Illinois Football: Ranking the last 10 Illini recruiting classes

1. Class of 2009

The No. 1 class for the Illini over the last 10 years easily goes to the class of 2009. This class had a lot of talent on paper and it produced some great players on the football field.

The class of 2009 consisted of seven four-star recruits and seven three-star recruits. There wasn’t a ton of depth to this class, so that is probably why it was only ranked as the No. 35 class in the nation.

Illinois’ four-stars from this class were Justin Green, Lendell Buckner, Leon Hill, Nathan Scheelhaase, Terry Hawthorne, Bud Golden and Michael Buchanan. Green was a solid player for the Illini. He played four seasons and amassed 128 tackles. Buckner was arrested and didn’t play for the Illini. Hill transferred to Northern Illinois after one year. Golden only played one season for Illinois. There were a few bright spots, though.

Scheelhaase was a legend in Illini history. He did some great things as the quarterback of this program. Hawthorne was a great defensive back for the Illini. He was then selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Buchanan was a great Illini defensive end and was picked in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

Illinois also had some three-stars do great things. Hugh Thornton ended up getting drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Akeem Spence went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of that same draft.

Next: Ranking the last 10 Illini recruiting classes - Basketball

This class produced some great players. Most of these great players were drafted into the NFL. That is why the class of 2009 is the best in the last 10 years.