Illinois Football: Top 5 state of Missouri recruiting targets for Illini

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

No. 5 Kaleb Eleby, Quarterback

When Lovie first came aboard, the Illinois football mindset at the quarterback position changed. They wanted a better athlete who could also throw the ball. This wasn’t the case with the previous regime.

Illinois snagged Cam Thomas in the class of 2017 and just a few weeks ago received a commitment from Coran Taylor for 2018. Continuing to build that depth is important for future success and that is why Kaleb Eleby is key.

Eleby is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback from Pattonville High School in Maryland Heights, Missouri. He is a three-star recruit who is the No. 490 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 7 player in the state of Missouri.

I really like Eleby’s game. He is a great passer and that is actually his first instinct. The NFL player he reminds me of as far as style of quarterback play is Tony Romo. He can pass the ball with the ability to pull it down and get a few yards for the offense.

Right now Eleby has a decent amount of recruiting attention. He has six scholarship offers including from Iowa State and Toledo.

Illinois could use another talented quarterback on the roster like Eleby. He would possibly be able to compete for the starting job in the first few years.

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