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Illinois Football: 5 takeaways from the Illini recruiting class of 2018

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) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 29: Illinois Fighting Illini fans are seen in the tailgating area before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

4. Class of 2018 wasn’t as strong as I wanted it to be

I love every single recruit the Illinois football team signed for 2018. They will all help the Illini program get back to a point where they can win games and make bowls year in and year out. But, overall though, I was kind of disappointed with how the class finished up.

Granted, there are some pretty talented players in this class. I think Calvin Avery and Verdis Brown will wreak havoc on the Big Ten for at least three seasons with the Illini. These two defensive tackles will be tremendous run-stoppers.

I love the current Illinois quarterback situation as well. Coran Taylor and MJ Rivers will give Cam Thomas a run for his money in 2018 to be the full-time starter for the Illini. I honestly think Rivers will end up winning the job.

But, there were a few recruits who I wanted Illinois to land. At one time I wanted the Illini to snag four-star Ayodele Adeoye from IMG Academy but he ended up going to Texas. Dallas Craddieth, a high three-star and some had him as a four-star, ended up going to Iowa. Top 1000 player, Dayven Coleman, was projected to commit to Illinois but decided to commit to Arizona. There were talks of Manny Allen flipping from Louisville and that isn’t happening. And then Merlin Robertson was the one that hurt the most. He picked Arizona State over Illinois.

The class of 2018 is good, don’t get me wrong, but it could have been great. Illinois was so close to snagging a top 35 class this year. I honestly think the only thing that is missing for the Illini is winning. Show these recruits we can win in 2018, and the future classes should be much better.

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