Illinois Football: 5 state of Illinois recruits needed for 2018

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Nov 28, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of a Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Soldier Field. Northwestern won 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

There are a lot of recruiting options out there for the Illinois football team in 2018. These players will be building blocks for successful teams in the future.

The Illini are targeting many players from all over the country. Florida has been a huge recruiting pipeline for the team since Lovie Smith took over the program and that will benefit the Illini for years to come.

I also like how he has a reach to California as well. Illinois has been in the running for multiple big-time recruits from the west coast and that rarely has happened with coaches from the past.

But something that I have preached since Lovie took over the program and even with coaches prior to his reign is winning the state of Illinois. Defend your home turf and get the big-time recruits from the state and that will lead to success.

Illinois needs to focus on this for the class for the class of 2018, and if they can snag some of the top players then that will set up the program for wins in the future.

Here are my top five players that I want the Illini to get from the state of Illinois for 2018.

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