Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: Breaking Down the Four Early Enrollees

By Zachary Leslie

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit

As most Illinois football fans know, the 2017 recruiting class coming into Champaign is a good one.

Better yet, four of the recruits have joined campus for Spring Practice. Here is an in-depth look at each of the four players.

Carmoni Green (****) WR, Miami, FL

Most four-star wide receivers all have one thing in common. They all are big play threats. This is most definitely the case with Green.

Green is athletic, versatile, and has nice speed to get space and get open for a big play down the field. He will come in and have an early advantage over the other receivers in this class since he will have already practiced and looked over the playbook.

More from Writing Illini

Expect good things out of this young man in Champaign.

Hojo Watkins Jr. (***) OG, Cincinnati, OH

Watkins will bring at least some depth to the offensive line right away. After losing some key pieces last season, having Watkins on campus early is a huge help.

Watkins stands 6-foot-5, and is in the area of about 285-300-pounds. Watkins may have gone unnoticed by many, but his presence will be huge for the team in 2017.

Del’Shawn Phillips (****) LB JUCO, Highland Park, MI

Illinois will be losing their season leader in tackles due to graduation (Nickerson Jr.). It was vital going into recruiting to find someone to pick up that production.

Phillips is that guy. He will bring leadership and tenacity to this Illini squad. Fans cannot wait to see Phillips play this season, and I can understand why.

Owen Carney (****) DE, Miami, FL

Probably the most depleted position headed into the 2017 season is the defensive line. With Smoot and Phillips heading to the draft, it was critical to get Carney on campus as soon as possible.

Carney is a very athletic and talented player. He will help fill gaps left by departing members of the current defensive line.

The four recruits who came to Champaign in the spring will have a great impact on the 2017 team. Three of the four players are four-star recruits as well.

Next: James Knight Will Be a Big Asset Down the Road

2017 is already shaping up to be a good one for Illinois football.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting