Illinois Football: The talent level continues to rise for the Illini

It really is amazing how much talent the Illinois football team will be displaying in 2019 that wasn’t on the field in 2018.

When I say wasn’t on the field in 2018, I mean there is a combination of talent that was on the team but couldn’t play mixed in with talent off the field that is coming into the program. Illinois added to that off the field group on Friday night as well.

Let’s think about the players who were on the team in 2018 but couldn’t see the field for one reason or another. Illinois added Milo Eifler as a transfer from Washington before the season started. This kid is coming into the Illinois football program with two years of eligibility remaining. He was a four-star recruit who was the No. 142 player in the class of 2016. So, that is one top 400 player in the nation being added.

Illinois also snagged defensive tackle Verdis Brown from the class of 2018, but he couldn’t play last year due to some academic issues. He will be back and better than ever in 2019. He was a four-star recruit who was the No. 343 player in the class of 2018. So, that is two top 400 players being added.

The players who are being added for 2019 who weren’t on the team in 2018 are going to help take this team over the top. Marquez Beason joins the Illini program as a four-star cornerback who was the No. 84 player in the class of 2019. That makes three top 400 players being added.

Quarterback Isaiah Williams is going to come into the Illinois football program and light the world on fire. He was a four-star recruit who was the No. 109 player in the class of 2019. That gives Illinois four top 400 additions to the team this upcoming season.

On Friday night, Illinois received news that Jeff Thomas is transferring into the program. This was a huge addition for multiple reasons, one being he could be eligible immediately depending on the NCAA’s ruling. Whether he is immediately eligible or not, Illinois is still receiving a four-star wide receiver who was the No. 40 player in the class of 2017. That makes five top 400 players being added this offseason.

In addition to the five top 400 players who are being added, Illinois is also bringing in more talented players from the class of 2019. Moses Okpala and Keith Randolph are both top 600 players. The Illini have other playmakers who aren’t ranked in the top 1000 who will light the world on fire too.

The Illini aren’t done there either. Let’s not forget that Illinois is most likely the frontrunner for Shammond Cooper right now. He is a four-star linebacker who is the No. 293 player in the class of 2019. He would make for the sixth top 400 player to join the football program this offseason.

Illinois’ talent level has risen greatly this offseason. The players are coming because the belief in the coaching staff is there and the facilities are being upgraded. If you aren’t believing in what is happening in Champaign, you probably should start.