Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Football: Illini named in Jake Pope’s top 3 teams

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 09: An Illini cheerleader carries the Block I flag across the field after a touchdown during a non-conference college football game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, September 09, 2017, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Illinois won, 20-7. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 09: An Illini cheerleader carries the Block I flag across the field after a touchdown during a non-conference college football game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, September 09, 2017, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Illinois won, 20-7. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Illinois football team hasn’t landed a single recruit for the class of 2019. But, that could all be changing soon.

In an interview with Corey Bender of 247Sports, offensive tackle Jake Pope named his top three schools. He had Virginia Tech, Michigan State and Illinois as his front-runners right now.

Pope is a 6-foot-7, 275-pound offensive tackle from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 745 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 90 player in the state of Florida.

There is still a way to go before the early signing period, so I imagine Pope will pick up quite a few more offers from programs around the country. He only has six offers right now and he is a top 1000 player. That number will continue to increase but for now, the Illini are in his top three.

Illinois has a history with St. Thomas Aquinas as well. Their starting running back this upcoming season – Mike Epstein – was a superstar for the high school program. Illinois also has James McCourt who will be a sophomore next season and James Crawford who just graduated.

It would be nice if the Illini can continue this great pipeline with such a football powerhouse. St. Thomas Aquinas produces talented players every season and the Illini need to get back into that school, so they can pick off a few more superstars like Epstein.

Pope would be a great addition to the Illinois football team. He wouldn’t start year one, but the Illini freshmen who started this pasts season will be juniors when Pope comes into the program. He could then redshirt and be a starter by his sophomore season. More importantly, Pope would bring depth and he is a top 1000 player.

Next: Top Illini recruiting targets for the class of 2019

I like to focus on top 1000 players for the Illini. The more top 1000 players the Illini can pull in, the more success they will have for the future. Pope is one of those players at No. 745. He would be a big get for the Illini and someone who will continue Illinois’ push to be one of the best in the Big Ten.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting