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Illinois Football: 4 class of 2018 recruits who would start year one

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks off the field after the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. Western Michigan defeated Illinois 34-10. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks off the field after the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. Western Michigan defeated Illinois 34-10. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 26: Members of the llinois Fighting Illini band in the rain before the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl at Cotton Bowl on December 26, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

TE Luke Ford

Two factors make the presence of Luke Ford in Orange and Blue crucial. The first being the state of football trending toward the tight end and the importance of having a big man to catch the ball. The other factor is the impact Ford would have on the Illinois football team.

There isn’t a single person who can overstate the magnitude of a Ford commitment. This kid is a football savior to a program who has been looking for answers since year three of the Ron Zook era. Ford can be a centerpiece to figuring out the program’s struggles. This program needs a player who can absolutely ball-out, specifically at the tight end position.

Illinois doesn’t exactly have a strong history of great tight ends or even using the tight end position for that matter. It is shocking looking at the all-time leaders at the tight end position. You have to travel back to 1970 to find the Illinois all-time leader in receiving yards at tight end. Doug Dieken owns this honor with a career of 89 receptions for 1,246 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Looking at the stats, you might have to reread the fact these numbers are for an entire college football career. That is how desperate Illini fans need a tight end who can not only produce good numbers, but who can crush history.

Ford can stay home and play in front of family and friends. He can play for a Big Ten team and start year one. And he can become an Illini legend as he easily, and I mean easily, smashes one tight end record after another.

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