Illinois Football: Illini look for help at WR with Mason Mangum offer

A big scholarship offer went out on Thursday night that would give a boost to the Illinois football offense.

Mason Mangum announced via Twitter that he had received a scholarship offer from the University of Illinois. This offer wasn’t the first for Mangum, but the Illini are in desperate need of more wide receiver help, and they have a great track record in the state of Texas.

Mangum is a 5-foot-11, 171-pound wide receiver from Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 657 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 120 wide receiver in the nation. He is also the No. 91 player in the state of Texas as well.

Illinois is the most recent offer for Mangum, but he has been piling up the offers over the last few months. There are some other big-time programs wanting him to play for their respective teams. He has received offers from teams like Boston College and Arkansas. I would imagine more scholarships are coming quickly. I am sure all of the state of Texas teams will be calling soon.

I really like Mangum as a wide receiver. This kid has a lot of skill that Illinois could use immediately. He has an ease about his game that is nice to see. He doesn’t just go full blast, but he actually thinks about where he going next with the ball after a catch. I also like the speed Mangum brings to the table as well. He lulls defenders asleep and then takes off. It is fun to watch. His type of game reminds of Larry Fitzgerald.

Like I said earlier, Illinois could use a wide receiver like Mangum on the roster right now. They don’t have a ton of depth and they will have even less depth in 2020. Three wide receivers will depart after this season and another three pass catchers will be gone after the 2020 campaign. That means Illinois is going to need some serious help.

Mangum could come into the Illinois program and, potentially, start day one. I like him in many different roles at wideout. This kid could be really good. Hopefully, the Illini can get in on this recruitment and make some waves.