Illinois Football: Illini offer highly touted DE Travion Ford

The Illinois football team is now targeting a big-time defensive lineman for the future.

Travion Ford announced via Twitter on Wednesday evening that he had received a scholarship offer from the University of Illinois. The Illini have really started to build a pipeline to the state of Missouri, so offering another recruit from the state is a big deal.

Ford is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound weakside defensive end from Lutheran North High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He isn’t rated or ranked by 247Sports, but this kid is going to be one of the best in the class of 2021 as soon as they release the full rankings.

Illinois coming in with an offer to Ford is big for the program. They could use a player like him on the end of the line. But, the Illini will have to go through some big-time programs to get his commitment. In addition to the Illini offer, Ford has also received offers from, roughly, 10 other teams including the likes of Alabama, LSU and Ohio State. This is going to be a really tough recruitment to get into.

The youth at defensive tackle is getting older and that means the Illini will need to replace some of their talent. When Ford would be a freshman, Owen Carney, Bobby Roundtree, Isaiah Gay and Ayo Shogbonyo will all be graduated. While we do have a few players to fill those roles, that would still leave a big hole for the Illini when it comes to depth.

If Ford would pick Illinois, he would have the luxury of immediate playing time, a team that is continuing to improve, great location and a coach in Lovie Smith who knows what it takes to make it in the NFL. Those are all huge bonuses for the recruitment of Ford.

Illinois could use a player of his caliber at defensive end. This kid is going to be really good. He has a lot of programs looking at him, but I wouldn’t count out the Illini just yet. They have some power in the St. Louis area.