next special player.

Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois Fighting Illini

Thompson is a defensive tackle from St. Louis, Missouri.  He is already listed as a 4-star recruit and is a player that would help build the Illinois defense to one of the best in the country.

Illinois was the first school to offer Thompson a scholarship last year and then four others have joined the party.  Right now he has offers from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas State, Louisville and Missouri.

Getting Thompson would be a huge step for the Illinois program because he is such a talented player and the Illini are going to need defensive tackles for 2018.

The Illini have 5 defensive tackles heading into the 2016 season but by the time 2018 rolls around that number will be reduced to 2.

Recruiting the defensive line is going to be important for Lovie and the Illini.  If they can get some big boys to join Jamal Milan in the trenches then the Illinois football team will be prosperous.