Illinois Football: Quarterback MJ Rivers picks the Illini

The Illinois football team came off a nice win this weekend and started their new week off with a solid commitment for the class of 2018.

MJ Rivers announced on Twitter with a cool video that he is committing to the University of Illinois. Rivers is a 6-foot-4, 213-pound dual-threat quarterback from Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas. He is currently ranked as a three-star recruit who is rated as the No. 1,157 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 33 dual-threat quarterback in the nation.

Rivers had offers from good programs like Iowa State but picked the Illini. This was a good get for Garrick McGee and Lovie Smith because they needed more quarterback depth.

The quarterback situation right now is currently up in the air. Chayce Crouch is only a junior but he hasn’t done anything to solidify his starting role for the next two years. Jeff George Jr. won’t likely start with the talent on the roster now and what is coming in from the next two recruiting classes.

Cam Thomas is my favorite to be the starter in 2018 as long as his passing improves. He was a recruit from the class of 2017 and someone I think could get snaps this season.

Illinois will start building their depth in the class 2018, though. In addition to the Rivers commitment, Illinois also has Cordell Littlejohn who pledged two weeks ago and Peoria, Illinois native Coran Taylor coming in. All three of these quarterbacks will create competition and that will help the Illini win games.

I love everything about Rivers. He can run the ball and he can also throw it well downfield too. His size is also a great thing to have so he won’t go down easy in the pocket. He has all the makings of being a really good college quarterback.

Rivers is true to his dual-threat nature as well. This past week against Mansfield Timberview High School he threw for 183 yards and rushed for 45 yards and 4 touchdowns as Rivers moved his Lone Star team to 2-0 for the 2017 season.  Week one was much of the same as Rivers rushed for 143 yards as well.

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Illinois is getting a quarterback who can put opposing defenses on their heels. It will be fun to watch which quarterback emerges as the starter for the Illini in the near future.