Illinois Football: Illini offer 2020 offensive lineman Josh Baker

There are a few states that the Illinois football team really focuses on when it comes to recruiting.

The state of Texas has been amazing to the Illini. The coaching staff has picked a few big-time players out of this state who should help the program. Another state that Illinois has seen success in is Missouri. The Illini have plucked some top talent out of this state as well.

Illinois continues to recruit the state of Missouri for the class of 2020. They have quite a few scholarships already out there, and they added another one to the list about a week ago. The Illini hosted junior day for a lot of recruits. Josh Baker was one of the recruits who visited, and he was honored to receive a scholarship offer from the Illini, according to his Twitter post.

Baker is a 6-foot-3, 280-pound center from Eureka Senior High School in Eureka, Missouri. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 1283 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 20 center in the nation. He is also the No. 29 player in the state of Missouri as well.

Not a lot of big programs have offered Baker a scholarship yet, according to 247Sports. Illinois looks to be the first power-five conference team to come in with an offer for Baker. He also has offers from a few MAC programs as well.

I think there is a lot to like about Baker’s game. I think there are options for him at the next level. He doesn’t have to be pigeonholed into just a center role. He has the feet and agility to play the guard role as well. I like his speed. He can get out on the end when pulling. That is important for opening up holes for the running back.

It never hurts to be the first big-time program to offer a player. I would bet more are to come. Illinois will, hopefully, be in this recruitment and potentially land this talented Missouri recruit.