Illinois Football: 5 state of Illinois recruits needed for 2018

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Nov 12, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini signage on boxes prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

S Gregory Newsome

Illinois could always use some help in the defensive backfield and that is why safety Gregory Newsome would be a nice pickup for the class of 2018.

The Illini do have some nice pieces coming back from last season. Stanley Green did a great job as a true freshman starting at safety for the majority of the 2016 campaign. He stepped in and took over the spot from a senior and was outstanding.

Green would be a junior when Newsome would come into the program so he would have to sit a few years. But, I think Illinois could use him to spell snaps for Green.

Newsome is a solid three-star recruit who isn’t ranked by Scout yet. He is 6-foot-1, 170-pounds from Carol Stream, Illinois. His scholarship offers are already stout as well.

Right now, Newsome has an offer by the Illini but he also has offers from teams like Arkansas, Boston College, and Vanderbilt.

Illinois needs more depth in the secondary and I think Newsome would be a perfect fit. He needs to get a little bigger to play safety, but with his height, I am sure Lovie Smith can find a place for him on the team. Getting more help on defense is always welcomed.

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