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Illinois Football: Illini make top 7 for CB Alex Hogan

By Rees Woodcock

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)
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) /
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The Illinois football team made a few top lists over the weekend.

Alex Hogan was the most surprising cut the Illini made. Hogan cut his list down to just seven programs and included Iowa State, Colorado, Utah, Indiana, Texas Tech, Memphis and Illinois. This is a list of solid DI programs, but I feel like Illinois has a real chance with this recruit.

Hogan is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound cornerback from Lamar High School in Houston, Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 822 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 75 cornerback in the nation.

The original offer from the Illini came just about a year ago today on May 19. Since then, Hogan has received a wide range of other offers. But, Illinois seems to have made a big enough impact on this kid to make his top seven programs. This has to bode well for the Orange and Blue.

I find Hogan to be a really good player who could probably play multiple positions at the next level. He is listed as a cornerback on the recruiting websites but when I watch him, I see more of a safety than a cornerback. He is extremely talented, so I think he can play both positions, though.

Hogan has a knack for the ball. Yes, he has solid speed and can tackle well, but his vision and ability to break toward the ball is something that sets him apart from the rest of the recruiting class. This kid can see a play developing and then lay a pass catcher out.

I also think Illinois would benefit the most by moving Hogan to safety as well. Stanley Green will be a senior when Hogan comes into the program. I figure Hogan would redshirt year one and then potentially be a starting safety for the Illini as a redshirt freshman in 2020 when Green departs. This would be a solid path for him with Illinois.

Next: Roles of the five returning Illini players

The Illini made the top seven for a top 1000 player. This is huge for the program because they would be getting a better quality player to come to Champaign. Some special things are happening in LittyvILLe. Hopefully, the Illini can close on Hogan and continue getting into top lists.

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