Illinois Football: Illini target Marcus Washington to cut list soon

The Illinois football team has done some great things to help bolster their front on recruiting.

They continue to build a pipeline down to the state of Texas and Florida, and they are building a great rapport with in-state talent for 2019. And while St. Louis isn’t a part of the state of Illinois, they have also made great strides in breaking that recruiting bubble there as well.

Marcus Washington is a recruit the Illini have been after for a while. He is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound wide receiver from Trinity Catholic High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 38 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 8 wide receiver in the nation.

Illinois offered Washington a scholarship back in October 2017. They are just one of the 31 total teams who have joined the party in hopes Washington gives them the last dance. Well, that last dance could be coming sooner than later. He has announced that a list cut is coming. Washington will trim his list down to 15 teams on Valentine’s Day, February 14.

Usually, Illinois wouldn’t be in the running for a player like Washington. He is a top 50 player in the nation, let alone a top 300 player which has been rare in recent years. But, I firmly believe the Illini will end up in Washington’s top 15, and I think they might have a chance to make the next cut as well, whenever that comes.

Illinois has a lot going for them in the recruiting game. The only thing that worries me is the winning aspect. They haven’t been winning and this is something opposing teams can pounce on. But, this upcoming season, Lovie can show recruits improvement. He can get to the four, five or even six win and a bowl game mark and prove that this thing that he is building is working.

In every other aspect, Illinois seems to have a solid edge on other teams. They have a great location for Washington. It is only a two hour and 40 minute haul from St. Louis to Champaign. That means his friends and family can come see him play ball every weekend.

Illinois also has the playing time aspect as well. Washington will come into the Illinois program and play day one and as many snaps as he wants. No matter what program he goes to, he is going to be an NFL player. So, why not get as many snaps as possible and potentially go pro after your junior year? That is what Illinois provides.

A big bonus for Washington to come to Illinois is the fact the Illini just hired his head coach at Trinity Catholic, Cory Patterson. Patterson joins the Illini as an assistant coach for the tight ends. Having familiarity for Washington already on the Illinois staff means he can come in and feel right at home. This was a huge hire for recruiting such a talented player.

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I could continue on with the benefits of coming to Champaign. Washington is going to make a decision on his top 15 teams here in three weeks and I think the Illini will make the cut. Hopefully, there is enough going for the Orange and Blue to secure a commitment down the road. The movement is real.