Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: Top 5 Recruits Who Will Impact the 2017 Season

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Illinois Football
Sep 3, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Football fans wearing shirts with a message honoring new Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith enjoy activities in Grange Grove before the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Murray State Racers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

WR Ricky Smalling

In 2017, the Illinois football team was going to have some serious question marks at the wide receiver position.

They had Desmond Cain transfer out of the program to start somewhere fresh and their No. 2 wide receiver Mike Dudek is coming off back-to-back missed seasons due to injury.

But, Illinois did have Malik Turner coming back as their No. 1, though.  They still needed to add more depth.

That is where Ricky Smalling comes into play.  He was an extremely important commit for Lovie Smith and Garrick McGee.

Smalling is a four-star recruit out of Chicago, Illinois.  Not only was he a big-time get for Lovie, but he also proves that Illinois is winning back the state in recruiting.

Scout has Smalling listed as a 6-foot-1, 200-pound wide receiver who can run a 4.5-second 40-yard dash.  He is also the No. 48 wide receiver in the class of 2017 and the No. 2 wide receiver in Illinois.

Getting Smalling helps solidify the wide receiver position.  He has great talent and it wouldn’t surprise me if he competed for starting snaps within the first few games.

There is a lot of potential with this kid and he was needed.  There wasn’t a ton of depth for the Illini at wide receiver heading into 2017.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting