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Illinois Football: Top 100 RB Austin Jones gets offer from Illini

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 14: Illinois Fighting Illini fans are seen during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 14: Illinois Fighting Illini fans are seen during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The Illinois football coaching staff made a huge offer on Friday afternoon that would continue building the class of 2019.

Austin Jones received a scholarship from the Illini. He is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound running back from Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 77 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 6 running back in the nation.

Jones has a wide range of scholarship offers right now. Illinois seems to be a little late to this party because 247Sports has his top seven being California, Notre Dame, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, Utah, and Washington. That doesn’t mean someone like Illinois can’t get in on his recruitment, but the late offer is going to make it extremely difficult. But, you might as well extend the offer because you will never know if you don’t.

There is a great reason Jones is ranked in the top 100 nationally. He is extremely talented and a program changer. This kid has everything you want in a running back. I will start off with the thing that impressed me the most, though. I think Jones’ footwork is incredible. This kid could be on Dancing With The Stars. He moves so smooth and it breaks the defender’s ankles.

I love how Jones can catch the ball out of the backfield as well. He isn’t just a runner. He can help the team in the passing game. Illinois needs that so bad. He would be an instant impact guy in Champaign. I also love Jones’ speed. When he gets the ball, it is so hard to catch him because of his agility and speed. He honestly reminds me of a Le’Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There isn’t a reason to look at the Illinois roster. If Jones would decide to come to Champaign, he would start day one and have the starting job as long as he is with the program. This kid is a program changer. He would fit perfectly with one of the top quarterbacks in the nation coming to Illinois, Isaiah Williams, and one of the top playmakers in Marquez Beason.

Next: Illini getting in early on 2020 OL Kobe Baynes

I would love to see Illinois get in on the recruitment of Jones. Do I think it will happen? No, but they might as well try. He would be perfect in LittyvILLe. The class of 2019 is going to be special for the Illini.

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