Illinois Football: Marquez Beason isn’t just your everyday recruit
The Illinois football team has been after superstar recruit Marquez Beason since they offered him a scholarship back in May 2017.
This offer was the start of an important recruitment for Lovie Smith and the Illini. Beason is one of the top players in the nation for 2019 and getting him would be big for the program. He is actually rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 82 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 10 player in the state of Texas.
Beason, of course, has just about every program in the nation after him. He has roughly 36 scholarship offers to-date and at one time, he had his list down to six teams which included Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Washington, Nebraska and Illinois. Just yesterday, Beason took to Twitter to announce he will be taking all of his official visits in the spring and will be committing in the summer due to the early signing period. But, he doesn’t quite know which programs are getting those five important visits.
“I am still talking with my family about that,” said Beason.
This is a big decision to make in a young athletes life. He continues to rise in the recruiting rankings after a solid junior campaign where he continued to be a shutdown cornerback. He also was a talented wide receiver catching 33 passes for 514 yards and 7 touchdowns. In total, he had 11 touchdowns on the season.
On paper, Beason had a great season and the team made it to the DI state tournament. Bishop Dunne managed to win the first game in impressive fashion but couldn’t get past St. Pius X in the second round. Beason reflected on how the year went.
“My junior year went pretty well but did not turn out the way I wanted it too,” said Beason.
I love a kid who wants to strive for greater heights and not just settle for what comes to him. That is probably one of the reasons why Beason was a captain alongside four other players including Calvin Avery and Kievan Myers who are both now wearing Orange and Blue in 2018.
One of the great attributes Beason brings to the table is the fact he can switch positions. He is a great pass catcher and can also shut down wide receivers on the other side of the ball. He continues to work on his game today because he knows there is always room for improvement.
“I am now working on my technique because as you know I switch positions,” said Beason.
Beason also points out some of his strengths on the football field as well.
“My speed and quickness, and I am a playmaker,” said Beason.
With the talent Beason possesses, I am sure teams from all over the country are just hoping they get a shot at this kid. They want one of those five official visits that he will be taking in the next four or five months.
But, the big question for Illinois fans is, are the Illini still alive?
“Yes, they are still in my recruitment,” said Beason, “Illinois just has great players, amazing coaches and a great education.”
Next: Illini have a big visitor this weekend in Merlin Robertson
As time dwindles on what five schools end up making the cut for Beason, Illinois fans continue to slide closer and closer to the edge of their seats waiting in anticipation. Beason isn’t just your everyday recruit; he is a program changer who would help get the Illini back into the upper echelon of the Big Ten.