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Illinois Football: Top 5 recruiting targets for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 05: Fans wave the ‘Hail to the Orange’ flag over Dad’s day as the Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Michigan State Spartans during the Big Ten Conference game on November 5, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 05: Fans wave the ‘Hail to the Orange’ flag over Dad’s day as the Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Michigan State Spartans during the Big Ten Conference game on November 5, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Luke Ford (Signed w/ Georgia)

Honestly, just a few weeks ago I thought Luke Ford was out of reach for the Illinois football team. There wasn’t a lot of talk around him about coming to Champaign, so I assumed things were over with his recruitment.

But, on December 17, Ford decided to cut down his list to just five programs. He kept Georgia, Alabama, Texas A&M, Auburn and Illinois on that list. The Illini are now playing with the big boys of the college football world and they are in the top five for one of the best tight ends in the nation.

Ford is a 6-foot-6, 248-pound tight end from Carterville High School in Carterville, Illinois. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 49 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 2 tight end in the nation. Getting him would let the world know Illinois is for real and they are here to stay.

Do I think the Illini will land Ford? Probably not but I can dream. This kid is going to be a superstar in college wherever he lands, and he still has Illinois in his top five. That means they aren’t out of the running yet.

I would love to see what Ford could do in the Orange and Blue. He would be a great starter for this program and would be a great one-two punch with Louis Dorsey, who had a great year as a tight end. And Illinois now has a quarterback to throw the ball as well. This should be a big benefit to Ford.

I am not holding my breath here. I hope Ford comes to Champaign, but I am not sure if we are ready to play with the big boys just yet.

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