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Illinois Football: 5 impact freshmen year one for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 23: Head coach Lovie Smith of the University of Illinois football team looks on before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on July 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 5-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 23: Head coach Lovie Smith of the University of Illinois football team looks on before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on July 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 5-3. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Illinois Fighting Illini fans are seen during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

4. Carlos Sandy

The one position that I think is being underrated right now for the Illini in the class of 2018 is wide receiver. Carlos Sandy leads the way for this group. He is a 5-foot-8, 153-pound wide receiver from Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 1162 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 180 player in the state of Florida.

Illinois secured the commitment of Sandy over teams like Syracuse and Florida Atlantic. This was a big pickup for the Illini because of his speed and agility. That is why I think he will be an impact player year one for the program.

The Illini have some nice pieces coming back from last season. I have Ricky Smalling, Mike Dudek and Carmoni Green all starting in 2018. But, behind Dudek, I have Sandy.

I think Sandy can come into this Illinois program and catch over 20 passes and 400 yards this upcoming season. He has a lot of talent but his size is what worries people. He would make a nice safety blanket in the slot for new starting quarterback MJ Rivers in 2018. That is why he will be an impact player.

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