The Illinois football team continues to make a recruiting push in the state of Missouri, and this time it is for the class of 2020.
Kevon Billingsley took to Twitter to announce he is going to be taking an unofficial visit this weekend to Champaign. This is a big visit for the Illini considering how highly rated this kid is going to be within the next year or so.
Will be at Illinois this weekend 🔶🔷‼️ #Littyville
— Kevon Billingsley (@nolimitkevooo) March 6, 2018
Right now, Billingsley is listed as a three-star recruit who is the No. 158 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 4 player in the state of Missouri. I would not be shocked if he continues being a top 300 player after all of the talent is finally ranked in this class. That would also make him a four-star recruit as well.
Illinois continuing to dive into the state of Missouri is a great thing for recruiting. Billingsley would be a great pickup. He is a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive tackle from Lutheran North High School in Saint Louis, Missouri. The Illini aren’t the only team after this kid, though.
The reason I believe this kid is going to end up being a top 300 recruit and a four-star overall – besides for his talent – is the quality of scholarship offers he has already received. Just since Valentine’s Day, Billingsley has received offers from Oklahoma, Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas. That is a nice haul to go along with teams like Georgia, Michigan and Illinois.
When I watch Billingsley play, I see an in-between player. He is a defensive lineman Lovie Smith and Hardy Nickerson can make either into a defensive end or a defensive tackle. He would have to get bigger to be a tackle because the other offensive linemen would throw him around. If he wanted to play defensive end he would have to get quicker and leaner. That isn’t difficult with a proper training program put into place, though.
I love a lot about Billingsley’s game. The biggest thing that jumps out to me is that he imposes his will on the opposing offense. He isn’t going to be stopped. He is a force and that is great to have in the Big Ten. I also like the ability to get off the line as well. He seems a little raw to me right now but that is a good thing. He doesn’t have bad habits to fix. He is a player this staff can mold and that is exciting.
Next: Grading the first Illini season under Brad Underwood
Getting Billingsley would be a great benefit to the Illini. They need more players of his size. I think the Illini would get a great one if they could snag this kid.