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Illinois Football: Illini OC Rod Smith recruiting St. Louis today

By Rees Woodcock

The Gateway Arch, center, stands ahead of the second U.S. presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. As has become tradition, the second debate will resemble a town hall meeting, with the candidates free to sit or roam the stage instead of standing behind podiums, while members of the audience -- uncommitted voters, screened by the Gallup Organization -- will ask half the questions. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Gateway Arch, center, stands ahead of the second U.S. presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. As has become tradition, the second debate will resemble a town hall meeting, with the candidates free to sit or roam the stage instead of standing behind podiums, while members of the audience -- uncommitted voters, screened by the Gallup Organization -- will ask half the questions. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images /
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The Illinois football coaching staff continues their push to put together the greatest class in the history of the program.

Offensive coordinator Rod Smith is down in St. Louis, Missouri today spreading the great word of LittyvILLe throughout the STL. Who could he be visiting down there, though?

There really are a lot of possibilities. Illinois’ top commitment right now, Isaiah Williams, is from Trinity Catholic High School in St. Louis. There are also four other big-time targets for the Illini from this program too.

Marcus Washington, who is a wide receiver, and Ira Henry, who is an offensive lineman, are both from Trinity Catholic as well. These are two huge players for the Illini. If they could get both of these guys for 2019, the offense would be the best in program history.

Trinity Catholic is also producing talented players like linebacker Shammond Cooper and cornerback Bryce Childress. Both of these players would get immediate playing time in the Orange and Blue, and they are both top 1000 players. But, Trinity Catholic isn’t the only hub for talented football players coming out of St. Louis.

Big-time running back Kyren Williams also comes out of the STL. He is from St. John Vianney High School and is a priority for the Illini. This might be where Smith is heading considering Williams has visited Michigan and was offered by Michigan State this morning. Illinois needs more running back help.

There are a multitude of other players from the class of 2019 and beyond who are all important to Illini recruiting. St. Louis is becoming a hub for the Orange and Blue. They need to continue the momentum they already have in the area. If they can pull the best kids out of St. Louis, the future will be extremely bright for the program.

Next: Top 5 in-state recruiting targets for the Illini

Whoever Smith is visiting will help the team. I would imagine he swings by Trinity Catholic at some points and, hopefully, he can start building connections that will pay off in the future.

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