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Illinois Football: Keith Randolph can see himself in Orange and Blue

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 25: The Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders cheer during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on November 25, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 25: The Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders cheer during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on November 25, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Building the defense is important if the Illinois football team wants to see bowl games in the near future.

Last season, the Illini averaged giving up 31.5 points per game which ranked No. 89 in the nation. They also gave up 218.5 yards per game on the ground which ranked No. 113 in the nation. Needless to say, Illinois needs some help on the defensive line. Bringing in a player like Keith Randolph would help the situation.

Randolph was recently offered a scholarship by the Illini. He is rated as a three-star strong-side defensive end who is the No. 885 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 24 player in the state of Illinois. This was a big offer for both the Illini and Randolph as well.

When Randolph was notified he had been offered a scholarship from Lovie Smith and the Illini, there were many emotions running through him.

“I was very excited, and I just felt blessed,” said Randolph, “God has been blessing me the last month.”

Randolph has earned all the attention he is getting with his great play and ability on and off the football field. Having the possibilities to play for this Illinois staff has him excited as well.

“I was also shocked because THE Lovie Smith gave me the offer,” said Randolph, “And I was really just thinking I could see myself in Orange and Blue.”

“I was also shocked because THE Lovie Smith gave me the offer”

Lovie has cast a wide net over the state of Illinois for 2019. This is arguably one of the deepest classes coming out of Illinois that we have seen in quite some time. The fact Lovie offered Randolph a scholarship means he wants him to suit up for the program in the near future.

This big-time offer from Illinois came when Randolph was up visiting the program. He had the chance to feel what the program is like, and then he received the great news of having an opportunity to play for this historic team.

Getting Randolph to commit to Illinois won’t be easy, though. He already has some solid recruiting attention with a handful of programs pushing hard right now.

“The recruiting process has been great,” said Randolph, “Wyoming, Northern Illinois, Ball State, Illinois and Western Michigan – who hasn’t offered yet – has been in contact with me a lot.”

Randolph does mention a lot of programs have started following him on Twitter as well. Honestly speaking, it is likely his recruitment is about to gain a lot of traction. Once a power-five conference team pounces on a recruit more are usually to follow.

This Saturday, Randolph will make a trip up to Northern Illinois to check out their campus and coaching staff. He also has plans to visit some other schools this spring. There are no official visits set, though, and no decision coming down the road.

Next: Illini offer scholarship to DE Keith Randolph

Illinois will end up having to fight off some big-time programs for this big-time recruit. Getting players like Randolph would help build the program and get the team to a winning level.

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