Illinois Football: Top 10 highest rated Illini recruits since 2010

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26 December 2014: Illinois Fighting Illini tight end Jon Davis (3) catches the football over Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defensive back Adairius Barnes (21) during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl in the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Being an Illinois football fan can be hard at times. There aren’t a ton of great memories over the last half-decade.

But, with Lovie Smith at the helm, things seem to be turning around for this once legendary program. Lovie hasn’t had a great record in the two seasons as the head coach, but all of the turmoil with the team is behind us and now we can look forward. He is getting talented players to help rebuild this team and a great record is right around the corner.

Illinois has landed one of the best recruits in the nation for the class of 2019 already. Marquez Beason committed to play football for Lovie and the Illini. This commitment sent shockwaves through the recruiting world. I think it also sent a message that what is happening in Champaign is real and isn’t going away anytime soon.

Recruiting hasn’t been easy over the last ten recruiting classes, though. Most of the top talent has gone elsewhere and this has left the program with the scraps most of the time. With the recruiting classes that have come in, it is amazing that Illinois has had some teams that were competitive. Times are changing now, though, and the level of talent is increasing.

Here are the top 10 highest rated Illini recruits since 2010

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