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Illinois Football: Top 5 Illini targets from Trinity Catholic

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 11: Illinois cheerleaders lead the team on to the field before a Big Ten Conference football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini on November 11, 2017, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 11: Illinois cheerleaders lead the team on to the field before a Big Ten Conference football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini on November 11, 2017, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. (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) /

5. Alphonzo Andrews Jr

Since becoming the head coach of the Illinois football team, Lovie Smith has focused his attention on getting all-purpose running backs. Mike Epstein is going to be a legend with the Illini and he can do everything. Another pickup that could happen for the Illini is Alphonzo Andrews Jr.

Andrews is a 5-foot-8, 175-pound all-purpose running back. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 1376 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 15 all-purpose running back in the nation. The scholarship offers for Andrews are interesting. He has some decently big schools after him, and he also has a school like Dartmouth who has offered him. That means this kid is extremely smart.

I like the fact Andrews has Ivy League programs and big-time power-five conference teams after him. When you mix brains with talent, that is a recipe for an extremely talented player. I think Illinois has a shot at this talented player as well.

Andrews was at the Illinois junior day back in February but since then, he has visited Kentucky after they extended him a scholarship offer. That means Kentucky will be right there in the mix for this kid.

Next: Top 5 recruiting targets left for Illini in 2019

I like the possibilities of landing an all-purpose running back like Andrews. He can do multiple things out of the backfield and that is important in the game today. Illinois doesn’t have depth at running back either. Epstein is the starter heading into 2018 but behind him, there really isn’t much. Illinois needs another talented ball carrier and that is what they would get in Andrews.

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