Illinois Football: Breakdown of recent scholarship offers

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; A detailed view of a football and pylon before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; A detailed view of a football and pylon before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
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Illinois Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Big Ten logos on yardage markers during warmups prior to the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

9. WR Al’vonte Woodard; Class of 2018

Lovie wants to go big game hunting in the state of Texas and his next offer reflects that. He has offered a scholarship to Al’vonte Woodard. He is a 6-foot-1, 193-pound wide receiver from Lamar High School in Houston, Texas. He is currently listed as a four-star recruit who is the No. 70 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 7 player in the state of Texas.

Woodard has over 30 scholarship offers. This kid is wanted by just about every program in the nation but he has cut his list down to 10 programs. Illinois isn’t on this list, of course, because he made the cut back in April. But, Lovie has Texas ties and getting in the mix for this talented wide receiver would be huge for the program.

10. WR Jacobi Bellazin; Class of 2020

Usually, there isn’t a ton of recruiting action on the class of 2020 recruits. But, Jacobi Bellazin is a special player who has so much attention already. He is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound wide receiver from Baker High School in Baker, Louisiana. He isn’t ranked because he is so young but his scholarship offers tell me he is going to be a high four-star or low five-star recruit likely in the top 50 in the class of 2020.

Despite Bellazin committing to TCU already, the recruitment for this young wide receiver is by no means over. There are still programs, like Illinois, offering this kid a scholarship in hopes of flipping him or a coaching change at TCU. Lovie is just laying the foundation for a long-term recruitment.