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Illinois Football: 7 recruits who have Illini on top list

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 12, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini helmets during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini helmets during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 31, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Mike Gesicki (88) goes airborne while being tackled by Illinois Fighting Illini safety James Crawford (5) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Ronnie Perkins Top 12

The Illinois football team has been known for their defensive ends throughout history. They have produced some great players and that will continue moving forward as well.

Ronnie Perkins could be the next great defensive end for the Illini. He cut his list down to 12 programs almost a month ago and included the Illini. This list consisted of Iowa, TCU, Nebraska, LSU, USC, Texas, Iowa State, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Michigan and Illinois. This is a list that usually just steamrolls the Illini but they are alive in his recruitment still.

Getting Perkins would be huge for the Illini. He is a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end from Lutheran North High School in Saint Louis, Missouri. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 114 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 4 player in the state of Missouri.

Honestly, it would be amazing if Illinois made the next cut on Perkins’ list. If they can continue to stay alive in this recruitment with all of those great teams on there, then Lovie has done an amazing job selling the future. But, Illinois does have some things to offer Perkins, though.

Perkins can come to Illinois and likely start year one. He would take over one of the starting defensive end positions or potentially, if he gets a little bigger, end up being a starting defensive tackle for the Illini.

Right now, the defensive end position consists of Sean Adesanya and James Crawford. In 2018, Crawford will have graduated and behind him, there isn’t much stability at the position. This would enable Perkins to come in and start every game for the Illini in his career.

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