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Illinois Football: 5 recruits who have the Illini on top list

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A view of the Big Ten logo on an end zone pylon prior to the game of the Penn State Nittany Lions against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A view of the Big Ten logo on an end zone pylon prior to the game of the Penn State Nittany Lions against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Craddieth (Top 12)

There are a handful of great defensive linemen that have kept the Illini in their top lists. This has also happened with one talented defensive back as well.

Dallas Craddieth would be a nice get for Lovie and the Illini. He is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound safety out of Hazelwood Central High School in Florissant, Missouri. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 497 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 10 player in the state of Missouri.

On May 15, Craddieth cut his list down to just 12 programs he will be choosing from. These 12 programs include Missouri, Ole Miss, Minnesota, Iowa, Purdue, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Iowa State, Michigan State, North Carolina and Illinois.

Illinois landed on this list of talented programs because they need more defensive back help. They have some nice young pieces like Stanley Green in the defensive backfield, but they need more depth and talent for the future.

Lovie has had success at the NFL level with defensive backs of all varieties. He developed Charles Tillman into a great defensive back in his time with the Chicago Bears. Illinois has also put a few great defensive backs into the NFL like Vontae Davis and Kelvin Hayden.

Next: Time to panic on the recruiting front?

Getting a player like Craddieth would help the Illini. They need more depth and talent at safety and that is what he would provide. Lovie would benefit greatly by landing a player of Craddieth’s caliber.

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